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Horse Camps

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Link to Video: Summer Camp Video

Weekly Junior Camps 2024  (Adult camps at bottom, One-day holiday camps also at bottom.)

This is a single-focus camp on HORSES, so everything we do is all about HORSES!!

2025 dates TBD

Dates Type of camp Hours Ages Price* Notes

About our camps: The camp programs at Red Gate Farm will give your child memories for a lifetime. We offer a variety of half and full-day camps throughout the summer and over school breaks. Camps are organized by age, experience and interest. This is a single-focus camp focusing on horses!  Our address is Red Gate Farm, 19255 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA .

REGISTRATION: To secure your child’s spot in any camp program, please send a deposit and  fill out the forms online using the link below:

Summer Camp Information

*Note:  Please include an additional $25 registration fee per child. This fee is for the entire summer.   $25 discount for day camps (same child) or sibling in same camp. The first week for the first child is always billed at full price.   All summer camps are weekly and include a riding lesson each day, many fun horsey topics, and horse crafts. We aim to have kids ride and take care of the same pony/horse all week.

Pre-School Camp is a 4-day afternoon camp for children ages 3-6. No experience is necessary. Gentle introduction to horse safety, grooming, tacking, riding, and horse craft/activity.

Horse Day Camp is an all-day program for children ages 6-14, which can also include swimming. No experience is necessary. Riders are grouped by ability first, then by age. We always have at least one new rider group, and a group that is cantering and jumping, and everything in between!  1/2 day horse camp,  is also offered with a pickup time of Noon.  There is no swimming or lunch time with this option.  Deduct $100 from your registration fee for the half-day option.

Horse Camp Riding Lesson topics: Children are grouped by ability.  Lesson topics covered depend on the children’s ability, but will include trotting, pony games, and a trail ride.  Most will ride bareback and jump also.  Advanced students may get the opportunity to ride cross country or be included in advanced ground topics. 

 Horse Camp Ground Lesson Topics:  We will be busy taking care of our horses, including grooming, feeding, bathing, saddling, and cleaning stalls. Basic veterinary and farrier (horseshoeing) duties will be discussed.  We’ll learn the parts of the horse, and about different breeds and colors.  And, just for fun, we’ll  decorate horse t-shirts and create horse crafts too.

 Aftercare:  Aftercare is available M-F from 3-5 pm for $15/hour or $25/hour for 2 siblings. Any part of an hour is billable.  MUST BE PRE-ARRANGED AND PRE-PAID ON MONDAY.

Expectations:  Summer camp is the perfect time to develop a bond with their horse as well as meet new friends.  We emphasize becoming safe and responsible around horses, having fun (very important!), learning all about horse topics, and progressing their riding level.

Cancellation Policy:  The $100 deposit and registration fee is not refundable for day camps;    The remainder of the fees are refundable if written cancellation is made 15 or more days before the start date of camp.   Cancellations made less than 14 days prior to camp are not refundable.  It is possible to move a child from one camp to another if there is space.

Pony clubbers:  All camps will cover pony club topics in addition to riding lessons.  Day camps cover levels D1-D3.

Spring Break Camp is an all-day program for children ages 6-14. No experience is necessary. Riders are grouped by ability first, then by age. We always have at least one new rider group, and a group that is cantering and jumping, and everything in between!   Similar to Horse camp, there will be Riding every day, including a trail ride, with other horse activities in the afternoons, such as painting a horse to learn the parts of a horse, barn management, identifying colors and markings of horses, tack care, and visits from equine specialists.

Holiday Camps:  Occasionally a one-day camp is offered on a school holiday.  Holiday camps include many pony club horse unmounted topics, along with a mounted riding lesson.       Click here to register for a One day holiday  camp

Adult Camp is a 3 evening program for adults. 6-8:30 pm.  Th- Sa, with Su raindate. Some experience is necessary. If the camp is large, riders are grouped by ability. There will be Riding every evening, including a dressage lesson, jumping to your ability (might be poles!!), and a trail ride and/or riding in the open/xc. We will share other horse activities, such as lunging, application of boots, ground training, etc.  Please use the regular (rider) signup for Adults Camp:  Put your info under “Rider info”.  Put your significant other for “Parent/guardian info”.   $350 camp fee plus registration fee.  If horse needed, extra $25 per day.