Monday afternoon June 30th, 2008
Dearest Pony Farm Families,
I hope that this blog update finds you well and happily enjoying your summer. We were so glad to see many of you at the horse show on Saturday. It is always fun to chat and catch up. It was a great day, despite the weather. For those of you who were not able to come, let me get right to telling you all about the show.
Saturday morning dawned gray and foggy. The weather report was for intermittent showers and possible thunderstorms. We were all praying that it would hold out for the day. Because everyone was all shined and ready, the only thing to do was mush forth and hope for good weather. We lucked out….While I can not say it was a bright and sunny day, it did not rain on us. We were all saying how nice it was that we had no dust and it was pleasantly cool. We were also glad that we had decided to move the show to the rings with the best footing. So, in fact, our prayers were answered and the weather held out for us. Hooray!
So, with the courses set, the tack clean, the hair done up in ribbons and the show clothes passed around as far as we could stretch them, we were ready. The campers and staff got up at 6:15AM to feed their mounts and organize the barn for the day. Each group of riders had a coach and a counselor in training. They all had carefully worked out the entries so they knew what classes they were in and what the order of go was to be. The kids all seemed pretty darn “cool and collected” when I met them for breakfast.
While many of the campers had shown extensively, a number of them had never ever competed. It was so dear how the bigger or more experienced ones were helping the newer ones. That is what camp is all about! Plus, I must say that the staff was spectacular. They had truly entered each child in the right division and were right there to help in the schooling areas and at ring side. The team approach really worked well. I was so proud of both kids and staff!
Two kids had decided not to show. They were given the choice to have a lesson or to help with the show as “ring crew”. One chose to go with her mom and the other stuck by her job all day long. All of the ring crew got to have Pony Farm shirts….Ruby was particularly thrilled to have her PF shirt and froze all day long so she didn’t have to cover up her ‘staff shirt’ with a sweatshirt…It was pretty darn dear of her to be so determined to look like a staff person at such a young age! Camp is in good hands with these young ones coming along!
The schooling and early preparation got wrapped up and the show for the littlest ones got going promptly at 9AM…The other bigger ring took a little longer due to warm ups and the judge getting lost….a show organizer’s nightmare! All was nicely underway by 9:20.
I was the Announcer and general show commentator….I am not nearly as good at Howard Kosell, but I do try to keep everyone moving along, safe and in good spirits. I loved seeing the kids ride and cheering them along. We had a number of other barns from here in NH, as well as Massachusetts, so there was good competition. We like to have outside riders because it feels counter-productive to teach the kids all week to collaborate and then at the show to ride against each other. Luckily, we had just the right amount of competition so each rider could feel like she had done well when she won a ribbon. Also, outside competitors did not feel like it was a show only featuring the PF campers…so, all was well in terms of number of riders.
However, we did have several divisions that needed to be split in two, and even into three sections. We want to make sure it stays safe for the kids while giving everyone a good chance at a ribbon. For lots of our campers, this is the only time they ever show so we like to have it be a good experience.
To everyone’s delight, every single camper got at least 2 or 3 ribbons. Many of our kids ended up being the Champion or Reserve in their division. To the staff’s credit, they really had entered them in the appropriate division…neither too easy or too hard. I was so proud of the staff as it had been quite a challenge with the weather and getting the final horse matches. With the inevitable occasional lame or sore backed horse, they did a terrific job…as did the campers. It was a great show and it sure seemed like everyone had a wonderful time, including the parents and grandparents who attended.
The show ended just after 5:30PM….That makes for a good but long day for everyone. I am always glad that we don’t have to then load up all 48 horses and travel homeward, only to have to then do barn chores…That is the benefit of being the host show!!! With everyone pitching into take care of the horses, the day ended well.
The campers went up to the lodge for showers to warm up…and then to a yummie dinner and a movie. I am not sure how many kids actually made it through the movie but it was pretty cute seeing everyone snuggled up together in the main room at the lodge watching a movie in their PJ’s and sleeping bags….Favorite stuffed animals were tucked under most of the arms, proving that these kids love to still be “kids”!!!
Sunday morning dawned gray and foggy…again!!!! The kids got to sleep in and get a bowl of cereal until a Brunch later on. The younger kids were able to watch a movie again while the older kids got to sleep longer. Kris selects the movies and watches them with them. I took my own son to the airport to go on a trip to Mexico with our church youth group. While I was gone, all the kids cleaned up their room extra well and gathered their laundry. Upon my return, we all had lunch together….and we started my favorite time at camp….arts & crafts, playing with the small farm animals and gardening….The kids loved jumping the minis…running after the rabbits on their leads….snuggling with the guinea pigs…holding and petting the chickens, feeding the baby goat, grooming the curly goat and the donkey….even clipping one of the Miniature Horses and swimming with the ducks. I just love seeing the kids relaxing and enjoying the animals. It seems like it is the carefree way a kiddo ought to grow up. The world can seem so big and confusing….I just love seeing them happy and at peace. We even ended up doing some planting in the vegetable garden and staking up the tomatoes. Such fun. I kind of feel like it is ‘my day’ with the kids as I am always having to organize riding groups and horse matches and events the other days….I just love being with them on Sundays!
Kris and some of the staff were up at the lodge during this time with the small animals. She had the girls doing bracelets, door signs and posters. Again, I think Kris shares my enjoyment on Sundays as she gets to have the kids ‘to herself’ too. We really look forward to Sundays.
Following these activities, we then let them plan for the Talent Show. This is always a big event at the camp on Sunday night. Some of the acts are funny, some serious and some crazy. I am always amazed when a child can stand up in front of the whole group and sing a song or play an instrument. I couldn’t do that if you locked me in a room all day long! They did some fun ones together, some dancing, and some skits. It was a nice show and it didn’t rain!!! Yipee…
After the Talent Show, we had our Goodnight Circle and all the kids went to bed beautifully. I think they were surely tired by this time. I even slept on the couch until Senior Staff who live in the lodge were back from their day off. It was fun sharing the lodge with the kids.
Today, we once again reshuffled horses and got the riding groups organized. We were planning on having the Hunter Pace. This is always one of the highlights of the session…When we had a number of kids who said they did not want to do the Hunter Pace, we stepped back to scratch our heads. This has never happened before. Usually, the kids are leaping to do the Hunter Pace and all figure out “team” shirts to match. As I reflected on this strange turn of events, I realized that only two of the eight groups had even been on a trail ride!!! Due to the weather and the lightening, we had kept them all close to the barn…..thus, no trail rides….No wonder they were feeling nervous to go off on a glorious Hunter Pace….
So…. we reshuffled the deck again and took the groups who had not yet been on a trail ride out to enjoy the lovely riding areas we have here at the farm. The other two groups rode in the rings and some even vaulted, which is gymnastics on horse back. Everyone came back with big smiles. I will feel much more at ease sending them off tomorrow on their Hunter Pace!
This afternoon the girls posed for their portraits with their horses and again played with the small farm animals…an all camp favorite. They also spent extra time on grooming and reorganizing their barns after the hectic show…Tonight, we are going to listen to my Mom tell her famous stories. I have not seen the staff be as excited about any evening activity as this one. They grew up on Mom’s stories…Such fun!
Tomorrow night, despite the clouds, we are going on our camping trip with the ponies….Thirty two girls have signed up…so I am taking them on two nights of camping with the horses…one on Tuesday night and one on Wednesday night. It is just too many kids to take all 32 at the same time. We will bring 5 or 6 horses and have a ball. I guess my old bones can take two nights on the ground! I do love it all…..
We will set up the three big tents and eat dinner & breakfast out at the camping site. We tie the horses to the trees and bring lots of fly spray and food for the horses….The kids will get to swim and eat and explore and experience the great outdoors with their friends…All just right for a kid…I will write you when we are back and everyone is safe and sound!
Until then, I hope you are well and enjoying some time without your treasure. I also bet you will be glad to have her home again!!! Remember to arrive with your picnic at about 9:30 on Saturday morning. You can plan to leave by about 1 or 2PM….We have lots of great things to show you. If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to email me…its boomcdaniel@ponyfarm.com .
I do have to let you know that I am not going to be here for the Closing Day….I have a chance to be with my own daughters and my granddaughters for the first 4th of July EVER in the history of camp (37 years!!!)….I am so sorry that it is going to happen on the last day of this session but I could not pass it up. I surely have loved your kids and felt like I saw most of you on Saturday at the show. I will miss seeing them ride that last time but know they are in great hands…All the staff will be here with Kris leading the pack.
So…if you have any last questions for me, please do email me….It is easier to answer you as I will be off camping with your kids rather than being by the phone.
Most fondly and with a big smile,
Boo
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Camp Horse Show info for YOU!!!
Friday afternoon June 27th
Dearest Parents and Family Members,
Hooray, the rain has held off…The girls have been such super sports. We are nearly ready for the horse show tomorrow. It is no mean feat to get all the girls ready for a show without riding more due to rain. Thanks to their good sportsmanship and the staff being so organized, we are going to be ready. We did make the decision to move the show to the rings instead of on the Outside Course field. I think it will be much safer and more fun without us all being in the mud!
So here goes my best guess as to when your kids will be riding. Please, please take these times as approximate….It is only my estimate. I do know that we will be splitting at least two Walk Trot Divisions as we already have too many in these divisions. We like to send everyone home with a ribbon….The other reason that it is only an approximation is that I do not know how many outside entries we will have. As of today, we have 25 other riders…We like to have about as many outside people as we have campers so that the campers are not riding against each other….However, we also don’t want too many outside riders so that the show is just mobbed…So…here goes my best guess….Don’t be mad at me if I am wrong when tomorrow gets here!
RING 1
9:30: Tara A, Jillian, Shira
10:00 Maddie M., Katie No. Rachel T., Teddi S.
11:00 Clare C. Jess G., Erica J., Olivia S.
12:00 Elisabeth C. Ellie C., Lydia G., Mia K., Mikaela W-S, Marhta S., Caroline R., Laura McC.
1:00 Lida C. Julia c. Ali L., Sophia P., Kendall H., Clara H., Mallory M., Rose R.
3:00 Rebecca J., Allnie l., Mikayla H., Rebecca S.
RING 2
9:00 Amy S.
9:30 Tess J., Nora Mcn-B., Katie S.
10:00 Grace M.
11:30 Emily K.
12:30 Ariel G., Piper R.
Katie S and Ruby have chosen not to show and to serve as Ring Mistresses…They have just gotten their official Show Crew Polo Shirts and they are tickled pink…
I hope that some of you will be able to come…IF you CANNOT, please do NOT worry. We have a ton of staff and we will keep an extra eye out for kiddos whose parents are not here!!! We have a number of parents who will be out of the country or from too far away to come…So, please do not struggle to get here!
If you are coming, please park up by the lodge. The trailers and exhibitors from other farms will park in the lower field. You will be free to use the bathrooms at the lodge.
We will have a lunch caterer for the show. We will also serve coffee and donut holes with granola bars for visitors for breakfast. It is not a full breakfast however. We will have a picnic for the campers. We hope this helps you plan ahead.
Please do bring lawn chairs if you are coming to see the whole show. We have made the lawn beside the barn in to a good place to sit and watch. There is also room next to Ring one.
Now….so that you can plan ahead…We will have a Parents’ Exhibition for you next Saturday. If you could plan to arrive at 9:30, we will have you greet your camper(s) and get oriented to what they are doing for the exhibition. They will have a demo lesson with their staff and the senior instructor will inform you of what they have been working on during the session….Then, they will choose their specialty…it will be things like vaulting, the high jump, courses, games, dressage, pair jumping, and small farm animals. The whole exhibition part should be over by noon…If you can bring your own picnic for you and your camper, we will provide refreshments and desserts…
To update you as to our “doings” today, half the kids rode this morning and the other half this afternoon. They had a mock hack class (non jumping) ride with two groups combined. Once everyone was warmed up, pairs of kids reported to the actual show rings with the jumps set as they will be tomorrow. They got to practice over the actual course so that they would know what to expect. The reverse happened this afternoon.
Meanwhile, the non riders divided up into groups and got their tack cleaned and their ponies trimmed, groomed, and bathed….They also organized their show clothes…Everyone worked hard and well. They should look sharp tomorrow!
Tonight, we are going to polish our boots, organize the hair ribbons, etc. for the show and do an overview of the schedule tomorrow. We will also give them “Show Ring Pointers” from the pros on our staff…We have several staff members who have competed nationally and one that has competed internationally! They will serve as good advisors.
We are also planning to get everyone to bed kind of early as tomorrow will be an early one!
I hope this helps you have a ‘fly on the wall’ perspective. I also hope I have given this to you in time. It really was only just ready after the afternoon rides….
I send you all our best…This is a lovely, happy, cooperative and hard working crew of kids….You must all be super parents….I wish you well. Happy Friday night.
Warmly, Boo
PS…All Homesickness has flown the coop…Everyone is all smiles and happy! Hooray.
Dearest Parents and Family Members,
Hooray, the rain has held off…The girls have been such super sports. We are nearly ready for the horse show tomorrow. It is no mean feat to get all the girls ready for a show without riding more due to rain. Thanks to their good sportsmanship and the staff being so organized, we are going to be ready. We did make the decision to move the show to the rings instead of on the Outside Course field. I think it will be much safer and more fun without us all being in the mud!
So here goes my best guess as to when your kids will be riding. Please, please take these times as approximate….It is only my estimate. I do know that we will be splitting at least two Walk Trot Divisions as we already have too many in these divisions. We like to send everyone home with a ribbon….The other reason that it is only an approximation is that I do not know how many outside entries we will have. As of today, we have 25 other riders…We like to have about as many outside people as we have campers so that the campers are not riding against each other….However, we also don’t want too many outside riders so that the show is just mobbed…So…here goes my best guess….Don’t be mad at me if I am wrong when tomorrow gets here!
RING 1
9:30: Tara A, Jillian, Shira
10:00 Maddie M., Katie No. Rachel T., Teddi S.
11:00 Clare C. Jess G., Erica J., Olivia S.
12:00 Elisabeth C. Ellie C., Lydia G., Mia K., Mikaela W-S, Marhta S., Caroline R., Laura McC.
1:00 Lida C. Julia c. Ali L., Sophia P., Kendall H., Clara H., Mallory M., Rose R.
3:00 Rebecca J., Allnie l., Mikayla H., Rebecca S.
RING 2
9:00 Amy S.
9:30 Tess J., Nora Mcn-B., Katie S.
10:00 Grace M.
11:30 Emily K.
12:30 Ariel G., Piper R.
Katie S and Ruby have chosen not to show and to serve as Ring Mistresses…They have just gotten their official Show Crew Polo Shirts and they are tickled pink…
I hope that some of you will be able to come…IF you CANNOT, please do NOT worry. We have a ton of staff and we will keep an extra eye out for kiddos whose parents are not here!!! We have a number of parents who will be out of the country or from too far away to come…So, please do not struggle to get here!
If you are coming, please park up by the lodge. The trailers and exhibitors from other farms will park in the lower field. You will be free to use the bathrooms at the lodge.
We will have a lunch caterer for the show. We will also serve coffee and donut holes with granola bars for visitors for breakfast. It is not a full breakfast however. We will have a picnic for the campers. We hope this helps you plan ahead.
Please do bring lawn chairs if you are coming to see the whole show. We have made the lawn beside the barn in to a good place to sit and watch. There is also room next to Ring one.
Now….so that you can plan ahead…We will have a Parents’ Exhibition for you next Saturday. If you could plan to arrive at 9:30, we will have you greet your camper(s) and get oriented to what they are doing for the exhibition. They will have a demo lesson with their staff and the senior instructor will inform you of what they have been working on during the session….Then, they will choose their specialty…it will be things like vaulting, the high jump, courses, games, dressage, pair jumping, and small farm animals. The whole exhibition part should be over by noon…If you can bring your own picnic for you and your camper, we will provide refreshments and desserts…
To update you as to our “doings” today, half the kids rode this morning and the other half this afternoon. They had a mock hack class (non jumping) ride with two groups combined. Once everyone was warmed up, pairs of kids reported to the actual show rings with the jumps set as they will be tomorrow. They got to practice over the actual course so that they would know what to expect. The reverse happened this afternoon.
Meanwhile, the non riders divided up into groups and got their tack cleaned and their ponies trimmed, groomed, and bathed….They also organized their show clothes…Everyone worked hard and well. They should look sharp tomorrow!
Tonight, we are going to polish our boots, organize the hair ribbons, etc. for the show and do an overview of the schedule tomorrow. We will also give them “Show Ring Pointers” from the pros on our staff…We have several staff members who have competed nationally and one that has competed internationally! They will serve as good advisors.
We are also planning to get everyone to bed kind of early as tomorrow will be an early one!
I hope this helps you have a ‘fly on the wall’ perspective. I also hope I have given this to you in time. It really was only just ready after the afternoon rides….
I send you all our best…This is a lovely, happy, cooperative and hard working crew of kids….You must all be super parents….I wish you well. Happy Friday night.
Warmly, Boo
PS…All Homesickness has flown the coop…Everyone is all smiles and happy! Hooray.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Happy Hello from Session 2!
Thursday Morning June 26th
Dearest Parents, One and All,
I hope this letter finds you well and happily into the fun of summer. I send you all our best, on behalf of the kids, staff and myself! It was such fun to meet you all on Sunday and have you deliver your “precious cargo” to us!!!! We are all working so hard to make this special for each and every girl….
I am most apologetic that I have not written to you sooner. I promised to write every 2 or 3 days….Honestly, I have had my hands so full with the campers and been so much with them that I have not been able to sneak away to write you. I am sad to report that we have just had horrible weather for the first two days….then, yesterday while the sun shone, I really got out there with the staff and got them finally on their right horses and in the right groups. I swear we have never had such severe thunderstorms….We would say to the girls on Monday & Tuesday…”Hurry up and get tacked up to ride”…then, the clouds would gather and we would have to say “Hurry up and get untacked and up to the lodge”….Truly yesterday was the first day that I had been able to make sure all the girls were correctly mounted and in the right groups….
I felt it was far better to be with them than writing to you….Today, I am on a day off and it was my first priority to be in touch with YOU! I do hope you agree with my priorities….I hate having to have the kids without me during a thunderstorm….especially at night…Plus, I think due to the weather and the ‘hurry up’ to try to ride, we have had several (4) kids that have been homesick. Thus…I wanted to tend to them too. So, I do apologize but trust me when I say that I have not been sitting around idle!!!
Happily, today is bright and beautiful. They are going to really get riding to get ready for the show on Saturday….They have been really good sports. The courses that they will do (for those ready to jump) are being set as I write this. They will get to practice as much as the weather will allow. We don’t mind riding in the rain but no thunder & lightening for us!!!
So, let me review what we have done to catch you up…And…now that things have settled down and ALL the kids are over being homesick, I can be more regular about writing you….
The first afternoon and evening went just as we outlined in the letter we sent you. The girls were all great as they got to know each other. The Scavenger Hunt was a big hit as they ran all over the farm finding out things like how many windows are in the Indoor Arena and how many stalls in the Outside Barn. This helps them get to know the farm before they go to ride the next day. Each camper listened so hard to the orientation about each part of camp. They are really good KIDS!!!!
The first night went well and the schedule got planned from their list of activities. We introduced them to the favorite camp songs and lit the candles for the Goodnight Circle. Everyone sang and it put a nice closure to the first night.
The next morning, we got ready to ride and to sort out horse matches and riding groups. Despite drizzle mixed with real showers, we went anyway. We divided them into five big groups with the intent to get them into 8 groups of 6 riders with a Senior riding counselor and a Counselor-In-Training for each one. Our original plan was to have them ride that afternoon to see if we had organized them into the appropriate group and to try out the horse switches….Unfortunately, it was one of the afternoons that was the worst and we had to keep them indoors.
We decided to clean tack and to get the horses all trimmed up for the horse show and/or lesson for the parents….The girls were all great about this and it should be easier to just wipe off the tack tomorrow before the show.
That night we played Bag Skits…a cute activity where each room selects 5 items and puts them in a bag. Then, all the rooms get one of these bags and has to create a skit around the contents of the bag….It is a great way for the kids to get to know each other in their rooms and to get all the campers comfortable with each other. While the kids were planning the skits, the senior staff and I had a staff meeting. We have a staff member who just comes in every evening to help with Evening Activities, whatever they may be…She and the CITS stayed with the kids while we met. This meeting helps us keep the staff organized and to iron out any wrinkles….As we say to the kids, “We want this to be the best 2 weeks of your year!”….We really do mean this!!!!
Tuesday morning we decided to have the kids divide up to only use the rings. The fields where we have lessons was just too wet and slippery to be safe…So the kids either rode in the morning or the afternoon….doing the activities that were scheduled for the afternoon if they did not ride. Of course the farm animals are always a huge hit, with that being the favorite non riding activity. A number of the girls also chose to Vault which is gymnastics on the moving horse. It is really good for their riding balance and coordination. This is a huge hit at camp too. Other choices were Stablemanagement to learn how to take the temperature, pulse and respiration of a horse, as well as how to bandage their legs. Another fun thing that we offered and kids loved as Pony Dress Up. We have two costume trunks for evening activities or Pony Dress up…These items get well used for sure.
Despite the wet conditions underfoot, all went well with the riding on both times. The afternoon kids did not get to ride for the full time due to impending weather…We were lucky evidently as we only got thunder and lightening for a while. Other towns near us also got huge hail. When I say we have had lousy weather, I am not just kidding!
The kids did barn chores in good time and we got them up to the lodge for dinner…It was a Shipwreck Dinner, meaning they had to eat with crazy utensils like spatulas and wire wisks….Silly as it sounds, the kids love this meal….Luckily, no one thinks of a food fight! They just giggle and giggle over having to eat with something other than a knife, fork and spoon! Homesickness seemed to be on the run…with everyone going to bed with ease this third night. I think they were tired!
Yesterday dawned bright and beautiful with a little breeze….Everyone rode with glee….we sorted out all the riding groups, horse matches and made sure all the tack was right for both the riders and the horses…Once that was done, we also made sure it was all correctly marked so that tack up time goes smoothly with no one losing their tack. The groups were finally right and we were happy with all the horse matches…..But you can see why its been hectic and why I haven’t written sooner!!!! I promise I was busy!
Yesterday afternoon, the kids got to choose their activities for a big list. The highlights were Carriage Driving (luckily, that is what I got to do with them!), more farm animal fun, pair jumping (where they try to jump over two jumps at the same time), catch riding (where they tack up their own horse and then switch horses 2 or 3 times over the course of the afternoon…a great way to get to ride a lot of horses), a trail ride and a Puissance (or high jump…they got to 3’9”…imagine that!!!)…So, again, everyone had a blast and loved doing special activities with horses that are not often included in general lesson programs…..No only do the kids love this, but so do the staff…with me being the ‘Biggest Kid’ of all…
Last night they played an uproarious game of Capture the Flag…Everyone got into this game as it is one of the Favorites….and, everyone trundled off to bed without a hitch….The homesick bug is gone and the smile bug has replaced it for sure!
Today, they are going to practice, practice and practice some more over the jumps and in a ‘hack class’, meaning to ride in a group following the directions of a ringmaster. This is such good practice for the show. Sadly, the weather report is more rain for this afternoon….We were going to do pictures of the girls and do their swimming tests….but with the rain coming, they are going to ride as long as they can….The show has been moved to the upper rings instead of out in the field for everyone’s safety.
This afternoon and/or evening, the staff will join with the kids and get everyone entered into the right classes. We will also organize the clothes that they will be showing in on Saturday. They will also get information about the show and show ring etiquette. They will be coached by their instructors who will help each rider stay organized and ride well. It is such a fun process and the kids get so excited!
I promise that I will write you tomorrow with the approximate time that each girl will be riding. We try to schedule her classes close together so you can see them all without having to spend the entire day here. We also invite you to come early and stay late!!! The more, the merrier! If you want to take her out for ice cream or an early dinner, that is fine too. We will be having a fun movie on Saturday night so she will not be missing something great like the Talent Show, which is scheduled for Sunday evening! That is an all camp favorite….
So, never a dull moment on the farm….I promise to write you tommorrow…The show itself starts at 9AM…We are not sure how many other people are coming. It is an informal “open show” with other farms invited. But…they have had the same bad weather all week so we are not sure how many people will come, especially if it rains…arghhh!!!
I end as I began by saying that I hope you are well. Your kiddos are great and such good little troopers. Each one is such a character in her own right. I surely do love being a camp director…however, I am hoping the weather behaves better for their sake. I will promise to be in touch tomorrow with approximate show times…
All my best to YOU….Fondly, Boo
Dearest Parents, One and All,
I hope this letter finds you well and happily into the fun of summer. I send you all our best, on behalf of the kids, staff and myself! It was such fun to meet you all on Sunday and have you deliver your “precious cargo” to us!!!! We are all working so hard to make this special for each and every girl….
I am most apologetic that I have not written to you sooner. I promised to write every 2 or 3 days….Honestly, I have had my hands so full with the campers and been so much with them that I have not been able to sneak away to write you. I am sad to report that we have just had horrible weather for the first two days….then, yesterday while the sun shone, I really got out there with the staff and got them finally on their right horses and in the right groups. I swear we have never had such severe thunderstorms….We would say to the girls on Monday & Tuesday…”Hurry up and get tacked up to ride”…then, the clouds would gather and we would have to say “Hurry up and get untacked and up to the lodge”….Truly yesterday was the first day that I had been able to make sure all the girls were correctly mounted and in the right groups….
I felt it was far better to be with them than writing to you….Today, I am on a day off and it was my first priority to be in touch with YOU! I do hope you agree with my priorities….I hate having to have the kids without me during a thunderstorm….especially at night…Plus, I think due to the weather and the ‘hurry up’ to try to ride, we have had several (4) kids that have been homesick. Thus…I wanted to tend to them too. So, I do apologize but trust me when I say that I have not been sitting around idle!!!
Happily, today is bright and beautiful. They are going to really get riding to get ready for the show on Saturday….They have been really good sports. The courses that they will do (for those ready to jump) are being set as I write this. They will get to practice as much as the weather will allow. We don’t mind riding in the rain but no thunder & lightening for us!!!
So, let me review what we have done to catch you up…And…now that things have settled down and ALL the kids are over being homesick, I can be more regular about writing you….
The first afternoon and evening went just as we outlined in the letter we sent you. The girls were all great as they got to know each other. The Scavenger Hunt was a big hit as they ran all over the farm finding out things like how many windows are in the Indoor Arena and how many stalls in the Outside Barn. This helps them get to know the farm before they go to ride the next day. Each camper listened so hard to the orientation about each part of camp. They are really good KIDS!!!!
The first night went well and the schedule got planned from their list of activities. We introduced them to the favorite camp songs and lit the candles for the Goodnight Circle. Everyone sang and it put a nice closure to the first night.
The next morning, we got ready to ride and to sort out horse matches and riding groups. Despite drizzle mixed with real showers, we went anyway. We divided them into five big groups with the intent to get them into 8 groups of 6 riders with a Senior riding counselor and a Counselor-In-Training for each one. Our original plan was to have them ride that afternoon to see if we had organized them into the appropriate group and to try out the horse switches….Unfortunately, it was one of the afternoons that was the worst and we had to keep them indoors.
We decided to clean tack and to get the horses all trimmed up for the horse show and/or lesson for the parents….The girls were all great about this and it should be easier to just wipe off the tack tomorrow before the show.
That night we played Bag Skits…a cute activity where each room selects 5 items and puts them in a bag. Then, all the rooms get one of these bags and has to create a skit around the contents of the bag….It is a great way for the kids to get to know each other in their rooms and to get all the campers comfortable with each other. While the kids were planning the skits, the senior staff and I had a staff meeting. We have a staff member who just comes in every evening to help with Evening Activities, whatever they may be…She and the CITS stayed with the kids while we met. This meeting helps us keep the staff organized and to iron out any wrinkles….As we say to the kids, “We want this to be the best 2 weeks of your year!”….We really do mean this!!!!
Tuesday morning we decided to have the kids divide up to only use the rings. The fields where we have lessons was just too wet and slippery to be safe…So the kids either rode in the morning or the afternoon….doing the activities that were scheduled for the afternoon if they did not ride. Of course the farm animals are always a huge hit, with that being the favorite non riding activity. A number of the girls also chose to Vault which is gymnastics on the moving horse. It is really good for their riding balance and coordination. This is a huge hit at camp too. Other choices were Stablemanagement to learn how to take the temperature, pulse and respiration of a horse, as well as how to bandage their legs. Another fun thing that we offered and kids loved as Pony Dress Up. We have two costume trunks for evening activities or Pony Dress up…These items get well used for sure.
Despite the wet conditions underfoot, all went well with the riding on both times. The afternoon kids did not get to ride for the full time due to impending weather…We were lucky evidently as we only got thunder and lightening for a while. Other towns near us also got huge hail. When I say we have had lousy weather, I am not just kidding!
The kids did barn chores in good time and we got them up to the lodge for dinner…It was a Shipwreck Dinner, meaning they had to eat with crazy utensils like spatulas and wire wisks….Silly as it sounds, the kids love this meal….Luckily, no one thinks of a food fight! They just giggle and giggle over having to eat with something other than a knife, fork and spoon! Homesickness seemed to be on the run…with everyone going to bed with ease this third night. I think they were tired!
Yesterday dawned bright and beautiful with a little breeze….Everyone rode with glee….we sorted out all the riding groups, horse matches and made sure all the tack was right for both the riders and the horses…Once that was done, we also made sure it was all correctly marked so that tack up time goes smoothly with no one losing their tack. The groups were finally right and we were happy with all the horse matches…..But you can see why its been hectic and why I haven’t written sooner!!!! I promise I was busy!
Yesterday afternoon, the kids got to choose their activities for a big list. The highlights were Carriage Driving (luckily, that is what I got to do with them!), more farm animal fun, pair jumping (where they try to jump over two jumps at the same time), catch riding (where they tack up their own horse and then switch horses 2 or 3 times over the course of the afternoon…a great way to get to ride a lot of horses), a trail ride and a Puissance (or high jump…they got to 3’9”…imagine that!!!)…So, again, everyone had a blast and loved doing special activities with horses that are not often included in general lesson programs…..No only do the kids love this, but so do the staff…with me being the ‘Biggest Kid’ of all…
Last night they played an uproarious game of Capture the Flag…Everyone got into this game as it is one of the Favorites….and, everyone trundled off to bed without a hitch….The homesick bug is gone and the smile bug has replaced it for sure!
Today, they are going to practice, practice and practice some more over the jumps and in a ‘hack class’, meaning to ride in a group following the directions of a ringmaster. This is such good practice for the show. Sadly, the weather report is more rain for this afternoon….We were going to do pictures of the girls and do their swimming tests….but with the rain coming, they are going to ride as long as they can….The show has been moved to the upper rings instead of out in the field for everyone’s safety.
This afternoon and/or evening, the staff will join with the kids and get everyone entered into the right classes. We will also organize the clothes that they will be showing in on Saturday. They will also get information about the show and show ring etiquette. They will be coached by their instructors who will help each rider stay organized and ride well. It is such a fun process and the kids get so excited!
I promise that I will write you tomorrow with the approximate time that each girl will be riding. We try to schedule her classes close together so you can see them all without having to spend the entire day here. We also invite you to come early and stay late!!! The more, the merrier! If you want to take her out for ice cream or an early dinner, that is fine too. We will be having a fun movie on Saturday night so she will not be missing something great like the Talent Show, which is scheduled for Sunday evening! That is an all camp favorite….
So, never a dull moment on the farm….I promise to write you tommorrow…The show itself starts at 9AM…We are not sure how many other people are coming. It is an informal “open show” with other farms invited. But…they have had the same bad weather all week so we are not sure how many people will come, especially if it rains…arghhh!!!
I end as I began by saying that I hope you are well. Your kiddos are great and such good little troopers. Each one is such a character in her own right. I surely do love being a camp director…however, I am hoping the weather behaves better for their sake. I will promise to be in touch tomorrow with approximate show times…
All my best to YOU….Fondly, Boo
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Howdy from Camp!!
June 19th, 2008
Dearest Pony Farm Families,
I bet you are missing your daughters!!! Wow, are we lucky to have them. It would truly be great with me and the staff is they just stayed all summer long. They are such wonderful children that I fear we may be spoiled for the rest of the summer!!! Thank you for sharing them with us. Also, thank YOU for being such great parents. We have not had a complainer or whiner in the whole group. They are simply ready and willing to do anything and everything. It has truly been a pleasure to have them.
We have had glorious weather. I have told the kids that they are so great that they made the Weather Gods want to give them sunshine. Truly, after that first day we have had cool, sunny and breezy days with not one bug. It has been perfect riding weather. Having the right weather especially in a one week session makes it sooo much better. We always work so hard to give them the highlights of the Pony Farm Experience. With ‘raindrops falling on our heads’ it is much harder to do!
I left off on Tuesday….can’t believe it is Thursday already. Wow, where does the time go…Guess we must be having fun! On Tuesday night, the girls did one of the favorite camp events…The Fashion Show…They are given various themes like dressing up as “Hicks” or “Punk Rockers” or the staff….They spend all sorts of time running around getting the right clothes from each other to get the right outfits to go down the ‘runway’. It always amazes me that they love this so much. Mostly, I am glad that they are having good clean fun without the TV, computer or Game Boy…That has become one of my life’s goals since reading “No Child Left in the Woods”…If you have not read this book, please go out and buy it today. It is both frightening and hopeful…Your kids are definite examples of the hopeful side of things…again, a tribute to YOU!!!
I am happy to report that after the uproarious Fashion Show, the kids went off to bed in good order….No one bit of homesickness, for which I am most grateful. I bet you are too. There is nothing worse than a tearful phone call to Mom and Dad…with them and me not knowing what to do to help!!! Thankfully, we have had none of that this session! Again, a mark of what great kids these are and why we would be happy to have them all summer long!
Yesterday, meaning Wednesday, the kids had the luxury of riding all morning long in their riding groups, again in the perfect sunshine and breeze. Each morning one of the groups goes on a trail ride…Yesterday it was Group 2. The rest of the campers honed their riding skills with their instructors in the various rings. These girls are lovely riders and it has been fun for the staff. The least experienced group is trotting round and round the ring with glee and beginning to learn to canter. The most experienced groups are jumping like mad and enjoying riding through grids (jumps all in a row) to hone their positions. The horse matches have seemed to work out really well with the girls and the staff helping Jessy and I place everyone in the appropriate group and one the right horse.
After lunch time and Rest Hour, the girls went to their afternoon activities. These activities are chosen from the big list of “What I Most Want to Do At Pony Farm” which we make on that first night. We choose all the best and most fun activities and try to give them these for their precious one week with us. Yesterday’s fleet of activities included Carriage Driving, a Trail Ride, riding the new horses to try them out, a Free Ride (where the girls plan their own ride to practice three skills they want to perfect and three exercises to improve their horse), Bareback riding in the ring, and Natural Horsemanship with rope halters. The girls chose their most favorite activity.
I was lucky enough to go driving with a lot of the kids. We hooked up four ponies and horses and off we went down the dirt roads. Each girl got to try her hand at driving. We luckily have such quiet, good driving horses that this is a relaxed and peaceful time. They really did a great job at driving. I have two friends who do this with me so that we can keep it safe and organized….We went for nearly an hour and a half and covered some ground. The kids really loved it.
After unharnessing and untacking for the rest, the girls fed their horses and then went up to get the afternoon snack at the lodge. Everyone is well versed now in barn chores so they went slick as a ribbon after the snack. With the horses turned out, the aisles raked and the stalls clean, the girls went up to shower and get ready for dinner. I left them at that point and took the night off. I wanted to catch up on my sleep and correspondence, like writing you, so that I am ready to take them on the camping trip this afternoon. We have the ponies selected and the food being readied as I write this!
About half of the kids chose to go on the camping trip…At first all but two had signed up and I was nervous to take that many kids….So, being the seasoned camp director I am, I offered to let all the kids ride the new horses or the lesser experienced horses while we were gone…That pulled half the kids away, much to my relief….It is just too hard to have that many horses to tend and that many kids gathered around one camp fire. With only half the group, we will have a great time and keep it all safe!
So, as I go off to camp this morning, I send you all my best. The girls will ride in their lessons this morning and then off we will go this afternoon to the camping trip or more riding in lessons. I am happy to report that everyone is well and smiling. I hope your day goes wonderfully. We all join to send you our best.
We also will look forward to seeing you on Saturday. Just to remind you of the timing…Please arrive about 9:30…We will start with a Community Meeting…then the girls will go to the barn to tack up…We can chat and you can ask questions about your child’s stay. We will then do a riding demo of their lessons and prowess…with the staff explaining what they have been working on in each lesson. We will then untack the ponies, feed them and then all gather at the lodge for a picnic….Please do bring your own picnic…We will chat some more and just enjoy being together. Then, sadly, the kids will leave….with us missing them for sure…
Again, thanks for sharing them with us…We love them dearly. Best, Boo & Staff
Dearest Pony Farm Families,
I bet you are missing your daughters!!! Wow, are we lucky to have them. It would truly be great with me and the staff is they just stayed all summer long. They are such wonderful children that I fear we may be spoiled for the rest of the summer!!! Thank you for sharing them with us. Also, thank YOU for being such great parents. We have not had a complainer or whiner in the whole group. They are simply ready and willing to do anything and everything. It has truly been a pleasure to have them.
We have had glorious weather. I have told the kids that they are so great that they made the Weather Gods want to give them sunshine. Truly, after that first day we have had cool, sunny and breezy days with not one bug. It has been perfect riding weather. Having the right weather especially in a one week session makes it sooo much better. We always work so hard to give them the highlights of the Pony Farm Experience. With ‘raindrops falling on our heads’ it is much harder to do!
I left off on Tuesday….can’t believe it is Thursday already. Wow, where does the time go…Guess we must be having fun! On Tuesday night, the girls did one of the favorite camp events…The Fashion Show…They are given various themes like dressing up as “Hicks” or “Punk Rockers” or the staff….They spend all sorts of time running around getting the right clothes from each other to get the right outfits to go down the ‘runway’. It always amazes me that they love this so much. Mostly, I am glad that they are having good clean fun without the TV, computer or Game Boy…That has become one of my life’s goals since reading “No Child Left in the Woods”…If you have not read this book, please go out and buy it today. It is both frightening and hopeful…Your kids are definite examples of the hopeful side of things…again, a tribute to YOU!!!
I am happy to report that after the uproarious Fashion Show, the kids went off to bed in good order….No one bit of homesickness, for which I am most grateful. I bet you are too. There is nothing worse than a tearful phone call to Mom and Dad…with them and me not knowing what to do to help!!! Thankfully, we have had none of that this session! Again, a mark of what great kids these are and why we would be happy to have them all summer long!
Yesterday, meaning Wednesday, the kids had the luxury of riding all morning long in their riding groups, again in the perfect sunshine and breeze. Each morning one of the groups goes on a trail ride…Yesterday it was Group 2. The rest of the campers honed their riding skills with their instructors in the various rings. These girls are lovely riders and it has been fun for the staff. The least experienced group is trotting round and round the ring with glee and beginning to learn to canter. The most experienced groups are jumping like mad and enjoying riding through grids (jumps all in a row) to hone their positions. The horse matches have seemed to work out really well with the girls and the staff helping Jessy and I place everyone in the appropriate group and one the right horse.
After lunch time and Rest Hour, the girls went to their afternoon activities. These activities are chosen from the big list of “What I Most Want to Do At Pony Farm” which we make on that first night. We choose all the best and most fun activities and try to give them these for their precious one week with us. Yesterday’s fleet of activities included Carriage Driving, a Trail Ride, riding the new horses to try them out, a Free Ride (where the girls plan their own ride to practice three skills they want to perfect and three exercises to improve their horse), Bareback riding in the ring, and Natural Horsemanship with rope halters. The girls chose their most favorite activity.
I was lucky enough to go driving with a lot of the kids. We hooked up four ponies and horses and off we went down the dirt roads. Each girl got to try her hand at driving. We luckily have such quiet, good driving horses that this is a relaxed and peaceful time. They really did a great job at driving. I have two friends who do this with me so that we can keep it safe and organized….We went for nearly an hour and a half and covered some ground. The kids really loved it.
After unharnessing and untacking for the rest, the girls fed their horses and then went up to get the afternoon snack at the lodge. Everyone is well versed now in barn chores so they went slick as a ribbon after the snack. With the horses turned out, the aisles raked and the stalls clean, the girls went up to shower and get ready for dinner. I left them at that point and took the night off. I wanted to catch up on my sleep and correspondence, like writing you, so that I am ready to take them on the camping trip this afternoon. We have the ponies selected and the food being readied as I write this!
About half of the kids chose to go on the camping trip…At first all but two had signed up and I was nervous to take that many kids….So, being the seasoned camp director I am, I offered to let all the kids ride the new horses or the lesser experienced horses while we were gone…That pulled half the kids away, much to my relief….It is just too hard to have that many horses to tend and that many kids gathered around one camp fire. With only half the group, we will have a great time and keep it all safe!
So, as I go off to camp this morning, I send you all my best. The girls will ride in their lessons this morning and then off we will go this afternoon to the camping trip or more riding in lessons. I am happy to report that everyone is well and smiling. I hope your day goes wonderfully. We all join to send you our best.
We also will look forward to seeing you on Saturday. Just to remind you of the timing…Please arrive about 9:30…We will start with a Community Meeting…then the girls will go to the barn to tack up…We can chat and you can ask questions about your child’s stay. We will then do a riding demo of their lessons and prowess…with the staff explaining what they have been working on in each lesson. We will then untack the ponies, feed them and then all gather at the lodge for a picnic….Please do bring your own picnic…We will chat some more and just enjoy being together. Then, sadly, the kids will leave….with us missing them for sure…
Again, thanks for sharing them with us…We love them dearly. Best, Boo & Staff
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Greetings from Camp!!
June 17th, 2008
Dearest Pony Farm Families, Moms & Dads, Brothers & Sisters, and other Family Folk,
It is with a smile on my face and a happy heart that I write this, the first Blog of the season. I love telling you about camp and I hope that it brings a similar smile to your face! I also hope it finds you well and enjoying the start of summer. I certainly am!!!
Camp has gotten off the ground with ease and happiness. After you left your Treasures with us and started your drive home, we started our summer adventure together. And…what fun we are having….First, let me tell you what terrific daughters you have. To the last one, they are just dear. We do not had a complainer in the group. They are all getting along beautifully and have thrown themselves into camp. Thank you for ‘loaning’ them to us for a week. We are surely enjoying sharing the farm with them!
On the Opening Night we called a Community Meeting of all the girls and staff. We did staff introductions and some Orientation to the camp during that first meeting. Every girl sat there with peaceful attention. Kris and I then kept on telling them about how the time at camp would go for their week while the staff went down to do the first night of horse care. We don’t like to have the kids do that first night of turn out because we want to make sure everyone knows what to do and how to do it. Safety is first and foremost on our mind!!!
Following a good solid intro to Pony Farm, the kids and we sat around just chatting while we waiting for dinner. Everyone seemed to be getting along famously! As the staff arrived back from evening feed and turnout, we all gathered for dinner. Everyone went through the food line and took good helpings. Carrie, the dinner cook, whom you met on Opening Day was there to greet each camper as she went through the line. Staff and kids gathered around the dinner tables amid great chatting and getting to ‘know you’ fanfare.
After dinner and dessert were devoured, we went on to have each child introduce herself as part of her room. We also gathered up all the girls and staff ideas as to what they most wanted to do during their week with us. We told the kids that our goal for the week was to have this be their best week of the summer. We now are working hard at making this come true!!!!!
After some more introductions to bedtime routines and explanations of safety procedures in the night, we sang some favorite camp songs. The Counselors in Training had prepared their “Vespers”, telling the girls why they had come back to camp year after year. It is always such a sweet and lovely time for me because it makes me realize a new just how much camp means to the kids. It sure makes it worth me getting up each morning for these 37 years of summer camp at Pony Farm!!!! After “Good Night Circle”, which is when we all hold hands and chime in about what we were most grateful for during the day, off the kids went to get ready to go to bed. Staff room counselors went in to say good night to “their” girls once everyone was changed and ready to crawl in between the sheets…or sleeping bag, whichever is the case.
With no homesickness the first night, it was ‘All Quiet on the Pony Farm Front”….With the lights turned down and the candles extinguished from the Vesper Log, the staff finally found their way to their pillow….ready for a good night’s sleep to prepare for the first big day.
You should have been a ‘fly on the wall’ to see all the girls spilling down the hill from the lodge some semblance of dress..mostly in their PJ’s with knee high boots. I was right there to take pictures of their first time doing barn chores for their ponies! I am compiling lots of pictures of this week. We will then put these pictures on a disk for you all to see…It will chronicle their whole week of activities. We will send it to you this fall when we have more time…but, it should be a great remembrance of camp and their riding and horsey friends….I love doing it and it gives me an excuse to go and see the riding groups through out the week.
After feeding both ponies and girls, we then proceeded to room cleanup and our morning Community Meeting. At the Staff Breakfast Table, we had divided up the girls into tentative riding groups. Each staff member was assigned a group and a ring. We announced this arrangement to the girls and explained how to tack up and what the riding safety procedures were here at the farm. Again, they each listened so well, asking only good questions. It was a pleasure to get them oriented to how we do things here.
With everyone dressed in their riding duds, off we went to the barn. Most of the girls were pros at grooming and tacking up. The staff concentrated on those who needed more help and they were ready to mount up in short order. However….the rain started…With “Raindrops Falling on our Heads” off we went anyway…with not one complaint or whine! This is why I am telling you what great, gung ho kids you h ave!!!!
We made a few quick changes of mounts and checked out the saddle fit for both the girls and their horses. We also organized them into the right riding groups. With Jessy (the Head of Riding whom you did not meet on Opening Day as she was off at a family wedding) and I going around to look at each group, we quickly formed the riding groups from least to most experienced.
The girls helped us by telling us if they were happy with their mount. We told them that we did not want to “scare them to death, bore them to death or work them to death”!!!! We also said how important it was for them to tell us what they felt about their horse because we had plenty of horses!!!! We said that it was so hard for us to hear on a Camp Evaluation Form that a camper did not like her horse or was in the wrong group. In September we can not do any thing about it…but we sure can now. They were great about asking for a change in an appropriate way.
After lunch and a nice Rest Hour, the girls learned of their riding group placement. We then went and rode again with the girls all correctly placed. With a few ‘tweaks’, I believe we have the right groups and the right mounts for each and every girl.
The girls by this time had learned how to feed their ponies and prepare for evening Barn Chores. After doing the grain, it was time to go to the lodge to have an afternoon snack and break into Barn teams. Again, everyone was great about listening to their staff…Following turnout, we had the girls quickly come back to the lodge due to thunder and lightening….Arghhh, I HATE a thunder storm….It is just plain scary for the kids and even the staff!!!! So, with some games and chatting, the kids weathered the storm at the lodge….The Blessed Staff did the basics of horse care and then joined the kids for dinner.
After seeing everyone tucked in for the evening at the lodge, I have to admit I went home. I was flat tired getting everything ready. I figured that the kids and staff could eat dinner and play Bag Skits without me. I fell into bed after dinner and slept all the way to morning…eager to write this missive to YOU! In my next Blog, I will let you know how Bag Skits went!
Today has dawned with beautiful blue skies and a refreshing breeze….It is perfect riding weather. I hope it stays that way all day. Our camping trip is planned for Thursday night so please keep your fingers crossed for good weather. I surely would not have wanted to be out in the woods with girls and ponies last night…
Today, we will be riding in the morning to finalize the horse matches and riding groups. This afternoon we will be doing Camper Portraits, Swim Tests and playing with the Small Farm Animals with me. I love doing this with the girls. They are so gentle and seem to love the chickens, ducks, bunnies, guinea pigs, goats and miniature horses. I love that they love them…In this day and age of computer games, Face Book, high pressure and the temptations we all know about, it delights my soul to see them sitting on the grass and totally focused on a furry or feathery animal of some type. Such fun!!!
So, I end as I began, by thanking you for sharing your daughters with us. We love camp and all that we do together. We hope that this Blog helps you ‘be a fly on the wall’ of camp. We surely have fun. We hope you are well and are resting easy, knowing your kids are in caring, hard working and competent hands.
Have a great day.
Most warmly,
Boo and the whole staff!
Dearest Pony Farm Families, Moms & Dads, Brothers & Sisters, and other Family Folk,
It is with a smile on my face and a happy heart that I write this, the first Blog of the season. I love telling you about camp and I hope that it brings a similar smile to your face! I also hope it finds you well and enjoying the start of summer. I certainly am!!!
Camp has gotten off the ground with ease and happiness. After you left your Treasures with us and started your drive home, we started our summer adventure together. And…what fun we are having….First, let me tell you what terrific daughters you have. To the last one, they are just dear. We do not had a complainer in the group. They are all getting along beautifully and have thrown themselves into camp. Thank you for ‘loaning’ them to us for a week. We are surely enjoying sharing the farm with them!
On the Opening Night we called a Community Meeting of all the girls and staff. We did staff introductions and some Orientation to the camp during that first meeting. Every girl sat there with peaceful attention. Kris and I then kept on telling them about how the time at camp would go for their week while the staff went down to do the first night of horse care. We don’t like to have the kids do that first night of turn out because we want to make sure everyone knows what to do and how to do it. Safety is first and foremost on our mind!!!
Following a good solid intro to Pony Farm, the kids and we sat around just chatting while we waiting for dinner. Everyone seemed to be getting along famously! As the staff arrived back from evening feed and turnout, we all gathered for dinner. Everyone went through the food line and took good helpings. Carrie, the dinner cook, whom you met on Opening Day was there to greet each camper as she went through the line. Staff and kids gathered around the dinner tables amid great chatting and getting to ‘know you’ fanfare.
After dinner and dessert were devoured, we went on to have each child introduce herself as part of her room. We also gathered up all the girls and staff ideas as to what they most wanted to do during their week with us. We told the kids that our goal for the week was to have this be their best week of the summer. We now are working hard at making this come true!!!!!
After some more introductions to bedtime routines and explanations of safety procedures in the night, we sang some favorite camp songs. The Counselors in Training had prepared their “Vespers”, telling the girls why they had come back to camp year after year. It is always such a sweet and lovely time for me because it makes me realize a new just how much camp means to the kids. It sure makes it worth me getting up each morning for these 37 years of summer camp at Pony Farm!!!! After “Good Night Circle”, which is when we all hold hands and chime in about what we were most grateful for during the day, off the kids went to get ready to go to bed. Staff room counselors went in to say good night to “their” girls once everyone was changed and ready to crawl in between the sheets…or sleeping bag, whichever is the case.
With no homesickness the first night, it was ‘All Quiet on the Pony Farm Front”….With the lights turned down and the candles extinguished from the Vesper Log, the staff finally found their way to their pillow….ready for a good night’s sleep to prepare for the first big day.
You should have been a ‘fly on the wall’ to see all the girls spilling down the hill from the lodge some semblance of dress..mostly in their PJ’s with knee high boots. I was right there to take pictures of their first time doing barn chores for their ponies! I am compiling lots of pictures of this week. We will then put these pictures on a disk for you all to see…It will chronicle their whole week of activities. We will send it to you this fall when we have more time…but, it should be a great remembrance of camp and their riding and horsey friends….I love doing it and it gives me an excuse to go and see the riding groups through out the week.
After feeding both ponies and girls, we then proceeded to room cleanup and our morning Community Meeting. At the Staff Breakfast Table, we had divided up the girls into tentative riding groups. Each staff member was assigned a group and a ring. We announced this arrangement to the girls and explained how to tack up and what the riding safety procedures were here at the farm. Again, they each listened so well, asking only good questions. It was a pleasure to get them oriented to how we do things here.
With everyone dressed in their riding duds, off we went to the barn. Most of the girls were pros at grooming and tacking up. The staff concentrated on those who needed more help and they were ready to mount up in short order. However….the rain started…With “Raindrops Falling on our Heads” off we went anyway…with not one complaint or whine! This is why I am telling you what great, gung ho kids you h ave!!!!
We made a few quick changes of mounts and checked out the saddle fit for both the girls and their horses. We also organized them into the right riding groups. With Jessy (the Head of Riding whom you did not meet on Opening Day as she was off at a family wedding) and I going around to look at each group, we quickly formed the riding groups from least to most experienced.
The girls helped us by telling us if they were happy with their mount. We told them that we did not want to “scare them to death, bore them to death or work them to death”!!!! We also said how important it was for them to tell us what they felt about their horse because we had plenty of horses!!!! We said that it was so hard for us to hear on a Camp Evaluation Form that a camper did not like her horse or was in the wrong group. In September we can not do any thing about it…but we sure can now. They were great about asking for a change in an appropriate way.
After lunch and a nice Rest Hour, the girls learned of their riding group placement. We then went and rode again with the girls all correctly placed. With a few ‘tweaks’, I believe we have the right groups and the right mounts for each and every girl.
The girls by this time had learned how to feed their ponies and prepare for evening Barn Chores. After doing the grain, it was time to go to the lodge to have an afternoon snack and break into Barn teams. Again, everyone was great about listening to their staff…Following turnout, we had the girls quickly come back to the lodge due to thunder and lightening….Arghhh, I HATE a thunder storm….It is just plain scary for the kids and even the staff!!!! So, with some games and chatting, the kids weathered the storm at the lodge….The Blessed Staff did the basics of horse care and then joined the kids for dinner.
After seeing everyone tucked in for the evening at the lodge, I have to admit I went home. I was flat tired getting everything ready. I figured that the kids and staff could eat dinner and play Bag Skits without me. I fell into bed after dinner and slept all the way to morning…eager to write this missive to YOU! In my next Blog, I will let you know how Bag Skits went!
Today has dawned with beautiful blue skies and a refreshing breeze….It is perfect riding weather. I hope it stays that way all day. Our camping trip is planned for Thursday night so please keep your fingers crossed for good weather. I surely would not have wanted to be out in the woods with girls and ponies last night…
Today, we will be riding in the morning to finalize the horse matches and riding groups. This afternoon we will be doing Camper Portraits, Swim Tests and playing with the Small Farm Animals with me. I love doing this with the girls. They are so gentle and seem to love the chickens, ducks, bunnies, guinea pigs, goats and miniature horses. I love that they love them…In this day and age of computer games, Face Book, high pressure and the temptations we all know about, it delights my soul to see them sitting on the grass and totally focused on a furry or feathery animal of some type. Such fun!!!
So, I end as I began, by thanking you for sharing your daughters with us. We love camp and all that we do together. We hope that this Blog helps you ‘be a fly on the wall’ of camp. We surely have fun. We hope you are well and are resting easy, knowing your kids are in caring, hard working and competent hands.
Have a great day.
Most warmly,
Boo and the whole staff!
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