Equestrian Summer Camp

Riders at all levels of experience are welcome to learn and advance in areas of dressage, hunters, jumpers, eventing, and/or western pleasure. Bring your own horse or ride one of Houghton’s great lesson horses.

A summer experience you won't forget.

Register Today

Advance as a Rider Through Intentionally Designed Experiences

Get hands-on experience caring for, working with and riding horses. Our philosophy for teaching and training is based on the principles of classical dressage and flows into every style of riding we provide.

Small, community oriented, and intentional environment.
Focus on personal riding goals.
Enjoy a variety of interactive activities like low ropes course, creek walking and critter finding, and games.
Workshops on topics such as medical care, natural horsemanship, show preparation, and general horse knowledge.

Registration & Camp Availability

A maximum of 20 campers attend each week. Campers are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Weeks fill up fast as spaces are limited.

Due to the high interest and overflow of waitlists, campers may attend a maximum of 2 weeks of camp. If more than 2 weeks are of interest and spaces are still available on March 1, 2024, then campers may register for additional weeks with openings.

Girls Residential Camp

$1,150 per week

Entering Grades 5-12
Includes housing and all meals, camp t-shirt, and use of Houghton lesson horse

Campers looking to focus on their horsemanship skills will thrive in this learning environment that will encourage and push you in your riding and horse handling skills. Experience personal success and build confidence both on and off the horse as you create friendships and memories to last a lifetime. Horse loving campers of all levels and experiences can grow and excel in areas of dressage, hunters, jumpers, eventing, and western riding.

Register for residential camp >
Date Houghton Lesson Horse Bring your own horse
Week 1: June 16-21, 2024 FULL (waitlist) 1 Space Open
Week 2: June 23-28, 2024 FULL (waitlist) 1 Space Open
Week 3: June 30- July 5, 2024 FULL (waitlist) 3 Spaces Open
Week 4: July 7-12, 2024 FULL (waitlist) FULL (waitlist)
Week 5: July 15-18, 2024 NA NA
Week 6: July 21-26, 2024 FULL (waitlist) FULL (waitlist)
Week 7: July 28- Aug. 2, 2024  FULL (waitlist) 9 Spaces Open

Girls & Boys Day Camp

$450 per week

Entering Grades 1-8
Includes lunch, camp t-shirt, and use of Houghton lesson horse

Younger campers with minimal horse experience will enjoy learning more about horses and taking part in some fun riding lessons. Experience a variety of activities and healthy challenges that allow you to learn, grow and have fun.

Register for Day Camp >
Date Houghton Lesson Horse
Week 5: July 15-18, 2024 6 Spaces Available

Registration Details

Campers who register will receive further instructions including final payment, medical forms, liability releases, and emergency notification forms (all available online).

When you register, use your email as your log-in and then pick a password you will remember. You will need to get back into your UltraCamp account after you register. Follow these directions to create an account and register your child for camp.

access your child's account

You will also use this link to upload your child’s immunization record, medication administration form and insurance card.


Camp Cancellation Policy

Refunds, minus a $200 non-refundable deposit, will be made for camper cancellations made by June 1.  For camper cancellations received between June 2 and June 15 (or 2 weeks prior to your camp start date), a refund of 50% will be made.  No refunds are given for cancellations within 2 weeks prior to camp start date.  No refunds will be granted for withdrawal after Sunday camp start.  Special consideration will be given if withdrawal is for medical reasons.

Equestrian event center

Camp Location & Facilities

Houghton University is located 65 miles southeast of Buffalo and 70 miles southwest of Rochester in Houghton, New York.

Housing

Residential campers are housed in Gillette Hall, one of the residence halls on campus. All campers are placed into rooms in groups of 2-3. They can request to room with friends, otherwise they will be assigned a room with 1-2 campers of similar age. All campers stay on one floor of Gillette Hall next to camp staff. Two staff members are on duty at all times to supervise campers. The floor has a large bathroom and shower room that is shared amongst the campers, although some rooms have their own bathrooms and showers that campers can use as well.

Dining Hall

All meals are prepared and served in the campus dining hall. Each mealtime offers multiple food options, and chefs can accommodate any dietary needs or restrictions. Dietary restrictions and needs should be noted on camper registration.

Equestrian Center

The Equestrian Center is located on 336 acres of farmland on a scenic ridge with a glorious view of the Genesee River valley. The facility offers indoor and outdoor riding arenas, fields and woods for trail riding and cross-country schooling. All arenas feature state-of-the-art footing of sand and shredded rubber or geotextile fabric. Stabling and pasture space can accommodate up to 60 horses.

Afternoon Activities

Non-riding camp afternoon activities will all take place in various locations on campus, including the Nielsen Center swimming pool, EPIC Adventures low ropes course elements, Highlanders’ Shop campus store, and crafts in the Gillette Hall lounge.

Register for Equestrian Camp Today

Meet the Horses

Houghton’s herd consists of 30 horses of different breeds and backgrounds. All lesson horses have a basic level of dressage training, while some have more extensive training in hunters, jumpers, eventing, western riding, trails or upper level dressage. Many of our horses are able to be ridden in multiple disciplines which make for some great all-around lesson horses.

All lesson horses have tack and equipment that has been fit and sized to them to help keep them their happiest when working. Campers that use a lesson horse for the week will be able to use the lesson horses assigned equipment during their stay at camp.

Meet the Lesson Horses

Bring Your Own Horse

What is better than coming to camp, bringing your horse along with you! Residential campers are welcome to bring their own horse to camp for an additional $40 fee. Camp is a great place for camper and horse pairs to further learn and grow together and help establish a great bond away from home.

Info on Bringing Your Own Horse

Meet the Director

Hannah Williamson

Hannah Williamson

Equestrian Events Program Coordinator and Program Assistant

Having grown up attending equestrian camps, Hannah Williamson fell in love with camp ministries. One of her greatest passions is to provide life long summer memories for campers alongside horses. After working in equestrian camps for over ten years, she became the camp director in 2022.


Frequently Asked Questions


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