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.

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 3, 2025, then campers may register for additional weeks with openings.

Date	Houghton Lesson Horse	Bring your own horse
Girls Residential Camp $1,250 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 >
Week 1: June 15-20, 2025	FULL (waitlist space available)	5 Spaces Open
Week 2: June 22-27, 2025	FULL (waitlist space available)	4 Spaces Open
Week 3: June 29- July 4, 2025	FULL (waitlist space available)	FULL (waitlist spaces available)
Week 4: July 6-11, 2025	FULL (waitlist space available)	FULL (waitlist spaces available)
Week 5: July 13-18, 2025	FULL (waitlist space available)	2 Spaces Open
Week 6: July 20-25, 2025	NA	NA
Week 7: July 27- Aug. 1, 2025	FULL (waitlist space available)	9 Spaces Open

Schedule

Sunday Check-in 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Move into room & meet roommates, check in phone/technology, & connect with camp nurse
Check out the barn, meet the horses & evaluation ride

Monday – Thursday

2 riding lessons each day (1 in the morning and 1 in the evening)
- 1-5 campers per lesson group. Campers are grouped based on experience and goals for the week
- Lessons tailored towards campers goals and needs to learn, grow, and have a great time
Camp afternoon activities (swimming, crafts, games, low ropes activities, and more)
Evening activities (BBQ Barn Dinner, Campfire, Pony Games, Night Games, and more)
Lunch-Campus dining hall

Campers will be shuttled from the Equestrian Center to main campus each day. Booster seats must be provided for our campers that are 8 years old and younger. Booster seats should be left each morning with your camper.

Friday Check-out 1 p.m.

Morning riding lesson, showcasing what campers worked on throughout the week (family and friends welcome to come watch)
Lunch for campers available and family and friends invited to join

Optional Extras

$300 – Weekend Stay

Campers looking to attend a second week of camp may register for a weekend stay! The cost covers:

Housing and all meals
Off site fun activities such as mini golf, drive-in movie, roller skating, crafts, etc.
Participating in local weekend events like county fair, rodeo, etc.
Time to relax and hang out with fellow weekend camper to recuperate for next week of camp

No additional riding lessons are offered over weekend. Our horses take the weekends off to be ready for the next week of camp.

$100 – Airport Shuttle/each way

$75 – Early Arrival/Late Pick-Up

Girls & Boys Day Camp $425 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 6: July 21-24, 2025	13 Spaces Available

Girls & Boys Day Camp

$425 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 6: July 21-24, 2025

13 Spaces Available

Schedule

Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

1 riding lesson during the day (family & friends can come watch on Thursday)
Barn activities to learn more about horses (varies each day)
Afternoon activities (swimming, crafts, games, and more)
Lunch-Campus dining hall

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 May 25. For camper cancellations received between May 26 and June 14 (or anytime 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 your 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.

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.

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

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

What should my camper bring to camp?

Campers participate in variety of activities throughout the week both in and out of the saddle. Check out the link below for a complete packing list of what is required and recommended for all of our campers to bring. At the end of each day, day campers and families will be notified of what is needed for the next day of camp.

My camper has never been around horses. Would this camp be good first experience?

Our day camp is a great opportunity for campers experiencing horses for the first time. We love being able to have campers spend time at the barn for the first time and learning about them. Whether campers come to camp excited or nervous, we make sure to take things at their speed and to make sure they get a positive experience.

My camper has never spent a week away from home. Would this camp be good first experience?

We have been a great first sleep away camp experience for campers who haven’t spent time away from home for a longer period of time. Knowing that this is your campers first time being away from home is helpful to know and can be noted in your camper’s registration. We make sure our campers that haven’t done an overnight camp are in rooms closest to our staff room in the dorm so if they ever need anything they can easily come over and talk with our staff on duty for encouragement and comfort. Additionally, staff make sure to be checking in on campers who may be feeling a bit homesick to make sure they are keeping busy with all of the fun camp activities and also connecting with the other campers.

What is your phone & technology policy?

Day Camp

We have no phone and technology use policy at our day camp to help promote camper relationships and community without the distractions phones and technology can bring. Cell phones and other technology (music players, tablets, etc.) should be left at home as they are not needed during the day for the campers.

Residential Camp

We have very limited phone and technology use at our camp to help promote camper relationships and community without the distractions phone and technology can bring. Cell phones and other technology are turned in at registration so they don’t get lost, dropped in a water bucket, or stepped on by a horse. Campers that stay over the weekend will get their phones and other technology back for the duration of the weekend. They will still be expected to take part and participate in the various activities without being distracted by their phones and technology when directed.

Do you have age specific or themed weeks?

We do not have residential camp weeks that are age specific or themed. Each week we have campers that range from ages 10-18 that are able to choose and focus on a riding discipline of their choice. Some weeks tend to have older or younger groups of campers. You may connect with the camp director to ask after current registrations and age ranges to find the best fit.

Not sure if personal horse is a good fit for camp?

We are willing to work with a variety of camper horses ranging from longtime partners to those who are just starting out together. Ideally horses that campers bring will be physically fit and able to handle the 1-2 riding lessons that take place each day and can manage working in a group setting. Camp can be a great environment to have a camper work with their horse away from home to help continue to build and develop a great relationship but we also want to make sure horses aren’t being overworked or stressed. For more specifics or if you have further questions regarding bringing a horse you can reach out to the camp director.

Can campers bring their own saddle pads to use on Houghton lesson horses?

Campers are welcome to bring their own saddle pads, ear bonnets, or any other fun riding accessories from home to use on our lesson horses. We will make sure the items brought will work with the campers assigned lesson horse but as long as they fit and the horse is ok with the items we don’t mind them being used. All items brought from home should be clearly labeled with camper’s name so they don’t get accidently mixed into our camp equipment. Using a sharpie to write your campers name or using masking tape tend to work really well to label items.

Can I check in with my camper during their stay at camp?

Campers will have the opportunity to speak with their family twice during the week for a short 10-15 minute check-in and to confirm their riding time on Friday. If campers do not have their own phone, they are welcome to use a staff member’s phone. Calls are made to families on Mondays and either Wednesday or Thursday evenings. If something comes up families are welcome to contact the Camp Director if updates are needed or necessary. The Camp Director will also be in touch with families as needed throughout the week if something comes up with a camper (fall from horse, feeling sick, behavioral concerns, etc.)

How are lesson groups determined?

Lesson groups are separated into the various riding disciplines and designed to meet each camper’s personal riding goals, their skills and ability demonstrated to best meet the rider’s goals, challenge them in areas of skill and knowledge, and to provide the opportunity to learn more about their discipline of interest.

Lesson groups may be just 1 rider or up to 5 riders to best meet goals and provide individual attention.

How often will my camper be riding?

Campers ride 1-2 times a day, to improve their skills throughout their week at camp. Residential campers focus on foundational flatwork in the mornings and jumping, patterns and/or advanced work in the evening lessons.

How is my camper's horse selected?

Rider-horse pairs are chosen by staff to best meet the camper’s goals and abilities. Residential campers will use personal horse if they brought their own for the week.

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