Horseback Riding Feedback

One of the things I love about teaching riding is the satisfied look I see on the faces of my riders. They come eager for a lesson. Most anticipate a great ride even when they are a bit nervous.

With supervision, they groom and tack their horse. And as they walk into the riding arena, in their mind's eye, they see themselves as hard-working riders that want to be the best of the best, in control, balanced, and with a sensitivity for riding that makes them a partner to their horse.

I see that same satisfied, confident look on the faces of campers who come to Sprucelands summer camp. When they ride in their final horse show, it is fun to watch. Riders do everything in their power to prove to themselves that they made progress and they want to show mom and dad how much they have learned during their camp time.

Of course, our horse shows are different from others. Individual riders complete a horse show sheet. On that sheet, they indicate what they want to be judged on, outlining the skills they have practiced during their time at camp and electing specific skills for feedback from the horse show judges.

Often the skills our riders highlight are not those that parents might want to see. It may be they've chosen to be judged on posting on the correct diagonal or picking up the correct lead in a canter. It may be successfully staying on their horse over a small jump and something as simple as looking where they are going rather than looking at the ground.

Sometimes I hear parents disappointed. They are confused about why riders aren't doing more than they are doing. Some wonder why it doesn't look as though their camper hasn't made more progress. What they don't understand is how hard the kids work at consistency in their individual skills, and those very specific skills are what the kids have chosen to show the judges.

At the end of each horse show, campers may retrieve their horse show sheets from the judges so they have access to the written feedback. It's a great way to grow as an individual and a rider. Often it's not the ribbon that's so important. To the kids, those horse show sheets say it all.

Jake is a first time camper and rider at Sprucelands. He was unsure whether he would make it through his camptime without being homesick. Thinking about riding everyday was a bit overwhelming, but he developed a relationship with his horse that took him far beyond homesick. His daily lessons introduced him to how well he could stretch his learning and when it came time for the horse show, Jake was one of those riders with a confident smile from ear to ear.

I just wanted to say thanks to Jake for how hard he worked. He caught our Sprucelands spirit and I'm sure will spread it to others across the year. Congratulations, Jake! I'm so proud of you and your willingness to keep on learning. You look proud of you too, and that's the best part of all.

New Theme for 2010

Ta-dah! Guess this is it for the 2009 season. My 30th year at Sprucelands. The best yet. How you made me smile and laugh genuine belly laughs in a way that I haven't laughed for years.

I can't say enough about the spontaneous laughs we shared. And the positive feeling we enjoyed, each one of you contributed to that upbeat atmosphere. From the bottom of my heart, I say 'thanks for the memories'. I know that sounds corny, but it's real. Makes me realize I need to look for more humor in my days because laughing feels so good. Somehow it cleanses my soul.

From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere. Dr. Seuss

I want to say thanks to all my staff. They are so wonderful. Their hard work takes them far beyond what we campers know. They work in the artroom and the kitchen. Remember the pies? They tuck you into bed and make sure you wake up in the morning. They supervise attendance, come up with clever program ideas, hold hands, give hugs, tickle your fancy with spontaneous announcements, and inspire you to clean your cabins, be independent and use your imagination. Just think about Whacky Wednesday! That was a Hill Mom inspiration from Sue, our Hills Director. Whacky Wednesday I will never forget.

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try. Dr. Seuss

Anyway, the Hill Parents keep me on my toes. They challenge me to think and rethink and evaluate so Sprucelands is constantly improving. Already they have a little notebook started for 2010 with a list of tweaks from 2009 that they want to remember. Makes me smile.

I can't forget to mention how I love that the Hill Moms rattle my cage when it needs rattling and love me when I need loving. Best of all, they percolate the Sprucelands spirit all year long and then rekindle it again in the summer for all to enjoy.

I had a little extra Hill Mom happiness this summer when one of my campers from 17 years ago returned to camp as a Hill Parent. Sara had been a camper, a CIT and a Counselor. She found me on facebook and before we knew it, we made plans for her to be on the Hill staff this summer.

What fun it was to see her again. I felt as though I had a special connection because we shared so much in the past. Now here she was in my present, falling in love with Boomer again, and I think she went home knowing that the Sprucelands spirit never dies.

The last week of camp was busy. We had our talent show on Wednesday. Campers played the piano and sang and danced and performed clever skits. Kenny treated everyone to his sense of humor. On Thursday, we shared our Closing Ceremony. With singing, candles, poems, stories and more, we joined hearts to bid the Dr. Seuss season farewell.

I did something differently this year because I wanted to give campers and staff something they could hold in their hand. I laminated a 3" x 4" card and presented it to each individual at closing. This card is for hanging on your refrigerator or tacking onto your bedroom bulletin board.

One side of the card has a photo of Fella - our resident 'Skin Horse' - with the Sprucelands logo, address and phone number. The other side presents for you what we emphasized here at camp this summer. It is a reminder to keep practicing the Sprucelands spirit all year long as you move through your off season adventures in school and beyond. If you are a camper or staff member in an earlier session, let me know that you would like to receive one of these and I'll mail it this afternoon.

You're on your own, and you know what you know. And you will be the guy who'll decide where you'll go. Oh the places you'll go. Dr. Seuss

So now camp is done for the summer. Tarrah left Tuesday; Jaime left yesterday. I've been filling my time with hard work so I don't pause too long and think about missing you.

Actually, I think about you every minute of every day as I scrub the lodge kitchen, get new loads of hay into the barn, help with feedings, pour over end of the season paperwork, weed my garden (yes, I'm finally doing that), go blueberry picking (stocking up for the winter), even sleep. It's so quiet here...and already I'm dreaming about having fun with you all next year.

Of course that brings me to the theme for 2010. Those of us who were the last in camp had a bit of an informal business meeting. Ann-Marie was the representative Hill Mom. We hashed over theme ideas, the kind of hashing over things that happens at the end of camp.

Anyway because we wanted something to look forward to over the winter, there was a vote taken and we've chosen Finding Nemo as next summer's theme. We even asked the horses about it and you can see how enthusiastically they responded. Came running right in from the pasture to make their hooves heard. So Finding Nemo it is! And on that note, I leave you for today, looking forward to Nemo in 2010.

So you see! There's no end to the thing you might know, depending how far beyond Zebra you go. Dr. Seuss

Thank you, Dr. Seuss.

Kickball 4th Session

We have this amazing group of people at Sprucelands. What more can I say? Many are well-spirited staff members and CITs who have a heart of gold that swells to bursting when it comes time to play kickball. That's right. It's the highlight of every session.

Just announce we're going to have a kickball game and the cheers rise from all corners of the dining hall. Next thing I know, they're tye-dying tshirts and shouting 'assume the position' so they can look ferocious, overpowering and scary to their opposing team.

The opposing team is of course the campers: the mighty, mighty campers. And let me tell you those campers are pretty unnerving when you look at them. They give our staff and CITs a run for their money. I am amazed at their strength, their stamina, their agility and their sense of humor as they do whatever they can to stump the staff and win the game.

Now the staff rallies themselves. I will say that. Matt gets everyone to put their hands in the circle. There's a rousing cheer and then these 'old folks' spend time stretching with warm-up exercises. Routy jumping jacks let the campers know they mean business. Of course what the staff doesn't realize is how much they look like they need that warm-up. LOL Our campers are good sports though. They get in the spirit and before you know it, the game begins.

Different campers take turn pitching for their team. Subtly they eye the staff and roll the ball so the staff either misses it or boots it out of the park. It's a hoot. I laugh and snap photos as the kids run in for home runs amidst cheers and jeers from anyone and everyone. I just wish you could here the noise! It's better than any football or baseball game in any big stadium!

What is really flabergasting to the staffers is when a camper catches one of their high flying kicks. The ball is caught, everyone runs around celebrating the kicker, and the staffers forget to run. Next thing you know, there are two outs. What just happened? Surprise! Surprise!

Campers always feel as though they've pulled a fast one on the staff; staff members wink at each other and miss a catch or trip and fall. It's such fun to watch.

Suddenly the staff is back in the field and 'assume the position' rings out loud and clear. Everyone on the staff team squats down looking scary with one eye while they laugh with the other. Hannah above did some pitching for the camper team. She's calculating just what she's going to do next. Hmmm.

Meanwhile, Kenny and Emily are losing it to laughter as they hop up and down trying to distract the staffers. They're guarding our hoola hoop first base so no one can easily slide in or pick it up and run away with it.
As the kids wait their turn to kick, they keep abreast of what is happening out on the field. You can just imagine what is going on when you look at their faces.

The antics are ongoing. Matt and Andrew, Jaime and Julie, everyone gets in on the act. Even Jaime's dog Flirty and my dog Lily chase the ball when it rolls to be kicked. My sides hurt from laughing. This could be a comedy routine for the Three Stooges.

Now I have to add something here. In a week's time, this athletic field will be empty of all these cheers and funny carrying on. I will pass by the field on my way to the barn and pause to listen for the sounds of the game. Lily and Pudge and I may even sit in the middle of the field after supper some evening just to recall for a moment the sounds of silly laughter that are so dear to our hearts.

I do have a theory you know. I believe that when every camper and staff member departs, they leave a piece of their soul behind. It is either a little corner of their fun-loving self or it is a memory of how they changed while they were here, handled homesickness, learned how to be a better friend, or became a better leader. Perhaps there are resolved issues that get left behind to blow away on the wind or the ultimate high that lingers after a canter up boys hill. No matter. What I sense every year - and I've been here 30 years now - is the strength of a combined, ongoing presence that stays behind to support me as the new season begins.

Just look at this last photo. The kids are celebrating another completed kickball game and as they pass by each other, you can see their very real, genuine spirits agreeing to leave just a little fun behind so Eileen and Lily and Pudge are not alone. In fact, look at the right of the photo. Aren't those good friends from last year that have come out of the shadows to share our fun? Hey! You never know.

Treasure Hunt Sprucelands Style

Friday evening we had a challenging evening program. The staff asked me to plan out one of my age-old treasure hunts and so plan a treasure hunt is what I did. Great fun on a Friday night.

It took me a week to put the hunt together because there were ten teams and ten clues. The clues were rhymes I wrote and they were placed in envelopes at ten different locations in camp. Each team consisted of 4-5 individuals who were handed their first clue and then progressed from there. The first clues of course sent all ten teams to a different place.

We started at 7:30 instead of 8:00 p.m. Everyone was supposed to report back to the lodge by 9:00 p.m. even if they didn't finish. Darkness is an issue this time in the summer.

Because I wanted the treasure hunt to coincide with our Seussical theme, some of Dr. Seuss's favorite sayings were included with the clues, and the end event was an ice cream social with Julie singing "Anything is Possible" from Seussical. Interestingly, all teams were busy until 9 p.m.

If you're a camper wanting to know a few of the clues, I will share. See if you can figure these out on your own. I'll put the answers at the end of this post. Of course, they'll only work if you know your way around Sprucelands. Have fun. Go on your own hunt right here. Nope. No tips. Giggle. Giggle.

(1) Colored flowers near white/Eileen's path and to the right/ You'll see a picket sight/That points upward at night. Hmmm....tell me where that takes you.

(2) Crafts and beads and games are fun/Long and brown with seats for you/This is a cool place for everyone/Especially if you have a trunk. Tee hee hee. Get it?

(3) Reaching for the sky/I listen to you play/And stand tall/Ready to catch/Whatever you toss my way. Now that one is simple, don't you think?

(4) I'm alone for another year/Feeling sad and abandoned/Wish the kids loved me/And my little critters/'Cause I love them. Not hard really, but easier if you were here in 3rd or 4th session.

(5) Sometimes I get hot/I hear challenges that warm/Our hearts and souls/There's talk of making a difference/For little and big, young and old. This riddle tricked many. Can you get it?

(6) I am big/I am smart/I open my stall/And I have a sign/On a tree/That celebrates me. I dare you to figure this one out in a hurry. Where would you go first?

(7) Once upon a time/I was a horse at Sprucelands/Now I have a cabin that guards a famous trail/So all who pass me by are safe. I love these, don't you?

(8) Roses are red, violets are blue/I'm in the village that once was Pooh. I quietly watch over/Campers who sleep/or sometimes I see/you sing and eat.

(9) In an emergency/I stand ready for you/Sometimes Flirty helps me. Other times Hill Parents linger about. Now you should get this one in a jiffy.

(10) Jump, jump, jump./High, high, higher./I'm talking #1 here./A standard for kids/Who trust enough/To reach the stars.

So let me know if you figured them out. I'll be interested to hear what you think. As a result of my riddles and the clues given on Wednesday night for the cookout, we asked our Trail Pace riders to write a riddle Saturday morning as they were doing their trail pace ride. Made the ride a bit interesting actually.

Well, I know you want the clue answers. See if you figured them out. (1) White picket fence at Eileen's house; (2) Horton's Hut; (3) basketball nets on tennis court; (4) Dolly's Dollhouse which has no campers in it 4th session; (5) Fireplace in the lodge; (6) Boomer's Boys sign on boys hill; (7) Jaime's cabin, General's View; (8) Rose Bed Cabin in lower village; (9) Emergency Doors by Jaime's desk in the lodge; (10) Jump standard in Ring #1 at the barn.

How did you do? Was it fun? We had an awesome time running around camp. Everyone liked the treasure hunt, even me, because I got to watch the adventure and give tips on the clues.

Initiative as a Life Lesson

Trail pace 4th Session was another busy time. We appreciated that we could squeeze it in between rainstorms. Thankfully, the barn area is high up and on gravel so our drainage is excellent. The footing was pretty dry.

Our trails in the woods were and still are muddy. I don't think they've ever really dried up this summer. We just think we're getting to a point where we don't have to slip and slide and then there's another thunderstorm. Anyway, the rain held off Saturday until rest hour and that meant we all finished in fine time.

I take out the first ride on Trail Pace Saturday to see if the trail I marked in the wee early morning hours will work okay. This week Lia helped me mark the trail at 6 a.m. It didn't rain. That was a plus. We had fun tying surveyor's tape to the trees from the 4-wheeler and 'hoofing' it through more narrow passageways. I've got to say sharing that job with another friendly soul sure makes it go quicker. We talked and chattered the whole way.

After my ride, I love watching campers, Counselors and CITs help each other mount, do fly spray, check stirrup lengths and girths. Our emphasis on safety makes each one of those jobs high priority. Each helper knows they have a big responsibility to insure that both the horse and rider are balanced and secure.

Reassurances are shared with nervous riders so they are thinking positively about their upcoming ride. Guestimates are taken and written on a clipboard right before each pair of riders departs. All the while, other riders are busy in the barn with stalls and feeding as they await their turn to steer through the twists and turns in the woods.

I fade into the background at the barn to take photographs. Amazingly I think the kids forget I'm there. Since I don't ask for poses often, it's easy to move around and snap my shutter wherever and whenever. Gives me an opportunity to see independence in action.

The kids by now know the routines. No one is around telling them what to do. Sometimes you'll hear a request for help. Often there are thanks for jobs well done. I think more than anything, realizing they can safely manage themselves and these huge four-legged creatures builds confidence and aids maturity. Kids like Sergio know they have jobs to do. They know what the jobs are and they get them done. I am amazed at how comfortable each one seems. To me it feels good to be a fly on the wall...with a camera.

One big emphasis this year has been taking initiative. Since the first session of camp, we've been stressing the idea that each individual can move themselves to do things without being asked. If a horse makes a mess in the parking lot, anyone can take the initiative to get a pitchfork, pick it up and toss it in the manure pile. In fact there is an understanding at Sprucelands that intiative rules.

My hope with pushing initiative is that Sprucelands campers will become better babysitters, more positive additions to school clubs and sports, active students that will start projects and finish them on time, all because they have practiced taking initiative here. Taking initiative is difficult at first, but in time it becomes more habit. Of course, peer pressure and the fact that mom or dad isn't here to do it for them helps to get the point across. When everyone is doing it after all, the expectation is in place and initiative becomes effortless.

A question that pops up as a result of taking initiative is "what makes sense"? In other words, if you see that pile in the parking lot, you might ask, "Does it make sense to leave that there for everyone to walk through or does it make more sense to clean it up?"

If a horse's water bucket is empty on a hot day, does it make sense to leave it empty or take the initiative to fill it and in the end practice good horsemanship? Or if you are going to ride a lengthy trail ride, does it make sense to snuggle your girth so your saddle is secure? Are you going to take the initiative to do that or are you going to ignore the loose girth and risk your own safety?

There are multitudinous (is that a word?)opportunities here, there and everywhere for taking initiative and doing what makes sense. At Sprucelands we practice this life lesson daily, hoping that somehow it transfers back home.

I keep telling the kids how much happier their household will be if they clean their room without being told or set the table for dinner or get their homework done. In the end I hope the kids will begin to please themselves with the initiative they are taking. That after all is evidence that maturity is really happening, especially if they stop and ask, "What makes sense?"

A Dr. Seuss Goodbye

Sprucelands is all about friends - horses and human friends. It's about meeting, saying ' hello', and knowing in a second that you are each other's best friend for the next few weeks. You eat together, share 'good mornings' and 'good night' after visits to the outhouse, and you trip over each other's dirty socks and wonder why the health department insists you make your bed.

Amelia and Emily are really good friends. They play store together, splash in the creek, have belly laughs over funny songs in the dining hall, share riding lessons and walks up and down the road between the lodge and the barn. Always there is an interesting conversation. Often imaginations spark creative thinking and before you know it, they are off on a tangent that only children or children at heart can understand.

Taylor and Ciaran are also close. In the photo on the right they are sharing precious moments at the trail pace before Taylor's departure back home. Taylor was only here for a week, and she learned how hard it is to do only one week. It is rough leaving friends and horses behind when you've only just become acquainted.

Taylor earned her own way to camp this summer. She is a member of the EXCEL Club at Perry Elementary/Middle School in Perry, New York. The club is a motivational club which supports students during their school stresses with homework and assigned projects. Study skills are discussed as is responsibility and student follow-through with meeting deadlines. Most important is that these group members realize there is someone interested in their progress who is willing to share tips for studying and be a willing advocate if one is needed.

As a fringe benefit of studying hard, any EXCEL Club student in grades 6-12 with an overall average between 85-90 earns a free week at Sprucelands. Students with an average between 95-100 earn two weeks at camp.

The horseback riding/camp piece is not sponsored by the Perry School. For insurance reasons, the school needs to be separate from any horse liability. So those camp weeks are a gift from Sprucelands Camp in hopes these young people will experience the earning power of their mind. In the end, the Sprucelands investment for kids like Taylor may just make a difference to their confidence and overall life goals.

Fact of the matter is that all kids at Sprucelands try new things as they step outside their comfort zone. Whether they are an EXCEL Club member or they live in other cities, states, and countries, they immerse themselves in the friendship process and they're happy they did.

Friends at Sprucelands are unique. They are very accepting. Walls crumble here. Horses and campers touch souls in a way that doesn't happen in school settings. Because the camp atmosphere promotes a family feeling, many come to think of themselves as a virtual member of our summer family. The across-camp caring is awesome.

On sunny days I'll often see a group gathered to just talk about common ground. I overhear them discussing challenges they will face in school this fall, good books they are reading, a horse they love, or ways they are changing here at camp. It's something special as cultures exchange, individual senses of humor spark giggles, talents emerge, and positive leadership blossoms.

Since we are three days away from the end of camp, everyone has the new academic year on their mind. No matter whether a camper lives in Florida, Georgia, Texas, PA, NJ, NC or countries far, far away, school is around the corner.

The one thing I tell my campers and staff - a life lesson for us all - is that it's easier to say goodbye if we're mad at each other. The time before parting is when squabbles can happen. Doesn't matter whether you're leaving home to come to camp or leaving camp to go home, squabbles can happen. Why? Because it's hard to say 'goodbye'.

So...having that data in front of us, we constantly remind ourselves to continue our good spirit until Saturday so we have no bad feelings or regrets when we part.

Yes, it's difficult to say 'goodbye', but every 'hello' means there is one day a 'goodbye', and ours is coming quickly. I am frequently reminded that this is a Dr. Seuss summer and in his wise words: Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

Whacky Wednesday 4th Session

You might wonder what we are doing to your children here at camp. Of course, the kids know full well that whatever we do during a Dr. Seuss summer of fun is totally 'out there' and silly. On the left you see two campers - Jade and Jenny - as they don their 'dos' and faces for Whacky Wednesday.

Yes. That's right. This is another Whacky Wednesday. This in fact is the final Whacky Wednesday for the summer, and I have to tell you we did the day up BIG!!

Everyone decorated their faces and braided or puffed up their hair in unimaginable ways. We had pigtails coming out of the top of heads and braids that included colorful decorations. Clothes were on backwards and inside out. One of the girls wore a laundry bag. Others wore bathing suits on top of sweatpants. Still others like Lia and her cabinmates went for a totally different look. They were the talk of the Sprucelands Seussical town better known as Whoville.

At suppertime, the Hill Moms in their fits of silliness - inspired by none other than Sue Mom - challenged all campers to find their dinnerware. In order to eat, they needed to participate in a bit of a search.

Ropes were tied in square knots to make one long rope. You would be proud of us, Amy. Then the kids were asked to hold onto the long rope and as a camp group follow a journey of clues. The clues took them to Hortons Hut, to the bench at the edge of the lake and then to the back of Jamie's car in the parking lot.

At each place, the kids picked up what they needed in order to eat supper: a plate, a cup and then their silverware. Most fun was the surprise fact that the entire camp ended up on the tennis courts for an awesome picnic. Great activity for one of the rare, wonderful summer days we enjoyed this session. I've got to tell you the kids had a ball getting to the picnic! Where else but at Sprucelands would something so corny be a happening? Totally whacky.

Now I do have to take a minute to pay tribute to our Hill Parents. Each session we have 3-4 Hill Moms who bring their creativity to Sprucelands and then bless us all with their clever wit and often very strange ideas. Fact of the matter is they bring out the kid in each of us. It's wonderful.

While Hill Parents are here for extra supervision, they are the grease that keep our camp wheels in motion. Without them, camp would feel very strange. Of course, camp is a bit strange with them here, but no matter. They balance nurturing with play and inspire campers to knock down the psychological walls that protect them in the stressful confines of school. Besides, that's what summer is for, isn't it?

Anyway, we love all our Hill Parents and applaud their whackyness all summer long. Above you see Sara, Sue and Trish. Interesting mix? Uh-huh. Betty joined us on Friday.

A Whacky Wednesday fashion show happened one last time in the evening. Music was turned up and the kids and staff strut their stuff along the tennis court runway. Thanks to our active imaginations we can create runways out of tennis court boundaries.

I snapped photos as the kids posed in their outfits. That's the best part of my photo job because I get to see the best of the best and then share that with you. Enjoy! Makes you think different about Wednesdays, doesn't it?

Evening Program Challenge

Monday night's evening program was really interesting and fun at the same time. The kids moved from one station to another. At each station, there were unique activities for them to do. Either they were playing clever games that challenged them to find the trick to the game or they were involved in some kind of trust activity. Dr. Seuss was on the loose!

One such station was this one challenging the kids problem solving techniques. Here was the deal.

They started out as a group standing on a large square of heavy plastic on the ground. Actually the plastic was an old tablecloth. Their job was to get everyone on the tablecloth. One way or another they were supposed to have their feet on the cloth. Reality was that the cloth was folded into a smaller and smaller square after each successful attempt at gathering the whole group on the plot they were given.

Above you see the kids lifting each other up to manage the challenge. As the cloth got smaller and smaller, the human sculptures I saw were quite novel. Many collapsed and started over. Eventually, they had to give up the game because it was next to impossible for everyone to connect with the small square on the ground. Didn't matter. They chattered about the challenge and laughed doing it.

On the right you see another group involved in a game called Wink. The kids took turns being detectives and murderers. Then the same group moved on to play Indian Chief and that was another test of camper observation skills.

The third station started off with the leader holding a 'noodle' and making that noodle move quickly under their feet and over their heads. If they got caught and were bumped by the noodle, then they were eliminated. Gradually the group decreased in size to just a few until there was a winner to celebrate.


What is unique about an activity like this is how well the kids suddenly interact with each other. When there is a challenge for them to meet, they pull together. Both new friends and old find themselves on the same page and in the end they celebrate their comraderie and shared trust.

Evening programs have been overseen all summer by staff member, Kristin. She has worked with counselors, CITs and senior staff to inspire clever, creative opportunities for campers to channel their energies outside horsemanship into everything from drama to sports, talent shows, group wide games, treasure hunts, and more. She herself has gained huge insights and wonderful skills for group organization. We all look forward to evening programs. Next to riding, that's the best time of our day.

New Riders

Riding classes for our more beginner riders are thorough. Safety is the number one issue. In fact, safety rules are reviewed during the first few days with everyone, and then often to start riding, a rider needs to come up with a safety rule they have learned before they even mount. We are also careful to teach new riders things like saddle and bridle parts so from the beginning they pick up tidbits of knowledge that are helpful later on.

This class is a group of new riders that rode in the round ring. After reviewing saddle and bridle parts, they mounted their horses with help and then participated in exercises to insure that they would relax in the saddle. Besides, it's kind of fun to stretch to the moon and then reach up and touch the horse between the ears or turn around and touch the horse above the tail.

Every one of these riders had a spotter. That is a staff member or willing older camper who helps their rider mount and then walks next to them during the lesson. Spotters are used as a safety net for the kids so horses listen well and riders build the necessary trust for good riding.

I was pretty amazed at how in two days time these riders are confident and eager. The smiles on their faces are amazing. Whatever the instructor asked them to do, they were able to do. You would think they had been riding forever and ever.

Of course, we are big on balance. Getting the kids to sit up straight and look where they are going is major. I love that we are giving them their foundation in riding because we have started many riders and we start them well.

As our riders progress, their confidence in the saddle and around the horses shows. When you see them in the ending horse show, you will be amazed and surprised at how nicely they are doing. Their interest and dedication to the hard work of riding makes a big difference. It is our job to keep them inspired.

I hope seeing the kids and what they are doing helps you parents relax. We really are having fun already. I think they like their horses and are feeling proud about what they are doing. Hang in there moms and dads. I'll keep you posted.

Opening Day Fourth Session

Opening day for any session is a bit unnerving for some campers. They are after all on their own with people they don't yet know well and they've just said goodbye to mom and dad. Riding evaluations helped the riding staff place them in classes for Monday morning. All is well and good.

To help every new camper ease into the Sprucelands way of doing things, there is always a 'breaking-the-ice' program that helps campers new and old feel connected. On Sunday after supper and singing and interest hour, we gathered on the tennis courts to mingle and interact. Here you see groups of campers and staff with a specific task. Each person was given three strips of paper and asked to write on each strip of paper one thing: (1) something they look forward to, (2) a goal, and (3) something they wanted us to know about them. They were told not to write their name.

The strips of paper were then taken and passed around to others in the group. It meant each person ended up with three strips of paper that someone else wrote. At that point, the kids were supposed to move around, asking everyone in the group questions that might lead them to the camper or staff who wrote what was written on the papers in their hand.

What fun they had. I was amazed. In a matter of minutes, the magic of Sprucelands was stimulating smiles, conversation, belly laughs, and 'ahas' as they found their mystery writers.

Here you see cabinmates Anna and Celia sharing ideas about what they could initially write down...and a friendship is born. So fourth session is off to a positive start and life is Seussically good. The counselors running the program later took the strips of paper and glued them together in a long chain symbolizing how our lives during this session and possibly beyond are now connected. And so the session is underway.

Summertime Treasures

There have been some quiet, tender moments this summer that I can't let pass. You need to remember these as some of the peaceful times when we were genuinely back to the basics of relating to each other, enjoying quiet summer days, and sometimes getting surprises that we will never forget. All of them are treasures to be sure.

Here is Matt and Anna fishing on the left. I think this was on Sunday afternoon in the middle of third session. Anna caught a fish; Matt helped her figure out what to do with the fish.

A whole bunch of kids were dangling poles in the lake and enjoying the peacefulness of a warm, blue sky afternoon. I sigh when I think on it because it was just what kids should be doing in their growing up years. It's such a fresh-air break from computers, ipods, cell phones and video games. How nice to share that memorable time at Seussical Sprucelands. If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.

Of course I can't let this moment pass without showing you Anna's first catch. She was so excited. Dr. Seuss would have been excited with her. We celebrated all afternoon. I do believe the kids kept on fishing and Matt actually landed a good sized something - no, not a shoe - but a fish. It's just that I don't know what breed or brand or species. Could have been a sunfish, trout, or bass. We have all fish varieties that journey downstream into our lake.

Anyway, there have been other moments. I think on the peaceful times at the barn when after lessons kids cool out their horses. There is a connection right then between rider and the horse that has carried them safely through the lesson, over a jump or on a trail ride.

I always love photographying the kids after their ride. They look more relaxed and confident than prior to riding. Before riding, some seem a bit worried and apprehensive. Afterwards, they have exhaled because they survived, learned something new, practiced skills they need to practice, and simply relish in the reflected moments of their ride often with hands on their horse or holding a lead rope.

Sure there are times that riding is frustrating especially for the kids who are on a plateau. That happens to us all. But just think about when they jump off that plateau and start sailing through their skills having mastered what was impeding their progress. The breakthrough is awesome!

Sometimes I think those plateaus are necessary so riders appreciate the success when it comes. Then they stand around at the barn and chatter over their horses about the accomplishments that have finally engulfed them. Makes me sigh. I want to remember these scenes during the long, cold winter.

I mentioned there are surprises that we encounter as well. For example, at the second session horse show, Josh rode a pony named Mikey. Now Mikey often has a mind of his own and during the horse show he did just that. After Josh showed well in his class, he lined up with the others to await the results from our horse show judges. Interestingly, Mikey refused to turn toward the audience. Instead he planted his feet and looked toward the opposite end of the ring. We laughed. Thankfully Josh wasn't intimidated or embarrassed. Only at Sprucelands, and only with Mikey!

Then there was the horse show last Saturday. Lovely day. Great turnout of parents and relatives. Daley rode Ozzy. He has been doing extremely well with Ozzy, a flea-bitten gray quarter horse. His rides have been comfortable and Daley has been learning a great deal as he has come into a trust with Ozzy that is not only between rider and horse, but also between what is beoming two good friends.

Well, in the horse show, Daley had a surprise. Ozzy tripped and Daley was suddenly riding in front of the saddle. Everyone held their breath anticipating a not so great end to Daley's ride. I actually missed the moment when Daley was riding neck-side because I too had inhaled and grasped my camera for security.

Thankfully Daley was riding in his balanced seat with a straight back as we taught him. He stayed with Ozzy, despite the unplanned front-of-the-saddle surprise, caught his breath and then readjusted himself so he finished his ride in good form. Daley and Ozzy received a spontaneous standing ovation. The judges were amazed and Daley gave us all a nod like he'd done that ride a million times.

I wanted to share the above moments with you because I'm sure they will spark conversation amongst those of you who read this blog. If you are a Sprucelands camper, you'll smile and remember. If you are from out in the big wide world, you might recall moments like the above in your own circle of friends and horses. No matter. We aim to trigger your reminiscing because as Dr. Seuss reminds us, From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.

Third Session Memories

I still have third session photos to share. For the benefit of kids who have returned home, I will pass them on to you...and then move into fourth session.

Here are a few photos from our 3rd session staff/camper kickball game. What fun we had! The staff and CITs made t-shirts for the event. Campers didn't care. They gave us all a run for our money whether they had fancy tie-dyed tshirts or not. Still the humor of the evening was great fun and everyone had some laughs. What was the score? No one remembers.

Secretly I think the kids won. Guess I need to say it wasn't about the score. It was more about the awesome catches that Abby and Katie made. Sure surprised everyone, but more it surprised them. They were a bit flabergasted and totally blown away when they caught those balls like they did. I think they walked a little taller afterwards. I know the smiles didn't come off their faces for a while afterwards.

There were lots of fun, social times at store. I know some parents think we shouldn't have our store time, but the kids socialize over an ice cream. It gives them an opportunity to feel cozy inside as they munch and crunch and talk and chatter. That social time is so important to our kid years. They feel like they belong and sometimes they hug.

The giggles are fun to hear, and then there are moments of quiet when they just go 'ah' because their goodie tastes yummy as it fills them with what Jade calls 'the good stuff'.

On trail pace Saturday, we had a terrific time riding the trails in partners and coming up with five gifts we would give the Grinch as we celebrated Grinchmas. It was after all July 25th and we had to do something to acknowledge that Christmas is only five months away!!!

In the evening we had a karaoke/dance night. There was line dancing and then Ken broke into awesome moves. We ended up in a dance off and the laughter filled the room. What fun.

Hit the deck was a hit with everyone quite literally. Campers are doing 'up periscope' here. They respond with equal movement and enthusiasm to directives like man overboard and jellyfish. Gradually, pairs are eliminated and then there is one remaining pair that wins. The laughter continues and the evening was a success followed by evening circle and lawn time.

What can I say? There are all kinds of activities that keep us jumping here. The memories we carry with us. I think I have one more page of photos from 3rd session I will upload today and then I need to move into 4th session. Enjoy them all. They will inspire you to talk with your folks now that you are home sleeping in your cozy beds and taking hot showers in a civilized bathroom. Enjoy every moment.