Pony Express Sprucelands Style!

No matter the weather...the mail will get through!

So here's a chance for you to be a fly on the wall. These kinds of blog posts are what I like to share. They take you with me into the fun that the kids have. This is all about the pony express.

Yup. That's right! Everyday we deliver the camp mail. Dutifully, a Hill Parent picks it up from the local post office up in Java Center. Hill Parents have their own jargon. It's called 'Going Postal'.

Girls Hill mail delivery - pony express style.

The postmaster's name is Foster. He's a really cool guy with a great sense of humor. I think he loves Sprucelands because all kinds of letters and packages arrive daily for our campers and staff. We keep the post office percolating in Java Center. At the same time, Foster is totally entertained by our staff. He never knows what costume they'll be wearing when they do the postal thing. That's another story.

Well, yesterday the riding staff approached me to see if they could deliver the mail to your campers. I said that was fine. No problem. Thing was they wanted to deliver the mail - email too - by pony express. Hmmm. I wondered what that would involve. I knew we did the pony express generations ago. This time around it was 2010 style!

Boys Hill was really surprised to see horses bringing their mail.

So the staff tacked up their horses after lunch, secured the mail - packages too - and stuffed it all in their backpacks and sidepacks. Then they went galloping up the road and into the villages where the kids were settled in for rest hour and a quiet mail delivery.

Quiet didn't really happen yesterday as you can well imagine. Everyone was so surprised by the pony express gig that they were outside their cabins to see who that was prancing and pawing with each little hoof. The kids came out wrapped in blankets and smiles. Thanks to our Hill Moms I was privy to a few photos. Wouldn't miss it for the world.

Anything is possible at Sprucelands!

Of course yesterday was also Fantastic Fishy Freaky Friday. That meant all of us were dressed up in bright colored clothes that were layered, mismatched, freaky looking, geeky looking, and just plain silly. Many wore tights. Our counselor - Kristin - wore a pink tutu (not sure of the spelling on that one) all day. She was quite the picture when riding Kayne in her regular riding lesson.

I had to laugh. One of the kids in their costume for the day made the comment, "You know I feel so much more relaxed wearing just what I want to wear. It doesn't matter how I look." And when I heard that I thought between Fantastic Fish Freaky Friday and the pony express, Sprucelands is an experience of a lifetime. "Anything is possible" here. That's our motto...and why not?

Comments. Sure. And by the way, I'll be doing another post on Fantastic Fishy Freaky Friday. You'll see us all looking fantastic! Bet you can't wait!

Horses and feelings could be the great kid connect.

I love the kids.

Hi there! My name is Kayne, and I'm new at Sprucelands this year. What I love most of anything in the whole world is kids. They pay me attention and I walk taller which is tall for me because I'm 17H already. We snuggle and they giggle. I smile and they pat me, especially when I'm in a stall and I can hang my head over the side.

You know I often wonder if the kids think about a horse's perspective. They are so involved with their riding and horse care that they run the risk of overlooking that a horse might have feelings too.

I often am an advocate for the horses, encouraging the kids to remember how hard they work, especially in the heat. I want our Sprucelands family to appreciate that our horses are a treasure.

You and your horse are such good friends.

Often riders will visit before or after a lesson. They share the excitement of what transpired in their lesson. There are times when they stand and talk as they cool off their equine friends, exchanging horse stories. It doesn't matter that they are on their way back to the tack room with their sweaty tack.

Talking about favorite horses is always a pleasure. I know I love an excuse to chatter about horses I've known and loved. Then there are the funny stories that tickle our fancy and moments when we were proud of learning a difficult skill. Those who live and breathe horses interact so easily when it comes to horse talk.

Even Lily goes along on trail rides.

Frequently our trusted horses carry us up hills and down hills, across streams and through the woods, over mud puddles and into meadows filled with wildflowers. Trail rides are wonderful. We love riding trails. In fact, I think many of us could ride trails all day long. I know yesterday I was out for three hours and loved every minute. I had to remember though that the horses get as tired as we do.

Hello. My name is Honey. I'm the queen of the Sprucelands barn. I will do about anything for you if you will love me. Did you know I'm almost the only horse in the barn who lets you put your arms around my neck and totally give me a hug and kiss? I will never push you away. In fact, you can hug me almost anytime, even while you are waiting for your lesson to begin. I'll take all the loving and snuggling I can get.

Honey will do anything for her riders as long as they love her.

Each one of our horses has a personality all their own. Just like people they have quirks that make them interesting, a challenge, or fun. Honey loves to be braided and groomed. You could do that all day long and she would stand patiently on the cross ties. What Honey does best is make her riders smile. I think she has taught hundreds of kids to ride or at least to canter. Everyone loves Honey.

Trail rides help her relax. Jumping is an adventure and she takes care of her rider. Many a brand new rider discovers that Honey is a reassuring friend for life. Her quirk? She almost always leaves you a gift in the aisle that you have to clean up afterwards. That's Honey. I think sometimes we let her mellow out a little too much. LOL

Dusty. That's me. I'm here all summer this year to keep the guys in line...the guys in the pasture. You know sometimes they get to fussing with each other and I think they need a referee. As far as being a Sprucelands horse, it's not half bad. I have pretty girls thinking I'm handsome and cute. Then there are some of the boys at camp who take me on as a challenge. I'm pretty big, probably 16H, and I'm bouncy, so riders learn how to sit to their trot pretty quick.

Now don't they look like they have something special?

I love watching kids connect with the horses. How many times have I made that statement in the years that I've written this blog? It is my song. It is my hope that every person - child or adult - who works with a horse will discover their own magic. To learn horsemanship is one thing. To open yourself and share secrets with a horse is a connection that verifies how good horses are for an individual's soul.

Connection comes with a touch, a look, an acknowledgement of some sort, verbal or non-verbal, that reassures a horse and lets them know that you are there. Sometimes it means 'just being' there with them for a moment. Often it is an unspoken feeling where horse and rider know they are a match made in heaven.

I came into camp several years ago. My name is Romeo. I wouldn't stand on cross-ties when I first came to Sprucelands because I was downright fidgety. Then they used a wand to stroke my body. Riders were patient with me and before I knew it, standing still wasn't so bad. I kind of liked being touched. Now I carry all kinds of riders, even beginners. I'm a little bouncy but they're doing fine with that and I'm trying so hard to be a good friend.

Come on, Romeo. We can do this.

The look in the kids’ faces when they are working in a lesson is priceless. I watch them focus as they work to improve balance, seat, legs, eyes, and hands. Some riders struggle. Yet with patience from our instructors they keep at it. Successes happen, even as a rider needs to pause for time out to catch their breath or have a heart-to-heart with their horse.

Frequently riders will take on a project horse. When that happens, an unexplainable chemistry happens that bonds horse and rider because they understand each other. What is it that draws them together? Can that chemistry be defined? Do they connect at a feeling level? Is there some inner vision they share? One thing for sure: it’s like love at first sight, and no other horse is ever quite as wonderful.

We're a team!

What I'm hoping to share on this blog post today is how happy I am with the rapport I see between horses and riders in this third session. A genuine, tender caring for what the horses are feeling is part of everyday talk. I love it!

While some riders are taking on new challenges by trying out a different horse than they have been riding, others are returning to rides on old friends. It's fun to watch. What a joy to see how they have progressed! The growth is phenomenal and their connection is still very real.

Comments are welcome.

There's always so much to tell you!

Cooling horses down and sponging them off is part of our horse care routine.

Here we are back at another catch up day. It's my day off and of course I love writing. So why not spend time doing what I love so I can tell you about all the other things I love, namely camp, kids and horses!

Routines at the barn are moving forward. Just as in every other session, riding classes have shaped up quickly. The kids continue to be evaluated until today, Wednesday. That means after that small, short evaluation on Sunday, they have additional time to show us what they know.

Honey and Kiersten are doing well. They cantered already!

I like the continuing evaluation because then we know that horse/rider matches are safe. Never do we want to overmatch a horse and rider. Overmatching is when a rider could end up with too much horse for their skill level and that's when accidents happen. With a three day evaluation, we can quickly catch any inappropriate matches and change them. Rider feedback is an integral part of the process.

We are careful at Sprucelands to make certain every rider has a horse that challenges and yet keeps them in the saddle. There are always times when a rider may bounce off a saddle, a horse may spook or a horse may misstep and a rider may come off.  Thankfully, those times are rare here.

Ain't love grand?

Our riding staff is excellent at knowing what horses and riders will work well together. I am sometimes amazed that their matches work as well as they do, especially when I've taught a student over the winter and I know perhaps that they have trouble keeping themselves grounded in the saddle. So now they are riding a very bouncy horse and guess what? That rider who wasn't grounded before is becoming centered and grounded now. Who would have guessed?

In the process riders fall in love with their horses. Often I catch them in quiet moments that say it all. Either they lay their hand on their horse and allow energy to flow between them or they catch my attention for a portrait with their newest equine buddy or girlfriend. I love the peace I experience after these moments happen; the kids themselves are at peace and that is wonderful.

Quick! Free me up so I can run!

Evening program Monday night was fun. Just another example of getting back to the basics at Sprucelands. The kids had an interactive night of playing tag. I know you might wonder how your sophisticated video game, computer wise, texting children would want to play tag. Well, they ran their hearts out!

I happened in on elbow tag. What a trip! Several 'its' were running around touching the shoulders of kids who had their elbows hooked with another person. That meant one person from the partnership of two kids was free to run and hook up with another person. There were lots of mad dashes. It was crazy fun.

Hang on! The blob is about to catch another live one!

There was bridge tag. When you were tagged, you stood with your legs split apart so another person could free you by crawling under your legs. Oh my gosh! How the kids laughed and ran and crawled and giggled. They were hot and sweaty when the game was called but groaned because they wanted more.

So then there was blob tag. Two people started a blob and kept tagging others until there was a chain of kids running after others. Within a matter of minutes, more blobs were started and more kids were swallowed up by the blob. Finally, there was one free person running. Her name was Rachael and she was considered the winner of blob tag.

You'll never guess what we found.

I want also to take a minute and highlight the nature lovers that are emerging this session. We have a Hill Parent named Mark who is a science teacher in a local high school. Enthusiasm for his scientific approach to all the plants and animals at Sprucelands is turning on more and more campers and staff.

Mark and some of his early recruits stopped by the barn on their Monday afternoon hike across camp. Interestingly as nature hikes increase, so do the numbers participating in the fun.

Mark and the kids are in the process right now of identifying every plant, tree, rock and bug they can find at Sprucelands. They call it a Bio-Blitz. Quite a display of species is developing in our camp lodge. I am learning for the first time what we have in our woods, fields and along streams. If I live here long enough, I just might be able to speak wisely about the beauty that surrounds me.

Share a comment or two as you breeze on through. Love hearing what you are thinking.

Sprucelands Third Session is laughter from the start.

So what's new with you, Lily?

Good Tuesday morning everyone! I'm finally to a point where I can start writing about our new session. Third session. Oh my! The summer is getting away from me. I live all year for the summer and here we are half way through. Yikes! Can't I grab it and slow it down a bit?

New campers arrived on Sunday. After a smooth check-in and completed riding evaluations, many of them gathered in groups on the front lawn of the camp lodge to visit with each other. Even the dogs got into the middle of things. Lily loves it when her camp is filled with kids. It's as if all is right with the world when they are here. She is at peace.

So let's see. What do you like best about Sprucelands?

Anyway, after supper was served, campers received a brief orientation about routines and schedule. Introductions to all staff were made and then we sang, learning Ra-ta-dah-dah and our famous camp hand clap that unites us when we have a need to celebrate the good times or say 'thank you' for something special.

I have discovered this group sings. I mean they really sing! Happy day! We sing every night after supper and it's great fun. I love when the lodge is bouncing from enthusiasm over silly songs that many of us sang in elementary school. Just another way we get back to the basics of childhood fun.

Hey you guys! You're really funny!

Sunday's evening program was in three parts. At first, the kids mingled to get acquainted. Directions were to move around and find answers to different questions that helped us learn that we all shared a great deal of common ground. Find others who like to sing. Talk about your favorite sport. Discover something interesting about someone that you can share with the group. Is there anyone here who likes spaghetti?

All these kinds of questions were tossed out and the kids erupted into chatter that reflected their eagerness to know each other well. When I think about it, this part of the exercise was a great lesson in social skills!

Eeeewwww! I don't want to shake hands with a girl!

Some of the kids were awkward when it came to shaking hands. Little Henry had some encouragement from Counselor Andrew. Campers like Mark who were here last session enjoyed clowning a bit with Brenden and Counselor Chris. Others were genuinely smiling as they connected with old friends and new.

The second part of the program was a novel walk to the lodge where the kids watched a 10 minute piece of Finding Nemo. That way they understood the scene in the fish tank where there was an induction ceremony with swimming through the ring of fire.

Here's a random smile for you.

Back out on the tennis courts then, the third part of the program involved campers jumping through the ring of fire - a hoola hoop - and gaining membership on one of four teams that will work together across the session. Sounds pretty scary, doesn't it?

Our counselors were dressed in costume fit for a Finding Nemo induction ceremony. They've done this ceremony at the start of each session. Every time it takes on a more interesting twist and gets a little more crazy. I love my counselors this year. They are doing a wonderful job with the kids.

Talk about corny. The kids loved it!

After the teams joined together, then there was time for each team to create a team cheer. That was really fun this time around. Even the Hill Parents got into the mix with a unique football chant reworded for Finding Nemo fun.

I don't always put a photo of the Hill Parents on my blog. They're usually too embarrassed. This time I have to share. They were laughing such belly laughs the other night. Just looking at the photo makes you want to smile. Do you think we're going to have fun in session 3 with this bunch? You should have heard them erupt into raucous laughter last night when they were getting rid of a bees nest by the waterfront. Go figure.

Belly laughter is good for the soul.

Today is Tuesday already. I still have photos from Monday to share. Will see if I can sneak away from trail rides this morning or afternoon to upload another blog post.

I want to keep you abreast of what is happening at camp so you feel part of things. This blog is your window into Sprucelands. Enjoy the ride.

Your comments are welcome - always. Share your enthusiasm with us anytime!

Sprucelands Transitions bring applause.

What an accomplishment! I am so proud.

Moving into a new session means also moving out of the session before. To make the transition Sprucelands has a closing horse show on Saturday morning before campers pack their belongings, bid heartfelt farewells, and make their way back home. For some like the rider above, that means going a long distance. Alex lives in Georgia.

The photos from our horse show seldom find their way into a DVD because they happen after the DVD is complete for Friday night. So I'm taking a few minutes this morning to recognize what success looks like at a Sprucelands show. I just can't resist.

Rose and Patti were an awesome pair.

All riders complete a 'horse show sheet' prior to the show, indicating what they want to be judged on and what horse they prefer riding. Our riders have a say in how the horse show comes together on Saturday morning. The riding staff does their level best to accommodate everyone's wishes.

Each class in the show looks a bit different. Some riders demonstrate different skills than others because they have chosen to be judged on their strengths or possibly on a new skill that was difficult for them to learn. It is their choice. Some riders like Rose above even have the opportunity to choose their own ribbon. Rose picked her favorite color.

Our camper drill team wowed the crowd on Saturday.

What is wonderful is how our thoughtful judges make positive comments on the horse show sheets so riders can pick the sheets up after they ride and get feedback. It almost guarantees that our riders really learn. They totally enjoy success and discover what they need to continue working on in next week's lessons or after they return home. Proud smiles tell the story.

Recognition also goes to our first camper drill team for 2010. The first two weeks we enjoyed a CIT/Staff drill team. They were terrific and you can see them in the video link at the right hand side of this blog under Favorite Links. Their role model performance set a standard that challenged our camper drill team.

Just look at that!

With the support of our riding staff, campers put on quite a drill team show. Their lines were straight. Portions of their routine were called 'the goggle' and 'the comb'. Everyone focused and rode with confidence. Parents held their breath. Cameras snapped and when all the moves were complete, cheers erupted. This was quite a moment.

I am always impressed by the kids and what they can do when they put their mind to it. They walked the pattern through quite a number of times on the tennis courts and then practiced it at the barn. You know they managed to produce that drill routine in one week's time. Not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, that was one of those 'ordinary miracles' that I so appreciate.

Their lines were straight and their focus was intense.

Before ending this post, I want to applaud all our campers, CITs and staff from last session for managing the show so well. I heard upbeat comments from parents who noticed that everything was run by our responsible camp population. I am so proud of you.

Thanks as well to all you parents who shared your children with us. We had an awesome, safe two weeks last session. It was a session we will remember with fondness because we truly grew together.

Comments are appreciated. Maybe let us know what you think about the camper drill team?

Sprucelands: Back to the basic fun?

I was born in the third month. Third month. Over here.

Thursday is my day. It's my day to do three trail rides, and because this session has a multitude of good riders, every trail ride moves. That means we canter boys hill, the airstrip, the brandywine, girls hill and along the pasture. Thursday's schedule for me is ride until I drop. That I did. I apologize you didn't get a blog post.

Monday night's evening program was clever. The various teams lined up on the tennis courts. They were given several different tasks that challenged the group's ability to function well together.

I can't see anything!

Without talking, they were asked to do things like first arrange themselves by height. Then they lined up according to birthdays and shoe sizes, all negotiated without talking. Only hand motions were accepted. It was fun to watch as they used their fingers to communicate.

Later one team member was blindfolded from each team and were led to four different parts of the athletic field or tennis court. The team mascot was placed at a distance away from the blindfolded team member. Then the teams were supposed to shout directions to their blindfolded wonder so they would miraculously connect with the mascot. Soon the kids realized it was easier than it looked.

Go over there! No not that way! Over there!

Oh my gosh! It was a riot! Gradually, teams realized that if one team member did the directing, it worked better than if the whole team shouted at the top of their lungs. We did have blindfolded folks who had a sense of humor about how they moved and comments they made. Lots of us laughed ourselves silly.

Wednesday evening's program was the age-old Hit the Deck. I know we slip that game into every session because it is the most requested program of the summer. This time around the kids did about anything they could to stay in the running until the end of the game.

Hit the deck reigns supreme.

Of course, at the start of the game, directions are slower. Partners have more time to partner-up as they do man overboard, jellyfish, hit-the-deck, starboard, bow, port side, and up periscope.

As the game progresses, however, the directions are faster and faster until there is one celebrating partnership remaining. Thankfully, Hit the Deck generates all kinds of fun photos. I have captured assorted facial expressions and balancing acts that will spice up the DVD and make you smile.

Did you see that?

Last night - Thursday - was the talent show. We enjoyed everything from solos and skits to poetry and dance. What a talented group we have here this session. I know a good number of them prepared all week for their talent show performance. They were so excited.

Always I have said we are a kids camp. At the same time, I like that we get back to the basics. To me that means we give the kids time for their talent show and then back off to let them create their fun.

We're the best!

No one is spoon fed ideas. They come up with their own. No pre-decorated props are available. The kids plan, prepare and design their own. Crazy make-up happens, costumes come together, and scripts are written. It feels very much like when we were kids and made plays for our parents and friends.

I hope everyone knows that the DVDs are available to you. I sell them at the horse show so that if you haven't ordered one ahead of time, you can find access. They are a graphic summation of our fun-filled two weeks together.

To close each two week session, Friday evening is the DVD showing after camp wide 'thank yous' that the kids thoroughly enjoy. Then we snuggle into bed, looking forward to our Saturday horse show.

Football moves come into the talent show.

So today I'm doing the DVD. All of camp makes sure I am confined to the house on Friday so the DVD is ready for Friday night's fun.

While the DVD is a challenge to put together, it is also a joy although I find myself crying at times over emotional moments. Many of our campers, staff and CITs have handled difficult times and grown through the process. Others have taken on difficult horses. The growth is phenomenal. The memories are priceless. The rewards of working with such wonderful young people fill my heart with gladness.

Comments from you are encouraged, always. Please leave one as you move on through this fun.

Trail Pace and Karaoke Night are a perfect combination.

Good luck! Have a safe ride!

Trail Pace on the inbetween Saturday of each session is a challenge for us all. After I plan out the trail and mark all the twists and turns with bright colored surveyor's tape, the riding staff matches riders and horses in teams of two. A schedule is put together and we're good to go. Everyone is primped with a general talk about safe riding and the day proceeds like a well oiled machine.

Teams are timed from when they leave the barn to when they return. They also make claim to a guesstimate, meaning they guess the amount of time they believe it will take them to do the ride. Usually guesses are between 25 and 35 minutes.

Hey! That was a nice trail, and we didn't get lost!

When all is said and done, the winning teams are the three teams who have ridden closest to the average time of all riders. Trail Pace is not about speed. It's about enjoying the ride and completing it in partnership with each other and your horses.

This last week we encouraged riders to come up with a rhyme about what Nemo would do if he came to Sprucelands summer camp. So riders had some rhyming fun when they weren't conversing with each other. The results were quite clever actually. There are some talented young people here this session.

I love my horse. We had a great ride.

You can well imagine that we stagger the leave time for each pair. Consequently, the Trail Pace lasts from about 10 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. While teams are out in the woods, the rest of us catch up on barn chores. Everything from cleaning stalls and raking aisles are done along with watering horses and feeding them their lunchtime munchies. Me? I'm doing the snapping pictures thing.

I am always impressed with how confident the kids look when they return to the barn. Many are smiling non-stop much as my son did after he parachuted from an airplane and lived to tell the tale. Others are quite simply relaxed and quiet while some chatter a mile a minute.

Sing with me. Sing your heart out.

Just think. They have gone off in the woods to ride with a partner for a half hour or more. When they successfully find their way and also ride a safe ride, there is reason to sit tall in the saddle. It means our staff has made good rider/horse matches. The kids are using their horsemanship skills well, and I have done my job, showing the kids the trail system during the week previous so they feel comfortable on their own.

In the afternoon after Trail Pace, we all collapse. Literally. We go to bed and sleep for nearly three hours. Camp is very quiet on Saturday afternoon. Supper is late, often served at 7:00 p.m., and then there is karaoke night. What fun that is!

Swing and sway with the best of them.

The kids sing songs independently, with their cabin or as a member of the team that goes along with our camp theme. Karaoke night is a chance to let loose. Dance. Sing. Wave your arms around. Jump up and down. Laugh like there is not a care in the world. Boys. Girls. Staff. Everyone gets into the mix.
I can't believe the fun we have as we sway side-to-side to the music, even when - as my grandmother would say - we can't carry a tune in a basket.

We did the chicken dance, the hokey pokey, line dances, and then jived to songs like YMCA, Buttercup, Breaking Free, The Climb and lots more. It's a perfect night for anyone who loves music. I have to say it's even terrific for those who prefer to sit and watch.

There's something for everyone.

Our camp store was open so there were refreshments and conversation. And then Alie and Tarrah made the big announcement about the Trail Pace winners. There was lots to celebrate.

Karaoke and dancing silliness lasted until nearly 10:15 p.m., meaning lights out wasn't until nearly 11 p.m. No problem though. Not to worry. Our Sunday breakfast didn't begin until 9:30 a.m. and even then we could come in our pajamas.

Comment on our Trail Pace and Karaoke fun. I'll bet you wish you were here!

Are you making the world a better place?

A tender heartfelt horse pat makes my day.

I have to take a break in my posts to cite the little things that make me smile. I call them all the ordinary little miracles that I see in the course of a day or two or three. Of course, the idea comes from the song Ordinary Miracles, a song unique to the movie Charlotte's Web.

I'm not quoting all the lines from the song, only certain stanzas that feel right for the pictures I want to share. Just take a minute and enjoy because I'm wanting to bring you into my bubble for a few minutes.

There's the joy of watching a little kitten drink from a great big water trough.

It's not that unusual

When everything is beautiful

It's just another ordinary miracle today.

Confident waves let me know our riders are becoming independent.

Life is like a gift they say

Wrapped up for you everyday

Open up and find a way

To give some of your own.

A moment's conversation and gentle touch is special.

Isn't it remarkable

Like everytime a raindrop falls

It's just another ordinary miracle today.

A passing 'thank you' to Thunder tells her she is valued.

When you wake up everyday

Please don't throw your dreams away

Hold them close to your heart

'Cause we're all a part of the ordinary miracle

"Let me tell you about my day!"

Ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle?

Then there's a satisfied smile after a satisfying trail ride.

It seems so exceptional

The things just work out after all

It's just an ordinary miracle today.

What more can I say?

Sun comes up and shines so bright

And disappears again at night

It's just another ordinary miracle today.

I'll always be your friend.

It's just another ordinary miracle today.

I thank the good Lord everyday that my life is so full. I appreciate that you share your children with me because they fill me with hope that Sprucelands is making the world a better place.