Mini camp
Mini camp is for members aged nine years and under and is the highlight of the year, kick-starting the summer holidays with a BANG!
It lasts for three days with some members having the option of camping, whilst others attend daily. Ponies travel daily, although stabling for some (particularly if travelling longer distances) can be arranged.
All members bring their own lunch daily, with breakfast and an evening meal being provided for those camping. An ice cream van visits each lunch time and this is when some tongues turn blue, depending on choices made!
Each day begins with a tack and turnout inspection within rides – points are added up at the end of camp and prizes awarded. During the day, members follow an extensive range of riding activities, most of which are in controlled areas, as well as stable management sessions and fun unmounted activities such as rider balance on a mini scale! Riders have the opportunity of riding both within their own groups and joining others – nothing better than a good inter-ride competition with very loud cheering! On the last day, each ride has their own competition. There is also the opportunity to take some Achievement badges. The riding day finishes with tack cleaning and the ever popular water fight! The water pistols get more technical each year!
For those camping, the fun continues during the evening. Every year camp has a theme which many activities are based around, as well as the old favourites such as treasure hunts, disco, different demonstrations and displays. Camp Mum’s sticker chart is hotly contested, as well as the prize for the tidiest tent, best cake made by a parent, to name but a few of the competitions.
There are of course our special trophies that have been presented to Mini Camp over the years, which are awarded for both riding and camping, with rosettes for all.
At the end of the three days children and parents alike go home having made new friends and memories for life, even if a little tired!
As always, a huge thank you to our hosts for the most amazing venue, our fantastic team of instructors, and the absolutely brilliant Camp Mums and Dads.
