Horseback Camp
A great introduction to horseback riding for beginner and intermediate riders
Camp Location – click to open map
KANATA
Earl of March Secondary School,
4 The Parkway,
Kanata, Ontario
K2K 2B6
Campers will travel by school bus to and from the Silver Creek Ranch each morning, and be back in time for lunch.
Camp Details
Ages
Boys and girls ages 7 to 12 years
AGE-RESTRICTED CAMP: All campers must be 7 or older on their first day of camp.
Dates and Rates
Dates and Rates
Staff Ratio
This camp has a Camper to Staff ratio of 4:1
Each group of 8 campers includes one Counselors and one or two Certified Volunteers
Horseback Waiver
All parents with children attending Horseback Camp will need to complete a Horseback Waiver at the time of registration. The system will not let you proceed without completing the form.
Description
In partnership with the Silver Creek Ranch in Carp, campers will receive Horseback Riding instruction in the morning and swimming or on-site activities in the afternoon. See schedule below. Transportation from our camp location to the ranch, and back, is provided by school bus.
This camp is suitable as an introduction to Horseback Riding. It is not for advanced level riders. Campers will be sorted (by our qualified instructors) into two distinct levels (beginner, intermediate) for instruction on the first day of camp. This will help to accommodate campers who have been with us before.
Under the watchful eye of experienced horse-riding instructors, campers of different abilities will learn horseback riding on horses in an outdoor sand ring. Confidence in riding will be fostered at each camper’s individual pace.
Campers will ride approximately 30 to 40 minutes each day. When they’re not riding, campers will learn about horses and come to understand the complete responsibilities of horse care and ownership. Our mission is to educate campers through hands-on experience about horses, horse care and of course riding . . . in a fun-first, country environment.
Personalized helmets will be provided on a weekly basis.
Campers should wear long pants for riding and any boots with a heel (for stirrups): rubber boots are great.
What you’ll learn
feeding, bedding, grooming, leading, tying, tacking, mounting, riding, theme days, and much more.
Preparing for camp
On the Thursday before each week of camp you'll receive an email from us reminding you that you're registered for camp for the upcoming week. At that time, we'll also remind you to download this week's "Gator Tales". Gator Tales is our weekly publication which includes: a packing list, emergency contact information, afternoon outings schedule, lunch menu, theme day schedule and more.
Camp Hours
There is no additional cost to pre and post camp supervision hours. Supervision is provided in classrooms where campers can choose between 2 classrooms: one for quiet activities like reading and listening to music and the other for watching kids cartoons or Disney kids movies on TV.
| 7:30am to 8:00am |
Pre-camp: Supervision only. Pre-camp hours do not include camp programming or open gym time. |
| 8:00am to 5:00pm |
Camp hours: Please arrive no later than 8:30am so we can do attendance and get our busy day started. |
| 5:00pm to 5:30pm |
Post-camp: Supervision only. Post-camp hours do not include camp programming or open gym time. |
Sample Daily Schedule
Each day is packed with special activities and every day and every week is different to accommodate campers who are with us for several weeks throughout the summer.
All of our camps are scheduled the same:
The Specialty Camp of your choice (Arts, Bike, Horseback, Multisport, Swim Lesson Camp, etc.) runs every morning, followed by lunch as an entire camp, followed by our afternoon activities.
| 7:30 to 8:00am |
Pre-Camp - DROP OFF (free of charge) The Gymnasium is closed. Supervision is provided in classrooms where campers can choose between 2 classrooms: one for quiet activities like reading and listening to music and the other for watching kids cartoons or Disney kids movies on TV. |
| 8:00 to 8:30am | The Gymnasium is now open. Campers choose between Open Gym or Classroom Supervision provided in classrooms where campers can choose between 2 classrooms: one for quiet activities like reading and listening to music and the other for watching kids cartoons or Disney kids movies on TV. |
| 8:30 to 8:45 am | Large Group Game: this helps the kids warm up before we take attendance. |
| 8:45 to 9:00 am | Attendance |
| 9:00 am sharp | Campers going off-site depart by school bus (eg. swim camp, horseback camp). On-site camps remain at the school. |
| 9:00 to 9:40 am |
ROTATION 1: Scatter: kids are divided into their specialty camps and start programming with their counselors. |
| 9:40 to 10:20am |
ROTATION 2: Specialty Camp Time (as chosen weekly) |
| 10:20 to 10:50 am | Snack Break (please send drinks/snacks with campers) |
| 10:50 to 11:30 am |
ROTATION 3: Specialty Camp Time (as chosen weekly) |
| 11:30 to 12:00 PM | Daily Optional Time: campers participate in gym activities of their choice to play with counselors. |
|
12:00 to 12:30pm
|
Lunch (optional lunch plan available for a fee) Buses return from off-site camp locations |
|
12:30 to 1:30pm
|
Flagpole (camp dance, singsong, jokes) and prepare for afternoon activities. |
|
1:30 to 4:00pm
|
Whole-camp activities: see schedule below (typically public swims or splash pad, no lessons provided) |
|
4:00 to 4:30pm
|
Snack (please send drinks/snacks with campers, cash snack bar available) |
|
4:30 to 5:00pm
|
The Gymnasium is now open. Campers choose between Open Gym or Classroom Supervision provided in classrooms where campers can choose between 2 classrooms: one for quiet activities like reading and listening to music and the other for watching kids cartoons or Disney kids movies on TV. |
| 5:00 to 5:30pm |
Post-Camp - PICK UP (free of charge) The Gymnasium is closed. Supervision is provided in classrooms where campers can choose between 2 classrooms: one for quiet activities like reading and listening to music and the other for watching kids cartoons or Disney kids movies on TV. |
Weekly themes
For a more detailed look at our weekly themes, emergency phone numbers, etc. please check out our Gator Tales
Afternoon Schedule by Camp Location
5 and 6 year olds
DO NOT ATTEND OUR AFTERNOON SWIMS. They will instead visit local splash pads every afternoon except Friday when they will take part in our Gator Games (activities at the camp location).
7 to 12 year olds
will travel by school bus or walk (where applicable) to some local City of Ottawa swimming pools. See the Afternoon Schedule below.
| MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY | |
|
ORLEANS St Peter Catholic HS
|
SWIM - Bearbrook Pool | SWIM - Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex | SWIM - Bearbrook Pool | SWIM - Ray Friel Wave Pool | Gator Games (at camp) |
|
KANATA Earl of March SS
|
SWIM - Beaverbrook or Walter Baker Pool | SWIM - Kanata Wave Pool | SWIM - Walter Baker Pool | SWIM - Beaverbrook or Walter Baker Pool | Gator Games (at camp) |
|
BARRHAVEN Longfields-Davidson
|
SWIM - General Burns Swim | SWIM - Walter Baker Pool | SWIM - Kanata Wave Pool | SWIM - General Burns Swim | Gator Games (at camp) |
Swim Rules
Safety is our number one concern.
We understand your concern for the safety of young swimmers.
Please be sure to read our complete swim safety rules and policies
Quest for the Gator Cup
One of the traditions we are most proud of is our weekly "Quest for the Gator Cup". Since 1996, this fierce, but friendly, competition has pit our Safari friends (Iguanas, Parrots, Treefrogs, Cheetahs, Elephants, and Gators) against one another in a week-long competition that we call the "Quest for the Gator Cup". Each team consists of campers of all ages and from all Specialty Camps and their counselors. At the end of each week, every camper receives a commemorative ribbon celebrating their participation in this one-of-a-kind event.
The Gator Cup is sure to be the highlight of every camper's week and something they will remember for years to come.
Dates and Rates
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