Sprucelands Camp

Horse and Rider Photos

2008-07-22T14:13:00.008-04:00

This morning "T" grabbed me and asked that I take a photo of her with Raleigh. She wanted mom and dad to see the pony she loves. Actually, Raleigh and "T" have become fast friends.

Raleigh is a project. He came into camp broke for trails which means that while his potential as a ring horse is in place, he hasn't fully developed his ring skills.

So "T" and several other riders are investing some of their time and energy into teaching him. While it is hard work and while it is stretching their riding abilities, those working with Raleigh are excited and proud about the progress they are making.

Since it seemed a good morning for pictures, Kate and a bunch of other riders were willing participants in what we call "The Kissing Contest". It simply means photos are taken of riders openly expressing affection for their horse. So those who were waiting for their riding class to begin got in on the fun.

We started "The Kissing Contest" a number of years ago after I snapped a spontaneous photo of a camper kissing her horse on the nose. Suddenly, others wanted such a pose, and so we now snap a camper's picture with the horse they love, if that is something of value to them.

I love these photo ops. They are special. When I look at the horse's eye, I know there is special chemistry happening here. Where else in the world can you get your picture taken while you are kissing a favorite horse? Only at Sprucelands.

Precious Connections

2008-07-22T12:19:00.009-04:00

You know I like to share moments. Moments when kids connect with a horse. Moments when they think no one is looking and the vibes between their horse and them are peaceful, restful, loving, and memorable.

Riders stand quietly with their horse, taking into their very being the smells of their horse, sounds of barn routines, and sights of other riders cooling out their horses. They watch kittens and cats scurry here and there, or dogs sleeping lazily by a tree. Sometimes kids are talking on the mounting ramp. Maybe a group is getting ready for or returning from a trail ride or class. The barn is a busy place!

When I ask a rider like Cristina or Jordan what they are thinking about, I often hear, "Oh nothing." Or perhaps the answer is, "I don't want to forget this after I go home."

Over and over again on this blog, I've cited moments when riders connect with a horse, allowing themselves to just 'be' for a moment. They stand together...connected to the soul of their horse, and it is beautiful.

The connection may be seen in a breath or a split second, but only if you are observant and happen to have your camera handy. Often the horse is asleep in their arms or it is a reassuring pat. Best of all, it is open acknowledgment of a shared trust between horse and rider, and that trust is one of life's most precious gems.

Trail Pace Second Session

2008-07-22T09:04:00.004-04:00

Saturday was trail pace day. Riders are matched with a partner, given directions for riding a trail while following markers. We hope after a week of riding safely, they practice that safety on the trail. Adult staff are positioned at strategic points along the marked trail to make sure things are going well.

I mark the trails for the kids between 5:45 - 8:15 on Saturday morning. Everything is groomed and marked with surveyor tape. It is quite a day!

Each team is timed. We call that their 'real time'. Each team also gives 'a guesstimate' on what they think their riding time will be. The winner interestingly is the team closest to the average time of all riders. That avoids us having anyone think this is a contest for fast riding. Winners are announced at karaoke on Saturday night.

Each team is also given a topic for conversation. Sometimes they follow actual clues. Sometimes they create an original song or a poem or a story. This time we had them come up with a practical joke that Shrek might play on all his friends. The results were clever and inovative.

Best of all is the comraderie I see develop between riders and horses. It is also the looks on faces when the ride is complete and they know it went well. This is Meagan. She is a Counselor from Arizona. When she came through the finish line with her partner, both were all smiles, and you know those smiles are priceless.

Trust Exercises

2008-07-22T07:41:00.008-04:00

We shared another night of interesting games this last week. The kids moved around in large groups to complete a task in five or six different places. Many of the tasks were trust exercises.

Here campers were told to arrange themselves in order from January to December depending on when their birthday was. They could not communicate verbally. No talking. Total silence. Everything was through body language.

The trick: the entire time they needed to keep one foot touching a 2 x 4 on the ground. If they lost touch with the 2 x 4, they had to start over.

This was definitely a challenge they loved. Everyone participated, helping each other. You can see how they used their fingers to communicate the month of their birthday.

Another exercise: they played volleyball using huge beach towels, only the volleyball was a dragon stuffed toy. It was fun to watch. Each team attempted new and different tactics for giving the dragon momentum to make it over the net. There were lots of cheers of success when the task was accomplished.

Yet another exercise: a large square of plastic was placed on the ground and every member of the team was asked to stand on the square. When the team was successful, the square was folded into a smaller square and again they were told to get everyone into the square. It was interesting to see how small the plastic became and how well teams worked together.

I liked the exercise you see here. The team sat on the ground facing each other. Their eyes were closed and they were holding hands. The only two players who had their eyes open were on the far end of the lines. They watched the leader there who flipped a quarter. When the quarter was heads, they squeezed the hand of the person on their team. When the squeeze made it to the other end of the line, that team player quickly grabbed a dragon head (plastic of course). The kids had a huge amount of fun with this one.

Our Dogs

2008-07-22T07:08:00.006-04:00

Something special happens between kids and dogs. They prove how communication without words is possible. Often reassurance is handed from dog to camper, and the two become fast friends, playmates.

One of our staff dogs is named Trinity. You see her here with Sammy, one of our younger campers. I've always said that Trinity knows what you think in your mind before you even say it. Some dogs are like that. Trinity just knows. Often she singles out a camper who needs extra TLC and then offers herself as a friend.

Trinity likes to play. She gallops around the athletic field with my dogs, Babe and Pudge. Together they create escapades around camp, chasing chipmunks, finding frizbees, playing tag, and searching for interesting aromas. They make a game of accompanying trail rides through the woods, taking detours where they can so they end up ahead of the ride and back at the barn before the ride arrives. Ah, the life of a dog!

We also enjoy Flirty. That's Jaime's dog. Flirty is the dog who keeps her eye constantly on where Jaime is working or playing in camp.

Often Flirty guards Jaime's cabin. At other times, she carts a stick around in her mouth just waiting for someone to throw it for her.

What is fun about Flirty is her sense of humor. In addition to looking rather like a comedian, she often drags sticks out of the woods that are bigger than she is, and that gets everyone's attention. The kids love it.

We are fortunate to have happy dogs in camp. Those dogs are best friends to many campers because they offer the reassurance needed when troubled moments sneak in to muddy the waters. Kids talk to dogs. They snuggle, work things out in their own way, and then jump back into the routine with a smile.

A Royal Hit

2008-07-21T22:52:00.011-04:00

Looking at this picture, one might think we teach ballet to our campers. I believe football players become more graceful on the field because they take ballet. So why not have horseback riders develop the same skills?

Well, the thought may be a good one. However, here you simply see us playing again!

Our Counselors again reworked the favorite Hit-the-Deck, expanded it into Shrek-a-Deck tride and true, complete with new movements for the game. Here you in fact see partners pausing to assume what was called the 'Fairy-Godmother' pose. I just couldn't resist sharing these photos.

Quite a variety of actions using Shrek terminology were creatively incorporated into the evening's play. Campers still jump into the arms of their partner or stradle their partner's back. They even crown their partner or pause on command to make Shrek ears with their hands. Ever so naturally, genuine laughter seeps in and swallows everyone whole.

As I've said before, I get a kick out of watching Counselors and CITs handle these evening programs. Alicia, Anna and Sam called out the commands this time around. I watched them make it really fun for the kids.

In the process, I see them becoming leaders. With practice, they learn 'crowd control' and tricks for getting camper attention. They learn to give clear directions, and then infect their program with enthusiasm and energy. It's wonderful.

I don't know if these Counselors and CITs realize the extent to which they make a difference to our Sprucelands campers. They are most definitely positive role models; they show campers how it is possible to set a goal and achieve it, one day at a time.

It doesn't mean they don't falter or err from time to time. We all do that. But with support from our staff family, mistakes generate feedback and the next evening program reflects lessons learned from the night before. One thing for sure, Shrek-a-deck was a royal hit. Campers are in fact still talking about it!

Kickball Game

2008-07-17T14:06:00.023-04:00

Wednesday night the staff challenged campers to a rousing kickball game. Even the dogs got in on the act. You can see from our ferocious looking staff that were committed to overwhelming the camper kickers, if only with our sense of humor and team cheer.

Fact is we were in the minority. We faced a far bigger team than ours, and youth was on their side. Besides most of us are horseback riders not athletic genuises or jocks on the playing field.

I wisely stuck to the team photographer role because I would more than likely tumble hilly-nilly if I was running flat out around the bases. And that would be less than a gracious occasion for everyone witnessing the mishap. Besides, I wouldn't want to end up with a sprained ankle. You should see our team limping around camp today!

Laughs rolled out of everyone as Counselors, CITs, and Hill Parents hopped, skipped, jumped, and rolled around the bases.

Of course, lots of campers caught our balls and made a big deal about it. The staff fumbled and grabbed kids to hug; the kids thought we were pretty funny, especially as the dogs chased us across the athletic field.

Jaime took a turn pitching the ball for the camper team. Jaime - our Head Riding Instructor - was a great sport about participating in the fun.

Only problem Jaime encountered was her dog, Flirty. The dog wouldn't leave her side. Flirty wondered what in the world Jaime was doing rolling that ball to the kids and not to her. Well, Flirty tried to help, and then brought sticks for Jaime to throw while she was pitching the ball.

We played until dark. Old fashioned fun. Everyone participated and had a great time. The kind of fun from days of old when I used to gather with friends on the end of a dead end street or in an empty field.

Well when darkness drove us to close, we enjoyed closing circle and then walked off arm in arm, reminiscing about different moments in the game. "Wasn't it funny when...?" or "I laughed so hard when..."

Sigh. These are the days, my friend. These are the days. These are the good times that I'll remember when.

Golden Moments

2008-07-16T10:46:00.008-04:00

Tuesday was a lovely day. As I wandered around the barn area, I saw riding lessons in progress, campers like Katie cooling out horses from their previous ride, and moments of tenderness that so softly connect riders and horses.

This is what I live for. These moments. I often wonder what the kids are thinking, but I've stopped wondering. Often it is simply a sigh, an all's-right-with-the-world. It may be a retreat from stress, a newfound confidence, or a reassurance that success is possible.

Reality is that all lessons do not go well. Feet get stepped on even as safety is practiced. Sometimes there is frustration as a rider struggles to take on a new skill. Every once in a while a rider discovers they are on a learning plateau for what feels like forever. The kids get tired.

Yet even with those realistic setbacks, there are golden moments like these when we love a horse, just because. Pictures like these are priceless. I love them. I love the moment.

Program Leadership

2008-07-15T20:03:00.008-04:00

Evening program on Monday night was what we call 'stations'. The program was given a fancy SHREK name, but I don't recall what it was. I do know campers moved from station to station and in each place they performed a given task.

At this station, teams sat in a big circle. Items were passed from person to person one at a time. If someone dropped an item, they were out. Eventually, there were only a few players left, and those players were juggling many items.

There were several other stations where novel group games happened and the kids were having a ball. On the tennis courts, campers were blindfolded. They were supposed to find Fiona's shoe, find Fiona, and then put the shoe on Fiona. Being blindfolded didn't seem to hamper the kids. They tackled the task and completed it in no time.

What is wonderful about our evening programs is that they are under the leadership of Counselors and Counselors in Training. Together they come up with creative ideas for fun activities and then direct the evening in style.

Sprucelands works very hard to offer leadership opportunities so that young people become experienced. That way when a job comes their way and they are asked for 'job experience', they will answer with confidence that they have a wide variety of experience because after all they 'interned' at a summer camp.

Problem solving skills, public relations, teaching, psychology, and communication techniques are practiced 24-7. Staff members learn to speak up, speak out, and speak clearly with kindness and caring. Over time they understand about timing, positive attitudes, initiative, follow through, dependability, and creativity. And more than anything they learn dedication, presentation, investment in program and people as well as commitment and loyalty. Everything transfers easily to college or the working world and I feel good because I see growth in campers and staff alike.

Cultural Exchange

2008-07-15T19:18:00.011-04:00

As we start each session, it's fun getting acquainted with new campers and old. Some return. Others are here for the first time. These girls are new to Sprucelands this year, and they are terrific.

I marvel at what interesting campers come to Sprucelands. Last session we had our French girl - Manon - who just emailed me that she arrived safely in Paris this morning. Her luggage is lost but she is fine. She was headed for bed!

We are fortunate to have two girls from Canada this session, and in a week we welcome a girl from Spain. One of the Canadian girls is from Quebec. She is here to work on her English.

Camp is a wonderful place to practice English because our campers are so patient. In fact, over the years we have had campers come from Japan, France, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Indonesia, all eager to perfect their English. In the end, their being here enriches us all. We are part of their learning process and they participate in ours. We exchange cultures, and quickly realize that a sense of humor is universal. Fun and silliness is wonderfully understood in every language.

Fun and silliness? This is returning campers reconnecting and in the process gathering new friends from near and far into the fold.

I was walking up the road when this bunch emerged singing and laughing. All I needed to do was say, "Make me a picture," and this was the result. I am so blessed.

Camper Growth

2008-07-15T14:11:00.021-04:00

Before much time passes, I want to highlight the growth I see in individual campers. I want to talk about it because as a staff we are inspired when we watch the growth happen.

Often we welcome campers to Sprucelands who are shy and retiring. We watch them carefully and closely because they can get overlooked.

There are old cliches that apply to quiet campers like they can get lost in the crowd or they can fall through the cracks. I see it happen so often in the school setting.

Well, as a team our staff works hard at encouraging those campers to speak up for themselves. And then often we match them to a horse that is a bit pig-headed so as a rider they need to assert themselves.

Frequently, I tell shy and retiring riders that it is okay to get angry and ride the horse like they're mad at their mom. My apologies if I offend anyone, but it works! There is an energy that comes with anger that if channeled in the right direction can be helpful. That energy transfers easily from rider to horse and inspires the horse to move and move well.

Kayleigh came into our summer family as quiet, retiring, and a tiny bit withdrawn. We matched her to Fella. You see her above with Fella.

She did so well with Fella that we actually moved her onto a different horse, and she is progressing. Of course, she also found barn kittens to play with and love. Horses and kittens are a terrific recipe for camper growth.

Just look at Kayleigh here! There's a whole different feel about her. On Saturday she rode in her first horse show. She sat straight and tall, riding with confidence and asserting herself. I have to tell you she is proud that she did so well. Look Mom!

In her class of younger riders, everyone received the same color ribbon. We picked pink ribbons because the class was all younger girls and you guessed it...they just love pink!

Opening Day Second Session

2008-07-14T17:47:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was Sunday, July 13th. We welcomed our second session campers with open arms, and as it turns out, they are really excited and enthusiastic about being here. I wish I could bottle their energy.

Last night's evening program was something we haven't done before. It was a survey. However, the survey was done in loud, boisterous voices on the athletic field.

Rules of the game: Campers were asked to group themselves by everything from favorite Shrek character to favorite animal, fairytale, color, vegetable, holiday, Disney movie, etc.

When the category was given, the shouting began. "Over here! Blue! Blue! Blue!" and all campers loving the color blue would gather together, shouting their favorite color. You could actually see then how many of the camp liked blue as opposed to green, yellow, red, teal, brown, black, and so on. And of course, they cheered for their color until another category was called.

The laughter again was contagious. But more than anything, there was a comraderie and celebration for many about being back to camp. Here they let it all hang out. They are kids, really kids. The program can be silly fun and they love it.

I really love when I catch a wink or a smile in my pictures, often from a returning camper. It reassures me that we are returning together to a friendly space. This time around the experience is less tentative. There is more confidence and trust than last year.

You can see Matt, Meghan and Molly shouting across the field for anyone whose name begins with the letter M. I will admit I admire their creativity and sense of humor. It didn't take long to attract the 'M' group.

So our evening last night was a blast, as the kids would say. Thought you'd like to know what we did. The kids ran and shouted, renewing the spirit that is so dear here at Sprucelands. Our closing circle ended the day with song and the sun settled on a very contented camp.

Job Well Done

2008-07-13T22:54:00.015-04:00

I was moved to tears at the horse show on Saturday. Kids do that to me sometimes. It's wierd. Like I don't expect it. I'm in the middle of visiting with parents at the horse show, and all of a sudden the tears come because my campers are an inspiration.

If you've kept up with the blog, you know my staff and CITs designed, practiced and then rode a beautiful drill team pattern for the fourth of July. Then they turned around and challenged the campers from our first session to match their performance, and ride a drill for parents at the horse show on Saturday.

Well, campers took the challenge to heart. Just like the staff, they ran their drill over and over on the tennis court. Then they built on their groundwork and took to their saddles. The end result was absolutely, positively the most precisely performed drill ever done by campers in my years at Sprucelands. It was breathtaking. After the concluding drill team salute, there was a stunned and amazed silence across the audience.

I was overwhelmed because these riders had accepted a challenge, worked as a team with a staff advisor, practiced faithfully, and built their coordinated performance upon solid groundwork. Aren't there life lessons here?

Some of you were at the horse show. I know you were as impressed and moved as I was. These riders literally rose to the occasion, managing their horses with precision and care.

I actually think you drill team members surprised yourselves when the drill went so well; and you were obviously proud of your accomplishment. What I can say in all sincerity is awesome! Job well done. I'm happy to have witnessed your success, drill team. I am pleased you accepted the staff challenge. Thank you for being you.

A Summer Experience

2008-07-13T20:00:00.007-04:00

We enjoy all personalities at Sprucelands. Most beautiful is how everyone brings their own sense of humor, creativity, sensitivities, horsemanship skills, and love of nature.

They bless us with the gift of heartfelt friendship. They express their individuality, share the fears, dreams and goals which drive them, and then with a willingness to learn, try out new approaches for both living and riding. We offer them feedback so they understand what works.

It's an exciting process because campers open themselves to new alternatives and perspectives. And when it is time to move on, they exchange hugs and quietly, subtlely slip away, leaving a little piece of their genuine self behind.

At our horse show on Saturday, I conversed with many campers and parents. I watched campers connect with hugs and tears before departing to their busy lives at home.

Looking back, my hope is they will recall frequently how they shared with us here and remember the sights and smells and work and fun that makes Sprucelands so real. This after all is more than just summer camp. Sprucelands is a summer experience.

Quiet Moments

2008-07-13T19:44:00.010-04:00

There are times when quiet at camp is a moment shared with a good friend. The birds sing in the trees. You sit on the tire swing and sway back and forth and you talk or read a good book.

Well, Juliette and Lia shared such a moment at the end of last week. The interesting surprise here is that their quiet moment attuned them not only to each other and the birds but also to buzzing insect sounds. They quickly realized their peaceful moment hovered over busy bees in the process of constructing a city inside the tire swing.

Practicing bravery and using a flip-flop, these readers and the photographer eased the bees into another world. Quiet moments returned and the girls resumed their reading. You would never suspect scrambling had happened moments before this photo was snapped. Ah...isn't nature wonderful!

Fireworks and Face Painting

2008-07-09T14:50:00.012-04:00

The 4th of July was more than the drill team. Kids painted t-shirts for the holiday, and then wore them in celebration. There were face painting activities that consumed much of the day in the art room. We had quite the display of artistic expression in red, white and blue.

On the left, you see Jenny painting Tallulah. The results were phenomenal. Tallulah looked awesome when the art work was complete. Others like Kiersten painted stars or flags on their foreheads, noses or cheeks. Oh to be a kid!

Supper was a picnic outside on the lawns around the camp lodge: hot dogs, hamburgers, and all the fixings. Nancy our cook even made a HUGE cake that looked like a flag and tasted delicious with strawberrys and blueberries. Afterwards, there were spontaneous games. Then of course our drill team, a bonfire, and fireworks.

As you may know already, I love photography. One of my dreams has been to take pictures of fireworks. Never have I succeeded until this year. Many of my attempts at catching the precise moment of colorful beauty came out really well. I just have to share!

Fireworks over the lake lasted a half hour. It was a calm, clear, perfect night. There were lots of "oohs" and "aahs" and "look at that!" Then we closed the day with our evening circle and climbed the hill to bed, conscious of our soldiers so far from home.

Belly Laughs Galore

2008-07-09T14:26:00.011-04:00

Long live belly laughs. Long live belly laughs on the athletic field and in the art room and during singing in the dining hall. Long live belly laughs in the cabins, around the barn, and when walking along the road.

Remember those days as a kid when all was right with the world. Something would hit you funny and before you knew it, tears ran down your face as you collapsed into fits of laughter that wrenched your whole body. Your ribs hurt. Your face hurt. It was a gloriously free feeling and you let it consume your very being. Those were the days. We should have more of them!

Well, pictures are always worth a thousand words. Most of these photos were from the Shrek-a-deck game. They're just too priceless to pass up. In fact, if you take a minute to enjoy them, you might find yourself wanting to laugh too. I'll testify to the fact that belly laughing is definitely contagious.

Dylan and Daley on the left are working so hard at a "Man Overboard" call, as is Lia and Chris. Oh my gosh! What fun! Can you hear their screeching and squealing now?

And then there's Caitlin and Jessie who literally collapsed because their laughter overwhelmed them. They could not keep their feet under them.

During belly laugh times, I realize camp is worth it. The genuine exchanges bring sunshine to a dreary day or what has been a long year. Differences are forgotten. Everyone is a good sport because that's what we do at Sprucelands, and the moment is priceless.

Shrek-a-Deck

2008-07-09T13:41:00.013-04:00

I need to catch you up! My apologies for no blog entries since Sunday. We had a power outage over the weekend and somehow that messed up my computer. I could download email; I was unable to get into the blog program.

I love computers. When they don't work, however, I could take a baseball bat and gladly send them to the junk yard! Know the feeling?

So let's get to looking at what we've been doing. We had a night of Shrek-a-Deck. That's a novel version of our favorite Hit-the-Deck adventures. You would be amazed at how the kids love this game. It's great fun!

We gather on the athletic field. Everyone picks a partner. Then instructions are called which basically tell the entire group to walk in different directions as if they are on a boat: bow, stern, etc. When someone shouts "Man overboard", one person jumps onto the other's back. The last partners up are out of the game.

You see Becca and Alie to the left. You can tell from the picture that sometimes the business of piggyback can be awkward. I love watching the kids because they get themselves into very creative poses.

There are other instructions as well. One is "Periscope Up". That means everyone quickly lays down on their back and sticks their leg in the air. The last partners down are out. It's one of the funniest things I've seen. An entire camp flops down on their back and sticks their leg in the air as fast as they can so they don't get told they're out. You can see the results of one of those "Periscope Up" commands here.

What you are missing are the sound affects. How the kids laugh and cheer and encourage each other! Of course, the game goes on for a while, until there is one last set of partners remaining.

As it turns out in this particular game, Becca and Alie pulled off a win. Boy! Were they proud!

You would think the prize was a million dollars because the cheers and the boost to self esteem is amazing. To be able to say you won at Shrek-a-deck at Sprucelands is one of the highest honors.

Hit-the-deck has been popular for what seems like years. It's easily adaptable to our summer theme and is interactive, safe fun. Afterwards, the kids crawl into their bunks for a good night's snooze. So do I. I'm worn out just watching!

4th of July Faces

2008-07-06T17:18:00.004-04:00

These happy faces highlight friendships that are emerging during this session of camp. It was fun on the 4th because everyone was excited about the day.

In the evening, as campers waited together on the barn bleachers for the drill team to perform, they snuggled for these photos.

You know, after we hit the first weekend of a session, I see definite bonding as campers connect with each other. Often they make friends with campers in other cabins, and gradually they get to know how they are alike and different.

It's such an interesting process, like finding the right chemistry with your horse. Suddenly you find a friend that is just your style. You giggle together and chatter, make jokes that only friends understand, and support each other's accomplishments. That bonding is priceless because those friendships often last far beyond summer camp.
I love being an observer, even as there are bumps along the way.

Growing up can be difficult, and when the kids discover that everyone deals with many of the same issues, doors are opened. Fact is, the issues they face in school and with friends bring common ground to their understanding each other.

Friendships at camp definitely go through ups and downs. Life lessons evolve. Perspectives change. Maturity and confidence expand along with new insights and appreciations. I sometimes wish I could wave a magic wand and make it easy, but it's the process that works miracles.

Drill Team

2008-07-06T16:31:00.006-04:00

Our drill team started practicing last week Wednesday or Thursday. They planned out their pattern and then walked and trotted through it on the tennis court. Time after time they worked through the plan and it transferred to a wonderful drill on the 4th of July.

Riding staff, Counselors, and counselors in training designed and rode the drill team patterns. Now they are presenting Horsemasters and Accelerated Horsemasters with a challenge: to work within the drill team scheme to put a drill team together this week, and then ride as a team in the Horse Show on Saturday. Big challenge. Hopefully, with support and encouragement, a drill team will emerge and the kids will feel proud of their hard work. We are all about challenges here because challenges enable growth.

You will be interested perhaps to see that the above patterns evolved into a nice looking group on Friday. The girls worked hard; they feel proud of how things played out.

Best of all was the fact that the horses cooperated. That's a reality people don't often think about. When designing a drill, it is vital that the horses you select for the drill don't spend their time kicking each other during the pattern. It takes time to find perfectly matched pairs, but when you find the perfect match, you celebrate!

Here you see part of the pattern as the inside four riders rotate away from their partners. Came off without a hitch. How lucky we are to work with such dedicated staff. They are wonderful role models for our campers.

July 4th

2008-07-04T14:09:00.007-04:00

Yesterday it rained. Yup. Again. I actually think we had our 4th of July rainy weather yesterday which means it is over and done with now.

Today it is blue sky and sunshine, and there are promises of fine weather continuing tonight. That means our drill team performance, bonfire, and fireworks should come off without a hitch.

This trail ride picture exemplifies the dedication to riding that our staff and campers maintain. In fact, this picture speaks to the unsung heroes who lead the trail rides, no matter the weather. That's Bradley in the red jacket, and you can't really tell: it is pouring rain! Cancel the ride? Of course not. Why would I think that?!!! As long as there's no thunder and lightning, the trail rides are good to go!

So today we celebrate the 4th, our American heroes everywhere, and our heroes right here at home who keep on truckin' so Sprucelands is the best experience ever.

Hello Mom and Dad

2008-07-04T13:36:00.012-04:00

Every once in a while we include photos on the blog that essentially say, "Hey, Mom! I got your package okay." This is Randi. She's an eight week camper and we are loving her.

Randi is a lot of fun. The other day a package came for her; Randi wanted to let mom know it had arrived.

So here is Randi's note to mom letting her know that the package is here safe and sound. In the process I guess we are giving free advertizing to Maifun Rice Sticks!!! LOL

We also like inserting pictures into our blog to let mom and dad know that the riding is coming along well.

Here is Brenden. He wanted mom and dad to know that he is doing really well this year because he is taller and his legs actually reach the sides of the horse. What a difference a year makes!

Brenden is riding Thunder in this picture. His riding instructor says he has come a long way since last summer, and he is an excellent listener. Being a good listener really helps him with his riding skills. It's fun to watch him progress.

We include here a photo of our camper from France. Her name is Manon and she has jumped into the program like a seasoned Sprucelands camper. She brings an enthusiasm and energy all the way from her home country.

Everyone is enjoying Manon, especially as she practices the English language. She is doing really well with understanding our fast talk, and she has a terrific sense of humor.

Here is Manon with one of the horses she rides. His name is Harry. The other horse she rides is Kerry, and Kerry is a challenge.

So hello to mom and dad from Manon at Sprucelands! Thank you for sharing her with us. She is a dear person and I know we are all better people for knowing her.

Hope you like our little messages to you all. We want you to know that we are connecting with each other - horses and people alike - and we are happy to be together.

Playful Fun

2008-07-03T08:57:00.012-04:00

Last night's evening program was cleverly run by the barn staff. We all gathered on the tennis courts for the fun that was ahead.

Each team was given a variety of articles from the barn, and told to create a Shrek-related skit with a message, motto or point. When I say articles from the barn, I'm talking old lead ropes, halters, crossties, pitchforks, etc. The teams were given time to plan, and then the presentations thrilled us all.

Well, you know, only kids can get a gleam in their eye when they're told they can perform in front of others. And their creative juices get flowing as they imagine the scene they want to create.

Then they run through the twists and turns to their interesting plot, adding and subtracting ideas that work or don't work. Over and over again, they practice, and each time they laugh harder.

Kids like Juliette above were trees. Some were bushes. Others were Shrek. There were angry crowds, groups grooming Donkey, and plenty of heroes. Mottos evolved. Story summations were shared. Moaning, groaning, belly laughter, and silliness ruled the night.

In the end, everyone was a winner because they were in some strange or silly way connected to their spontaneously planned production. They took pride in what they were doing. Drama? Not really. Just fun.

You can see here how this team partnered-up. Kristin in the green shirt was Shrek and they were celebrating her as the hero she was in the skit.

Now don't you wish you were at camp? It's truly an escape from the demands of our stressful daily routines, especially as we tap into the little kid part of us that loves to play.

Evening Programs Underway

2008-07-03T07:38:00.003-04:00

Our awesome evening programs are underway. We had our Opening Ceremony on Sunday night. There was lots of interaction intertwined in the evening because our goal is to help all campers know each other. We are a camp that is like a big family and so we like to learn everyone's name.

Monday evening we enjoyed a program with a Shrek twist. All of us had a paper taped to our back. We were arranged in circles, one circle of people on the outside facing another circle of people on the inside. We stood and visited with each other and then wrote a positive comment on the back of our immediate partner. The circles then rotated and we did that with a new partner. It was really terrific because at the end of the evening, each one of us had a long list of positives on our back. Reading those positives brought a smile to everyone's face.

Tuesday night - again with a Shrek twist - Counselors planned a creative evening of tag. Sounds pretty simple, but there was a variety of tag games, each one with a different set of rules. The kids loved hospital tag and hug tag. How they laughed! And you should have seen them run. Everyone looked so genuinely free. Of course, Counselors were tired. They could hardly wait till bedtime!

Fun Work at the Barn

2008-07-03T07:23:00.007-04:00

Something wonderful happens at the barn. I know we all think it's about riding horses, and of course it is. But something else happens when the kids know they have chores to do and that quite simply is the strengthening of friendships.

Our barn manager - Lizzie - is very wise. She knows that horse stalls are part of horse care and that if anyone is going to own a horse someday, then cleaning horse stalls is part of that reality.

What Lizzie does is assign two kids to each horse stall. That stall becomes their daily responsibility. Often she assigns a counselor and a younger camper, or she joins two together who are invested in making sure the stall gets done well.

So as I move around the barn I see friendships building. Kids are bonding, laughing, giggling about anything and everything, especially as they attempt to push the wheelbarrow. Sometimes I wish I had a movie camera with me.

Here are two who were working together, and having the best time. They seem so happy. Somehow it doesn't matter that there's work to do because when doing it with a friend, it's really fun.