Twin Lakes Farm Summer Camp!

Summer Camp

Summer Camp rules the North Campus all summer! We offer both a full day and a half day option for our campers:

Half Day: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM 

Full Day: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Camp runs during the week from Monday through Friday.  Gates at the North Campus open at 8:15 AM for drop off.

Students need to be comfortable at the walk and trot in order to qualify for the minimum level of camp.  Students not currently riding at Twin Lakes Farm must schedule an evaluation lesson before enrolling in camp.

The North Campus has its own indoor ring, 55 stalls, indoor and outdoor wash stalls for the horses, a classroom for rainy day activities, two outdoor arenas, a grass field for games and more—all connected to the trails within Twin Lakes Park.

Our camp day is broken up into periods of riding, barn time, and game time, including arts and crafts. 

Riding Lessons—Campers lesson daily in groups broken down according to riding level.  Our camp teachers are career riding instructors from our year round lesson program.  They bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to the learning process—along with a sense of fun and humor to make learning to ride a truly positive experience.  Lessons consist of both flatwork and jumping when level appropriate; and follow the curriculum set by our Academy Director.  Each camper will ride in a program that is designed to bring out the best in each child and let him progress at his own natural pace.  Safety and proper progression for each individual rider is our policy.  Learning to ride is not a race and we are looking to create solid and balanced riders who understand the basic principals of horsemanship– along with being able to laugh and have fun with the horses and each other!

Horsemanship—Campers learn the skills to care for and manage their assigned horses as they join us in the daily barn duties.  Grooming, tacking, bathing, basic healthcare, feeding, nutrition and stable management are all topics that will be covered—with a healthy dose of FUN thrown in!  Kids love learning all about taking care of their beloved animals and we are firm believers that kids learn best by doing!  Each camper will have the opportunity to get hands-on time in the barn and will learn from equine professionals.

Free Period Riding—Each camper will lesson on their assigned mount in the morning.  Afternoons often include campers being given the opportunity to “hack”- which is to ride independently on the flat.  While all of our hack periods are closely supervised by staff, we often allow campers to ride their horses in an independent setting to experience the fun of having a horse of one’s own—without the commitment! For those campers not ready to hack, they will participate in further horsemanship and horsey games.  No camper will ever ride alone; but we allow the campers to feel a sense of autonomy in their hack periods as they practice the techniques being taught in their lessons.

Games and Activities—Each week is packed with games and activities that have been carefully planned by our staff.  Popular activities are: Arts and Crafts, Pony Auction, Talent Show, Pony Wedding, Paint the Pony game, Gymkhana Day, Camp Olympics, Water Slide, Campus-Wide Scavenger Hunt, and other games that are designed to make campers feel connected to each other and their camp.

Camp Horse Shows—Our campers participate in informal horse shows throughout the summer.  Each camper gets to ride and compete for titles such as “Best Posting” and “Best Cantering”.  Campers get to see what it’s like to be a Horse Show Announcer, and a Horse Show Judge.  It’s an afternoon full of  fun for all!

Supplies—Campers lesson in riding clothes—including a Twin Lakes Polo. Campers also purchase their own “Grooming Kit”, which includes all of the tools necessary for grooming a horse.  These are available at the front desk.  Every camper must have her own ASTM-SEI certified helmet, and paddock boots.  Half chaps are suggested for all, and Safety Vests are required for all jumping riders.  Campers should bring a bathing suit and towel on days when the water slide will be set up, and a change of clothes for non-riding activities.  Full day campers must bring a packed lunch, and half day campers should bring a snack or a packed lunch. 

What Sets Twin Lakes Farm Apart-  The North Campus of Twin Lakes Farm was built entirely for the riders of Westchester who do not own horses, but want the hands-on opportunities of riding and learning about proper horse care. We feel that these riders have long been overlooked as lovers and supporters of the sport; and we have built them a home at Twin Lakes Farm North. It stands alone as the only barn ever built with indoor and outdoor arenas and 55 stalls solely to serve local academy riders of all ages. Standing in partnership with our South Campus– which houses our Boarders and Show Team Riders, we are able to provide more quality programs to more riders than anywhere else, and is why we are - “Where Westchester Learns to Ride”