Camp Idea Contest

Everybody loves contests... Especially when there are prizes involved!  I came up with the idea after reading one of my favorite blogs Confessions of a Pioneer Woman.  Now don't get too excited... I can't afford to give away an awesome camera like Pioneer Woman, but I will be awarding a small prize at the close of my contest next week.   

I have decided to offer summer day camps this year at our facility.  We have numerous lesson plans, games and activities both on and off the horse for a variety of ages from 6-12.  As the summer rapidly approaches I have found my idea bank exhausted.   I have thought  of as many fun ways to  learn about horses as I possibly can!  We have everything broom polo and musical stalls to horse decorating contests and horse treat recipes.  I have a couple rainy day worksheets and plenty of fun horse flicks to watch but I still need more.  Considering the relatively short attention span of both children and horses, I would like to have enough to keep all involved busy :)  So that is the premise for the contest.  I am looking for unique horse related games or activities that entertain, educate and inspire.  It does not necessarily have to be a mounted activity so feel free to get creative! Games, worksheets, fun arts & crafts and whatever else you've got up your sleeves. 

I will pick and announce the winner one week from today on June 8th.  The prize is a 25.00 gift certificate from your choice of any of the three horse retailers listed below.

1. Country Supply
2. Dover
3. Rod's Western Palace

Not too shabby for one little idea... So go ahead and give it a shot... and tell your friends!  Entries may be left in the comments section or via email at [email protected]   All entries must be submitted by 8pm  on  June 8, 2007.

Comments

[Callie]

How about a mini-type rodeo. Compete in a egg on spoon race( all in arena with egg on spoon, walk,trot, etc. last one with egg still in spoon wins), A flag race where riders are paired and one rider rides to a barrel and collects a flag, rides back to the next rider and hands off the flag and that rider rides back to the beginning ( a timed event).Do this the last day of camp.Just to demonstrate what they've learned and hand out ribbons

[risingrainbow]

Also fun to do a costume competition with horse and rider.

[Linda M.]

Water relay game - great in the hot weather. Have 2 buckets at each end of the ring top of a barrel; fill one with water, the other have empty with several fill lines marked off on the inside of the bucket. Each rider has a cup that they fill with water to the top and then ride to the other bucket and empty the cup of water in it. Have riders do a different exercise each time they get a glass of water, increasing the difficulty of the exercise. For example, have them ride in 2-point; holding cup on top of helmet; walk/halt transitions; posting at the walk; weaving cones; walk 2-point over ground poles; posting trot; trot in 2-point, etc. Could have kids be in teams of 2 or more and the team to fill bucket up to a certain level in fastest time wins.

[Beth]

How about stick horse dressage? If you have enough children, you might even consider having them perform a stick horse quadrille at the end of the week (rehearse a little piece each day of the week). Check out "men doing dressage" on youtube. Good luck!

[Beth]

Another idea... The Keyhole Race -- using poles or rope make a large "keyhole" in the middle of the arena. Have individual riders walk or trot from the same starting point(depending on skill level) into the keyhole, turn around and exit the keyhole back to the finish line. Riders must not disturb the edges of the keyhole. Fastest time wins.

[Aime Stewart]

Hi. You are going to drive yourself crazy if you try to keep a bunch of kids interested in the same thing at the same time for hours. I suggest you have several different stations set up and revolve them every 20 minutes or so. Gather 2-3 kids at each station and plan things like play doh at one, painting a picture of a horse at another, a horse puzzle at another, decorating horse shape cookies at another with sprinkles and icing. Kids like glitter and sprinkles and anything that makes a mess. This keeps the kids interested and passes some time. Plus it can take place inside or out. It works!