Resident Camp Sessions

For Girls Ages 7-16

Hoofbeat Summer camp is open from mid-June to mid-August. Campers may choose 1 or 2-week sessions.

 

Resident Camp Program

The program is well organized and non-competitive, yet flexible, allowing campers a choice in the type of activities they are interested in. Prior to arrival, campers are sent a medical form and a parent/camper information sheet. This allows our staff to begin getting acquainted with campers ahead of time. It also gives us an idea of previous camp experience, expectations of both parent and camper, and previous riding experience.

 

Upon arrival at camp, riders are given a mounted riding evaluation so they can be grouped according to the rider’s ability and riding style. We have campers who have had very little riding experience to very advanced riders. S.E.I. approved riding helmets are required for all campers and staff. We do have rental helmets available for those who do not have their own. Campers ages 7-16 are welcome to join us for a week or more.

 

	Trails with names such as Fantasy, Black Berry Ramble, Paradise Hill, the Windings and Crooked Oaks abound with wildlife. Deer, red foxes, wild turkeys, raccoons and red tail hawks are frequently seen in their natural habitat.
	Horsemanship is emphasized at Hoofbeat. Western and English riding lessons are offered by certified riding instructors. Campers receive daily riding lessons and riders are grouped according to their riding ability and riding style. Daily horse care classes cover topics such as safety, grooming and tacking, first aid, herd behavior and training. These classes are divided by knowledge and riding ability. We also raise and train a few of our own horses each year. The older, more experienced campers are allowed to work with these future Hoofbeat steeds, under supervision, of course. Chief, Scout, Demetri, Shortcake, and Ladd are a few of the many gentle, well-trained horses campers will meet.
Campers enjoy hiking or riding through the birch and pine woods and valleys which are rich in Indian lore. Cabin groups may have overnight excursions to Paradise Hill campsite where Chief Blackhawk and his tribe hunted fox and deer. Sleeping under the stars around a glowing fire, gathering black berries and cooking S’mores build friendships and memories that last a lifetime.
At Pow Wow Point we gather around our campfire ring a couple of nights a week with our whole "Hoofbeat family". Here we do our introductions on the first night, and say our good-byes on the last night. Campers come from all over the U.S., as well as from other countries. Our staff comes from the United States, Australia, England and New Zealand, and many are former Hoofbeat campers. Here the miles drift away as we sing songs, tell stories and act out skits.
Campers and staff stay in our bunkhouses, Hoofroof and Longbranch. Bathroom and shower facilities are part of each bunkhouse. Campers enjoy hearty, home-cooked meals in our Longbranch Dining Hall. Our recently-built lodge is used in case of inclement weather.

Typical Day

Morning activities are divided into two skill sessions which include horseback riding lessons (Western, and English), horse care, and other activities which may include, arts and crafts, drama, pioneer skills and land sports. Campers select three activities to participate in.
	Afternoon programs may include a second riding activity as well as a second unmounted activity; other activities may include horse bathing, bareback riding, mounted games, sports, crafts, group games and preparing for a special theme day, or working with cabin mates on a special project. In the evening, campers enjoy trail rides, all-camp games, cabin activities, a tractor-drawn hay ride, or a campfire.

Camp Staff

Camp staff are chosen from all over the United States and even other countries. Most of the staff are former campers who have been through various training programs at Hoofbeat. They are selected for their genuine love of children, maturity, and camp skills. Staff members receive training prior to the opening of camp. All riding staff must pass a 40 hour Horsemanship Safety Association Clinic. Certification in the H.S.A. Clinic means the instructor can ride, teach, and develop lesson plans, and has also obtained an all around horse knowledge of the level for which are are certified. The staff to camper ratio is 1 to 4.

Facilities

Bunkhouses house campers in groups of approximately eight. Among the favorite activity centers are the Longbranch Dining Hall, with a big stone fireplace and large dining hall, lodge, and the indoor riding arena. Our new lodge provides a place for campers to relax and meet new friends. Four outdoor riding rings, a cross-country course, miles of trails, and a new athletic field add to the enjoyment of Hoofbeat Ridge.

Hoofbeat Ridge has approximately 65 campers per session. This small number compared to most large camps provides more individual attention and keeps the family atmosphere that Ted and Mary strive for.

Hoofbeat is also accredited by the American Camping Association. This means Hoofbeat has demonstrated compliance with up to 300 individual health, safety and program quality standards. These standards establish criteria for program areas, personnel, transportation, administrative procedures, health care, program activities and emergency procedures. Accreditation tells parents and campers that Hoofbeat Resident Camp has been measured against national standards.

Hoofbeat Ridge is pleased to be included in the 25% of camps which are accredited in the U.S.

 

Safety Concerns

An excellent medical clinic is located five miles from Hoofbeat, and a well equipped hospital is ten miles away. Staff members are trained in first aid and the EMT service is nearby. A camp nurse is on staff to make daily checks on the camper's health, to dispense medicine to campers when necessary and to care for minor injuries. All campers are required to have a current medical form which the camp provides

 

Adopt a Horse Week

 

	This is a special week for riders, ages 10-16. Campers need to have at least one year of weekly English or Western riding instruction. The week will be limited to a maximum of 45 campers. Adopt a Horse week differs from our regular program in that our activities are primarily horse-related. For example, the morning skills sessions are horseback riding and horse care only. There will be a riding demonstration on Saturday for parents and friends.
	Each camper will adopt a horse for the week.

More About Resident Camp

Arrival & Departure Times

	Campers need to check in between 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sundays at the beginning of each session. Our camp gate will not open until 2:00 p.m. and check-in begins at 2:00. Campers arriving by bus or plane should have a written itinerary mailed to Hoofbeat at least 2 weeks in advance.
	Departure time is between 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Please don't arrive earlier than 8:45 a.m. If early departure is necessary, prior arrangements need to be made with the Camp Director since it’s very disruptive to the camp program to have campers depart early.

 

What to Bring

The following items are suggested for a 2-week stay at camp. We encourage parents to label all clothing, flashlights, cameras, etc. Campers staying longer than 2 weeks will have clothes laundered every 2-week break. Laundering expenses are deducted from the camper's Trading Post account. Expensive clothing is not recommended.
6-8 shirts or tops sleeping bag & pillow pajamas heavy blanket 2 pair shorts 2 bed sheets 1 pr. riding boots 2 hand; 2 bath towels 1 set rain gear sunscreen lotion 1 pair tennis shoes toilet articles extra pair of old shoes board games 4-6 pair jeans/riding pants trunk or rubbermaid container for storage socks SEI-approved riding helmet underwear appropriate reading material swim suit mosquito repellant 1 jacket envelopes (stamped) visor cap laundry bag with name flashlight drawing pad & pencils water bottle white T-shirt for tie dying
Riders should have a riding boot with a raised heel and a smooth sole. Tennis shoes are not permitted for riding. (Good Will or St. Vincent's may have riding boots at a reasonable price). Please DO NOT bring cellular telephones, CD players, walkmans, curling irons, large pocket knives, electronic games, Dungeons & Dragons books or magic cards. If any of these itmes are brought to camp, they will be kept in the camp office until departure. S.E.I. Approved Riding Helmets S.E.I. approved riding helmets are mandatory headgear for all mounted horseback activities at Hoofbeat Ridge. the S.E.I. logo must appear inside each camper's helmet to be acceptable. Please do not bring helmets that have a manufactured date of over 5 years old. We have helmets available for rental. S.E.I. approved helmets may be purchased through tack shops or Hoofbeat Ridge.

 

Riding Demonstrations Riding Demonstrations will be held for family and friends at approximately 9:00 am. on the Saturdays following each 2-week session.
Trading Post Account We suggest $20-25 per week spending money for your camper. This money is dispensed through our small camp store for purchasing camp T-shirts/sweat shirts, novelties, toothpaste, stamps, etc. This way money is not lost or misplaced and the Director is able to control the amount of snack foods purchased. We also occasionally plan special out-of-camp trips (such as Circus World Museum, Dells Water Parks, Dells Boat Trips, Cave of the Mounds, etc.). Each camper will need $25 maximum for such trips. T-shirts and sweatshirts are available to parents on Sunday during check-in.

Visitation Visiting campers in a short-term camp is discouraged since many children come from out-of-state and their parents are unable to visit them. The appearance of another camper's family can promote homesickness. Campers are encouraged to write home during rest hour.
Mail To expedite getting mail to your camper, please put the child's name and cabin number on the envelope. The number will be given to you when you check-in on Sunday. Do not mail care packages that contain any type of food.
	Telephone Policy It's important that our camp phone be available for business calls, therefore, we discourage campers from receiving or making phone calls. The Camp Director or Camp Nurse will be happy to discuss any concerns or questions parents may have about their child. In case of injury, parents will be contacted by the Camp Director or Camp Nurse.
Camp "No-Nos" No Food in the bunkhouses. No flash pictures may be taken around the horses...and riders may not have cameras or loose-fitting objects around their neck. No Smoking - For everyone’s safety and comfort, smoking is not allowed on the premises. No Alcohol or illegal drugs are permitted on the grounds at any time. No Campers are not permitted to bring their own horses to camp. No Pets - please don't bring your dogs or other pets when checking in or picking up your camper