FebHappings 01

We are in week 3 of our summer camp program. All is going well. The first week (June 17 – 22) we only had 14 campers and that worked out well, as most of my staff was unavailable for that session, with exams. proms, etc. It sure was different having such a small group, we had one instructor, and one tack up person. The only problem we had was I was not programmed to cook for such a small group and we always had a lot of leftovers. Rudy, Hershey, and Barkly had a great week.

The second week was full to capacity (24) and didn't go as well as we had a real downpour on Thursday. It just poured all day and we could not ride, so did some fun things indoors, all horse related of course. The riding rings were unusable as we literally had lakes in them. Friday morning the sun was out and we decided to go on with the show in the afternoon. Gave the rings another rest in the morning and did our lesson in the grass jumper field to prepare for the show in the afternoon. The show was a success as usual and everyone went home happy with their ribbons and awards.

Our 7th cabin is finally complete, just finished staining the bunk beds on Friday, so we can now accommodate 30 children per week. We made a few changes this year as we now have mirrors in all the cabins and the dressers should be ready this week. We also redid the bunk beds so now the baggage will actually fit under the bed. Makes for a more organized cabin and the campers need all the help they can get.

Since I last wrote, we have acquired a few new horses, Tenika – grey Arabian, Tamin – Arab X jumper pony, Amigo – Quarterhorse, Eclipse – Thoroughbred, What’s her name – Warmblooded X, and a borrowed pony named Rajah, making our total around 45 horses. We are looking for a few more 14 – 14’2 hand ponies. If you know of anything for sale or lease for the summer, please email me. Remember they must be well schooled, safe and fairly quiet.

Our staff for this summer is Angie Wohlford and Jessie Hall – instructors, Angela Kendall – stable management instructor as well as substitute riding instructor. Barn Manager is Shosh (yes she's back). Tack-up assistants are Connie Chapman, Jessie Eccott, Kristie Wanchuk, and Kiely Keys. Most of this girls are previous campers. Our night recreation coordinator is Jenny. Jenny is also a part time teacher and has had a lot of experience with children. Boy, does she have the games, as she has also done some P.E. teaching.

Lorne has just finished the pen for the other barnyard animals we hope to acquire. In the plans are a pygmy goat, lamb, and perhaps a Vietnamese pig (maybe), that way my life won't be so boring in the winter. As if that would be a possibility. The mini pen is complete and Moose, Lolita and Tamara are in confinement, although I let them roam each evening for a little green grass.

Our camps for the 2001 season are pretty much full, with a couple of spaces available for the last week (Aug. 26 – 31.) I would like to thank everyone for patronizing our facility and making us successful. We have a huge return rate, with many coming for consecutive weeks, which means we must be doing something right. Our staff all work very hard to help make us the success we are, and I really appreciate all their help.

I am just in the process of getting next years schedule ready as some are already asking for the registration forms. We are filling earlier each year, and prime weeks look like they should almost be booked a year in advance. Many people book their holidays in the Okanagan Valley the same time each year and require certain weeks for their children to attend. Looks like we will have to have another increase this year, as costs just keep going up. Hay prices are going to be outrageous, with the ongoing water shortage.

Talk to you again soon and will get my new schedule up shortly.

Hilda