Summer Horse Camp 2009 For Ages 5 to 13 Years
June 15 - August 21, 2009
Monday thru Friday - 9:00am until 4:00pm (Early Drop Off and Late Pick Up Available)
Download the Camp Brochure Here
We offer Plenty of HORSEBACK RIDING!
Campers ride twice each day! Morning lessons concentrate on developing basic equitation skills - the very thing we teach professionally 363 days per year. Afternoon lessons are all about having fun through our "Games on Horseback" series which allow for the practical usage of riding skills acquired in the morning lesson period.
An Opportunity for LEARNING - While enjoying Summer Vacation!
Campers are taught the History of the Horse, Breeds, Colors, Markings, Anatomy, Horse care, Grooming & Braiding techniques, determining a horse's age by Reading Teeth, and much, much more. Potomac Horse Center is the hands-down leader in teaching horsemanship to Montgomery County residents for well over 40 years.
Chill Out during the hot summer afternoons with - ARTS & CRAFTS!
Creativity is encouraged during cool summer afternoons in our camp headquarters. Campers decorate real horseshoes to take home, create horse collages, and many other fun projects like scratch art, friendship bracelets, personalized visors, craft weaving and more.
EARLY DROP-OFF & LATE PICKUPS - No Problem, we've got you covered
Our Camp Program operates from 9am to 4pm, but we know that in the real world it's not always possible to drop-off and pick-up in this timeframe - so we offer early drop-off starting 2 hours earlier at 7am and late pick-up 2 hours later to 6pm at no additional charge. During these times one of our regular daily Camp Counselors will be on hand to welcome and provide for your Camper's needs.
Potomac Horse Center... The Closest Location with the Most to Offer
While there are a few other options in Horse Camp programs - none match our rich history of horsemanship, convenient location, and extensive facilities. We're a time honored tradition, The place where literally thousands upon thousands of Washington DC region residents have learned to ride and enjoy the equestrian life. We're just a few miles from I-270 & I-370 in the center of North Potomac. Easily accessible from Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Potomac - you'll not have to drive deep into the countryside to reach our farm.
A PUBLIC FACILITY - Leased from the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission
We operate under one basic premise... to make horseback riding accessible to the public. At Potomac Horse Center - you may enjoy everything equestrian without owning a horse or committing to any more than one of many carefully designed, academically inspired programs. We're not just someone's private barnyard, we're an institution - a precious gem belonging to everyone in Montgomery County - and we're proud of it!
General Information & Program Highlights Monday - Thursday Schedule
7:00 - 9:00 am
Early Drop Off - Campers are supervised by Staff until the Camp day begins
9:00 - 9:15 am
Roll Call & Announcements - "Buddy" & Horse Assignments, Name Tags, and General Announcements
9:15 - 9:45 am
Groom & Tack - Buddies groom & tack their horse together with Staff instruction & supervision
9:45 - 10:00 am
Morning Snack Break - Bring your own snack or purchase something from the vending machines
10:00 - 10:45 am
Riding Lesson for Group 1 - In the morning lesson - Safety, Fun and Equitation Skills are practiced All About Horses for Group 2 - Campers are taught the History of the Horse, Horse Care, Breeds, Colors, Markings, Anatomy, Braiding, Ageing by Teeth, and much, much more!
10:45 - 11:30 am
Riding Lesson for Group 2 - In the morning lesson - Safety, Fun and Equitation Skills are practiced All About Horses for Group 1 - Campers are taught the History of the Horse, Horse Care, Breeds, Colors, Markings, Anatomy, Grooming & Braiding, Ageing by Teeth, and much, much more!
11:30 - Noon
Cool Out Horses & Tack Cleaning - Horses from Lessons are allowed to cool down, washed & put away. Campers clean their saddles and bridles
Noon - 12:30 pm
Lunch - A mid-day retreat for nourishment in our air-conditioned Camp Headquarters
12:30 - 12:45 pm
Groom & Tack - Campers groom & tack horses in preparation for the afternoon lessons
12:45 - 1:30 pm
"Games on Horseback" for Group 1 - The afternoon Riding Session concentrates on really fun activities with names like - "Pole Bending", "Simon Says", "Trail Riding", "Apple Bobbing", "Flower Folly", "Water Relay" and many more! Movies / Camp Week Mural for Group 2 - Monday & Wednesday we'll be watching short horse theme & instructional videos in PHC's air-conditioned lounge above the Main Arena from which the games in progress may also be viewed. Tuesday & Thursday is dedicated to working on a group mural to display during the Friday afternoon Horse Show
1:30 - 2:15 pm
"Games on Horseback" for Group 2 - The afternoon Riding Session concentrates on really fun activities with names like - "Pole Bending", "Simon Says", "Trail Riding", "Apple Bobbing", "Flower Folly", "Water Relay" and many more! Movies / Camp Week Mural for Group 1 - Monday & Wednesday we'll be watching short horse theme & instructional videos in PHC's air-conditioned lounge above the Main Arena from which the games in progress may also be viewed. Tuesday & Thursday is dedicated to working on a group mural to display during the Friday afternoon Horse Show
Friday Schedule
Additional Information
Lunch We recommend that students bring their lunch in a cooler. Lunches may also be kept in our Camp Headquarters refrigerator. Cold drinks and snacks are available from the vending machines and free drinking water is available from our WSSC supplied drinking fountain at all times.
Equipment It is required that campers use an ASTM/SEI approved helmet, boots with a 1/2 inch heel and appropriate long pants for riding lessons. We encourage the students to bring in sneakers, shorts and bathing suits for other activities. For safety's sake! - no child will be allowed to ride a horse in sneakers and/or shorts.
Terms It's quite easy to reserve your place in camp. First step is to come to the office or call 301-208-0200 to inquire if your week of choice is still available, if so - you may reserve your place with a cash, check or credit card registration fee payment of $100.00 per week of camp enrollment.
The balance of your payment is due within 10 days of payment of the registration fee. If you're present in the office, we'll complete your Camp Participation Agreement with you on the spot - if you've made your reservation and deposit by phone, we'll mail you the Agreement within 24 hours and you may complete it and mail it back with a check or credit card payment information.
Due to administrative & scheduling issues, if a cancellation occurs after May 1st the $100.00 registration fee may not be refunded. If you've paid in full and must cancel your reservation between May 1st and the start of week #1 of the Camp Session, we will refund all except the $100.00 registration fee. After the start of week #1, refunds less registration fee will only be allowed with a legitimate treating Medical Doctor's note subject to our confirmation. Families with more than one Camper enrolled must complete a Camp Participation Agreement for each Camper.
Session tuition with multiple week discounts deducted
Discounts Sibling discounts are offered at the rate of 5% for the first additional sibling and 10% for the second additional sibling. Multiple week discount is available at $25 per week applied to the third through tenth week enrolled.
Health All campers must have a doctor's statement that the Camper is in good health and may participate in all camp activities. The Maryland Department of Health requires complete immunization records for any Camper not currently enrolled in a Maryland school or exercising the right to an exemption from immunization on medical or religious grounds. All doctor's notes and immunization records are due before the first day of camp - we may not allow a Camper to join the program without the necessary health information submitted. The MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE IMMUNIZATION CERTIFICATE is available on the web here.
Releases A liability waiver is included in our Camp Participation Agreement and must be completed as a part of the sales agreement according to our Terms listed above.
Questions? We're here to answer them anytime from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday - Friday & 9:00 am to 5 pm Saturday & Sunday. Phone 301-208-0200 and we'll be happy to help you.