Camps at Pine Trails Ranch
Spring and Summer Camp Schedule for 2026
Pine Trails Ranch offers a variety of horse camps for riders aged 7 to 16, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Whether your child is just starting or has years of riding experience, our camps provide a fun, safe, and educational environment to build skills and confidence. We also welcome campers with special needs, but please contact us prior to enrollment to discuss accommodations.
Camp Program Overview:
Our horse camps include:
- Daily Riding Lessons tailored to the rider’s skill level.
- Hands-On Educational Activities where campers learn proper horse care, safety, and etiquette.
- Camp Activities Book with daily exercises that help reinforce lessons and serve as a keepsake after camp.
- Exposure to English and Western Riding Styles, with the option to choose which style to ride.
Campers will have the opportunity to participate in a well-rounded program that enhances both their riding skills and understanding of horsemanship.
Camp Duration & Fees:
We offer camps during the summer as well as during school holidays, including Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Break.
- Summer Camp:
- Cost: $494 per week (discounts for cash, checks, or Zelle).
- Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (full-day camp).
- Deposit: $104 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot, with the balance due at least 2 weeks before the camp start date.
- Additional Info: Campers are asked to bring a lunch and a water bottle. We provide boots and helmets for all participants.
Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program:
Our CIT program is designed for older campers with significant riding experience who are ready to take on a leadership role. CIT participants will assist with camp activities while continuing to improve their riding skills.
Approval: CIT participants must receive prior approval from a Pine Trails Instructor to enroll.
- Ages: 12 to 16.
- Cost: $442 per week (discounts for cash, checks, or Zelle).
- Deposit: $104 non-refundable deposit.
What to bring to camp:
- Required
- Long pants – no shorts or capri’s! These are unsafe for riding.
- Socks
- Water Bottle
- Packed lunch
- Filled out copy of our Rider Release Form if the student will be dropped off for camp by someone other than their parent or guardian. Students will not be allowed on a horse unless we have a signed copy of this form.
- Recommended
- Comfortable, sturdy, closed toe shoes – students must wear riding boots (provided by PTR) when handling horses, but may prefer to wear their own shoes when not riding.
- Sunscreen
- Raincoat (Holiday camps only)
- Snacks for afternoon
- Provided by PTR (No need to bring, but if you already have these, feel free to bring them)
- Riding Boots – Must have a half inch heel but not a high fashion heel!
- Riding Helmet – Safety standards on horseback riding helmets are higher than many bicycle helmets. Students will not be allowed to use bicycle helmets unless they meet riding helmet safety standards.
Camp Rider Level Description
Beginner Camp:
Ages: 7 to 14 (Unless otherwise approved for students with prior lessons at Pine Trails)
For riders new to horses or those who have ridden only occasionally. We recommend that kids take a lesson or two prior to camp to build confidence and ensure they have a fun experience! Special needs must be discussed prior to camp enrollment.
Basic horse care: feeding, bathing, foot care, and veterinary care.
What They’ll Learn:
- Grooming, tacking up, and basic riding at the walk and trot.
- How to bathe a horse and learn about horse parts, colors, and markings.
- Understanding English and Western tack, how to use it, and how to care for it.
- Introduction to bits, their function, and alternatives like hackamores.
Advanced Beginner Camp:
Ages: 7 to 14
For kids who have been taking lessons and are comfortable with trotting. Students should be eager to advance and are not fearful of further challenges.
Most students will benefit from multiple weeks at this level to solidify skills.
What They’ll Learn:
- Continued horse care and riding at the walk, trot, and possibly some cantering or loping.
- Cost of horse ownership and how to ride/work with horses without owning one.
- Building empathy by learning to see things from the horse’s perspective.
Low Intermediate Camp:
Ages: 7 to 15
For kids who trot confidently, know their diagonals, and have tried cantering or loping. Students must be able to trot a figure-8 pattern and are ready to progress to more advanced skills.
Fun activities like bareback riding and learning to do carrot stretches with horses.
What They’ll Learn:
- Trotting pole courses, small jumps, and trail obstacles with good control at the lope/canter.
- Understanding horse conformation and how incorrect conformation can affect performance.
- Horse limitations and how to respect them for a healthy and happy life.
- Types of horse shoes and why some horses need special shoeing.
- Basic first aid, including how to bandage a horse.
Advanced Intermediate Camp:
Ages: 8 to 16
For kids who are regularly riding, can trot and canter patterns well, and have experience riding over obstacles.
- What They’ll Learn:
- Balance and control over jumps and obstacles, with a focus on competitive riding.
- Understanding horse lameness and how to select a sound, comfortable horse for your riding goals.
- Keeping a horse fit and presentable for competition, while preventing injuries.
- Exploring horse careers, such as search and rescue or equine rehabilitation.
- More advanced bareback riding techniques and how to properly warm up for strenuous work.
Counselor in Training (CIT)
Ages: 12 and older
For experienced riders who are ready to take on leadership roles and assist with younger campers. CITs develop their leadership skills while continuing to improve their horsemanship.
- What They’ll Learn:
- Assisting with grooming, saddling, and helping with lessons and trail rides.
- Semi-private daily riding lessons to improve their own horsemanship skills.
- Leadership skills by working with younger campers and teaching them basic horse care and riding.
- Valuable skills for future work with young riders and preparing for higher levels in Pony Club.
Eligibility for CIT:
CITs must be at least 12 years old and have completed the highest level of camp offered in the week they are attending, or have equivalent experience with specific approval from Pine Trails Ranch. This is a great way to improve skills. Teaching tests how well you really understand your own skills and can explain to others how to develop those skills.
At Pine Trails Ranch, students learn correct techniques both on and off the horse. We utilize specialized classroom equipment to teach safe and proper mounting and dismounting—an essential skill, as mounting is one of the statistically most common moments when accidents occur. Your safety is a top priority, and our goal is to ensure every rider gains the confidence and knowledge needed to handle horses responsibly from the ground up.
Register for camp!
Review camp descriptions above to select the right camp. Get ready to have fun!