Evergreen, Conifer, Bailey, Morrison Golden, Littleton and Lakwood, Colorado, area near Denver

No program is more key to Centaur Rising’s goal of “Preventing horse abuse, neglect and misunderstanding” than its summer day camp program.  Many a “horse crazy” child wants her parents to buy her a horse.  A horse riding camp gives a boy or girl the opportunity to learn about the responsibilities of horse care, how to keep a horse and be safe around horses.  It also provides an introduction to how to ride and handle horses.

Nearly every day we hear about a child who would like to own his/her own horse, but whose parents are concerned that the child does not know about all of the work and responsibility that goes along with owning a horse.  Lots of young people (adults too!) dream of owning a horse, but the day-to-day responsibility and the frustrations of having a horse that doesn't behave as the rider dreamed he would soon dampen the horse owner's enthusiasm.  Some basic knowledge and skills beforehand would have given them more realistic expectations.

We at Centaur Rising care about people and their dreams. We care about horses too.  We strongly believe that what we teach people here not only enriches peoples lives, it also greatly enriches the lives of the horses owned or eventually owned by the people we teach.  We furthermore strongly believe in the power of positive relationships - those between people and horses and those among people.  We are very proud of the positive supportive environment we have at Centaur Rising.  Don’t just take our word for it.  Visit us! See what we mean!

We will be offering six types of camps in 2009.  The types of camps and the dates they are offered are shown below.  You may download our registration form, brochure and more information about each type of camp here.  Can you post a flyer?  Thank you for letting others know about Horse Camp at Centaur Rising.

2009 Schedule

All camps are scheduled Tuesday through Thursday.  A child who is enrolled in a camp is expected to attend from 9am to 3pm of each day that the camp is scheduled.   Extended supervision (before 9am and after 3pm) is available for an added fee.  Please note your need for extended supervision on your registration form.

Activities

A summary of activities for each type of horse camp is show below.  More complete descriptions appear in "Types of Camps" below this table.

X = offered as part of this camp

Types of Camps

Highlighted words below refer to the six steps of our logo.  Check here for more information.

How to Register

Please download the registration form.  Return the completed form by snail mail or scan and return by e-mail.  Deposit deadlines are stated on the registration form.  Our camps are often filled well in advance of their deadlines.  Registrations will be accepted in the order in which they are received.  Sign up early!  Don’t be left out!

Payments

A deposit of $100 for each week of camp is required at the time of registration.  The registration deadline for each camp is the first of the month preceding the month in which each camp is held (i.e. May 1st for June camps, June 1st for July camps and July 1st for August camps).  The balance of the amount due for camp is payable on the first day of camp.  We do accept post-dated checks, provided they are dated no later than the registration deadline (for the first $100) and the first day of camp (for the balance).  We accept all major credit cards and banking cards.

Refunds

No cash refunds will be made in the event of cancellation for any reason.  You may be able to transfer your credits to another week, to another person or to traditional riding lessons - if we are notified of your change in plans prior to the registration deadline or if the cancellation is of an emergency nature.  Transfer of credits will be on a weekly basis only and not for daily absences.

The total participants in each week (across all camps, but excluding Leadership Camp) will be limited to 16 mounted campers.

Long-time, experienced and well trained school horses will be provided for Nature Camp, Basic Horse Camp and Little Kids' Camp.  Students may choose to ride a school horse or bring their own horse for Intensive Horse Camp and Dressage Camp.  Overnight stabling is available.

Meals

Campers are asked to bring their own lunch, drinks, snacks and utensils.  A soft drink machine and a microwave are available on the grounds.

Please bring boots with heels and long pants for riding.  If you have a riding helmet, please bring it.  Please don't bring bike helmets, however.  We do have helmets available to borrow.  It is impossible to get your heel down in rubber riding boots, so please don't bring these.   You may wear shorts when not riding.  You may wear shoes other than boots when not handling horses.  Please bring footwear that you do not mind coming home smelling of horses!  More information on clothing can be found here.

Kris Cooper, founder and Executive Director of Centaur Rising, will coordinate all camp programs.  She will supervise instruction to beginner campers and endeavor to maximize the personal growth and self-esteem of all campers.  Her MS in Counseling Psychology and over 30 years of experience in corporate, government and entrepreneurial settings provide a real-world framework for helping kids prepare for their own futures as employees, leaders and teachers.  2009 is the 17th consecutive year that Kris has led Horse Camps at Anchorage Farm.

Jim Cooper, Kris’ husband, will provide instruction to more advanced students.  He will give educational demonstrations and be available as a resource.  Jim draws upon over 40 years of experience in owning and managing equestrian facilities (and state-accredited equestrian vocational education programs) in both Michigan and Colorado.  Jim holds a BS in wildlife conservation from Michigan State University.

Additional adult staff will be on hand to insure that your child has a safe and rewarding experience at Horse Camp.  Do you know an adult who might want to volunteer?  We can exchange lessons for those who work to support our Horse Camp programs.

We have lowered our 2009 rates because we realize that local families are facing financial challenges.  We do have a scholarship program.  You are welcome to download our scholarship application.

Of course, we cannot offer scholarships without donors.   If you are in a position to donate a scholarship (or know of someone who can), please go to this page.

Since Centaur Rising's rates do not cover the full cost of its programs, we must augment Horse Camp revenue with personal donations.  Please give more if you can.  Tell others about Centaur Rising.  Enlist their support.  Our Horse Camp (and our other programs) cannot continue without the financial assistance of everyone who believes in the value of our programs.

In 2009 we will also be offering an overnight Horse Camp for adults, kids accompanied by adults and mature young people.  Click here for more information.  Any juvenile horse camper is welcome to stay overnight on the premises if accompanied by an adult in the Bird Suite.

We offer riding lessons year-round in our indoor arena.  Please check out our general riding lessons and our after-school horseback riding program.

We look forward to greeting YOU at Horse Camp this year!