Campers are with their horse for half a day, every weekday. They will be riding for at least 2 hours per day during lesson in the ring and trail rides. A weekend at camp is a little different, and typically does not entail riding, though all the barn chores will still need to be done!

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In our experience, children younger than 12 lack the maturity to maintain composure and make wise choices when confronted with a large animal such as a horse, that behaves and reacts differently than the family pet. For the safety of the animals and the other campers we find it best to adhere to having only campers 12 and older involved in the Ranch Camp program. However campers in our traditional camp program ages 10 and over can sign up to participate in our recreation riding program, which is 1 hour a day or riding based at our lower barn, in a more controlled setting that is less hands on.

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Definitely! Our experienced staff are trained how to help first time riders learn all the basics. Your camper will be paired up with a less spirited horse that is ideally suited to bond with rookie riders, and we will help them in overcoming the initial challenges of basic horsemanship. We will have them riding in no time, and wanting to stay for two more weeks!

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Absolutely not! There are so many skills to master and things to learn, that even the most experienced riders are always being challenged at Diamond M. Ranch. In the cowboy/cowgirl spirit, many advanced riders find themselves drawn towards to helping less experienced riders, and in turn learn even more. Our neckerchief program will keep every camper trying to learn and achieve more.

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Yes! Responsibility is one of our core values, and the responsibility of taking care of the horses is shared among all the Ranch Staff and Ranch campers. Those wishing to ride horses, must also respect them and care for them. There are many chores that need to be tackled everyday to keep the horses healthy and ready to be ridden. There is mucking the stalls, feeding, shoveling, tack maintenance, grooming, and many other tasks that the Ranch community all pitch in and do. Plan to get dirty everyday!

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There is the option for the half of the day your camper is not directly involved with his/her horse, to participate in the traditional camp activities. Or Ranch campers may choose to remain at the barns helping out with chores such as forking hay, mucking stalls, etc. The choice is up to them. The activity list details many of the choices available during traditional camp program times.

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Ranch staff undergo two weeks of rigorous training prior to the arrival of campers. They spend much of this time focusing on the skills needed to safely and effectively provide the great experiences with the horses that Ranch Campers have come to expect. Each ranch counselor is experienced in the art of horsemanship and know how to pass on this knowledge to our campers. To learn more about our summer camp staff click the staff page.

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Anytime you mix humans and livestock there is an inherent risk. Horses are by their very nature, sometimes unpredictable. Diamond M. Ranch however, goes to great lengths to minimize the risks and prepare for the unpredictable. We start with a rigorous training process for our staff to prepare them to recognize the individual habits of each horse and practice all of the necessary skills and emergency procedures that may be needed. We keep our camper to staff ratios low (5:1). We drill campers from the beginning on the rules and procedures that must be adhered to when working around horses for their safety, and ours. We have hand held radios at several locations so Ranch staff can immediately call for assistance from our on site nurse, the Ranch Director, and Camp Director. We have fully stocked first aid kits available and staff trained in CPR and first aid in each area. Every mounted rider is required to wear a safety helmet (that we provide) at all times. There are no guarantees, but we try our best to ensure every camper stays healthy and able to ride at all times!

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Each Ranch camper and recreational rider needs to have boots with at least a ½ inch heel. We also ask that these boots do not have steel toes. Campers will not be able to ride without heeled boots! We also ask that Ranch campers pack at least 5 pairs of long pants / blue jeans. Campers will not be permitted to ride unless they are wearing long pants. Helmets will be provided, as well as all tack and other equipment needed.

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The neckerchief program is designed as a reward and incentive program to improve on horsemanship skills and knowledge. There is a great deal of pride in successfully completing each achievement level. Beginners will want to strive to gain the skills and knowledge needed to get their white neckerchief. Those that continue in the program will want to continue their study of horsemanship and try to gain the skills and knowledge needed to get the yellow, and then the red neckerchief. Only a select few will gain the experience required to have the honor of sporting the blue neckerchief!

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For Ranch camp, register using our online enrollment form here: register now. Or download registration as a pdf file to be faxed or mailed to us (see the contact us page). Or call us and request registration material be mailed the old-fashioned way! After we receive your registration, we will confirm it with you, and mail you a hard copy of the parent handbook. Then you then need to complete and return to us (available here as pdf files) a medical form and a confidential form, or we can mail these to you directly.

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