Potomac Horse Center - Summer Horse Camp Program

June 17 - August 23, 2013
Join us for just one week or multiple weeks!

Monday thru Friday - 9:00am until 4:00pm
(Early Drop-Off and Late Pick-Up Available FREE of Charge)

We offer Plenty of HORSEBACK RIDING!

Campers ride twice each day! Morning lessons concentrate on developing basic equitation skills -- the same as we teach professionally 363 days per year. Afternoon lessons are all about having fun through our "Games on Horseback" series which allow for the practical usage of riding skills acquired during the morning lesson period.

An Opportunity for LEARNING - While enjoying Summer Vacation!

Campers are taught the History of the Horse, Breeds, Colors, Markings, Anatomy, Horse care, Grooming & Braiding techniques, determining a horse's age by Reading Teeth, and much, much more. Potomac Horse Center is the hands-down leader in teaching horsemanship skills to Montgomery County residents for nearly 50 years.

Chill Out during the hot summer afternoons with - ARTS & CRAFTS!

Creativity is encouraged during cool summer afternoons in our air conditioned camp headquarters. Campers decorate real horseshoes to keep, create horse collages, and many other fun projects like scratch art, friendship bracelets, personalized visors, craft weaving and more.

EARLY DROP-OFF & LATE PICKUPS - No Problem, we've got you covered

Our Camp Program operates from 9am to 4pm, but we know that in the real world it's not always possible to drop-off and pick-up in this timeframe - so we offer early drop-off starting 2 hours earlier at 7am and late pick-up 2 hours later to 6pm at no additional charge. During these times one of our daily Camp Counselors will be on hand to welcome and provide for your Camper's needs.

Potomac Horse Center... The Closest Location with the Most to Offer

While there are a few other options in Horse Camp programs - none match our rich history of horsemanship, convenient location, and extensive facilities. We're a time honored tradition, The place where literally thousands upon thousands of Washington DC region residents have learned to ride and enjoy the equestrian life. We're just a few miles from I-270 & I-370 in the center of North Potomac. Easily accessible from Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Potomac - you'll not have to drive deep into the countryside to reach our farm.

A PUBLIC FACILITY - Leased from the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission

We operate under one basic premise... to make horseback riding accessible to the public. At Potomac Horse Center - you may enjoy everything equestrian without owning a horse or committing to any more than one of many carefully designed, academically inspired programs. We're not just someone's private barnyard, we're an institution - a precious gem belonging to everyone in Montgomery County - and we're proud of it!

General Information & Program Highlights
Monday - Thursday Schedule

7:00 - 9:00 am	Early Drop Off - Campers are supervised by Staff until the Camp day begins
9:00 - 9:15 am	Roll Call & Announcements - "Buddy" & Horse Assignments, Name Tags, and General Announcements
9:15 - 9:45 am	Groom & Tack - Buddies groom & tack their horse together with Staff instruction & supervision
9:45 - 10:00 am	Morning Snack Break - Bring your own snack or purchase something from the vending machines
10:00 - 10:45 am	Riding Lesson for Group 1 - In the morning lesson - Safety, Fun and Equitation Skills are practiced All About Horses for Group 2 - Campers are taught the History of the Horse, Horse Care, Breeds, Colors, Markings, Anatomy, Braiding, Ageing by Teeth, and much, much more!
10:45 - 11:30 am	Riding Lesson for Group 2 - In the morning lesson - Safety, Fun and Equitation Skills are practiced All About Horses for Group 1 - Campers are taught the History of the Horse, Horse Care, Breeds, Colors, Markings, Anatomy, Grooming & Braiding, Ageing by Teeth, and much, much more!
11:30 - Noon	Cool Out Horses & Tack Cleaning - Horses from Lessons are allowed to cool down, washed & put away. Campers clean their saddles and bridles
Noon - 12:30 pm	Lunch - A mid-day retreat for nourishment in our air-conditioned Camp Headquarters
12:30 - 12:45 pm	Groom & Tack - Campers groom & tack horses in preparation for the afternoon lessons
12:45 - 1:30 pm	"Games on Horseback" for Group 1 - The afternoon Riding Session concentrates on really fun activities with names like - "Pole Bending", "Simon Says", "Trail Riding", "Apple Bobbing", "Flower Folly", "Water Relay" and many more! Movies / Camp Week Banner for Group 2 - Monday & Wednesday we'll be watching short horse theme & instructional videos in PHC's air-conditioned lounge above the Main Arena from which the games in progress may also be viewed. Tuesday & Thursday is dedicated to working on a group banner to display during the Friday afternoon Horse Show
1:30 - 2:15 pm	"Games on Horseback" for Group 2 - The afternoon Riding Session concentrates on really fun activities with names like - "Pole Bending", "Simon Says", "Trail Riding", "Apple Bobbing", "Flower Folly", "Water Relay" and many more! Movies / Camp Week Banner for Group 1 - Monday & Wednesday we'll be watching short horse theme & instructional videos in PHC's air-conditioned lounge above the Main Arena from which the games in progress may also be viewed. Tuesday & Thursday is dedicated to working on a group banner to display during the Friday afternoon Horse Show
2:15 - 2:45 pm	Cool Out Horses & Tack Cleaning - Horses from Lessons are allowed to cool down, be washed & put away. Plenty of wet water fun to cool off by for horses and Campers. Following the cool down, Campers clean their saddles and bridles
2:45 - 3:00 pm	Afternoon Snack Break - Bring your own snack or purchase something from the vending machines
3:00 - 3:30 pm	Arts & Crafts - Creative Fun in Our air-conditioned Camp Headquarters
3:30 - 4:00 pm	Team Challenge - Based upon the morning's "All About Horses" instruction, Campers test their knowledge in a fun & friendly challenge while earning points & prizes for their team.
4:00 - 6:00 pm	Late Pickup - Campers are supervised by Staff until picked up as late as 6:00 pm

7:00 - 9:00 am	Early Drop Off - Campers are supervised by Staff until the Camp day begins
9:00 - 9:15 am	Roll Call & Announcements - "Buddy" & Horse Assignments, Name Tags, and General Announcements
9:15 - 9:45 am	Groom & Tack - Buddies groom & tack their horse together with Staff instruction & supervision
9:45 - 10:00 am	Morning Snack Break - Bring your own snack or purchase something from the vending machines
10:00 - 10:45 am	Riding Lesson for Group 1 - In the morning lesson - Safety, Fun and Equitation Skills are practiced All About Horses for Group 2 - Campers are taught the History of the Horse, Horse Care, Breeds, Colors, Markings, Anatomy, Grooming & Braiding, Ageing by Teeth, and much, much more!
10:45 - 11:30 am	Riding Lesson for Group 2 - In the morning lesson - Safety, Fun and Equitation Skills are practiced All About Horses for Group 1 - Campers are taught the History of the Horse, Horse Care, Breeds, Colors, Markings, Anatomy, Grooming & Braiding, Ageing by Teeth, and much, much more!
11:30 - Noon	Cool Out Horses & Tack Cleaning - Horses from lessons are allowed to cool down, washed & put away. Campers clean their saddles and bridles
Noon - 12:30 pm	Lunch - A mid-day retreat for nourishment in our air-conditioned Camp Headquarters
12:30 - 1:15 pm	Groom, Braid & Tack - Campers groom & tack horses in preparation for the afternoon HORSE SHOW!
1:15 - 1:30 pm	Final Preparations and Mount for the HORSE SHOW!
1:30 - 2:30 pm	It's Show Time - Campers strut their stuff, proudly displaying the skills they learned during the week's lessons to their Family & Friends in the spectator's bleachers of the Main Arena
2:30 - 3:00 pm	Cool Out Horses & Tack Cleaning - Horses from Lessons are allowed to cool down, be washed & put away. Family and Friends get an opportunity to see Campers handling their mounts and equipment
3:00 - 4:00 pm	Weekly After-Show Camp Party - Campers, Counselors, Family & Friends are all invited to celebrate the week's fun and results of the Camp Show in our air-conditioned Camp Headquarters. Potomac Horse Center supplies the soft drinks - Families are encouraged to bring something like cakes, cookies, carrots... or your alternate choice of snack item to share with the group.
4:00 - 6:00 pm	Late Pickup - Campers are supervised by Staff until picked up as late as 6:00 pm

Lunch
We recommend that students bring their lunch in a cooler. Lunches may also be kept in our Camp Headquarters refrigerator. Cold drinks and snacks are available from the vending machines and free drinking water is always available from our WSSC supplied drinking fountain at all times.

Equipment
It is required that campers use an ASTM/SEI approved helmet, boots with a 1/2 inch heel and appropriate long pants for riding lessons. PHC provides helmets for each Camper. We encourage the students to bring in sneakers, shorts and bathing suits for other activities. For safety's sake! - no child will be allowed to ride a horse in sneakers and/or shorts.

Terms
It's quite easy to reserve your place in camp. First step is to come to the office or call 301-208-0200 to inquire if your week of choice is still available, if so - you may reserve your place with a cash, check or credit card registration fee payment of $100.00 per week of camp enrollment.

Before May 1st, the balance of your tuition is due by April 30th. After May 1st, the balance of your tuition is due within 10 days of payment of the registration fee. If you're present in the office, we'll complete your Camp Participation Agreement with you on the spot - if you've made your reservation and deposit by phone, we'll mail you the Agreement within 24 hours and you may complete it and mail it back with a check or credit card payment information. Reservations within 10 days of the beginning of the first week of camp are to be paid in full at the time of registration.

If a cancellation occurs after May 1st the $100.00 registration fee may not be refunded. If you've paid in full and must cancel your reservation between May 1st and the start of week #1 of the Camp Session, we will refund all except the $100.00 registration fee. After the start of week #1, refund less registration fee(s) will only be allowed with a legitimate treating Medical Doctor's note subject to our confirmation and administrative acceptance. Families with more than one Camper enrolled must complete a Camp Participation Agreement for each Camper.

Session tuition (with multiple week discounts deducted)

1 week session = $525.00 4 week session = $2,050.00 8 week session = $4,050.00

2 week session = $1,050.00 5 week session = $2,550.00 9 week session = $4,550.00

3 week session = $1,550.00 6 week session = $3,050.00 10 week session = $5,050.00

7 week session = $3,550.00

Discounts
Sibling discounts are offered at the rate of 5% for the first additional sibling and 10% for the second or more additional sibling. Multiple week discount (already factored into the above table) is available at $25 per week applied to the third through tenth week enrolled.

Health
All campers must have their Medical Doctor's approval that the Camper is in good health and may participate in all camp activities. The Maryland Department of Health requires complete immunization records for any Camper not currently enrolled in a Maryland school or exercising the right to an exemption from immunization on medical or religious grounds. We may not allow a Camper to join the program without the required health information submitted prior to the first day of camp! The MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE IMMUNIZATION CERTIFICATE (DHMH Form 896) is available on the web here.

Releases
A Liability Waiver is included in our Camp Participation Agreement and must be completed by a Parent or Legal Guardian as a part of the sales agreement pursuant to our Terms stated above. The information stated on this webpage, as well as in the downloadable Camp Brochure, are an abbreviated version of the actual PHC Summer Camp Participation Agreement and Liability Release, which must be completed in full prior to acceptance in the program.

Questions?
We're here to answer them anytime from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday - Friday & 9:00 am to 5 pm Saturday & Sunday. Phone 301-208-0200 and we'll be happy to help you.