What to Know Before You Ride With Us

Hello! We are so excited that you have a child registered for our (activity name) that starts (date of activity) at (start time of activity)!

In this email is important information and a list of what to pack for the camp. Please read the whole email thoroughly and let us know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

All information in this email can be found on our website where you registered, so it shouldn’t be the first time you’re seeing it, but we do like to send it directly to you to be sure that you have everything you need ahead of the (activity)!

Doors to the barn do not open until 9:55am for 10:00am camps, 7:55am for 8:00am morning camps and 12:55pm for 1:00pm afternoon camps and we cannot accommodate earlier drop offs unless pre-approved and arranged in advance . Midday horse camp starts at 10:00am, and ends at 3:00pm. Morning horse camp start at 8:00am and ends at 1:00pm and afternoon camps start at 1:00pm and end at 5:00pm.

(Please note that any mentions of drop off and pick up times apply only to horse camps or other full day activities. If you are registered for a class or trail ride the start/end time is likely different than what is mentioned throughout this example email. Be sure to check your specific activity’s start and end time and do not rely on this message for that information.)

Here are some important reminders:

• As always, drop off is no earlier than 9:55am for horse camps that begin at 10:00am, 7:55am for morning camps that begin at 8:00am and 12:55pm for afternoon camps beginning at 1:00pm. If you have a situation requiring making an exception for the drop off time time please arrange it with Mary.
• Pick up is at 3:00pm sharp, unless a later pick up time is discussed and organized with Mary. 

If you, your child, or anyone your child has come directly or indirectly in contact with has shown symptoms of being sick recently or if for any reason you do not feel comfortable having your child attend horse camp at this time, please send us an email or text or call Mary Sansevere at (612-386-0279) and we will very happily help you organize for your child to attend a later camp date if we have space available a different week. 

Please note that parents do not stay for the horse camp day. Once your child has been checked in, we ask that parents leave until pick up time at 3:00pm. You are welcome to say hello and look around when you bring your child in the morning and when you are picking them up in the afternoon, but we ask that parents don’t stay for the camp day. It is very difficult for us to keep a child’s focus on us and the activities we are doing when their parent is present. Additionally, if one child’s parent is present and another child’s is not, the other child often is distracted by wondering why their parent isn’t also around. It becomes very distracting and confusing overall, and we’ve found it works better for everyone if parents do not stay for the day. We do take LOTS of photos and videos throughout the camp day so that you can still see what they are doing throughout the day, and we are happy to share those on our Facebook page for you to easily access and view. If this is an issue, we completely understand and respect that you may feel that way, but we encourage you to consider transferring your registration to a few short format riding lessons instead of the full horse camp day because we welcome parents to stay for our shorter one-hour riding lessons.Below is our list of “what to bring” that is also found on the website where you registered for this camp — we are just including it here for your reference and convenience.

WHAT TO BRING:

• NEW 2024 waiver printed and signed*
• Sturdy boot or shoe with a heel to ride in
• Rain boots, just in case it gets cold and muddy!
• Old jeans or riding pants that you don’t mind getting dirty!
• Extra layers (sweatshirt, jacket, extra socks, etc.) in case it gets chilly or things get dirty and they need to change
• ASTM/SEI certified riding helmet**
• Lunch***
• At least TWO full water bottles — we go through lots of water on a hot summer day!
• Snack
• Face mask is optional but welcomed
• A good attitude!

* All participants MUST sign a new 2024 waiver, even if they have ridden at the barn before. Please print, sign, and present it at check in.

**We do have several helmets on hand that kids can borrow but cannot guarantee that we will have enough or one that fits your child, and a properly fitted helmet is required for all riding activity. We always recommend riders bring their own certified helmet — it’s best for your child’s safety that they have their own so you can ensure that they have a properly fitted helmet and are as safe as possible, and it is easier to adhere to safe sanitary practices when they are not sharing helmets.

*** We are a NUT FREE facility. Due to us having numerous clients that have severe nut allergies, please do not pack food items containing nuts in any lunches or snacks.

Pack your child’s things in a bag or backpack, and we will have a safe place for your child to keep them during the camp. 

Our address is: 5164 County Road 33 SE Buffalo, MN 55313.
Our barn is big and red, with white fencing in front. There are usually a lot of cars parked out in front. We have a circle driveway. Please drive in up the left side of the driveway and come in through the front door to the tall red barn. 
We will have a check in table set up at the front of the barn so that we can get waivers, sign in campers, and hand out name tags.

AGAIN: Depending upon the camp the doors to the barn generally do not open until 5 minutes prior to the start of camp and we cannot accommodate earlier drop offs unless arranged in advance. This is for the supervision and safety of all campers. We can’t have them wandering around the barn until they’ve been checked in, turned in their waiver, received a name tag and been assigned a Camp Leader that will help watch over them. While we run our business here, this is also our personal home as well. Please respect our time, family, and hours of operation by not arriving at camp early without previously having it arranged and approved. 🙂