Hi Mom and Dad!

This post is for a mom and dad who wants to see their daughter's lovely face. They are wondering if I will give them a glimpse of her in a group shot. Well, I'll go one better and give you folks a photo of your daughter cracking up in the round ring. You can see we were having a good laugh.

When I heard you were interested in seeing your camper, I recalled a morning when I was trying very hard to get photos. The wind was blowing. It was raining off and on. The horses were not wanting to stand still long enough to make a photo possible. It was one of those days when I almost put my camera away, but then I encountered Rachael.

She was working with a horse named Sunrise and Sunrise was standing very still. In fact, I think Sunrise was sleeping as she awaited the start of her lesson or she was still waiting for the long overdue sun to rise. I know that was bad. Fact of the matter was that Sunrise wouldn't perk her ears up. No matter what we tried, Sunrise stood there droopy as all get out. I think she's on the same page with Mother Nature!

So Rachael with her good sense of humor tried to stand Sunrise's ears up straight. Every time she stood them up, the ears would droop once again. We got to laughing so hard that then I couldn't hold the camera still enough to take a decent picture. We managed this one though. Not the best but it gives you a head shot of your lovely lady with one of the horses she rode.

Anyway, here is laughing Rachael and sleeping Sunrise. Enjoy the photo, Mom and Dad. Glad to be able to say 'hello' across the internet.

Wet Summer

A wet summer has its up times and its down times. Right off the top, I would say things are definitely up when the sun shines. My goodness! How we appreciate the sun and blue sky whenever it graces us with its presence. In fact, genuine, sunny, warm, blue-sky days almost make us believe that summer has finally arrived!

We have been fortunate that the onslaught of rain has developed fairly good timing. It comes when we sleep at night, during mealtime or rest hour. Reality is there's always enough of this heavy dew to make sure our clothes and beds never really feel dry. Just imagine how your sons and daughters will appreciate you and home when they return.

Only one day have we needed to alter the riding program because torrents of rain about flooded us out of ride times. And because we are a democracy here, we voted as a camp about what to do with the day. You'll never guess what the kids decided to do (or maybe you can by looking at the photos in this blog post).

In the morning, campers and staff decided to rotate in and out of practical, educational classes teaching horsemanship terms, horse breeds, colors and markings, horse parts, safety and diseases. That kept everyone in touch with what we were here for: horses and learning.

Then group games were played as the rains continued, but then the sun peeked through and in the afternoon, those who wanted to ride, rode. Others opted for slopping around in the water and mud on the front lawn of the lodge, and slop they did.

Mud was everywhere because the ground was so saturated with the nearly 3 inches of rain that dumped itself on us and into our lake. So kids being kids made the best of it. You would think they'd been given a trip to the concert of their dreams. The screeches and cheers of absolute glee were beyond any description I could give you here.

I can't resist sharing a few photos with you of muddy encounters with our very natural world. Campers and staff played mud football and mud frisbee. They slid in mud and rolled in it and giggled with each other like this was the best thing that ever happened. Together they certainly made a grungy day into a treasure.

The front lawn of the camp lodge will never be quite the same. Buckets of water added more slurp to the slop and inspired water wars. Kids spontaneously offered up belly laughs about their out-of-the-oridinary mud experience, totally uninhibited about whether their nails were done or their hair was perfectly curled.

Others who are more sensible and like to stay clean of course thought the kids were crazy silly. I might laughingly count myself in that group. The Hill Moms were kind enough to take these wonderful photos for me. I can't take credit for them. They were bold and brave and got in the mix right with the kids. My hat is off to them for their courage and willingness to share the mud.

So laugh and cringe and say yuck as you look at the pictures. What I will tell you interestingly is that everyone was neat and clean again for supper at night. Of course, the water in the camp lodge was totally drained because so many showers were taken.

We had to wait to do supper dishes until the water supply recovered. That was no problem though. Things were back to normal within an hour because our water supply this summer is never-ending. I will say we laughed at supper about the afternoon, sharing mud stories that will go down in our history books as this being the best day of camp ever.

P.S. As a footnote I will add that later in the week a tornado touched down half an hour north of us. We never had rain or hail that day, only sunshine. Wierd weather. Go figure.

Camp Friends

The dictionary tells us a friend is a person whom one knows well and likes. Interesting wording that Mr. Webster gives us for what a friend is: a person one knows well and likes. Makes me wonder whether Mr. Webster would expand his definition if he was part of the Sprucelands Camp experience. I see instant, spontaneous friends happening here and it has nothing to do with knowing each other well.

There are of course additional listings in the big book of words for 'friend'. A second definition says that a friend is a person on the same side in a struggle, an ally; a third says: a person who helps or supports something - like a friend of the working class.

I read these definitions of friend and then I walk around our 120 acre camp with its main lodge, sleeping cabins, small lake, wooded hillsides, horse pastures and trails, indoor riding arena and barns. There are friends everywhere walking two by two, sitting in small groups, or participating in shared chores before their morning instructional classes begin.

Young people are here from all around the world: Rumania, Russia, France, Norway, Ireland, the United States and Poland. None of these campers have known each other before. They quite simply found us in an internet search and chose themselves into this English horseback riding camp so they could learn about safe horsemanship and riding.

Within a matter of minutes or hours of settling into cabins on their Opening Day, an unexplainable chemistry draws our campers together: a smile, a look, a word, acknowledgement of long journeys, a shared love for horses. There is always something to talk about especially the excitement about the horses at the barn and what their goals are for skills they want to learn.

It is our hope that there are no walls here. There is laughter and learning, listening and hugs, giggles at nighttime, and celebration over successful rides on the horse they are assigned. Doesn't mean there aren't frustrations to work through. That too is part of the learning process after all. Life has its challenges. We share them here so handling of those challenges turns them into a meaningful life lesson.

Now after weeks of camping in a cabin in the woods these campers - girls and boys alike -are bonded for life and because of the internet will most likely stay connected for years and years. What Mr. Webster fails to define in his big book of words is how friendship happens. Does one automatically know a friend well? What is the friendship process? Is there common ground that friends share? Did they know each other in a previous life? How would he explain the chemistry, the overwhelming acceptance for differences, and the tremendous need that kids have to talk and listen about stresses in the world out there?

I will say that the second definition of friend is tested here at horse camp. There are struggles. Some campers struggle with homesickness and because they allow other campers into their struggle, they make it through their camp time and they grow. They become more confident, independent souls, ready to tackle the world, knowing full well that they couldn't have made it through their time without friends. When parents come to pick them up, they walk taller and stand straighter because they did it. They made it through because someone took time to listen.

Venturing from Opening Day to their Closing Horse Show, campers look back and realize they benefited from the Sprucelands opportunity. They expanded their list of real friends, friends who allow them to be the genuine person they are, and they connected with horses, dogs and cats who are as accepting a friend as they'll ever want.

The third definition of a friend is something I appreciate over time. A friend is a person who helps or supports something - like being a friend to the working class. As their camp director, I realize that campers and staff who truly immerse themselves in the horse camp experience at Sprucelands are not only forever friends, they are also long time supporters of our camp and its back-to-the-basics energized spirit that inspires young people to think positively about themselves and others.

The best part is how wonderfully and naturally these young people spread that positive spirit to others. During their camp time, they make a difference to each other and then they leave camp behind knowing they have experienced something very special.

Catching the spirit here helps campers bloom and grow. They practice feeling good about themselves. They work at goals and ask questions like "What makes sense?" Then they return to real-world stresses ready to speak up for themselves and from time to time reach outside their comfort zone. Who knows? Perhaps with a smile, a kind word, or a caring hug they just might connect with another young person who could literally share common ground and in a moment become their friend.

Indescribable Moments

Every once in a while I discover a photo moment that captures the essence of our horse program. I like sharing those photos with you because they are priceless. There are no words. They make you pause and sigh.

I know all the literature about Sprucelands talks about how we are a skills-oriented program, and we are. The same literature shares that we teach a combined seat - dressage, jumping and trails - and we do.

What is hard to describe in our literature are the feelings the kids share with their horses. Often I hear them talking to their horse like the horse is their absolute best friend.

In the photo above, Hope is waiting for her lesson to start. There is confusion in the barn parking lot as a trail ride returns, but that doesn't matter to Hope because she is catching an intimate moment with her new best friend, Thunder. For Hope, time is standing still inside all that confusion and I wonder how I can put moments like these into a brochure.

There are other times at camp when I watch riders discover a magical connection with a horse. Camp may not be what they had hoped it would be. They are missing the beat of our camp spirit and raise questions about why Sprucelands is special. And then suddenly they connect with a horse that is just right for them. Their rides are fulfilling. The chemistry is there. They open themselves up, let us into their world and the camp experience becomes positive. Again I wonder how to explain that process in camp literature.

I know I can speak for the Sprucelands riding program and staff. We have a sensitive group of instructors that work day and night to keep their fingers on the pulse of riders, sometimes making horse/rider matches that are questionable.

Sometimes we go out on a limb, put a rider with a horse that no other camper loves, and then miracle of miracles that particular horse is the magical combination. In other situations, we challenge a rider with a horse that doesn't always do what you want it to do and suddenly the rider is more confident than ever. Subtle life lessons happen that once again are hard to describe in any literature that promotes Sprucelands.

So with this post I connect you the reader with moments I can't explain in brochures. I will say we are what we say we are - rustic, skills-oriented, with a non-competitive, family atmosphere - and we share a unique spirit that for many makes a difference in who they are and what they will become. We invest in our campers believing in our hearts that Sprucelands is a magical place because we are building tomorrow.

Whacky Wednesday 3rd Session

So every week during our Seussical summer we have Whacky Wednesday. I must admit I am amazed that the kids can come up with such 'out-there' costumes for the day. I think they mix and match all their wildest colors and 'ta dah', you have it. Then they walk the tennis court runway and what you see is what you get. In their Dr. Seuss imaginations this fashion show is almost the real thing. LOL

I'll put a variety of photos in this post so you can see some of their creativity. Whacky Wednesdays are always fun because there are things happening in camp that are different from any other day. This summer we have served green eggs and ham on Whacky Wednesday. Sometimes there are clever crafts in the Nart Room or silly games on the courts. Whatever. Anything that brings the kids back to the basics of imaginative fun is game for the day.

I enjoy watching the kids come out of themselves. I call it blossoming. It's definitely a process that is so like a new flower bursting through the earth, reaching for the sun, and then thrusting itself confidently for all to see its glory.

On Opening Day families check their sons and daughters into camp. Parents warn me that their camper is shy and they request that I watch them carefully.

Well...I keep an eye but I quickly notice that when the kids realize they are accepted for expressing themselves in ways like Whacky Wednesday, they are not shy. They don their wares and become as outrageously goofy as all of camp. It's like whacky is the norm! It's like playing dress up is perfectly okay!

Many campers try on new behaviors at Sprucelands. What better place to experiment. It's easier here at camp to see what happens with asserting yourself more or being kinder or taking initiative or laughing loudly or engaging any behavior you are afraid to experiment with at home. Fact is that we give each other helpful feedback, feedback much more genuine than what sneaks into a school setting.

Shy campers for example often get positive feedback for speaking up. Even the horses get in on the act because they won't move unless the kids assert themselves. Before you know it, riders are talking to their horses and making them do what they want them to do. Best part of that is the horses listen and then respond. A light goes on. The kids discover they in fact have some power and it's all up hill from there. Amazing.

Everyone at Sprucelands gets feedback across the summer. One way or another that feedback is beneficial. Even I get data from the campers and staff that is helpful. Our camp is a wonderful arena for individual growth.

If you haven't seen your camper in the photos above, then perhaps you'll get a glimpse of our Whacky Wednesday costumes here. I am unsure this picture captures the full effect of our whackiness, but I do think Dr. Seuss would be proud that we are having as much fun as we are with his clever rhymes and creative characters. Thank you, Dr. Seuss!

Day-to-day Dedication

Something very special happens at Sprucelands. It is a connection between rider and horse that is often surprising. Horses that in the winter time won't give me the time of day because they'd rather be outside playing with their buddies will stand still and let pretty girls and handsome boys pamper them.

The kids comb and braid manes and tails. They brush until the horses sparkle and then lazily fall asleep.

Many riders whisper sweet nothings in their horse's ear and the horse looks at them with sweet sappy eyes that say, "Just keep on grooming me and I'll do anything you want." Makes me laugh.

One of my Hill Moms is a beautician by trade. She is wonderful with the kids. This last week she inspired a Horsey Spa at the barn. I know Fella was one of the horses lucky enough to benefit from the sudsy bath, grooming, and then eating grass and drying at the end of a lead line.

The younger girls were in a tizzy about their Horsey Spa project which in fact was a great success. You can see a few of them here after their investment of soap and water. Fella - a 30 year old wonder - is in his glory. "Just let me eat this clover while you pose for pictures" is his cooperative refrain.

Besides all that goes with grooming horses here at camp, there are tasks like feeding, cleaning stalls and then putting tools away and raking the aisles. The kids quickly discover there is a lot involved with horse care. Should they ever have a horse of their own, they will be well versed in the safety and responsibilities involved with day-to-day horse maintenance.

From time to time I pose a question to those who have just completed their stall cleaning, grooming and tacking up, "Do you still want a horse of your own?" With hay in their hair, mud on their feet, sweat dripping down their brow, and horse hair and dirt on their t-shirt and jeans, they sigh and then dreamily respond with, "Are you kidding? I'll always want a horse of my own." I laugh and continue to watch the kids as they love, pat and hug their horse friends. Their heartfelt dedication is amazing.

Now you would think it was just the girls who feel that love for horses. Surprisingly, it's often the boys who are ready to pursue the horse experience. In reality, it's all about connection. Like the age old saying goes, "There's something about the soul of a horse that is good for the soul of a man." Of course, all my girls here at camp would add, "...and woman."

Dr. Seuss Opens Third Session

Over the weekend, Counselors, CITs and Senior Staff cleaned and slept, evaluated the first half of the summer and slept, rearranged cabins, donned their Dr. Seuss t-shirts, put on their nametags, and pulled out the Cat-in-the-Hat hats. They were ready and waiting for the exciting new session to begin.

Tours were given to new campers on Sunday afternoon so they felt comfortable with finding their way around camp. Rider evaluations lasted until suppertime. Parents said their goodbyes. Cabins were settled, and then everyone gathered outside the lodge for supper, eager and enthusiastic for good food and fun.

I had to laugh. Miranda and Anna did 'the bucket talk' at supper. Miranda wore her Mexican hat just to spice things up. Then we introduced 'thank yous', talked about the upcoming evening program, and sang. Of course we did Ra-ta-dah-dah. You know we always do that song at our first meal, and the rhythmic clap. Ready? 1-2-3-4, 1-2/1-2... Some of the new campers seemed shy but I think they caught the spirit of Dr. Seuss: If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.

Evening program was planned by the Counselors. Great evening program. First, they broke campers into four groups. Campers and staff in each group introduced themselves to their small group, telling something interesting or surprising that they were willing to share with all of camp. Then each small group stood and individual group members introduced the person on their left. Some were shy but most were curious about their fellow campers and responded with interest to funny and factual shared tidbits.

I took a few photos with the kids waving 'hi' to you folks at home. Thought you parents would enjoy getting a greeting right off the bat. I like for you to feel like you've got a window into what's happening here. So I do my best to capture the fun. I hope you'll stay up with the blog so you can feel like you're right her with us.

Anyway after all the introductions, the game 'Common Ground' was played. The group gathered in a big circle. Each camper, CIT or Counselor stood behind a small piece of paper that rested in front of their feet. There was of course one less piece of paper than the members in the circle.

One indivdual stood in the middle of the circle by saying, "You share common ground with me if..." and then a fact was stated. Example: "You share common ground with me if you like to read" or "You share common ground with me if you hate spaghetti". Those who shared that common ground were required to leave their space and run across the circle to a spot behind a different piece of paper. So things got pretty mixed up and within a very short time, the ice was broken so to speak. Campers were discovering each other...and the session was on its way.

To close every single evening program we come together in a huge circle, cross our arms in front of us and hold hands with a person on the left and the right. We then sing three goodnight songs and think for a moment on the day we have shared. This closing unifies us in the spirit for which Sprucelands is famous and sets a tone for the weeks ahead:

It is better to light just one little candle

Than to stumble in the dark;

Better far that we light just one little candle

All we need's a tiny, tiny spark;

If we all say a prayer,

that the world would be free,

The wonderful dawn of a new day we'd see;

Yes, if everyone lit just one little candle,

What a bright world this would be.

Horse Show 2nd Session

We ended the second session 2009 with a horse show that was pleasant and fun. I was thrilled with watching the kids because they were determined to show the horse show judges what they had learned during their camp time.

What we do at our shows is different from shows other places. At Sprucelands each rider completes a horse show sheet. It gives the rider an opportunity to tell the judges what they want to be judged on. In other words, if they have worked to master a riding skill like posting or cantering or jumping, they may request to be judged on that skill and the judges write feedback comments on the individual rider horse show sheets.

When each rider is finished with their class, they pick up their horse show sheets and benefit from the written feedback given by the judges. It's a wonderful way to grow through a horse show experience. There isn't the cut-throat competitive feeling that accompanies many shows. It's instead very supportive and each rider gets recognized for their hard work and learning.

Our little people made quite a show on Saturday. Jade on the left is riding Thunder. She does so well, especially as she steers on her own. I get a kick out of how hard she concentrates on the task at hand. This is one serious girl when it comes to riding in a show. She is very proud of her progress. Saturday, Jade was an excellent example of what Dr. Seuss promotes in his writings: You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose. Steer, Jade did, and she did it well.

Hayley rode Fella. She was very much in charge of her horse, steering on her own and confident that he was going to abide by what she directed him to do. Hayley in fact earned a blue ribbon. I'll never forget the surprised look on her face when she realized she and Fella did so well.

We all love Fella because he is so good at giving the kids a good ride in a show. He is also wonderful at being a co-teacher with the riding instructor; he helps the kids feel what they need to feel in the saddle. He keeps them balanced and stays on the rail, stopping and starting at just the right moments. His timing is impeccable. He is a good friend and partner to the rider. I know Hayley had the ride of her life.

As I mingle with parents, I am a proud camp director, carrying my camera to capture riders in progress. Watching them is pure joy. I also love the lingering spirit that connects us all together after weeks of camp filled with laughter, hard work, and thoughtful talk.

The kids walk together with elbows locked like they'll never let go of each other. It's as if they want to hang on to the friendship they enjoyed during their camp time. Chatter is everywhere as moms and dads patiently hear about camp programs and trail rides and horses.

I notice parents, especially as their rider takes a turn in the ring. Like me many prepare to snap the best photos ever. They line the fence to support and cheer on their camper. Some chew their nails!

What many don't realize is how well we have laid groundwork for their child's ride. Their sons and daughters understand how the show gives them an assessment of their progress. It's not so much about the competition. It's more about a confident ride using skills they practiced over and over again. It's about putting their knowledge to the test and succeeding.

I love watching my wonderful staff celebrate with the kids over a good ride. They are walking tired as am I, but they know in their heart of hearts that such moments are 'a high' for the kids to be stored eternally in their camp memory bank. To this day I hear from past campers who can tell me stories of their horse show experience years ago. They recall the details of their day, and wistfully they tear up, remembering barn and saddle smells as well as friends and of course the horse that carried them safely to victory.

Jade and Hayley rode well as did each and every Sprucelands rider. Tears were shed as goodbye hugs and 'high 5's' were exchanged. Lots of talk about next year's plans seeped into conversations at the Village Pub, and as I sat listening to the chatter and sad partings, I quietly recalled another of Dr. Seuss's quotes: Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. And now I want to add: To be continued in 2010.

Serious Happenings

While Sprucelands is all about fun, imagination, and silly stuff, there is also a serious side. I've spent my blog posts on the craziness of our Dr. Seuss programs. There has been tons of laughter and that's good for the soul. It builds spirit, helps us heal from stressful school years, and gets us in touch with the freedom of being a kid again, something everyone should enjoy from time to time. But there is also a serious side to what we do here. We talk, listen, share, reflect and hear what each other has to offer.

Here is one example. The Counselors in Training run Vespers every other Sunday evening. That means we gather around a campfire and they present a program around a theme which they pick. This is all part of their leadership training. They brainstorm about the theme they choose selecting music, designing discussion questions and arranging activities to complement whatever point they want to make. I'm always inspired by the discussions that happen under their leadership and often they are inspired as well.

Last Sunday we had vespers up on boys hill. A new fire circle was built there in the spring by our clinic helpers. After a huge tree came down during the winter, a wider area was available for campfires. So we celebrated last Sunday with vespers there. I liked that because it gave our clinic helpers an opportunity to see the benefits of their hard work project.

Anyway, the theme for vespers was teamwork. The CITs involved us all when they asked us to stand, join hands, and then pass a hula hoop around the entire circle without breaking hands. It was an excellent illustration of teamwork. A second activity broke us into groups. Each group put their hands into the center of their smaller circle, joined them, and created instantly a human knot. The task: to untangle your knot. Definitely a teamwork exercise.

I am impressed by what our young people are doing here. By getting away from their machines at home, they are in fact back to the basics. Sitting quietly around a campfire, sharing music and talk brings us together into an awareness that most are dealing with similar growing up issues. Our perspectives may vary. Optimism, idealism and dreams are alive and well. The kids are gaining insights as they listen and learn from others and in the process, they are having fun.

I know we're making a difference here. Recently, I heard from a past camper/CIT/Counselor. She is returning this year as an adult Hill Parent and I am thrilled. On her job description she wrote these words: "...not a day passes that I do not reflect on my Sprucelands Experience...my biggest educational decision was made based on how I felt about camp...I realized then that what humans (of all ages) do during their recreation time is not merely stress relief. It often challenges, frustrates, relaxes, changes, and/or solidifies who we are or who we would like to be. Fun Matters."

She continues: "...I'm inspired somuch by how children aren't afraid to ask the tough questions. Children set a wonderful example that life is about learning something new. I strive to not only take care in how I answer the questions asked to me by children or adults, but also reflect on what knowledge I have and what I have yet to learn."

So Sprucelands adds to the foundation each camper brings with them to camp. Sprucelands is one or two more rocks inserted into that foundation for life ahead. The house that eventually is constructed on that base will be strong because Sprucelands gives kids permission to learn and grow and blossom, and we all benefit.

Wierd and Original

What can I say? We had another Whacky Wednesday this last week complete with wierd outfits and wiggling struts down the tennis court runway!

The kids are amazing. They can come up with what my grandmother used to call 'getups'. Didn't matter how outlandish they were. The brighter and stranger, the better. Each and every one of them was decked out and ready to impress our Sprucelands clan with their originality.

Some were proud. Some were freaky. Others were bold. I was amazed at how quiet campers came out of themselves on Whacky Wednesday. Any parent out there who is worried about their shy children can relax. No one is shy here for very long.

Of course, after having green eggs and ham for breakfast this week, nothing would surprise you. Because it's Anything Dr. Seuss, the door is open to adventure and fun. Even the boys were strutting their stuff in unique and amazingly clever ways. I so wish you could have been here to watch. Makes for memories the kids will remember for years. They are exercising their creative streak and enjoying every minute.

After the fashion show at the court, there were games, all kinds of games. One interesting activity happened when the group was broken in half and alphabet letters were laid on the ground for group members to access. Then five or six at a time scurried to the letters to spell a given word. It was all about speed.

The first group with the word spelled correctly earned points. This game was definitely a team effort.

Often the kids would get very serious as they listened to the word and then as a group tried to spell it. That was when I'd laugh because some would debate the correct spelling of the word. Of course, who could really keep a straight face what with the costumes entertaining us all!

Downunder Training

Lia has a new project. Lia is an eight week camper who likes challenges. She also loves Casper and wants to see him be a more useable pony. He is fun to ride but adopts a 'pony attitude' when it comes to bridle time because he doesn't appreciate people touching his ears.

So Kristin and Alie are schooling Lia in Clinton Anderson's Downunder Training Techniques for horses and ponies. They are having great success and Casper is back to college getting educated in basic 'social skills for behaving during bridling'.

Kristin and Alie worked magic with Sunrise, a horse they took home for the winter two years ago. Sunrise has managed herself really well since her educational winter with Clinton Anderson techniques. She learned to accept anything and be comfortable around obstacles, machinery, and

even those unexpected surprises that pop up on a farm or at a horse show. Sunrise has become one of the prize rides at camp. The training made a huge difference.

So Lia is working along with Alie and Kristin. Gradually she is becoming comfortable with the principles of the approach to training. She is learning how to use the wand and long rope, and she is becoming quite expert at how to make Casper move away from her and around her.

It's fun to see the progress. Lia actually succeeded at getting Casper to accept the bridle the other day. She mounted and rode him just

fine. So this training and a few treats here and there are making Casper into a socially proper gentleman in the Sprucelands riding program.

Hurray for Lia! What an experience. Of course, that is what Sprucelands is all about, learning new things and then passing what you know on to others. That's what Alie and Kristin have been doing.

And when you are an Accelerated Horsemaster like Lia, there are opportunities like this that evolve to make the horsemanship experience very rich. I so wish I'd had the same chances as a kid. Guess I still am a kid because I continue to learn too and that learning is awesome.

Seussical Summertime

I hear from so many past campers about missing Sprucelands. They ask how things are here, often reflecting on memories while riding, times at the barn, walks down the Al Capone trail, canoeing or kyaking lakeside. So I decided to include a few summer photos during our Dr. Seuss summer.

While we have had some humdinger thunderstorms from time to time, there have been sunny days when we want to reach our arms to the sky and spin in circles just because the warm weather feels so darn good. It has actually been chillier than usual as summers go in these parts. That makes for terrific sleeping, wonderful riding, and fewer bugs. In my book, chilly has its benefits.

When we get the sunshine and temps worthy of water balloons and sloshes on the slippery slide, life is definitely good. To lay on a towel and gaze freely at the clouds is an escape that means there's nothing more pressing than figuring out what animal shape is in the puffy white clouds, precious moments lacking in our lives today. We treasure them here at Sprucelands and lovingly insert them into our summertime scrapbook when they come our way.

The barn is busy with riding classes in all rings. As instructors we are teaching creative lessons so our riders are learning balance and position on the flat and over jumps.

All level riders challenge us to stretch our instructional techniques. It's great though because variety is the spice of life no matter whether it's in jumping, dressage or trails. I join Jaime, Tarrah, Julie, Emily, and Alison on the instructional team. Others are learning to be instructors and are doing really well.

I have to add that our riding classes all have Dr. Seuss names. Keeps the theme active in the barn program and makes riders less conscious of what level they are riding. Here are examples of our classes: Mouse in a House, Yertle the Turtle, Sneeches on Beaches, Fishes in Dishes, Gink with a Skink, Sam I Am, Hop on Pop, Schlopp with a Cherry on Top, and Fox in Socks. Fun? Yup, for everyone. How can you not have an open mind and be ready to learn!

Trail rides are my favorite of course. I've always been the trail ride champion because riding trails gets each rider in touch with what they really know. They discover how much they trust their horse and their instructor while exercising everything learned in the ring. To my way of thinking often riding in the ring is like staying in a playpen until you're ready to explore the world and when you start exploring the world, the adventures are endless.

We have been taking out a few low level trail rides. In our program spotters walk along sidebeginner riders so we are sure they have support with their starting, stopping, and steering. Spotters I will add have heart. They see their rider as if it was them when they were beginning to ride. With that frame of reference, their patience extends from the barn and back again, the kids learn well, and everyone is invested in giving confidence to both rider and horse.

I love watching the kids faces when they return from their ride. My gosh! You would think they just discovered chocolate ice cream. Actually, they smile with the same smile I have seen on my son after he went skydiving the first time. It's a mixture of awe and "I don't believe I just did that and survived". Those smiles highlight the day in a magical Seussical way.

Fun in Tag Time

Evening programs continue to be active. I sit on the sidelines and take pictures because I just can't keep up with the running anymore. Guess that dates me. I do remember way back when I loved to play tag. Now I watch the kids and wonder how I ever had that much energy!

Dr. Seuss has infiltrated all programs. Themes from his books sneak in everywhere and throughout the day quotes from his writings tap us on the shoulder to make us think about the best we can be.

Well, Tuesday evening the kids had a chance to be the best they could be as they played all kinds of tag. The picture above shows them linked in pairs at the elbow. Someone is 'it'. Actually, I think two or three people were 'it'. They ran around the field, linked elbows with one member of

the pair, and that meant the other one had to run and find a new buddy. So partners changed

continuously and the kids laughed themselves silly.

Another version of tag was a bit challenging. Whenever a person was tagged, they had to drop and make like a bridge for another person to crawl under. There were campers all over the field looking like bridges. They couldn't be 'freed' until someone crawled under them. It was actually an interesting way to get the kids doing an abridged version of what looked like push-ups.

Before the evening ended, there was blog tag. One or two kids were 'it'. Each one tagged another camper and then the two of them tagged another, each time adding the one they tagged to their group.

Gradually, the kids became huge 'blogs' running around the field trying to swallow up other groups and individuals. I've got to say they loved it. Much of the fun in this game was feeling included with the group. All ages and sizes joined together to be the last remaining 'blog'.

Dr. Seuss and his storybook characters must have joined us for this evening of crazy fun. I'm sure they were with us in spirit. Our cheering and laughing echoed across the field and into the woods. I wouldn't be surprised if all of Java Center heard us having the time of our lives.

Nice Mix of Ages

This session is a mix of camper ages. I love a mix of ages because magical things happen when older campers interact with younger campers. They come out of themselves as they sit and giggle together. In fact, the older campers shed their sophisticated skin and I see kids emerging that sit on the front lawn of the lodge and play with the younger campers.

Our energetic group of younger campers is giving camp a spark. They are so enthusiastic about what we do. Their eagerness to learn, sing, ride, play, giggle, and be creative is genuine and real. Always they ask what is coming next!

I love watching them interact with the older campers because they actually tap nurturing leadership skills in those older campers that sometimes surprise me. Fourteen and fifteen year

olds who may normally be quiet and retiring come out of their shell around those who are younger. It's fun to watch.

Above is Hailey and Jade on the Sit-and-Talk-Tire-Swing. They're becoming friends, and needless to say, they're keeping us on our toes. Both are a bundle of energy and enthusiasm. In fact, as they participate in the program, they bring a sense of humor and sometimes deep thought to what we are doing. The expressions on their faces make me smile.

I think these gals are pleasantly surprised that we like connecting with their inner child. This is

Matt and Hailey trying to figure out a plan for getting acquainted on the first evening of camp. Looks like they're scheming together...and Hailey is pretty curious about what is going on.

The girls have enjoyed riding. Hailey rides Fella; Jade rides Thunder. Both have spotters as they walk and trot in the ring, and until they're comfortable on their own, those same spotters accompany them on trail rides.

Lessons also school them in leading their horses on the ground and starting, stopping and steering. Each is becoming quite confident. Their balance is improving. I've noticed they sit taller and prouder as they find a new comfort zone with the horses and their instructors. I am amazed at the progress they are making.

With this blog we wanted to let moms and dads know that the girls are doing well. They've been

bragging a bit about their accomplishments. Here is Hailey riding Fella on her very first trail ride. It was quite an event. Hailey did really well.

Jade was just finishing up a lesson in the circular riding ring when I happened along. Of course, I wanted to take her photo so she could show you her horse, Thunder.

She is connecting nicely with Thunder

and doing well with her riding. I especially like how kind she is with Thunder. The two of them treat each other with respect and thoughtfulness, and that of course is the way it should be.

We have quite a number of young boys this session too. Just thought I'd focus on these two girls this time around because they are unique, curious, and okay with saying exactly what they think. Makes for many an interesting conversation and better than that, each day is a very, very big adventure.