• Youngins Riding Day Camp
  (Age 6-9)
  Session "B" June 16 - 20, 2008
  Session "E" July 21 - 25, 2008

• Beginners Riding Day Camp
  (Age 10-13)
  Session "A" August 18 - 22, 2008**
  Session "C" June 23 - 27, 2008

• Intermediate Riding Day Camp
  (Age 10-13)
  Session "D" July 7 - 18, 2008
  Session "F" July 28 - August 8, 2008

• Advanced Riding Camp
  (Age 10-13)
  Session "G" August 11 - 15, 2008

• Youth Volunteer Day Camp
  (Age 9-13)
  Session "H" June 16 - 20, 2008
  Session "I" July 7 - 11, 2008
  Session "J" July 21 - 25, 2008
  Session "K" July 28 - August 1, 2008

Camp Descriptions

Youngins Riding Day Camp
(Length of each session: 1 week)

• Dates:
  Session "B" June 16 - 20, 2008
  Session "E" July 21 - 25, 2008
• Ages: 6-9
• Riding Prerequisites: None
• Camp Activities/Goals: This camp allows younger riders to participate in day camp. Riding lessons will focus on the basic skills that allow riders to become more independent. Riders will play lots of games on and off the horses! Unmounted activities will include daily horse feeding chores, horse baths, and arts & crafts.

Beginners Riding Day Camp
(Length of each session: 1 week)

• Dates: 
  Session "A" August 18 - 22, 2008 **New date (as of 3/9/08)
  Session "C" June 23 - 27, 2008
• Ages: 10-13
• Riding Prerequisites: None
• Camp Activities/Goals: This camp will be an introductory course to riding and horsemanship skills. Riders will learn proper equitation, walk and steer the horse independently, practice two-point position and posting trot, and play lots of games! Unmounted activities will include daily horse feeding chores, horse baths, horse leading exercises, and activities introducing horse breeds, colors, markings, and riding disciplines.

Intermediate Riding Day Camp
(Length of each session: 2 weeks)

• Dates: 
  Session "D" July 7 - 18, 2008
  Session "F" July 28 - August 8, 2008
• Ages: 10-13
• Riding Prerequisites: Riders must have taken formal riding lessons at Three Gaits or another riding establishment. Former day camp participants are encouraged to join. Specific skills that riders should already have mastered include: maintaining proper equitation, grooming a horse, leading a horse, walking and steering independently and posting the trot. Skills that riders should already have previous instruction: tacking a horse, riding in two-point position, and maintaining control while trotting independently.
• Camp Activities/Goals: This camp is designed to be an extension and enrichment of the beginners course. Riders will work towards refining their independent riding skills. During riding lessons, different riding disciplines will be introduced including dressage, drill team, and jumping (although none of our horses jump, we will go over ground poles set up similar to a jumping course.) Unmounted activities will focus more on horse ownership and advanced horse care. The camp will still include daily horse feeding chores, horse baths, and horse leading exercises. The end of the 2 week session will be marked by a Riding Demonstration for parents/family members. (Note: Advanced level participants are welcome to enroll in the Intermediate level camps; appropriate challenge will be tailored to each student)

Advanced Riding Day Camp
(Length of each session: 1 week)

• Dates: 
  Session "G" August 11 - 15, 2008
• Ages: 10-13
• Riding Prerequisites: Riders must have taken formal riding lessons at Three Gaits or another riding establishment. Former INTERMEDIATE LEVEL day camp participants are encouraged to join. Before camp, riders must be able to groom, tack, walk, and trot (sitting and posting) independently at all times.
• Camp Activities/Goals: This camp is designed to be an extension and enrichment of the intermediate course. Riders will advance their independent riding skills in a group and have more responsibility with the horses. They will be challenged to practice their skills on a variety of horses. We will introduce cantering skills.

Youth Volunteer Day Camp
(Length of each session: 1 week)

• Dates:
  Session "H" June 16 - 20, 2008
  Session "I" July 7 - 11, 2008
  Session "J" July 21 - 25, 2008
  Session "K" July 28 - August 1, 2008
• Ages: 9-13
• Camp Activities/Goals: This camp is designed to promote youth volunteerism as well as equip youth with the horsemanship skills they will need to volunteer in the regular therapeutic riding program when they have reached the age of 14. There is NO RIDING during this camp. Youth will be given options as to individual or group projects around the facility to work on during the morning. Projects in the past have included: painting jumps, cleaning water tanks and buckets, trimming fence lines, de-cobwebbing the barn (not for those afraid of spiders!), watering the arena, cleaning saddles, and creating thank you cards. The afternoon will be spent doing unmounted activities such as learning basic horsemanship skills of leading, grooming, and tacking.

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Camp History

Three Gaits, Inc began offering therapeutic horseback riding lessons to individuals with disabilities and special needs in 1983. The Three Gaits Day Camp Program started in 2005. Over the years, we have grown from 25 participants the first summer to almost 100 participants per summer! We've also grown in the variety of programming offered. Different camps are now offered for different age and experience levels. We strive to challenge every rider to advance his/her skills while maintaining our high level of quality and safety.

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Camp Candidates

Camps will be open to participants with and without special needs. However, appropriate day camp candidates exhibit self-monitoring behaviors. While safety is always of utmost concern for Three Gaits, participants will be asked to work independently at times. If your child has special needs, please carefully consider your goals in enrolling them at Three Gaits. We strongly encourage riders who require more direct monitoring/ supervision to participate in our regular therapeutic riding lessons.

Candidates appropriate for day camp:

• Maintain attention through longer periods of time (the day is just over 6 hours)
• Adapt to changes in routine, sometimes at the last minute (i.e. rainy days!)
• Do not require constant supervision (one on one ratio)

Candidates more appropriate for therapeutic riding thrive with:

• Grouping with appropriate peers (based on common age, goals, experience)
• Consistent, steady routine
• Activities in shorter time periods (lessons meet once per week for the session)
• Individual attention
• More volunteer support/supervision

If your child normally requires an aid at school, please contact us so we can help you choose the program that will best fit his/her needs. Please contact Dena or Angela at (608) 877-9086 or 3gaits@3gaits.org if you have further questions.

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Camp Goals

The overall goal for day camps is to progress the horsemanship skills of participants in a safe, fun environment. Individual goals will be determined based on participant's previous knowledge and skill levels. All participants are challenged to improve "skills for life" throughout the camp. Some examples of these skills include social skills (communication, working in groups, decision-making, etc) and problem-solving skills. Participants and staff work together to build community in the group, valuing respect at all times. Part of the unique experience of this camp is the phenomenon that participants learn from and help each other. This cooperative, team atmosphere keeps many campers returning year after year!

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Camp Schedule

Riding camp will begin each day at 8:30 am and Volunteer Camp will begin at 9:00 am. Both camps will end at 3:00 pm. We ask that riding camp participants please arrive as close to 8:30 as possible, and not before 8:15. In the afternoon, 3:00 is the pickup time. We will have a closing session right up until 3:00. Participants can only be supervised until 3:20 if needed. Advanced notice is required if participants can not be picked up at 3:00.

One snack will be provided by Three Gaits each day. Participants can choose to bring an alternate snack. In the past, some parents have also volunteered to supply snack for one day. If you would be interested, please let Angela or Rudi know (Thanks!!).

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Materials Needed for Camp

1. Participants must bring a labeled sack lunch and beverages each day. PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR CAMPER WITH ENOUGH WATER TO LAST THE DAY. (Three Gaits' tap water is not great for drinking.)

2. During all activities with horses participants must wear helmets. Helmets are available at Three Gaits. Participants may provide their own ATSM-SEI approved helmets.

3. All participants MUST wear closed-toe shoes all day during camp. This means no sandals, clogs, or Crocs at ANY TIME. Boots are optional, tennis shoes work well.

4. Participants should use their best judgment in choosing clothing for the camp. Shorts are often uncomfortable to ride in. Participants may choose to bring a change of clothes. All clothing should be "barn-proof," meaning clothing that can be dirty and smelly at the end of the day!

5. Participants are out in the sun A LOT during camp. Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are all great ideas.

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Fees

Payment policies:

1. A $100 deposit is needed to secure a spot in any RIDING day camp session.
2. Full payment is required prior to the FIRST DAY of camp.
3. Campers who are not able to reserve a spot in camp will have the full amount refunded.
4. Campers who withdraw more than two weeks before camp will have the full amount refunded.
5. Campers who withdraw during or less than two weeks before camp will not be refunded the $100 deposit.
6. Scholarships may be available to those who apply. Scholarship applications must be received at least two weeks prior to camp.
7. Checks should be made payable to "Three Gaits, Inc."

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Camp Supervision

Each day, campers will be supervised by Angela Frank, a NARHA Advanced Instructor or Rudi Meyer, a NARHA Registered Instructor. During Riding Day Camps, there will also be 1-2 senior counselors and 2-4 junior counselors helping each day. Youth Volunteer Day Camp activities will be lead by 3-5 counselors.

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Forms

Three forms are needed for riders to participate. These forms MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. Riders will not be added to the list until all 3 forms are received. A physician's signature must be obtained on the Medical History form for children with or without special needs.

• Form 1:  2008 Riding Day Camp Registration  (60 KB)
• Form 2:  2008 Rider Release (33 KB)
• Form 3:  2008 Rider Medical History and Physician’s Release (34 KB)

Youth Volunteer Day Camp:

Two forms are needed for volunteers to participate. These forms MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. Volunteers will not be added to the list until both forms and payment are received.

• Form 1:  2008 Youth Volunteer Day Camp Registration (28 KB)
• Form 2:  2008 Youth Volunteer Information  (28 KB)

Scholarship Application:

The Three Gaits Scholarship Application can be found at:

• Three Gaits Scholarship Letter (22 KB)
• M&I Trust Company Letter (15 KB)
• Three Gaits Financial Assistance Application (8 KB)

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Registration Process

1. Read Day Camp Information carefully
2. Select the camp(s) your child wishes to join
3. Fill out the required forms (A PHYSICIAN'S SIGNATURE is required for the medical history form - for children with or without special needs)
4. Mail ALL of the required forms, plus full payment (or $100 deposit if registering for a Riding Day Camp) to Three Gaits
5. Three Gaits will mail you a confirmation packet - confirming registration in specific session(s) and statement of account
6. Applicants who register after a session is full will be contacted and added to a waiting list for other sessions.
7. If you are new to Three Gaits, or simply returning to see what's new this year, please plan on attending the Day Camp Open House night (more information on this will be provided in your confirmation packet.)

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Summary of 2008 Changes

• Three Gaits will now offer an Advanced level riding course
• Advanced level participants are still welcome to enroll in the Intermediate level camps, appropriate challenge will be tailored to each student
• In order to reserve a spot in camp, ALL REQUIRED FORMS must be received at the time of registration - no exceptions!
• Full refunds will be given for campers who are not able to reserve a spot or campers who withdraw with more than 2 weeks notice given.
• Partial refunds will be given to campers who withdraw during or with less than 2 weeks notice prior to camp
• Volunteer day camp participants must sign and obtain parent signature on the YOUTH Volunteer Information Form (formerly the "Volunteer Information Form")

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Additional Contact Information

For general questions, or questions specific to Youth Volunteer, Intermediate, and Advanced camps - please contact Angela Frank at (608) 877-9086 or angela_frank@hotmail.com (email will result in a more prompt response.) 

For questions specific to Youngins and Beginner camps - please contact Rudi Meyer at (608) 877-9086 or rudellekristin@hotmail.com

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