THE FACILITY

Winding River Camp and Equestrian Center is located 50 miles north of Kansas City. It has 409 acres of rolling, open meadows and several small wooded areas. A former dairy farm, this is a great place for camping and "horsing" around. Winding River features a state-of-the-art indoor riding arena with classroom and corral space under one roof.

WHAT TO EXPECT

If you love horses or think you might, you'll love Winding River! Our multi-level program offers many choices. Weather permitting; you will spend time in the saddle each day. You'll also learn a lot during daily ground classes. Campers sleep in permatents or tent camp, depending on the program they attend. A permatent has a wooden floor with mattresses to sleep on, canvas sides and a roof. Permatents sleep four campers and tents sleep two. Winding River offers experienced campers new challenges, including opportunities to expand your camping experience.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS - Camp Winding River

Start your equine experience here. Begin to rein in horse lingo so you can talk to other equestrian enthusiasts. Learn and practice skills such as moving around a horse safely, grooming and saddling your own horse. Ride and take care of your horse daily during your arena time. At the end of your camp session, you will have the opportunity to prepare your horse for the closing horse show and show your family everything you have learned. This program is for all levels of riders since arenas will be divided by age and skill level.

Continue your equine career. Master your skills and learn more about horse maintenance, health, nutrition, life skills and careers. Ride with a purpose as you begin to feel more confident in the saddle. Participate in the closing horse show and show your family everything you have learned. This program is for all levels of riders since arenas will be divided by age and skill level.

Complete the requirements for Leadership U and spend time with friends old and new-and your favorite horses! Spending more time around a horse can teach a horsewoman many worthwhile life skills like responsibility, work ethic, friendship, patience, and tolerance for others. If you'd like to complete the leadership requirement for future programs such as CIT or WIT and you love horses, this is the program for you! You will also fulfill requirements for the Leadership Interest Project Patch. Campers in this program may sleep in tents on the ground.

FUTURE HORSE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

These programs are offered at a lower cost since participants are required to volunteer a minimum of 6 days total during Fall '09 and Spring '10 weekend horse program at Winding River. Volunteering in program allows participants to progress thru the four levels of horse program.

Interested in a future volunteer position at Winding River? This program is an apprenticeship with the opportunity to increase your horsemanship skills and knowledge. If you love working with horses and want to volunteer during Fall and Spring weekend program, this is the place for you! You will have the opportunity to work around horses each day in addition to time spent riding and participating in ground classes. Daily chores at the barn are an integral part of this program. A minimum of 6 days volunteering in weekend program September '09-May '10 and an evaluation rating of "meets expectations" at the end of Fall program is required to continue apprenticeship to WIT II. Participants in this program will tent camp.

Prerequisite: Completion of Horsin' Around, Horsemanship: Junior Master or Horsemanship: Master. Informational meeting for girls and parents will be held prior to summer. Date will be provided with registration confirmation.

Become a confident horsewoman as your knowledge and skills continue to grow. Continue your wrangler apprenticeship, which includes riding, daily ground classes, and daily chores. You will also practice teaching ground classes and conducting horsemanship skill validation and testing. Participants in this program will tent camp.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of WIT I and completion of 6 volunteer days during 2008-2009 season of weekend program.

Start preparing yourself to be a riding instructor! You'll begin to understand the horse and rider in motion. Learn the "how and why" behind the lesson. Upon completion, you will be ready to work as an assistant riding instructor in the weekend horse program. Participants in this program will tent camp.

Pre-requisite: Successful completion of WIT II and completion of 6 volunteer days during 2008-2009 season of weekend program.

Ready to share your excitement for riding with others? Continue learning about the horse and rider in motion. Start developing an eye to correct rider error. Make lesson plans, make horse assignments, and deliver a class that is fun-filled for each rider. Upon completion (and turning 18) you will be ready to work as a Riding Instructor in the weekend horse program. Participants in this program will tent camp.

Pre-requisite: Successful completion if RIT I and completion of 6 volunteer days during 2008-2009 season of weekend program.