2026 Thanksgiving Horse Camp | November 23-25
Three days. The whole experience.
School is out, so we are opening the barn. Our holiday camps take everything campers love about a full summer week and condense it into three focused days, Monday through Wednesday, 9am to 3pm. Nothing is padded and nothing is cut short: your camper is in the saddle and learning real horsemanship every single day, heads out on a coastal trail ride on day two, and puts on a show for you on the final afternoon. For campers aged 8 to 15, at every experience level, including none at all.
Holiday Camp Itinerary
Day one moves fast because it has to. Campers meet the herd, learn to read and handle a horse safely, and are in the saddle before lunch.
- 9:00am: Arrival, meet and greet, safety introduction.
- 9:30am: Meet the horses. Learn how to identify, approach, catch and halter a horse.
- 10:15am: Grooming and saddling lesson - the parts of the saddle and what each one does.
- 11:15am: First ride. Mounting, steering with your body, hands and legs, asking a horse to stop and go, and a safe dismount.
- 12:15pm: Lunch break.
- 1:00pm: Second mounted session. Mounted team-building games including Red-light Green-light to prove you can control your horse's speed.
- 2:15pm: Unsaddle, grain and groom your horse.
- 2:45pm: Snack, carrots for your horse, and wait for pick up.
The day campers remember. Morning is horse anatomy, emotions and body language, then the trot. Afternoon is out on the trail.
- 9:00am: Arrive, catch, groom and saddle your own horse - on your own this time.
- 9:45am: Horse anatomy, and how to recognise and read horse emotions and body language.
- 10:30am: Lesson. Warm up at the walk, practice transitions, and ride at a trot. Advanced riders may lope if they are ready.
- 11:45am: Lunch break.
- 12:30pm: Trail ride. Head out from the barn, work your horse around natural obstacles like trees and downed logs, take turns leading the string, and play the pass-the-stick team-building game.
- 2:15pm: Return, unsaddle, grain and groom.
- 2:45pm: Snack and pick up.
Campers review everything they have learned, practice their events, and then show you. Families are invited and expected - this is the point of the three days.
- 9:00am: Review horse anatomy, emotions and body language, and demonstrate what you know.
- 9:45am: Catch, grain, groom and saddle your horse.
- 10:30am: Snack.
- 10:45am: Practice for the show - barrel racing, pole bending, keyhole and trail obstacles, at whatever speed each rider is comfortable with.
- 12:00pm: Lunch break.
- 12:45pm: Final practice and dress rehearsal.
- 2:00pm: The Ocean View Stables Camp Olympics Show. Families welcome. Campers choose their favourite events and show off their new skills.
- 2:45pm: Introduce your horse to your family and say farewell - or until next time.
- 3:00pm: Pick up.
What parents ask us first
My child has never touched a horse.
Good. Most of them have not. Every camper is assigned their own camp horse chosen to match their size and experience, and no horse in our beginner string is there by accident.
Is it safe?
Three adults are on the ground whenever campers are mounted, with a maximum of four mounted riders per teaching staffer. Head counts are called aloud at every transition. Helmets are provided.
What if they get cold or wet?
These camps run in the dark half of the year on the coast. Send warm waterproof layers and a change of socks - we will email you an exact packing list before camp. There is an indoor space and a refrigerator for lunches.
What do they need to wear?
Long pants and boots with a small heel, about an inch - a heel is what stops a foot sliding through a stirrup. Closed-toe shoes at all times. We will spell it all out before the first morning.
Can I come to the show?
Please do. The Camp Olympics Show on Wednesday afternoon is the whole reason the three days are shaped the way they are. Everyone coming on to the property signs a release waiver, including spectators.
I need to drop off early or collect late.
Extended care is available at $40 per 30 minutes after 3:15pm. You do not need to book it in advance - just bring cash or a check on the day.
Additional Holiday Camp Info
The sign in and out sheet is located in the stables office. Only authorized persons may pick up campers, and we will ask for photo ID until we know your face.
In the event of an emergency or a change to your drop off or pick up arrangements, please call Ocean View Stables at 415-969-1223.
It is the parents' responsibility to inform the camp by 9:00am if your child is not going to attend that day, by texting 415-969-1223. There are no makeups for missed days of camp. The camper can book a private lesson to catch up on the training.
Children with contagious illnesses will not be permitted in camp. If a child becomes ill during our care, a call will be placed and arrangements must be made to pick up the child.
Camp staff cannot administer any medication to your child. If your child must take medication during camp hours, it must be sent in its original bottle with the doctor's directions attached and handed to staff at check in. It will be locked in our first aid box. Staff will remind campers at 9:30am and 12:30pm ONLY to take their medication. The camper must be able to administer the medication themselves. Please adjust medications at home to fit these hours, as we cannot deviate from them. Asthmatic and diabetic medications provided by parents will always be kept on the staff member or the camper and used as needed.
No refunds or exchanges of camp sessions once registration is accepted. Ocean View Stables reserves the right to cancel the program at any time due to lack of registration.
Appropriate behavior from children is expected at all times. If a staff member finds that a child's behavior is uncontrollable or harmful to themselves, others, or the horses, staff will call the parent to have the child picked up. Arrangements must be made at that time for immediate pick up. In this case, refunds and make-ups will not be permitted.
Campers must wear close-toed shoes at all times. Shoes with a short heel, such as cowboy or cowgirl boots, and long pants must be brought for riding periods. Campers without heeled shoes or long pants will not be permitted to ride. Riding chaps are acceptable. Holiday camps run in cold and often wet weather, so please send warm layers, a waterproof jacket and a dry change of socks. Campers must bring a backpack daily with water.
Ocean View Stables carries liability insurance only. Proof of medical insurance must be provided by the parent or guardian before the start date of camp.
The camp has a refrigerator for lunch and for medications.
While all safety precautions are taken, horseback riding is a high-risk activity. Parents will be informed of all accidents with accident forms. Please read, sign and return these forms the following day. If your child is seriously injured at camp, a call will be placed to the parent and all subsequent emergency numbers. If no authorized person can be contacted, emergency medical personnel will be called in. All advice of emergency personnel will be followed, including advice to transport to the nearest hospital.
Radios, electronic games, weapons of any kind, alcohol, drugs and similar items are not permitted on the facility. Ocean View Stables is not responsible for personal items brought to camp including saddles, helmets, phones and jewelry. All phones must be turned off and will be put in a locker for the day.
Personal animals are not allowed at camp, with the exception of pre-approved horses. If you wish to bring your own horse to camp, please contact us before registering.
For any other questions about the Ocean View Stables holiday camps, please call or text 415-969-1223.
Need extended care or early drop off? OVS has you covered.
$40 per 30 minutes after 3:15pm
- Don't know in advance? We can do that. Just bring payment the morning of service. Cash or check.
- Have an after-camp emergency? We understand. Just bring payment at pick up. Cash or check.
- If it is not settled before the next camp day, the camper will not be able to participate.