Summer Camps

SUMMER HORSEMANSHIP CAMPS

Ages: 8 - 14 ( Some 7 yr. olds with experience may be accepted at our discretion )

Note: Enrollment changes daily so
call to find out what is available
(415) 897-1633

Weeks: June 16 - 20       Half Day (closed)    Full Day (closed)
              June 23 - 27    Half Day (closed)   Full Day (closed)
              June 30 - July 3 Half Day (closed)       Full Day (closed)
              July   7 - 11    Half Day (closed)      Full Day (closed)
              July   14 - 18      Half Day (closed)      Full Day (closed)
              July   21 - 25      Half Day (closed)      Full Day (closed)
              July   28 - Aug. 1 Half Day (closed)    Full Day (closed)
              Aug.    4 - 8         Half Day (closed)        Full Day (closed)
              Aug. 11 - 15       Half Day (closed)   Full Day (closed)
              Aug. 18 - 22       Half Day (open)    Full Day (open)
                  (This Week Only - you can buy any or all days $60 per day for
                   Half Day Camp and $105 per day for Full Day Camp or mix and match)

Camp Times: Half Day 9:00 to 12:30
Full Day 9:00 to 4:00

Prices: Half Day $295
Full Day $525

Camp Program Information

Daily Riding Lessons will teach your child good basic riding skills. Campers with more experience will continue to build on that foundation. Campers will learn grooming and saddling on their own mounts and will also have fun bathing and braiding them. SAFETY on the ground and when mounted is strongly emphasized. Our CHA certified instructors along with assitants will help your child learn all about horses. Games on horseback, trail rides, bareback riding and beginning vaulting are all offered weekly. Our staff to student ratio is 1 to 5 for all riding activities.

Full Day Campers will have additional afternoon riding lessons, trail riding, arts & crafts and "horse play". They also will have access to our petting zoo.

Lunch is held from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. There is a snack bar onsite where you can purchase lunch items, drinks and snacks. We also have a vending machine available.

At the end of each week we hold a "horse show"complete with awards for all! The show is held Friday from 11:30 to 12:30 for both Half and Full Day Campers. Campers decorate their mounts and enjoy showing off for you in both riding and vaulting! So bring your family and friends to see what your camper has been learning for the week. Don't forget your cameras!

Other Information:

In the Red Barn we have a clubhouse where the campers can have lunch, work on arts & crafts and watch horse videos. Campers can store their belongings in the cubbies located there.

What to Wear & What to Bring

Camp Essentials for Safety and Comfort

Half Day Campers need to bring a light snack & water bottle.

Full Day Campers need to bring a packed lunch & water bottle. Also a change of clothes and shoes - this is important as on warm days we may be getting wet!

All Campers should wear: Long Pants, Applied Sunscreen, Riding Helmet, Riding type Boots. Riding Helmets and Boots are available for loan at no extra charge. Bike Helmets and Hiking Boots are not allowed.

If you are concerned about sharing helmets, you may purchase one for $35.
To purchase a helmet Click the Downloadable Forms button at the left and then select Riding Helmet Order Form and include this with your camp registration forms.

Two Step Sign Up

1. Click on the Downloadable Forms button on the left and print these forms:

Camper Information / Release Form

Summer Camp Registration Form

2. Fill out and sign all forms fully, include payment by check, Visa or
Mastercard and mail to address below. Or, you may drop them off at the
Morning Star Farm office in the mail slot located by office door.

Morning Star Farm
885 Sutro Ave.
Novato, Ca. 94947

You will get a confirmation call once we receive your registration forms and payment.

Cancellations & Refunds

Refunds - less $50 booking fee for cancellations up to May 31st, thereafter No Refunds unless space can be filled from our wait list, then above rule applies.
Substitutions - after you receive a confirmation call, you have a 48 hour grace period to make any changes. After this time a $40 fee is required for any substitutions of camper or camp date. (subject to availability)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much time will my child spend on horseback?

A: Typically, Full Day Campers spend 3 to 4 hours each day on horseback while Half Day Campers will spend about half that time mounted.

Q: What types of mounted activites will my child be involved in?

A. We have a daily riding lesson (2 for full day campers) plus we play games on horseback and Lunge each camper individually to work on riding skills. We also have Bareback riding time, Trail rides, and Vaulting.

Q: What are Lunging and Vaulting?

A. Lunging is where the instructor has the mounted student on a long line. This line is held by the instructor so she may control the horses' movement on a large circle. Campers may then freely do a variety of exercises on horseback while getting individual attention.

Vaulting is gymnastics on horseback. It is used to strengthen and build rider confidence while they are having fun. The horse is controlled by the instructor on the lunge line for this activity also.

Q: What is your camper to staff ratio?

A: 5 campers to 1 staff member for all mounted activities.

Q: Does Full day camp continue after the Horse Show on Friday?

A: Yes it does.

Q: What is the difference between the Half and Full day camp sessions?

A. All campers have the same scheduled activities in the morning.

The campers that stay all day will have an additional afternoon riding session followed by a choice of activities. Here are a few examples of the activities they may participate in: Finger painting a live horse and then bathing her. Caring for and playing with petting zoo animals. Arts and crafts, including learing how to draw horses.

Q: Do you accept credit cards?

A: Yes, we accept Visa and Mastercard.