Summer Camps

Looking for some summer excitement?
Come to a week of our horsemanship day camps!

2024 Schedule

Camps run from May 27 to June 28.

For more information, see the Camp Brochure.

Who can come

Riders of all ages and experience levels are welcome at horse camp.

Wrangler Training Camp
The initial week of camp is set aside for wrangler training. Wranglers are volunteers who have been placed in varying levels of responsibility, from ranch hands to camp counselors. This one-week intensive training course focuses on advanced horsemanship and ranch skills, teamwork, evangelism and discipleship training, and personal spiritual growth. Most wranglers who attend this training have also committed to serving as part-time or full-time summer camp staff.

Only current volunteers may apply for Wrangler Week. If you are interested in volunteering at TWQC, please contact us for a volunteer application.

What to expect

For every camp, horsemanship activities are tailored to meet each camper's level of comfort, experience, and abilities. The camp is hands-on and practical. Campers will ride every day. In-depth training is interspersed with games–and all of it is fun! In addition to group activities, all campers will work one-on-one with trained staff and wranglers to ensure that their individual needs are met.

Christian principles are taught throughout the week during chapels and regular training. Working with horses is a wonderful picture of the Lord working in our lives. Camp counselors are always available to answer questions and to assist campers with any spiritual concerns.

Camp Activities

You will learn some of the horsemanship skills below in any combination, based on your level of comfort, experience, and ability. We plan each week's activities according to the skill levels of the campers. To request training in a specific skill(s), please contact us to discuss the options.

  • The "Western Experience"
  • Nature of the horse
  • Horsemanship basics, including:
    • Safety for rider, horse, tack
    • Parts of horse, tack
    • Care of horse, tack, rider
    • Haltering, saddling, bridling
    • Hooves: picking up, cleaning
    • Grooming
    • Mounting/dismounting
    • Riding basics: stop, go, turn, back, etc.
    • Balance
  • Gaining respect from your horse
  • Videos on specialty skills/safety
  • Sitting the seat in all gaits (basic)
  • Identifying and executing leads (basic)
  • Side-stepping
  • Emergency dismounts
  • Handling an out-of-control horse
  • Problem-solving
  • Round pen techniques
  • Natural horsemanship
  • Showmanship
    • Western pleasure
    • Western horsemanship
    • Trail Class
    • Reining
    • Judging techniques
  • Speed event training
    • Barrel racing
    • Pole bending
  • Ranch work
    • Cutting
    • Roping
  • Bareback riding
  • Horse training
  • Horse conformation
  • Horse massage
  • Teamwork

Requirements

All campers must follow dress guidelines:

In addition, please bring the following supplies:

If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact us.

FAQs

Can I bring my own horse?

  • Absolutely! Campers are welcome to bring their own horse for more thorough training. You may trailer your horse in each day or board your horse at the ranch for the week (bring your own feed or pay a boarding fee). Your horse must be reasonably well-mannered and rideable. (We do not start horses under saddle during camps.) No stallions are allowed. Mules are acceptable. Proof of a negative Coggins test is required.

How do I know I'll receive quality instruction?

  • Camp horsemanship instruction is directed by Bev Doherty, a former head wrangler on a Montana cattle ranch who has also won many awards in horse shows and speed events. She also has extensive experience in training horses through natural horsemanship methods. Bev is assisted by trained volunteers ("wranglers"), many of whom regularly instruct or assist in TWQC horsemanship training lessons.

How safe is the camp environment?

  • Equine activities inherently carry some risk, but trained instructors and counselors help ensure safety. For this reason, it is imperative that campers obey instructions and behave in a responsible manner at all times. Our lesson horses are well-trained through natural horsemanship methods, and they are regularly "tuned up" by experienced riders to ensure that they remain responsive and reliable. At least one First Aid Certified person is always available at every camp session. Also, TWQC camps occur in a distinctly Christian and family-friendly environment. There is no smoking, no alcohol/illegal drugs, no bad language, no roughhousing, etc.

Can campers stay at the ranch overnight?

  • No, the ranch does not have residential facilities for campers.

Which version of the Bible should I bring?

  • The King James (Authorized) Version has long been recognized as a reliable English translation, and we use only the KJV. We ask that all campers use the same Bible version for consistency in group study and memorization, as well as to ensure that they have an accurate, well-established, and affordable version of the Bible. Campers who do not own a KJV Bible may borrow a copy from TWQC at no charge.

What do you do on rainy days?

  • There are plenty of things to learn and practice inside the barn. Some examples include bareback balancing exercises, emergency dismounts, roping, videos, horse and tack care, and much more.

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