Dearest Darling Ones, Pony Farm Families, One and All,
I send great salutations from Pony Farm to YOU all. I am so very sorry to not have written you sooner. I especially feel badly for the few new parents as I think it is always nice to hear sooner rather than later about how things are going….But, the honest truth is that we have just been having sooo much fun that I hate to tear myself away from them…Plus, getting them all on the right horses in time for the show, plus having the Cheshire Fair today slightly interrupting the riding before the show, all has colluded to making me not as much sitting at my desk….So, I will apologize once and then go on to tell you how fabulous, fantastic, fun, funny and just plain GREAT your kids are….
Last Sunday went as we outlined in your Letter from the Directors’ which we gave you upon departure on Sunday afternoon. The girls have been such a superior group to get oriented and acclimated. They are just plain easy going, already love each other, and have worked well with us in determining the right horse match and lesson level. The riding on Monday to determine this took place first thing after breakfast and room clean up. The girls were divided into five big groups, each with a Senior Riding Counselor and two Counselors-In-Training. The most experienced of the Senior Staff went around to watch each group and to make the necessary horses switches. With so many returning campers who come from riding programs that we know and know us, this process is much easier than in other sessions with more new campers.
By lunchtime, the vast majority of the kids were thrilled with their mounts (“Their” own pony or horse for their stay!). We thoroughly involve the kids in the decision as to which horse fits well. We try to balance safely, success and excellent learning in the balance. To have the right “level” horse but not be in love with it, just doesn’t work as well. Conversely, having a horse that you adore that can’t jump or is too inexperienced, also doesn’t work effectively. Our goal, which we share with the kids, is that we want them to adore their horse, learn a ton and have a great time doing it, while staying safe and sound. That goal of course is no easy feat in any event, but having good weather has surely been a huge perk this session…..Doing this intricate process in the pouring rain surely leads something to be desired in other sessions.
We all gathered for lunch and the kids who needed to ride again to try a new match were announced. The rest of the girls were asked to come back after lunch and rest hour, dressed to swim and to play with the small farm animals, both all camp favorites for sure. Swim Tests were conducted to make sure everyone was Water Proofed! Again, this was fun because it was hot enough to really want to go swim. Thank you to the Heavens Above for great weather…
With lots of running, jumping, splashing and laughing, everyone at the pool and small animal barn had a great afternoon, while getting to know each other again! The rest of the girls and staff worked hard and well to get the horse matches finalized. They did so with good cheer and gusto. By afternoon snack time, everyone had a great horse and a smile on her face. Barn Chore Teams were introduced and explained, with each girl knowing which barn she was going to join. Again, everyone met the daunting task of taking care of and feeding and turning in and turning out and cleaning the stalls for 71 horses, which is how many we have on site at present….It is a finely tuned machine, this Barn Chore Time at Pony Farm….The US Government and Military have nothing on the PF teams of Barn Chore Kids and their staff….!!!! It is such a pleasure to watch the kids all digging in and helping each other. What a real life experience of collaboration!
Dinner followed cool showers and lots of chatting…This was then wrapped up and Bag Skits, the all time first full night of camp’s favorite….Each room of girls collects 6 items randomly to put into a bag. This bag is then delivered to another room where that set of girls creates a whole skit around the contents of the bag….I usually catch up on my copious emails while they are planning their skits….then speed upstairs to the lodge to watch them ‘do their thing’…and what a thing it was….They were so clever, imaginative, funny, creative and just plain adorable with their funny clothes, accents, speeches and skits. It is a perfect way to spend a summer evening in my book….We all roared with laughter and every room got to know each other better.
This was followed by the more quiet, cool down and relaxed activity called Vespers and Goodnight Circle. The Senior Staff who were ‘on’ that night shared with the girls what make them keep coming back to Pony Farm year after year. This simple ceremony always gives me goose bumps and makes me so glad that they love this farm so much. Sure makes a body want to get out of bed in the morning to make kids this happy! This is followed by Goodnight Circle which is when we all hold hands in a big circle. Kids and staff randomly share something for which they were grateful that happened during the day. It is a great way to make the gratitude and blessings bubble up! This is then followed by our routine of singing two songs and then off to bed. I went around with the staff to say goodnight to each room. We also checked that each fan that was plugged in was safe and secure for the night. It was darn hot in the rooms and we wanted them to be comfortable!
Tuesday dawned again bright and beautiful…A bit hot but just glorious. I may only be thinking that the day was so spectacular because it was three days in a row when it did not rain! But, yesterday was our best weather day of the summer….Cool, breezy, bright sun and no dust…Sooo fantastic for riding.
During the two riding sessions of the day, each camper got a formal lesson in the ring where she will be likely to show on Saturday. She then also got to choose during the other activity period, either morning or afternoon, between a trail ride, “Pony Spa Day”, more small animals and swimming, Vaulting and Lungeing. The whole riding and horse time activities went smoothly with kids truly loving their horses. One or two final horse matches were made and I can surely tell you that everyone, to the last child, reports that she “LOVES MY HORSE”….Whew, that is good news to us!
The other big news of the day was that we officially converted to 100% recycling here at the farm yesterday at 2:30PM. This is a personal project of mine that has been in the works since February last winter. It is quite a project to have this many kids living on site, with this many kinds of animals, gardens, manure and composting. The men at the Recycling Center commended us on our first formal trip to the center. They said it was very well done and even chipped in to help us deliver our bags, boxes and milk jugs, to name but a few of the many categories….
We are proud of the 100% recycling effort that has been instituted. All manure is being composted, as is all pre-preparation refuse for cooking, and post meal composting. All in different places and not one thing going to waste. This not only is a savings of about $6,000 for us, but returning over 450 tons of manure back to create better soil. I bet you can see why this has been a huge project and one behind which I am standing firmly….
With part of this savings, and by encouraging kids to not take more than they can eat, we are also on our mark with our partnership with Heifer International. We will be using the money saved by the reduced food waste to buy a heifer cow which is bred. This purebred Heifer will be sent to a third world country in the name of the campers at Pony Farm. I think the kids are really proud of themselves and they work hard to not waste food! A win win for everyone.
So, with lesson groups now organized, horse matches, and the teachers all thinking about what classes the kids should be entered in, it was evening time again. Because some of the kids had not gotten to swim yet, we had dessert at the pool for an evening swim. Another favorite all camper activity for the non riding times is to have my Mom, age 87, come to tell her famous “Bubba Stories”. She has a real collection of farm stories, driving the ambulance during World War II, and riding out West on ranches. She has some hair curlers…The kids hang on every single word. She always says she worries that they remember the stories now better than she does…but she never misses a beat. What a fun evening for me to see kids enthralled by her stories, just like I was when I was their age. Verbal histories surely beat reading something out of a book on a hot summer evening with your feet in the pool, a drooling popsicle in hand and “Bubba” on a roll!!!
Again, all kids went right to bed after Vespers, Goodnight Circle and Singing. Today, we sprang out of bed for a longer riding lesson because today is the Cheshire Fair. Kids plan all year long to attend this. We even meet some of the kids from other sessions at the fair…I am not quite sure why they love the rides, the junk food, the carny games and the mobs of people, but love it they do. I take the quieter ones and we do all the animal exhibits and 4H barns, plus the horse events. There is really ‘something for everyone’ at the Cheshire Fair, and we are not going to miss any of those ‘somethings’!
So, I hope you can catch a glimpse of why I have not been at the computer. Just too much fun. Tomorrow and Friday will be spent on practicing for the horse show, bathing, tack, boots, entering and organizing. For the couple of kids that are not wishing to show, please know that we plan extra special things for them to do so they get the full enjoyment. No one is pushed to show….They ride the same and do other special fieldtrips or activities…or get to swim more…
The staff will be letting me know which classes that the kids will be entering into for the show on Saturday by tomorrow night. We will email this to you all as well as posting it with first names and last name initials on the blog. (Don’t know if you notice, but I never put any one child’s name or identity on this blog…thus, why we do not include pictures too! Internet safety and identity safety is a huge priority and commitment on our part to you and your beautiful daughters!!!)
All parents are welcome to attend the show. We will alert you, to the best of our ability, as to when your child is likely to be competing. Please arrive and park at the Lodge or the Homestead. A concession truck will be on the grounds.
For those of you who wish to take your child out for a meal or ice cream, we have a poster on the lodge wall detailing types of restaurants in our area, complete with map. Please feel free to go out, but do sign out with Kris so she knows where everyone is and when they are expected to return! We like keeping close tabs on our cherubs!
Saturday is definitely the day to come to visit if you have the desire, time and interest…and live close enough, of course….We are not welcoming parents to come visit on Sunday as this is a great quiet day for the kids where we swim, do all sorts of non horsey activities, arts and crafts, gardening and the Ice Cream Trough…plus Talent Show…It gives the kids time to clean up their rooms, rest, relax and enjoy a simple day in the sunshine before the next busy week. Having parents coming and going interrupts this simple peace…not that we don’t love you, OF COURSE! Plus, you can keep your own Sabbath at peace and enjoy the quiet day yourself!!!
So, more to follow but I do apologize that I haven’t written soon. We do so much in a day or two that it is hard for me to keep up….Do look for your email with more detail.
We look forward to seeing you this Saturday or next….Until then, thank you most sincerely for loaning your Treasure to us. We are having a ball together.
Best, Boo
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Friday Morning July 17th, 2009
Good Morning to you ALL,
I hope your week has gone well…Our’s surely has. It is finally and truly summer here at Pony Farm. The sun has been glorious, a slight breeze has kept us cool, and no rain at all. What a treat after the month we just had. Your kids must be bringing us good luck! They are also bringing us a lot of smiles, hugs and fun. What a great group!
The kids have truly worked hard this week, along side our fabulous staff, to get ready for the show. They have been terrific. I hope and think you will be pleased with their riding. As today dawns, all the manes have been pulled, the bridle paths and chins have been clipped and the tack scrubbed. They have worked on lines of jumps, hacking in a group, their equitation (or form) and their transitions…..They put whole courses together yesterday. Today is the final school over the actual courses which they will be competing in tomorrow. That is a pleasant advantage of being a home show. However, it is no mean feat to get all the kids on the right horses and then get them ready to compete in 5 short days. They sleep well at night, as do the horses.
This week has been devoted to show prep, thus has not had some of the extra camp activities like trail rides, the Hunter Pace, the camping trip, vaulting, small animals, etc. We really concentrated on their lessons. We also worked hard to get each girl in the right riding group. We don’t want to have anyone bored or scared…that is no fun and is an easy way to have a fall off. We did get to swim twice this week! The pool with its new pump looks better than every and the kids do enjoy it on a hot summer day. This is the first session we have been able to swim, if you can believe that!
Many of your kids also volunteered one morning or afternoon to paint. We love to get all the rings and jumps touched up and looking sharp. The kids had the opportunity on Tuesday to do a variety of horse related things either morning or afternoon while some of the staff was scheduled to paint with me and the farm team. To my surprise and delight, they begged, truly begged, to be able to paint. They did a great job. I hope you will notice how spiffy things look and tell they what a great job they did.
Today, the sun is bright and shining again. It was a glorious morning with the mist rising up out of the fields. The birds were singing their hearts out and it was a great start to a good day. We will do the final school over the courses today to make sure that the kids are entered in the right class. Also, we want to get the horses over some of the new jumps we made. We will then spend the afternoon bathing all the horses, finishing pictures and polishing boots. The hair nets and ribbons are at the ready and all show clothes have been picked. We have loaned as many things as we had. So the tents will go up and the announcing system will be ready for tomorrow….Everyone will go to bed a little early as we will be getting up very early tomorrow morning. What fun! I do love the horse shows especially when we have all the kids riding. Yipee.
For those of you who are not able to come, please rest assured that we will take excellent care of your kiddos. Several of you have written asking if there are pictures of the day. The answer is YES…We have a show photographer coming who was a former camper and is now doing this as a profession. Her name is Jenna Leigh Teti and her website is www.jennaleighteti.com . You could look up the website and contact her is you wish to have an official show picture. She is terrific and could surely hone in on your daughter to make sure she gets her picture. For the parents who will be here, you can find her and ask her to take a picture of your child/ren. We have given her a list of the horse and ponies for sale or lease so she can take their pictures too….so she will have lots to do. It makes such a fun remembrance of the day.
For the parents who can come, we have a restaurant chart with a map for your decision making process if you want to take your kiddo out to dinner. It is hanging on the wall in the living room at the lodge. We also ask that you sign out your daughter and let us know approximately when you will be returning to camp. We like to keep track of our little chickens, you know!
We will also look at the permission slips as many parents take out the kids whose parents are not able to come due to being so far away. For those who are here, we have a yummy dinner and then a fun movie that is appropriate. My guess is that they will mostly fall asleep before it is over anyway!
The next day, Sunday, we will let everyone sleep in late. The staff does barn chores so it is really a ‘day off’ for the campers. They will do a good room clean up, gather their laundry, then we will have a full Brunch. This will be followed by swimming, playing with the small animals, doing some gardening, arts and crafts, and planning for the Talent Show on Sunday night. This should be a hum dinger show judging from the girls imagination and creativity!
Next week will feature all the other campy horsey things possible at Pony Farm…the Hunter Pace will start out the week. Then, I am taking two groups camping with the ponies as so many want to camp that it can’t be done in one night. We will also be vaulting, driving, trail riding and going on several field trips. The dear horses’ legs will get a break from so much jumping. It is a nice balance for both two and four footed critters. I can not believe that this session has gone by so quickly…We are half way through and it feels like we could keep these kids forever!
Thus, as we reach the half way point of our summer, let me again thank you for choosing Pony Farm for your daughters. We truly enjoy them….The staff and Kris & I are not even tired. We are having a blast and I think your kids are too. So, we look forward to seeing you tomorrow if you are coming…and next Saturday for the Parents’ Riding Demo and Specialties. We are proud of your girls accomplishments. We want to show you all they have learned! So, stay well until then!
Most warmly, Boo
Good Morning to you ALL,
I hope your week has gone well…Our’s surely has. It is finally and truly summer here at Pony Farm. The sun has been glorious, a slight breeze has kept us cool, and no rain at all. What a treat after the month we just had. Your kids must be bringing us good luck! They are also bringing us a lot of smiles, hugs and fun. What a great group!
The kids have truly worked hard this week, along side our fabulous staff, to get ready for the show. They have been terrific. I hope and think you will be pleased with their riding. As today dawns, all the manes have been pulled, the bridle paths and chins have been clipped and the tack scrubbed. They have worked on lines of jumps, hacking in a group, their equitation (or form) and their transitions…..They put whole courses together yesterday. Today is the final school over the actual courses which they will be competing in tomorrow. That is a pleasant advantage of being a home show. However, it is no mean feat to get all the kids on the right horses and then get them ready to compete in 5 short days. They sleep well at night, as do the horses.
This week has been devoted to show prep, thus has not had some of the extra camp activities like trail rides, the Hunter Pace, the camping trip, vaulting, small animals, etc. We really concentrated on their lessons. We also worked hard to get each girl in the right riding group. We don’t want to have anyone bored or scared…that is no fun and is an easy way to have a fall off. We did get to swim twice this week! The pool with its new pump looks better than every and the kids do enjoy it on a hot summer day. This is the first session we have been able to swim, if you can believe that!
Many of your kids also volunteered one morning or afternoon to paint. We love to get all the rings and jumps touched up and looking sharp. The kids had the opportunity on Tuesday to do a variety of horse related things either morning or afternoon while some of the staff was scheduled to paint with me and the farm team. To my surprise and delight, they begged, truly begged, to be able to paint. They did a great job. I hope you will notice how spiffy things look and tell they what a great job they did.
Today, the sun is bright and shining again. It was a glorious morning with the mist rising up out of the fields. The birds were singing their hearts out and it was a great start to a good day. We will do the final school over the courses today to make sure that the kids are entered in the right class. Also, we want to get the horses over some of the new jumps we made. We will then spend the afternoon bathing all the horses, finishing pictures and polishing boots. The hair nets and ribbons are at the ready and all show clothes have been picked. We have loaned as many things as we had. So the tents will go up and the announcing system will be ready for tomorrow….Everyone will go to bed a little early as we will be getting up very early tomorrow morning. What fun! I do love the horse shows especially when we have all the kids riding. Yipee.
For those of you who are not able to come, please rest assured that we will take excellent care of your kiddos. Several of you have written asking if there are pictures of the day. The answer is YES…We have a show photographer coming who was a former camper and is now doing this as a profession. Her name is Jenna Leigh Teti and her website is www.jennaleighteti.com . You could look up the website and contact her is you wish to have an official show picture. She is terrific and could surely hone in on your daughter to make sure she gets her picture. For the parents who will be here, you can find her and ask her to take a picture of your child/ren. We have given her a list of the horse and ponies for sale or lease so she can take their pictures too….so she will have lots to do. It makes such a fun remembrance of the day.
For the parents who can come, we have a restaurant chart with a map for your decision making process if you want to take your kiddo out to dinner. It is hanging on the wall in the living room at the lodge. We also ask that you sign out your daughter and let us know approximately when you will be returning to camp. We like to keep track of our little chickens, you know!
We will also look at the permission slips as many parents take out the kids whose parents are not able to come due to being so far away. For those who are here, we have a yummy dinner and then a fun movie that is appropriate. My guess is that they will mostly fall asleep before it is over anyway!
The next day, Sunday, we will let everyone sleep in late. The staff does barn chores so it is really a ‘day off’ for the campers. They will do a good room clean up, gather their laundry, then we will have a full Brunch. This will be followed by swimming, playing with the small animals, doing some gardening, arts and crafts, and planning for the Talent Show on Sunday night. This should be a hum dinger show judging from the girls imagination and creativity!
Next week will feature all the other campy horsey things possible at Pony Farm…the Hunter Pace will start out the week. Then, I am taking two groups camping with the ponies as so many want to camp that it can’t be done in one night. We will also be vaulting, driving, trail riding and going on several field trips. The dear horses’ legs will get a break from so much jumping. It is a nice balance for both two and four footed critters. I can not believe that this session has gone by so quickly…We are half way through and it feels like we could keep these kids forever!
Thus, as we reach the half way point of our summer, let me again thank you for choosing Pony Farm for your daughters. We truly enjoy them….The staff and Kris & I are not even tired. We are having a blast and I think your kids are too. So, we look forward to seeing you tomorrow if you are coming…and next Saturday for the Parents’ Riding Demo and Specialties. We are proud of your girls accomplishments. We want to show you all they have learned! So, stay well until then!
Most warmly, Boo
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday July 14th
Dear Pony Farm Parents and Family Members,
Let me begin by saying how sorry I am that I have not written sooner! I know that you all want to know how your kids are fearing but I have just had so much FUN with them that I have not had a spare minute to steal away to write to you…Plus, except for two kids, all of the rest are returning campers, so I felt like you would not mind if I was not immediately in touch.
However, let me tell you that this is a MOST TERRIFIC session already. Last night was Bag Skits, one of their favorites. They were the best, most imaginative, most creative, most fun and most entertaining skits of this type that have even happened at Pony Farm. All of us just roared at the characters this session….It was so much fun. I usually write the first blog right after these skits. Last night, they took such care to get ready and then each skit went on for quite a while that we never started our Evening Vespers, Good Night Circle until 9PM…Once I got all the kids in their beds and sleeping tight, I was just plain too tired to write to you. It sure was for a good reason though!
Backing up to the beginning, I am not sure that I have seen a session of kids who were more eager and ready for camp and being together. I just went through the line for lunch and found six girls all holding onto each other’s arms in a long line and just plain loving each other and being together. They are truly a camp director’s dream!!!
From the ‘get go’ all the kids seemed to just meld together. The rooms all are getting along beautifully. They get up when we ask, they go to bed, they do rest hour, their capers and their beds…so easy, so fun and so pleasant. Not one single tear of homesickness. It is truly a pleasure and an honor to have your children at the farm!!!
Yesterday, we sorted out horse matches and riding groups. Many of the kids loved the horse or pony that they were originally assigned, making the riding staff’s job easy. Others quickly switched and the match was better. Assigning horses ahead of time is kind of like ‘arranged marriages’…There is some practicality that is useful in terms of horse matches…things like size, experience, dependability, spirit, etc. that the staff use to determine the original match. However, sheer heart and soul make the match correct in the end. Only by riding the horse and taking care of it does each girl really decide that it is the right ‘horse of her own’ for the session. We have four kids who brought their own horses, all of which are fantastic.
So, after the morning ride yesterday, the staff separated out some of the girls who needed to have a re-ride to find a better match. While the majority of the kids took their swim tests, played name games, and had a riot of a time with the farm animals, jumping all of them over the jumps, several of the girls rode again to try yet another horse switch.
We surely try hard to get it right immediately on that first day so that the girls can get ready for the show on Saturday. By yesterday afternoon, everyone was on the right horse and everyone had passed the swim test, as well as knew each other’s names!
Camp store began and with it, the barn orientation for the main evening Barn Chores. The girls all listened intently and off they went to turn out their horses and do the chores to wrap up the horsey past of the day. Chores went quickly because so many of the kids ‘know the drill’ and all are such good team players. Plus, they know that the quicker they get done, the sooner they get showers!
Following a yummie dinner, the girls were most eager to do the Bag Skits. This is a game where each room collects 6 items and places them in a bag. The girls anticipated this old time favorite and even brought some items just for the game….so cute!!! The items were quickly gathered and the bags were re-distributed to other rooms. The girls then worked on using each item in a skit. These were the skits that were so creative and entertaining. It was a great evening, capped off by the Homestead girls reading a beautiful poem about summertime and fireflies…This was then followed by Goodnight Circle where everyone joins in to say what they were thankful about that happened in their day….You will be happy to know that many of them mentioned that they were grateful that you had sent them to Pony Farm….Wanted you to know that you are appreciated, even if they don’t often tell you!!! This was followed by a favorite song and then off to bed. I think this is just how the day should end with everyone happy, healthy and ready to ‘hit the hay’!
Today dawned beautiful and breezy, not a bug or cloud in the sky. What a relief it is to have nice weather. Several staff members were ready to start touching up the jumps and re-stripping the poles for the upcoming horse show. The plan had been to divide the girls in half and let each group start practicing over the course that they might be jumping on Saturday at the horse show. For the half that were not in their formal lesson and using the jumping rings, we planned to do Vaulting, Bareback, a trail ride and Farm animals (always a hit). To my utter amazement, the kids BEGGED to help with the jumps and courses. We have built a lot of new jumps and bought new things. They wanted to have a hand in preparing for the horse show. After consulting with the staff, we all agreed that when kids offer to work and work hard, it seems stupid to say NO! So, redressing in their oldest clothes for painting. Wow, did they did in with me…We got things scraped, washed, painted and primed for the upcoming show….I do hope you will look around and see their efforts. I love it so when kids really want to help and then do so with such gusto. We will never have had such well painted and pretty jumps!
This afternoon following Rest Hour, they will ride in lessons again if they rode bareback, on the trail or vaulted…or painted of course…The ones that had lessons this morning have the same offerings this afternoon. We will be in ship shape order for the show, as well as teach them balance with bareback, vaulting and a trail. Such fun…It sure is easier to be a Camp Director in the sun!
Tonight is scheduled to be the Fashion Show….This is again an evening activity of fun and frolic. They are broken into teams and given either Decades or Counselors to depict through dress, dance and music. This is another all time camp favorite. Tree House will be doing Vespers tonight.
Tomorrow, we will all practice over the courses while the horses also get trimmed and beautified for the show…We will be doing Camper Portraits tomorrow and Friday. I do think you will love to see these pictures of each girl and her horse…her ‘first love’ as many of them call their horse or pony…and a great first love at that! These are done by our Camp Nurse and are truly terrific. She hardly takes a bad picture.
Speaking of pictures, we will also have a Show Photographer for the horse show. It is my hope that you might speak to her if you wish to have your child’s picture taken especially if she is jumping. That is a hard kind of picture for an ordinary camera to take because it happens so fast…This photographer is a pro. She is a former camper, now all grown up, so it should be fun to welcome her back. Do see her if you wish to have a special picture of the competition side of camp.
So that is the shake down of what is happening now at camp. I promise to email you directly using your given emails as to what time APPROXIMATELY you can expect your kiddo to ride. They have all decided to ride at the show on Saturday so I will let you know about when to come. We will also have the map and description of the local restaurants and diners should you wish to take your daughter out for dinner. That is fine with us as long as your surely give her back to us for one more week!!!! We ask that no parents plan to visit on Sunday so that we can have a peaceful day and really get a great Talent Show put together for Sunday night….
I thank you once again for your terrific children, obviously the result of awesome parenting. Bless your hearts for sharing them with us. It is a real treat. Hope your days are as happy as mine! Stay well.
Best, Boo
Dear Pony Farm Parents and Family Members,
Let me begin by saying how sorry I am that I have not written sooner! I know that you all want to know how your kids are fearing but I have just had so much FUN with them that I have not had a spare minute to steal away to write to you…Plus, except for two kids, all of the rest are returning campers, so I felt like you would not mind if I was not immediately in touch.
However, let me tell you that this is a MOST TERRIFIC session already. Last night was Bag Skits, one of their favorites. They were the best, most imaginative, most creative, most fun and most entertaining skits of this type that have even happened at Pony Farm. All of us just roared at the characters this session….It was so much fun. I usually write the first blog right after these skits. Last night, they took such care to get ready and then each skit went on for quite a while that we never started our Evening Vespers, Good Night Circle until 9PM…Once I got all the kids in their beds and sleeping tight, I was just plain too tired to write to you. It sure was for a good reason though!
Backing up to the beginning, I am not sure that I have seen a session of kids who were more eager and ready for camp and being together. I just went through the line for lunch and found six girls all holding onto each other’s arms in a long line and just plain loving each other and being together. They are truly a camp director’s dream!!!
From the ‘get go’ all the kids seemed to just meld together. The rooms all are getting along beautifully. They get up when we ask, they go to bed, they do rest hour, their capers and their beds…so easy, so fun and so pleasant. Not one single tear of homesickness. It is truly a pleasure and an honor to have your children at the farm!!!
Yesterday, we sorted out horse matches and riding groups. Many of the kids loved the horse or pony that they were originally assigned, making the riding staff’s job easy. Others quickly switched and the match was better. Assigning horses ahead of time is kind of like ‘arranged marriages’…There is some practicality that is useful in terms of horse matches…things like size, experience, dependability, spirit, etc. that the staff use to determine the original match. However, sheer heart and soul make the match correct in the end. Only by riding the horse and taking care of it does each girl really decide that it is the right ‘horse of her own’ for the session. We have four kids who brought their own horses, all of which are fantastic.
So, after the morning ride yesterday, the staff separated out some of the girls who needed to have a re-ride to find a better match. While the majority of the kids took their swim tests, played name games, and had a riot of a time with the farm animals, jumping all of them over the jumps, several of the girls rode again to try yet another horse switch.
We surely try hard to get it right immediately on that first day so that the girls can get ready for the show on Saturday. By yesterday afternoon, everyone was on the right horse and everyone had passed the swim test, as well as knew each other’s names!
Camp store began and with it, the barn orientation for the main evening Barn Chores. The girls all listened intently and off they went to turn out their horses and do the chores to wrap up the horsey past of the day. Chores went quickly because so many of the kids ‘know the drill’ and all are such good team players. Plus, they know that the quicker they get done, the sooner they get showers!
Following a yummie dinner, the girls were most eager to do the Bag Skits. This is a game where each room collects 6 items and places them in a bag. The girls anticipated this old time favorite and even brought some items just for the game….so cute!!! The items were quickly gathered and the bags were re-distributed to other rooms. The girls then worked on using each item in a skit. These were the skits that were so creative and entertaining. It was a great evening, capped off by the Homestead girls reading a beautiful poem about summertime and fireflies…This was then followed by Goodnight Circle where everyone joins in to say what they were thankful about that happened in their day….You will be happy to know that many of them mentioned that they were grateful that you had sent them to Pony Farm….Wanted you to know that you are appreciated, even if they don’t often tell you!!! This was followed by a favorite song and then off to bed. I think this is just how the day should end with everyone happy, healthy and ready to ‘hit the hay’!
Today dawned beautiful and breezy, not a bug or cloud in the sky. What a relief it is to have nice weather. Several staff members were ready to start touching up the jumps and re-stripping the poles for the upcoming horse show. The plan had been to divide the girls in half and let each group start practicing over the course that they might be jumping on Saturday at the horse show. For the half that were not in their formal lesson and using the jumping rings, we planned to do Vaulting, Bareback, a trail ride and Farm animals (always a hit). To my utter amazement, the kids BEGGED to help with the jumps and courses. We have built a lot of new jumps and bought new things. They wanted to have a hand in preparing for the horse show. After consulting with the staff, we all agreed that when kids offer to work and work hard, it seems stupid to say NO! So, redressing in their oldest clothes for painting. Wow, did they did in with me…We got things scraped, washed, painted and primed for the upcoming show….I do hope you will look around and see their efforts. I love it so when kids really want to help and then do so with such gusto. We will never have had such well painted and pretty jumps!
This afternoon following Rest Hour, they will ride in lessons again if they rode bareback, on the trail or vaulted…or painted of course…The ones that had lessons this morning have the same offerings this afternoon. We will be in ship shape order for the show, as well as teach them balance with bareback, vaulting and a trail. Such fun…It sure is easier to be a Camp Director in the sun!
Tonight is scheduled to be the Fashion Show….This is again an evening activity of fun and frolic. They are broken into teams and given either Decades or Counselors to depict through dress, dance and music. This is another all time camp favorite. Tree House will be doing Vespers tonight.
Tomorrow, we will all practice over the courses while the horses also get trimmed and beautified for the show…We will be doing Camper Portraits tomorrow and Friday. I do think you will love to see these pictures of each girl and her horse…her ‘first love’ as many of them call their horse or pony…and a great first love at that! These are done by our Camp Nurse and are truly terrific. She hardly takes a bad picture.
Speaking of pictures, we will also have a Show Photographer for the horse show. It is my hope that you might speak to her if you wish to have your child’s picture taken especially if she is jumping. That is a hard kind of picture for an ordinary camera to take because it happens so fast…This photographer is a pro. She is a former camper, now all grown up, so it should be fun to welcome her back. Do see her if you wish to have a special picture of the competition side of camp.
So that is the shake down of what is happening now at camp. I promise to email you directly using your given emails as to what time APPROXIMATELY you can expect your kiddo to ride. They have all decided to ride at the show on Saturday so I will let you know about when to come. We will also have the map and description of the local restaurants and diners should you wish to take your daughter out for dinner. That is fine with us as long as your surely give her back to us for one more week!!!! We ask that no parents plan to visit on Sunday so that we can have a peaceful day and really get a great Talent Show put together for Sunday night….
I thank you once again for your terrific children, obviously the result of awesome parenting. Bless your hearts for sharing them with us. It is a real treat. Hope your days are as happy as mine! Stay well.
Best, Boo
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Thursday Morning July 9th, 2009
Dear Pony Farm Parents and Family Members,
I hope your day has started well and that the sun is shining where you are….It sure is here and we are just delighted. What a pleasure to wake up to the sun’s rays gleaming down on us. It just makes a body happy….or many bodies happy!
This will be my last missive to you before you come pick up your treasurers…. We surely hate to see them leave. They have been such Troopers in the weather that we have had…however, in many ways, they have also grown closer. Without the total emphasis each and every day being on riding, it has really promoted friendships and teamwork. It is a fun thing to watch, while I worry about the kids having a blast. The staff joins me working so hard to make every second count while they are here. It is not idle ‘chit chat’ to say that we strive to making this a kid’s best part of the summer, if not her whole year. We truly mean it. However, with the rain falling on their heads day after day, it is a little harder to accomplish! They have been a Camp Director’s dream however. Good spirits have abounded and we have tucked in riding each and every moment that is not pouring down rain or with thunder and lightening!
Yesterday dawned with blue skies and sun, so we quickly decided to reschedule the Hunter Pace that had to be postponed last week. They love this so. I think I described it in my last blog so I won’t go over it again, only to say that they all had a blast and all but the littlest two who were just not comfortable riding at the trot and canter with their teammates, rode off with gusto. The two who did not ride went as important Safety Patrol people with staff. They helped “Judge” the event. I think they felt great pride as they donned their clip boards.
Following a pleasant morning and the computation of the scores, lunch was definitely devoured as the scores were read. After a camping trip and then the Hunter Pace, the time at Rest Hour was well used. It was truly quiet throughout Pony Farm. The staff however had their own riding lesson, which they cherish as their reward for their hard work and good teaching. This was followed by the final event of the Boy Bands Competition which is the Barn Team Challenge….Each barn team, comprised of members of different teams, works to have their barn be the most spotless. The kids and staff always take this most seriously and wow, do the barns look great. It is surely a beautiful thing for a Camp Director to see!
This was followed by another night of Games….some quieter games in the lodge and some fun running games in the Indoor arena…Thank goodness for that arena. Meanwhile, off we set for the camping trip….
We did accomplish the feat of not one but two camping trips….despite the thunder and lightening on Tuesday night and the pouring rain last night. We usually take 6 horses and ponies, 4 tents and lots of food and camping gear up the mountain that over looks the farm. It is a real highlight of the session due to the ponies being there overnight with us, evening and early morning rides, and swimming in the mountain pool, complete with rock water slide. I love it and they love it….
Due to the dire weather forecast of thunder and lightening, we easily decided that was not in our future. So, we offered the trip to be on the lawn by the Homestead and to have the farm animals spend the night with us…and to go to the Waterfall to swim. This had worked like gang busters last session….We cooked up a storm on the fire pit, roasted the required S’Mores and had an equal blast…The kids said they liked it better…
So, my dilemma was ….How can I top that???? It was going to pour rain this week. I felt that I had promised them and HATE letting down kids. So, I put my thinking cap on decided to bring them to my old home…now called the Homestead. I jazzed them all up to cook over the big fire just like in olden times. We turned the lights down low and looked up Campfire Stew on the internet….a blend of modern and olden times…Off we all set with sleeping bags in tow, a few goats and sheep, and a bunny or two, plus my loyal dogs….and the two big Camp cook pots with lids to hang on the Crane of the fireplace. We built the fire as it rained…and cooked hot dogs! Then, we built the Stew in the cooking pot….complete with peas hand picked out of the garden. We also cooked the baked beans. Everyone was so proud of their cooking prowess. It really tasted terrific both times, although the second time, we didn’t burn it so it tasted much better.
Then, off we trooped to visit the workhorse Chip who is 18.3 hands high….that is one big horse, for your non-horsey folks…We were originally going just to visit him but the kids and the staff begged me to ride him. Because I had ridden him 4 or 5 times, as had a number of other folks, I decided to say yes. They were thrilled…that dear Beast ended up giving 18 rides that first night. He was perfectly behaved and the kids just loved it. Many pictures were taken.
The second night, last night, did not fare so well. We tacked him up with ease and led him out to the Indoor Arena. I had never taken him there before but it was getting dark and we had not ridden at all yet. Upon entrance to the indoor, he started shaking and being highly nervous. I right away got the kids up on the ramp and led him myself. I quickly realized that he must have done the draft horse pulls in competition as this was so completely out of character. He kept pulling me to the fall and did not want to leave. I realized that this is where they go to rest after the big exertion of pulling. He was truly afraid and had to have been very roughly treated. I explained it to the kids. We let him just walk around the ring without anyone bothering him. I patted him a lot and just let him relax. We then led him back to his field with him calm and fine once he left the indoor. Needless to say, I did not let the kids ride him last night….The kids were great about it and S’Mores won the day…We then told a ton of fun stories until they begged me to be able to go to sleep….So the day ended well.
They are all off doing fun things in the sun as I write. I for one am going home and going to bed! Two nights of sleeping ‘out’ is hard on these old bones but my heart is happy. I promise to you to offer your kids good, clean, honest, farm fun…that is what we are doing in spades….if not also in the mud!
See you on Saturday. Until then, stay well and rest assured that we are taking great care of your kiddos….
Most fondly, Boo
Dear Pony Farm Parents and Family Members,
I hope your day has started well and that the sun is shining where you are….It sure is here and we are just delighted. What a pleasure to wake up to the sun’s rays gleaming down on us. It just makes a body happy….or many bodies happy!
This will be my last missive to you before you come pick up your treasurers…. We surely hate to see them leave. They have been such Troopers in the weather that we have had…however, in many ways, they have also grown closer. Without the total emphasis each and every day being on riding, it has really promoted friendships and teamwork. It is a fun thing to watch, while I worry about the kids having a blast. The staff joins me working so hard to make every second count while they are here. It is not idle ‘chit chat’ to say that we strive to making this a kid’s best part of the summer, if not her whole year. We truly mean it. However, with the rain falling on their heads day after day, it is a little harder to accomplish! They have been a Camp Director’s dream however. Good spirits have abounded and we have tucked in riding each and every moment that is not pouring down rain or with thunder and lightening!
Yesterday dawned with blue skies and sun, so we quickly decided to reschedule the Hunter Pace that had to be postponed last week. They love this so. I think I described it in my last blog so I won’t go over it again, only to say that they all had a blast and all but the littlest two who were just not comfortable riding at the trot and canter with their teammates, rode off with gusto. The two who did not ride went as important Safety Patrol people with staff. They helped “Judge” the event. I think they felt great pride as they donned their clip boards.
Following a pleasant morning and the computation of the scores, lunch was definitely devoured as the scores were read. After a camping trip and then the Hunter Pace, the time at Rest Hour was well used. It was truly quiet throughout Pony Farm. The staff however had their own riding lesson, which they cherish as their reward for their hard work and good teaching. This was followed by the final event of the Boy Bands Competition which is the Barn Team Challenge….Each barn team, comprised of members of different teams, works to have their barn be the most spotless. The kids and staff always take this most seriously and wow, do the barns look great. It is surely a beautiful thing for a Camp Director to see!
This was followed by another night of Games….some quieter games in the lodge and some fun running games in the Indoor arena…Thank goodness for that arena. Meanwhile, off we set for the camping trip….
We did accomplish the feat of not one but two camping trips….despite the thunder and lightening on Tuesday night and the pouring rain last night. We usually take 6 horses and ponies, 4 tents and lots of food and camping gear up the mountain that over looks the farm. It is a real highlight of the session due to the ponies being there overnight with us, evening and early morning rides, and swimming in the mountain pool, complete with rock water slide. I love it and they love it….
Due to the dire weather forecast of thunder and lightening, we easily decided that was not in our future. So, we offered the trip to be on the lawn by the Homestead and to have the farm animals spend the night with us…and to go to the Waterfall to swim. This had worked like gang busters last session….We cooked up a storm on the fire pit, roasted the required S’Mores and had an equal blast…The kids said they liked it better…
So, my dilemma was ….How can I top that???? It was going to pour rain this week. I felt that I had promised them and HATE letting down kids. So, I put my thinking cap on decided to bring them to my old home…now called the Homestead. I jazzed them all up to cook over the big fire just like in olden times. We turned the lights down low and looked up Campfire Stew on the internet….a blend of modern and olden times…Off we all set with sleeping bags in tow, a few goats and sheep, and a bunny or two, plus my loyal dogs….and the two big Camp cook pots with lids to hang on the Crane of the fireplace. We built the fire as it rained…and cooked hot dogs! Then, we built the Stew in the cooking pot….complete with peas hand picked out of the garden. We also cooked the baked beans. Everyone was so proud of their cooking prowess. It really tasted terrific both times, although the second time, we didn’t burn it so it tasted much better.
Then, off we trooped to visit the workhorse Chip who is 18.3 hands high….that is one big horse, for your non-horsey folks…We were originally going just to visit him but the kids and the staff begged me to ride him. Because I had ridden him 4 or 5 times, as had a number of other folks, I decided to say yes. They were thrilled…that dear Beast ended up giving 18 rides that first night. He was perfectly behaved and the kids just loved it. Many pictures were taken.
The second night, last night, did not fare so well. We tacked him up with ease and led him out to the Indoor Arena. I had never taken him there before but it was getting dark and we had not ridden at all yet. Upon entrance to the indoor, he started shaking and being highly nervous. I right away got the kids up on the ramp and led him myself. I quickly realized that he must have done the draft horse pulls in competition as this was so completely out of character. He kept pulling me to the fall and did not want to leave. I realized that this is where they go to rest after the big exertion of pulling. He was truly afraid and had to have been very roughly treated. I explained it to the kids. We let him just walk around the ring without anyone bothering him. I patted him a lot and just let him relax. We then led him back to his field with him calm and fine once he left the indoor. Needless to say, I did not let the kids ride him last night….The kids were great about it and S’Mores won the day…We then told a ton of fun stories until they begged me to be able to go to sleep….So the day ended well.
They are all off doing fun things in the sun as I write. I for one am going home and going to bed! Two nights of sleeping ‘out’ is hard on these old bones but my heart is happy. I promise to you to offer your kids good, clean, honest, farm fun…that is what we are doing in spades….if not also in the mud!
See you on Saturday. Until then, stay well and rest assured that we are taking great care of your kiddos….
Most fondly, Boo
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Tuesday Morning July 7th, 2009
Dearest Moms and Dads…and All Kinds of Other Family Members of Pony Farmers,
I surely hope you are well and enjoying your summer, rainy though it is. We are fine here at Pony Farm and I can’t wait to catch you up on all of our happenings. We have been very busy and happily involved in the life at the farm so I have tons to report.
Let me begin by apologizing that you have not received a blog since last Wednesday. We did not realize that our webmaster who hosts our PF site was going to take a four day break over the 4th of July weekend. We sent a blog last Thursday and it bounced back….Since that blog was all about the rain, we decided to just start fresh this AM and let you know the more recent news of Pony Farm. This is the first time ever that the web company was closed and we apologize if you have been worried about not hearing from me!
However, getting back to reporting the news of Pony Farm, let me say that your kids have been troopers…as have the staff. Never in my 38 years of directing Pony Farm has it ever rained as much, as hard and for as long…or as many days in a row. I don’t know about your weather, but if you are in New England anywhere, I think you will know what I mean! I have heard the weather has been awful all over New England. The news reported that we have broken a 100 year record for the state of NH. Never in over 100 years has it rained so much or for so many days as in the month of June. It really does make a camp director want to roll over and go back to bed!!!!
That is not to say however that we have been idle or not had a great time. The sun did show its beautiful self on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and yesterday….We packed in a huge amount of fun during those four great days….but...it is raining again today, darn it!!!! These poor kids deserve not to have to wear flippers to get to the barn!
Going back to the end of the last blog, let me begin to paint the picture of how great your kids have been…and our staff. We have all been upbeat and creative in what we have chosen to do with the campers. They have dutifully trooped out to get their ponies in the rain. They have smiled as they slogged through the mud to do their stalls and feed…and groom and tack up and ride anyway. We have made the decision, with the kids in agreement, that short of thunder and lightening, we will ride anyway…and ride they have. Our dear Farm Manager has raked the five rings twice a day every day. He has also used the tractor to literally pile the mud into a corner of the turn out paddocks so the kids can safely get in the gates. It has really been amazing. Do look for the piles when you come on Saturday! It will give you a graphic sense of what we have been dealing with all week. It will truly make you shake your head.
The kids are excellent riders. We have grouped them according to levels of experience, from Level 1 being the least experienced, to Level 8 being the most. The riders in Level 1 are all cantering and jumping. They are also more than capable to go on a zippy trail ride. Although it has not been as much fun to ride in the rain, I think you will agree that they each have made progress. I will tell you however, that they have not been able to jump as much as usual due to the mud. The Riding Staff knows how important it is to keep the kids safe and the horses sound. Trying to leap over large jumps just plain has not been the wise thing. Also, they have missed the experience of being able to use our Outside Courses. In other years, we have had three courses of fences out in a lovely, large and level field below the barn. This has provided great opportunity for the kids to experience riding outside of a ring, which many facilities are not able to provide. This has been one of the riding highlights for many kids. Sadly, the field is under water. I think we might canoe easier there than jump!
To meet this challenge, we have modified the typical week day’s schedule. Instead of all lessons being in the mornings and the 8 to 10 afternoon activities offered in the afternoons, we have had to split the day. Half of the kids rode in their lessons in the morning, while the other half choose between the many other types of activities usually offered in the afternoon. They would then switch and do their lessons in the afternoon. This allowed all the kids to ride in a sand ring which drained nicely, thus ensuring their safety and riding progress. So, the kids have never missed their lessons, they just had them at different times.
Among the many other horsey riding and farm fun, were lots of time with the Small Farm Animals…grooming them, playing with them, jumping with them, taking them to the creek to wade. They have also done a lot of Vaulting, which is gymnastics on the moving horse. They have been able to ride bareback several times, this being a big camp favorite. They have also done Catch Riding, which is switching to ride each other’s horse. We have been able to take a lot of trail rides, mostly staying on the dirt roads which we are so fortunate to have so many of around Pony Farm.
One of the highlights of the farm was that four baby chicks hatched out last Thursday. The kids had been so carefully watching the mother hen sitting on her eggs. They were so hoping that they would hatch while they were still here. They were delighted to go to the barn on Thursday morning and see all four little ‘fuzz balls’ walking around under their Mom’s watchful eye. This adds to the other two that were born during the first session. What fun to have these little Banty chicks grace our presence and add a smile to our faces. The kids love all the small animals but many love the chicks the best. They also love gathering the eggs and eating them for breakfast. Our laying hens, 24 of them in all, give us at least 20 eggs a day. What fun to eat these totally fresh eggs…and salad greens out of the garden. The tomatoes are growing like gang busters, too….but sadly, they will not be ready by the time your troopers leave!
In addition to the riding, we started the camp favorite of “The Battle of the Boy Bands”….In Olympic years, we host the Pony Farm Olympics…but in the off years, it is this Battle that we enjoy. The kids are all divided into teams, six in all, which are named after various popular bands. You will get a kick out of it however because the Beach Boys are in there too! Makes me feel not quite so old!!!
They then compete in various different activities, some horsey and some not. As each team goes through the various contests, they gather points for their team much like Harry Potted did in the Tri Wizarding Contest. The various competitions included tack cleaning, Stable Management, ‘Fitting and Showmanship’, Fashion Show of the Decades, Lip Sync to songs from their bands they represent, Capture the Flag, Personal Scavenger Hunt (which is a game that truly makes me feel old as I know none of the answers about popular songs, TV shows, movies, kids books and general info on popular figures to the kids!!!) and a Gymkhana (games on horseback). All of the information from all of these events is tabulated to add up to points for each team. The kids live and die over it all, amid gales of laughter and tons of creativity. They are characters, that is for sure!
The one event that is a highlight of their time here that we have not yet done is the Hunter Pace. This is a team event where the two most experienced riders are the captains for the team. They, dressed all alike, lead their team mates on a 5 mile dirt road track. Together, they decide the spacing, speed and order of the ride as they go up and down hills and over dales. The staff is spaced out with cars, walk talkies and cell phones all along this trail as Safety Check Points. They record how the team was organizing itself and working together. They also are there in case of need! The track has an Optimum Time. The team that gets closest to this time…while keeping the team happy and the horses calm, cool and collected, wins a prize. They love this dearly. It was slated for last Thursday, which is went we have the most staff to spread out over the five miles. Sadly, this was the day of total torrential rains. Clearly, it was not to be on that day.
However, we are keeping it in reserve for this coming Friday. We hope so to swim with the horses, the other total highlight of each session. However, due to the amount of rain, there is Blue Green Algae in the pond where we swim the horses. My brother owns the pond and is waiting for the results of the state environmental tests to come back to tell him what kind of algae it is and how to treat it. He is more than ready to apply the herbicide that is required….However, until this is taken care of, it is not safe for the kids to swim….The state has closed several NH public ponds and lakes for the same reason. So, we have our fingers crossed that this can be taken care of by Friday….If not, we will put the Hunter Pace on that day as a close 2nd!
So, all of this takes us up to Friday. The heavens blessed us with a beautiful sunny day. It was decided with both the kids and staff that it was best to get in some solid lessons that day. Again, the kids have lots of input into decisions. So, everyone enjoyed getting to finally jump a little higher as the mud seemed to disappear quite well.
Saturday, the 4th of July, dawned beautiful again. The camp has gone to the Temple 4th of July field games and parade, followed by a big cook out done by our local fire department. They do everything from the egg toss, to lots of sprinting games, to the wheelbarrow and sack races. The best game is the Tug of War with the rope being a honking big one used by the fire fighters. The rope is divided by a wall of water coming from the biggest of the hoses. The winning side definitely gets soaked…Of course, they then fall away and the hose quickly soaks everyone. This was followed by dressing up in complete fire gear and getting rides around the town field in Annabelle, the old fire truck. Following the cookout, the kids came home for a short rest and then rode again in the afternoon. This was followed by barn chores and a movie night. Kris is the star at picking out the right movie to delight the littlest kids to the biggest…They all lay on the lodge floor in their PJs and sleeping bags and watched to their heart’s delight.
The next morning brings the day of rest….and no riding. They get to sleep in late and “Chill” as they say. Of course, the Early Birds get rewarded by the homemade coffee cake…with the Sleepy Heads getting the crumbs! This peaceful morning of chatting was followed by a good through room clean up and gathering of all wet, muddy clothes for laundry. Once this was done, a nice Sunday Brunch was served and off the kids went to do their relaxing Sunday afternoon.
They were able to swim with the Life Guard looking out…play with the Farm Animals to their hearts’ content, make bracelets and necklaces with their ponies’ names on them, create door hangers for their rooms at home, and generally enjoy being together. The staff does all the barn and horse care. The kids also started working on their Talent Show, slated for Sunday night. Many of the girls went out for ice cream with the few parents who came to visit. For those of you who did not come, please know that this was not an official visiting day at all. Some of the parents who came had had their daughter’s here for two weeks already. Others were about to go away and wanted to just touch base in person…So, if you were not here, worry not!!!
The other excellent news of Sunday was that a lot of the kids got to go for ice cream due to super clean rooms. Each day the rooms get inspected for order, beds made, lights out and trash cans emptied. We take this very seriously as it does not take long for it to be a mess with this many kids and so much mud. The winning room usually gets to go out for a treat/bribe of Ice Cream at the local dairy farm. This session, Kris could not break the tie between three rooms, all with a perfect score….So, Tree House, Room 6 and Homestead #1 were our big winners…all of them getting to go out for Ice Cream. FYI, it is rare that the older girls win, so parents, you should be proud…and it should bode well for you as they grow into their teen years to come!
Sunday night was the Talent Show. The list got longer and longer of skis, songs, gymnastic feats, Staff Impersonations, Horse Impersonations, music and dancing. It is really a great parade of fun, silliness and simple pleasures. It certainly showcases all the talents of your children…and honors all the hours of driving and cost of lessons in various different venues. It was a great evening of enjoyment under sunny and then starry skies…All trooped off to bed with a happy heart and a smiling face.
Monday again dawned beautiful. We did lots of group planning….deciding about the camping trips, the All Day Ride, the Driving, and the Hunter Pace. We also selected the ‘Specialties’ that we will be showing you on Saturday. The kids each signed up for either Carriage Driving, Gymkhana Games, the Puissance (High Jump), Vaulting or Jumping Courses. We will be practicing these over the week and honing their skills for your viewing pleasure!
Yesterday afternoon was Portrait Day…The girls got their hair combed, donned a clean shirt, groomed their pony to a tee and posed for a beautiful picture with Donnie our camp nurse and resident photographer. Wait until you see the pictures. I swear there will not be on bad one. These pictures will be available for purchase on the closing day of this session. I think you will like what you see.
Last night, the kids and staff played Capture the Flag, again in their Boy Band Teams…With only a couple of skinned knees, and lots of laughter and running, a good time was had by all. We then settled into our evening routine of Vespers, Good Night Circle and Singing before tucking the kids into bed. You all would have laughed as the poem that was read was all about a little girl begging her parents to buy her a pony! As you can imagine, after a full day, it was truly all quiet at 9:30 sharp.
Today is slated to be the first of a two day camping trip. Over 20 kids signed up to go with me up the mountain with 6 ponies to camp over night. I woke up this AM all excited to go….only to hear the sound of raindrops falling on my head….ARGHHH…
So, I am off right now to organize with the staff as to what we can do to give them fun without being caught in the thunder and lightening. My hunch is that we will sleep in the Homestead, my former home, and cook over the big fireplace….Rest assured that I will absolutely NOT put your kids in harm’s way with a thunderstorm!!!
The kids are all back from barn chores so I will leave you…Sorry this is so long but we had several days to catch up on for you. I do want to say that the pick up day is Saturday, in case you had forgotten….Please plan to arrive between 9:30 and 9:45. We will do a brief intro of the mornings activities and an overview of the camp session. You will then see your daughter ride in her riding lesson….with explanation from her riding counselor. She will then move to her specialty and you can see her doing some of the fun extra things at camp that we do on a horse. That will be followed by a picnic. Please bring your own food. We will provide drinks and desserts. In the past, we either cooked too much or too little because we never we able to get an accurate head count. This year we have decided to not be wasteful and ask you to bring the right amount of food for you and your guests. The more, the merrier. For your planning purposes, it is estimated that you will be free by 1:30ish…who knows how long it will take for your daughter to say goodbye to her friends and staff…and her pony of course!Until then, stay well. Please know how hard and how creatively we are working to make this a terrific experience for your daughter. If any of you have some pull with the Good Lord, please ask for better weather….
Most warmly, Boo
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