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1.  Do you have horseback riding lessons?

     We do not do riding lessons.

 

2.  Do you do anything with horses?

     Higgins is our "go to" horse for everything we do involving horses.  

     Being comfortable around horses is the first step to having a life long (or             even a short time) with these incredible creatures.  Everyone will have an           opportunity to help care for a horse including feeding, grooming and how

     to walk a horse on a lead line.  ALL campers must wear a helmet (which 

     are provided) when  participating in any equine activity.  Horse activities

     are not for everyone and participation is up to the individual.

 

3.  What kinds of cleaning do the kids have to do?

      All campers will learn how to clean a stall. The horse and donkey stalls will

      be cleaned when they arrive.  The goat stall is the easiest and they will 

      learn on that one.  They will shovel, sweep, clean water buckets and 

      make sawdust for bedding. They will also help clean the bunny hutches.

      Beside learning useful skills they will also learn the importance of

      keeping the animals homes clean.   The cleaning they will do is all age 

      appropriate.

 

4.    Why no dangling jewelry?

       The goats and the chickens are very keen on trying to grab anything

       that dangles.  Especially if it is shiny.  Beads are not on the goats (or the

       chickens) diets. Additionally we talk about safety a lot. Jewelry

       is easily caught on things and it is safer to simply not wear any.

 

5.     Are there any snack times during the day?

        Each camper brings their own lunch and we take a break around noon.

        Campers get to choose from a variety of spaces they want to eat in.

         They  have this time to relax and  talk amongst themselves.

        The kids enjoy the break. 

 

6.      What happens if my child can't do something?

         This is an interesting question because each of them CAN do all of the 

          tasks.  The process I use is to get them engaged in the reason behind

         each project. I show them the process of how each task is done and we 

          work from there. By the end of the week they know how to do each

          task and they are proud of themselves.  And I am proud of them.

          I had a parent tell me that since his daughter showed him how to hold

          a broom so his wrists wouldn't get sore his whole arm felt better!

           Success!! The campers teach me new ways to complete tasks

           as well.  We also do a lot of projects where it isn't important to do

           something the way everyone else does it, and however it is done is

           good.  And there are times the kids way outshine me.  Its a learning

           process all the way around.

 

7.     What about allergies?

        I take allergies very seriously.  If a camper has a food allergy I let 

        everyone know before camp begins so they will not include that 

        food in their child's lunch. Peanut allergies has been the most frequent

        one.   If your child needs an epi pen, I suggest you provide two.  I know

        they are expensive, but it is better to err on the safe side.  Hay fever 

        allergies are a bit more difficult.  I have a severe allergy to grass (yes, I 

        know) and I have had this since I was a child.   I control mine with

        shots and medication.  However you choose to handle it, please be sure 

        and give me the information I need to keep your child safe during the day

 

8.    Can you give me a schedule outlining what you will be doing each day?

       Schedule - no.  General idea - yes. Every day (yes, even on week-ends,

       holidays, birthdays, sick days, crummy weather days) each animal needs

       to be fed and cleaned up after.  Grooming and exercise, are equally

       important. Gardens need to be tended. Spaces need to be cleaned and

       free from clutter. Fences need to be repaired. Farm work is never ending

       and the kids get to take part in whatever is happening or needs to

       happen.  But farm work is fun too.  So playing with the animals, making

       animal toys, watching their antics, planting seeds, trying to get the 

       donkeys to run from one cone to the other, digging in the sand, collecting

       the chicken eggs.  All of that and more happens on the farm and the kids

       get to be part of that.

 

9.  Are toddlers there all day?

     No, the toddler camps are from 10-11:30. This is the first year we are 

     doing this age group.   We have held many toddler birthday parties and

     they are such fun.  The energy level is HIIGH but when they are done - 

     they are done.  So we will keep it to an hour and 1/2 - for now.