Unleash Adventure at Benbrook Stables: VOTED THE TOP SUMMER CAMP IN FORT WORTH!
Discover the ultimate combination of adventures with our Horse Camp and Fish Camp choices available for Summer 2024.
For more than twenty-five years, Benbrook Stables has been organizing Spring Break and Summer camps, establishing our reputation as the premier equestrian camp for children in Fort Worth.
We have a deep-rooted commitment to introducing young ones to the marvels of the Texan landscape, and our proximity to Lake Benbrook offers an ideal setting to educate children on camping, hiking, and the array of exciting activities the lake presents.
At Benbrook Stables, we take pride in providing a secure and welcoming environment that caters to children of all ages.
Summer Horse Camp at Benbrook Stables
Ages 5 - 12 | July 17 & 18 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Join us for an unforgettable summer at Benbrook Stables Horse Camp!
Horse Camp at Benbrook Stables is so much fun for campers of every age. We begin every morning by greeting our campers at their car and walking them to the group they will spend the week with.
We let each camper find a group where they will be the happiest. If their relative or friend is also attending camp and they want to be together, we make sure that happens.
After everyone is settled into groups and ready to go, we introduce the counselors, helpers, and volunteers. The Instructors give a few guidelines of what to expect in today's camp, and some important rules they will have to follow to be safe around the horses, and while at the stables. We also share a few useful tips for them like not picking up a barn cat, or feeding one of the barn dogs all of your lunch...lol.
Safety is our top priority at horse camp. We go over lots of safety rules at the beginning of each day and throughout the week. Most of our campers are a little younger, so we have plenty of helpers and volunteers to keep a close eye out and help them whenever needed to stay safe at all times.
Making sure they know to carry their water bottles with them to each activity throughout the day is always at the top of our list. However, we also let them know they are welcome to grab a snack, rest at any time, cool off or warm up, go to the restroom, or just sit for a few minutes is fine with us. All they have to do is let the group leader know, and they will assist them in getting to where they need to go safely.
Meet our camp counselors
Our Groups
As soon as all campers are here, accounted for, and situated in a group, we teach them their particular group yells. Our camp groups that will be following the Chisolm Trail are The Texans, The Sheriffs, The Outlaws, The Gold Miners, and The Lone Rangers. The Chisolm Trail will lead them to Horseback Riding, Arts and Crafts, Games, Lunch, All About the Horse, and back to Riding again.
Our second group of campers will follow the Oregon Trail. They are The Chiefs, The Tomahawks, The Mustangs, The Thunderbirds, and The Buffalos. Their trail will take them to the same activities at different times on different rotations.
Riding Class:
When they are in the Riding Class at horse camp, campers get to experience Western and English riding and sometimes even bareback. The instructor will start with a lesson on safety. Campers are shown how to approach a horse safely, mount, hold their reins, turn each way, how to get their horse to move forward, how to stop, and how to dismount. They will get to know the different types of saddles, bridles, bits, and blankets used in each of the different disciplines and learn how to use them. While in a grooming group, they will experience using all types of brushes and curry combs, how to properly remove mud or debris from the horse's body, mane, and tail. On warmer days, they will get to shampoo and condition, brush, and learn how to get their horse ready for a show or just turn out for the evening.
While learning all about tack, campers will get total hands-on experience tacking up their horses. We teach them how saddles properly fit the horse, how to make sure they have good blankets, and that all the tack fits their horse correctly. They will learn how to identify parts of the saddle and bridle, the differences between English and western tack, and learn what all the tack is used for as well as how to care for their tack.
Arts and Crafts:
In "Arts and Crafts" this year, campers will get to decorate their own group flag, build a cactus, a totem pole, make a dream catcher and a friendship bracelet. They will also learn to sing "Happy Trails" while out on a hayride. Arts and crafts time is a great time to have fun with new friends and make some fun things to take home from camp. Most go home singing Happy Trails on the car ride home, it is always a favorite activity among the campers. Depending on the day your child attends camp, they will get to do one or all of these activities.
All About the Horse and Anatomy :
In "All About the Horse", campers will learn to identify the different colors of horses and how we name those colors. For instance, a brown horse with a black mane and tail is called a Bay. A Brown horse with the same color mane and tail is called a Sorrel, and so on. They will learn to identify different markings on horses and get to draw and color those markings. They also get to see, touch, and feel all different types of grooming supplies, shampoos, hairdressings, brushes, curry combs, and more. One day may focus on learning how the environment in the barn works. From the job of a barn cat to cleaning stalls, we cover everything about the life of a horse living in the barn. They will get to feed horses and see and feel the different types of grain and hay. We will compare what an older horse eats to what a foal or filly may eat. Some campers even venture out and taste some of the different grains for themselves.
We will also explore horses' emotions and how to tell if a horse is feeling happy or sad or even a little sick. We will teach them to tell how old a horse is by looking at some horse's teeth and how tall they are by measuring them in hands. After all of that, we will learn the parts of the horses' anatomy and let the campers paint manes and tails and parts of a horse with hair coloring markers. This may sound like a lot for a five or six-year-old, but we teach all of these things in such a fun hands-on way that the campers don't even realize they are learning so much.
Games:
While campers are in the "Games" group, they will be having fun getting to run, play, and compete against other groups. We will have the all-time favorite barn tag day ready for them followed by obstacle course day, scavenger hunt, over and under, boot toss, field day, and then finally awards day where we award the most winning group of all five days.
On hot Summer days, we will pull out sprinklers and slip and slides, not just to have some fun, but to keep everyone cool while moving between horseback riding and other activities.
Nurse's Office:
If any bumps, bruises, stings, or ant bites happen, we have band-aids, topical ointments, ice packs, and sprays in the office. Two instructors are certified in CPR, and EMTs are only 2 miles away with a 5-minute arrival time. We always call a parent with even the smallest ouchies just to let them know and make sure they are informed.
Saying Goodbye:
At the end of each camp day, all campers head back to their designated area. We end the day with their camp yell and saying goodbye to their new friends. We hand deliver to each camper their picture and T-shirt if they have ordered one and make sure they have one that is a good fit. Everyone has a few minutes to round up their arts and crafts and get ready to meet their parents for pick-up.
Camp is filled with fun activities and gives us so many opportunities for some great pictures. We will try to incorporate as many pictures each day onto our social media websites so that parents can see some of the things their campers have done during the day.
We hope everyone enjoys their time at horse camp. Our instructors have a great time teaching and do everything possible to help every camper have a super fun experience.
They are here before camp and after camp to answer questions or help in any way they can, just give us a call and we are happy to help. If you are already signed up for camp, you will be receiving updates and informative emails each week leading up to your camp date.
Looking forward to an amazing camp season!
Hope to see you soon!
Summer Fish Camp at Benbrook Stables
Ages 6 - 12 | July 22 & 23 & July 29 & 30 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Dive into an unforgettable summer adventure at Benbrook Stables Fish Camp!
This camp offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the outdoors, go fishing, and learn some cool new skills all while having a great time. Our campers will be taught how to bait a hook, build a campfire, set up a tent, go hiking, dig for fossils, and of course, fish, and explore the amazing outdoors! They'll also learn about our local wildlife and lake habitat and how to be a responsible part of our amazing ecosystem.
With a variety of exciting activities and opportunities to explore the great outdoors, this camp is perfect for anyone who loves adventure. You'll have the chance to go fishing, hiking, dig for fossils, and enjoy some fun activities and arts & crafts to take home! Plus, the counselors are all friendly and helpful, making sure that every camper feels safe and comfortable throughout their camp day.
Campers will have the opportunity to expand your knowledge about lake life beyond your wildest dreams. We'll delve into the diverse varieties of flora and fauna residing in and around the lake, studying each species and how it exists. Additionally, we'll provide our campers with the necessary skills to set up a tent and build a real campfire, as well as embark on adventures in the areas surrounding the lake, all while learning more about the environment. It's sure to be an unforgettable experience!
When it comes to camping, who knew there were so many different styles of camping? There are so many ways people interpret this outdoor adventure. It can mean something different to everyone, ranging from sleeping under the stars with minimal gear to enjoying modern luxuries in the wilderness. Your camper will get an idea of all the different ways to camp and enjoy the outdoors in a fun, safe environment with amazing instructors who share a love of adventure, camping, fishing, and hiking.
Just one of the fun activities we will cover in camp is, where to set up your tent.
We will show campers how to find a large, flat place to put their tent and remove any sticks, rocks, pinecones, or other debris from the area. These objects are not only uncomfortable to sleep on, but they may also puncture your tent.
They will also learn how to:
Avoid low and sunken areas on the ground -- they can become extremely wet when it rains.
Orient the tent so that your head will be on the uphill side while you are sleeping.
Some tents come with a ground cloth or "footprint" upon which you will set up the tent. If your tent does not have one included, a waterproof tarp will also work - just be sure to fold any excess tarp under, or else it will collect water rather than repel it. Lay down the ground cloth, then set up your tent according to your manufacturer's instructions
On a camping trip, your tent is your shelter! And even on a picnic or BBQ, at a festival, or spending a day at the beach, a tent is a great item to have to provide a home base, and protection from the elements. Tents come in all different shapes and sizes, from bivy sacks and bivy tents weighing only a couple of ounces to massive cabin tents ideal for larger groups weighing 50 lbs or more. Initially, tents were made out of thick canvas, but these days, they can be created from many types of materials, contributing to their weight and durability and making some tents better than others for bad weather or high winds. Many modern tents boast many features, including large vestibules, electric hookups, gear lofts and pockets, room dividers, and vertical walls to increase headspace. With so many different types of tents, there is a perfect tent for any application!
This camp not only provides exciting activities like fishing, and hiking, but also teaches campers about different campsite types such as wooded, desert, mountain, marshy, and lakeside camping.
We will teach them what to pack for a safe and enjoyable camping trip. They will learn to pack all the must-have essentials like a tent, sleeping bag, water, compass, rope, lighter or matches, hiking boots, first aid kit, food, duct tape, a tarp for backup ground cover or shade, paracord to tie up tarps and hang clothes, tent repair kit, flashlight or headlamp for after dark, hand sanitizer or soap, disinfecting wipes, good paper towels, toilet paper and more.
Our friendly and helpful counselors will make sure that every camper is ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
In addition to learning all things tents and camping, our campers will learn everything they ever wanted to know about fishing and fishing lures.
If you’ve ever used a fishing lure to catch fish, you know how effective they can be. For those of you who haven’t, a fishing lure is a type of artificial fishing bait used to attract fish. Lures come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, each designed to attract a specific range of fish species. Of course, what works with one fish won’t necessarily work with another. So, how do you know which fishing lure to use?
At Fish Camp, we are going to examine the most common types of fishing lures and how to use them. You’ll be able to catch your limit in no time!
Along with camping, hiking, fishing, and tents, we will set out and explore the area for fossils. We will search all around the area for fossils of all kinds.
Fossil Digs:
Learning about Fossils. Campers will learn about and search for all types of fossils.
Benbrook Lake – located southwest of Fort Worth – is a noted fossil-hunting location. Much of the rock that underlies Tarrant County consists primarily of seventy to eighty-five million-year-old sedimentary rock strata from the Late Cretaceous Period. Accessible in the Benbrook Spillway cut and many other exposed areas, these rocks are the remains of a shallow ocean that covered this part of the continent and receded over the last seventy million years to the present Gulf Coast shoreline in South Texas. It represents a shallow marine habitat, under about thirty feet of depth, which was populated by oyster reefs, corals, clams, sea urchins, and ammonites. It is very similar to what you might find off the Texas coast today at similar depth, except for the ammonites. Ammonites are an extinct group of shelled mollusks, related to the nautilus, squid, and octopus. Most of the fossils you find have living descendants today, some in almost exactly the same form, like oyster shells.
At Benbrook Stables Fish Camp, your camper will learn all about the native wildlife of Texas. Spending time in nature is beneficial for both children and adults, and when people understand something, they are more likely to care for it. That's why at Fish Camp, you'll learn all about the local wildlife and how to preserve and care for it by exploring and making observations. Whether you're hiking, looking for animal prints, or digging for fossils, there are many ways to learn about nature in a fun and engaging way. So come and experience the great outdoors while discovering the wonders of nature at Fish Camp.
Your children will also have the chance to learn how to tie sailing knots, identify plants, birds, and local wildlife. They will get to play fun games, make new friends, and gain valuable life skills that they will cherish forever.
Come join us for an unforgettable camp experience. We hope to see you soon!
BENBROOK STABLES
10001 Benbrook Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76126
817-249-1001
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