Summer and Winter Camps
SOLD OUT for 2023
See Price and Dates for 2023 Summer Camp Sessions
Why camp at Baywood?
- Baywood Farms is a Maryland State Licensed camp operator.
- Our counselors are certified and have years of horseback riding and teaching experience.
- We have a minimum of one helper per two campers while riding.
- Our horses and ponies are carefully selected and trained for beginner riders.
- Our camps feature more “in saddle” time than most other riding camps.
- We tailor our instruction to the level of the camp riding groups.
- We have a large dust-free indoor riding ring to use in case of extreme heat or inclement weather.
- We have a large climate controlled lounge for “non-horse” activities.
- We have other creature comforts such as restrooms (no port-a-pots here).
- Because your child will have fun!!
Camp types
Beginner / Intermediate Rider Camps
Our beginner rider camps focus on teaching your child everything that is involved in horseback riding and horse care. They will learn how to properly and safely lead, groom and tack a horse under the close supervision of one of our camp counselors. Once they have accomplished these tasks, they will be taught how to mount a horse and ride at the walk and trot. At the beginner rider level, our camps focus on teaching sound riding fundamentals while emphasizing rider safety. It is our belief that mastering the fundamentals of riding will help build rider confidence, thus allowing the rider to advance their skills at a faster pace.
Intermediate level riders will be instructed at the walk, trot, canter and over fences. They will be challenged so as to improve their riding.
We also utilize riding games which, while being fun for your children, also teach them how to control their horse, and improve their balance and confidence in the saddle.
Advanced Rider Clinic
At Baywood Farms, we also offer a summer riding camp for the advanced rider. This week-long clinic is targeted for the serious show rider, and will feature professional riders / trainers from outside the Baywood training staff in addition to instruction from our trainers. This camp will be offered to current Baywood advanced students or by invitation only. This will be a very intensive, information packed week of fun and challenge.
Camp structure
Group size
Each of our camp sessions can usually accommodate up to twelve children. We normally divide the campers into two groups of similar age and riding level. We have a member of each group work together as a team to help groom and tack the horse that they will share for the day. Then, while one group is riding, the other group will learn many different aspects of horse care, including talking to
a vet and / or farrier, and watching them work on a horse. Once the first group is done riding, the two groups will trade places. We strive for each camper to have a minimum of 45 minutes of instructed riding plus 15 minutes of mounted games during each camp day.
Summer Day Schedule
9:00 - 9:15 Greet and assign horses
9:15 - 9:45 Groom and tack horses
9:45 - 10:45 Group #1 rides
10:45 - 11:45 Group #2 rides
11:45 - 12:15 Untack and bathe horses
12:15 - 12:30 Wash up / change clothes
12:30 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 Water Games
2:00 - 2:55 Crafts / Education / Activities
2:55 - 3:00 Clean-up / Homework
General Info
Campers should bring a bagged lunch and water or other drinks. We have a refrigerator available in the kitchen in which to store lunches. We also have a cold drink machine and cold filtered water available. On Friday of each camp week, we will provide a pizza lunch for the campers. Campers should arrive dressed to ride in long pants (riding breeches or tights preferred) and boots or heeled shoes. Campers should also bring a bathing suit and towel for the water games, and a change of clothes to wear after the riding is done for the day. All riding helmets must be SEI/ASTM approved. If you do not have your own, we will provide one for your child.
Camp hours and policies
Camp hours are from 9:00-3:00. Before and after care is offered for an additional fee, and allows you to drop your child off as early as 7:00 in the morning, and pick them up as late
as 5:00 in the evening.
Camp registration is on a first come basis. A non-refundable security deposit is required to reserve your child’s place for each camp session you want them to attend.
See Price and Dates for 2023 Summer Camp Sessions