Youth Summer Horsemanship Camp
Who Would Love this Camp?
Our annual Youth Summer Horsemanship Camps are geared towards equine enthusiasts who are 10-15 years old. Our campers stay in the dorms on the CSU main campus and eat in the dining halls. All instruction in the classroom and at the riding facility is from our equine faculty and college students earning their degree in Equine Sciences. Students who are 16 – 17 years old, can also join us as day campers.
Horse and Riding Options
Campers have the option to bring their own horse or lease a CSU horse, ride english, western, or both and spend the duration of camp as an overnight camper or a day camper.
Camp Sessions
We offer two week-long camp sessions in June: June 9-14 and June 15-20, 2025.
Pricing
Summer camp tuition is $1250 for overnight campers or $750 for day campers. Lease horses are an additional $250.
Pre-registration Opens February 10, 2025 at 9:00am
Registration
Pre-registration
Parents or guardians of campers wanting to attend one of our camps will need to first pre-register. Every February we open registration links for each camp. This establishes the list order of campers who we will then begin officially registering and securing a lease horse. We can almost always accommodate campers bringing their own horse.
Please note: Completing the pre-registration does not guarantee a lease horse. We recommend you pre-register early for the best chance of getting of securing a lease horse.
Registration
Once you have pre-registered your campers, you’ll will receive a phone call from our team to secure your spot or be placed on a waitlist. We’ll also a secure lease horse, if they are available, and take final payment. Lastly, we would like to gratefully ask for your patience, as this process can take a bit of time.
2025 pre-registration will open February 10 at 9 a.m. MST.
Contact
Sarah Matlock regarding any summer camp registration questions.
sarah.matlock@colostate.edu
Session One Pre-registration
June 9-14, 2025
You can choose between reserving a CSU lease horse, or bringing your own horse. Select the button that best suits your needs. Links will open on Feb. 10 at 9:00am.
Campers Bring Their Own Horses
Please DO NOT use this link if you need to lease one of CSU’s horses
Campers Lease A CSU Horse
Please use this link if you need to lease one of CSU’s horses
Session Two Pre-registration
June 15-20, 2025
You can choose between reserving a CSU lease horse, or bringing your own horse. Select the button that best suits your needs. Links will open on Feb. 10 at 9:00am.
Campers Bring Their Own Horses
Please DO NOT use this link if you need to lease one of CSU’s horses
Campers Lease A CSU Horse
Please use this link if you need to lease one of CSU’s horses
Camp Details
General Information
The camp is designed to be both an educational and fun experience for youth. Ages 10-15 are invited to participate as an overnight camper and ages 10-18 are welcome as day campers. English and Western riding are welcome during both sessions. Campers are under supervision by counselors and/or instructors during their time at CSU.
Housing and meals are provided to overnight campers in a university residence hall on the main campus. Overnight campers also will have transportation between main campus and the B.W. Pickett Equine Center by counselors in University vans. Day campers will be provided with lunch and snacks but will need to have their own transportation and accommodations to and from camp. Day campers’ horses will be stalled at the B.W. Pickett Equine Center during the duration of the camp.
The camp will begin on Monday (session 1) or Sunday (session 2) with all camper registration and horse check-in beginning at 1:00 p.m. Each camp day will combine riding lessons and lectures on topics such as: safety, grooming, nutrition, and horse behavior. Additional activities are designed to expose campers to other areas of the equine industry and help campers get to know one another.
On the last morning, campers will demonstrate their skills for their parents before leaving by 11:00 a.m. to return home. The riding instructors for the camp will be University faculty supported by assistants and counselors who are experienced riding instructors. Lectures and instruction are provided by CSU Equine Sciences faculty, students, and camp counselors.
Requirements
All campers must have previous riding experience and be able to demonstrate basic riding skills.
Our lease horses are best suited for intermediate to advanced riders.
All campers and their parents are required to sign a Waiver of Liability, a Standards of Conduct, and Lost Key Deposit agreement.
All campers are required to provide proof of medical insurance.
All campers must wear approved riding helmets and footwear.
Horse Information
Participants may lease CSU horses for an additional fee. However, lease horses are very limited. Our lease horses are best suited for intermediate to advanced riders. Also note, not all lease horses are able to jump, and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis AND based on rider experience.
Students must be able to demonstrate their ability to trot in a group environment independently.
Campers bringing their own horses are required to provide the following upon check-in: Valid negative Coggins certificate (within 1 year) On-Premise Authorization Form (provided by CSU)
Camp Fees and Deadlines
$1,250 – overnight camper $750 – day camper $250 – lease horse fee All fees are due upon registration. Please see the cancellation policy below. Payment arrangement can be made upon request with 50% down, and the remaining balance paid before May 1st.
Explanation of Fees
The fee for overnight campers covers: lessons, evening activities, accommodations, three meals a day, snacks, and use of a stall. The fee for day campers covers: lessons, lunch, snacks, and use of a stall. Day campers will keep their horses at CSU and will be responsible for their own transportation, accommodations, breakfast and dinner while attending the camp. Please NOTE: day camper fees do not include evening activities or meals outside of lunch.
Camp Limit
There is a limit of ~30 campers per week. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made before May 1 will receive a full refund minus a 10% office fee. Cancellations made between May 1 and the first day of the camp session will receive a refund equal to 50% of the total camp cost. Cancellations made on or after the first day of the camp session are not refundable. (If a waitlisted camper is able to take the canceled spot, then a full refund will be granted, minus a 10% office fee, and a horse lease fee if the new camper does not need a lease horse.)
Required Forms
Once we have confirmed your registration, we’ll need you to download and sign the required release forms.
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