All is Quiet on the Pony Farm Front

Monday Evening June 29th, 2009


Dearest Pony Farm Camp Parents and Families,

Good evening to you! All is ‘Quiet on the Pony Farm Front’. We have had a good day, despite the rain!!!! The kids are happily snuggled in their beds, dreaming of another day of riding and farm fun…but let me begin at the beginning!

After you left yesterday afternoon, we did all sorts of orienting to the farm and the Pony Farm way of doing things. The Pony Farm “Golden Rule” here is to take good care of each other, the animals, and the land. This rule is really our only rule. The rest is just how we all live together. So far, the kids have really lived into this and make friends already. I have watched kids that have been here a long time invite a new camper to come sit with them. I admired how they all helped each other during room clean up or at barn chores. I love seeing them playing and working together. This is how life should be. I once had a friend who told me that he had to live in the world as it was and that I got to live in the world as it should be! I think he was right. I am glad that I get to do this life’s work. It always makes my heart glad.

After the initial staff introductions, they went to the barn to feed their pony or horse, in the rain, of course! Then, while the staff did the evening chores, the kids who had just arrived met with Kris and myself to go over the daily schedule, safety procedures, mail, packages, and meal times. When the staff rejoined us, we had a yummy steak dinner. Lots of kids chowed down and the few vegetarians were happy with cheese and veggies. Dessert was minty cupcakes, even using some of our own home grown mint. Lots of good ‘getting to know you’ chatting took place as the rain fell on the roof.

We then sent the room counselors with their charges on an All Farm Scavenger Hunt. They had to answer 10 questions about different parts of the farm. It is a fun and silly way to get to know the facility and start to get together as roommates. We then had each camper introduce herself by either saying what her favorite trip was, her favorite gift, who she would most like to have dinner with, or what was a ‘fun fact’ that no one else knew about her. Each camper now also has a number so that we will be sure to know that everyone is present and accounted for during the upcoming Temple Games. Following this, we gathered everyone’s ideas as to what they most want to do this session. We tell them that we want to make this their best two weeks of the summer, if not their year. We gathered a mighty list. They would have to stay for 3 months to do it all but it surely won’t be boring, I can promise you that!

We then started Vespers with the Counselors-in-Training telling why they have come back all these many years. I am always moved by what they say. I think the campers also get inspired by their stories of friendship, fun, horses. Its seems like a great way to kick off a good session. We followed this with songs that are special to camp and Goodnight circle. Your daughters are most articulate and verbose! It was lovely with the Vesper Candles burning bright. I am happy to say we had not one sniffle of homesickness last night. Whew, the first night is always the one in which we are most attentive as we put the kids to bed. Each room counselor did a great job. I went around to hug the littlest ones. It was all smiles. We then planned the coming week’s schedule so it would be ready for them to see by morning’s light. It is a power packed week for sure.

Today, I must admit that we were all a little daunted to wake up to pouring rain. Adding MORE water to the already deep mud was of concern. We are such safety freaks that we don’t want anyone slipping in the mud in the rings. Our poor farm manager has literally had to take the tractor and push avenues for the horses to be turned out safely. He also raked the rings twice today to make the footing as good as we could.

However, true to Pony Farm style, we preserved and all ended well. After a number of changes, all the kids are on a happy horse. Before I came down to write this I asked if it was accurate to tell you that the feat had been accomplished and they said a resounding YES! My hat is off to the staff as this is no mean feat in the pouring rain with 48 campers. Jessy and her riding staff can rest easier now that the groups have been formed and the matches made. Match.com has nothing on us!!!!

This afternoon the kids who had a suitable, safe and happy pony or horse either went on a trail ride, played “New Games” or enjoyed the Farm Animals with me. We had all the bunnies, goats, sheep, donkeys and miniature horses out on the lawn. We groomed them, jumped them, hugged them and chased the ones that ‘got away’! I do love this silly and happy time. It seems just like the kind of thing that kids ought to do on a summer afternoon. The kids that did ride were able to ride in the rings that had been raked and in smaller groups. As of this afternoon, there are 8 riding groups with 6 kids in each. With the 8 staff and 11 Counselors-In-Training, everyone gets the benefit of a group lesson with lots of individualized time.

With a good solid intro to Barn Chores and a snack in their tummies, everyone trooped off to do barn chores. They did a super job and were up ready to take their showers in great time. We always know that it will be a good session when the first night of barn chores gets done in jig time.

I was so thrilled that we ate our first peas and salad greens out of the farm gardens tonight. We have been eating our chicken eggs all along, having fresh flowers on the table, and using the herbs in the cooking. However, tonight was the first real meal of farm raised produce. The kids loved the peas and ate all the salad. I was a proud farmer as we have created most of the gardens from seedlings that we grew with grow lights in the basement of the lodge. What fun! There is plenty more to come, too. Pray for sun!

Tonight they did their Bag skits…a silly game where each room collects 6 items and puts them in a plastic bag. The bags then get passed out to another room who creates a skit around the contents of the bag. The kids get most creative and silly in their skits. It is a real favorite of the kids. We then followed that with our Vespers from half the kids at Homestead. They read a poem together. It was cute and fun. Again, Good Night Circle and singing followed with a peaceful bedtime.

Tomorrow will bring lots of horse fun, riding, trail riding, probably some driving…maybe even swimming if the weather cooperates. Our life guard is standing by to give the swimming tests and the pool is ready. I bet it will be pretty cold though!

I will give you a run down of tomorrow once we have seen them all ride in their actual groups. We have promised them and you that we will ‘not bore anyone, scare anyone or work anyone to death….’ And we mean it. If the kids are in the wrong group, it is not for want of trying….We surely have told them often enough to let us know if its not the right placement.

Finally, before I end, let me tell you that if you want to come to visit this weekend, Kris and I think it is best to come on Sunday from 1 to 4. We will have finished Brunch, gathered laundry and organized rooms for the coming week. Sunday is a non riding day. They will be swimming, tye dying shirts, making bracelets, and playing with the farm animals. You are welcome to join in the farm fun. I think this is a better day to come than Saturday as we will be doing the Temple 4th of July Games and Fireman’s Barbeque. It is a tradition and is such fun. It is hard to know exactly when we will get back from that. We will be riding that afternoon but then you would miss the 4th of July fireworks back home…so, come on Sunday if you want….HOWEVER, please do not feel like you have to come. The kids have plenty to do….Most parents do not come as it is only a two week session….Your child will not be the only one without a parent present so if you live far away or have other fun stuff to do, rest assured she will be fine and well tended….We also have them practice for the Talent Show on Sunday night. Often times the kids whose parents come actually don’t get to go in the Talent Show because they were off getting ice cream….So, you are welcome to come but not expected to come!!!

So, I hope your day is ending nicely. I am still at camp and the kids are all asleep in their bunks. Rest well yourself and know that we are enjoying your children…and tending them well.

All my best, Boo