The Swan Center has been offering quality camps and equestrian programs, for children and adults, since 1987. Our camps are non-denominational in nature, and we welcome children of all races and religions.
Our summer camps are open to girls and boys, ages 5 to 16, and are appropriate for riders of every level of expertise and riding style. We offer both day and overnight formats. Enrollment is limited to 24 campers, and the counselor to camper ratio is one instructor for every three campers. Camp Swano also offers Junior and Senior Counselor programs, to campers who have previously attended one or more camps.
Our camp program follows a co-operative rather than competitive format. There is a strong emphasis on teamwork and campers are encouraged to openly share their talents with others.
Each camper will be receiving instruction in the following five skill areas:
Horse Care
Each camper is assigned their own horse for the camp period. Campers learn about proper care of the horse, including feeding, grooming, and saddling their horses.
Horseback Riding
Campers spend a great deal of time riding their horses. Daily riding activities include private and group lessons; drill team practice; horseback games; and trail rides. On Native American day, campers will experience decorating their horses and bareback riding.
Nature Studies
Nature walks and classes are held daily. Campers learn about the different types of flora in the forest, and learn orienteering skills. The nature study course ends with a scavenger hunt based on orienteering skills learned.
Arts and Crafts
Arts and Crafts classes are held daily. Crafts include horse shoe painting and decorating; show scarves; leathercraft; and other surprise crafts.
Camp Spirit
Points are awarded for attitude, cooperation, courage, determination, treatment and respect of others, helpfulness, kindness, and sharing of talents with others.
Each skill area has three levels of achievement. Each level accomplished earns a ribbon. Level 1 earns a 3rd place ribbon; level 2 earns a 2nd place ribbon; and level 3 earns a 1st place ribbon. Campers who earn 1st place ribbons in all 5 areas are awarded a Grand Champion ribbon and trophy. Campers are encouraged to use their talents to help each member of their team, so that every member goes home with a Grand Champion award.
Camp Daily format
Mornings at Camp Swano begin with group camp duties, breakfast, the raising of the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, and singing of the National Anthem and the Camp Swano song.
Horse activities take place in the morning and early afternoon.
Lunch, dinner, a mid-morning and a mid-afternoon snack are served each day. Vegetarian and other dietary needs are accomodated.
On the last evening of each camp week,
campers gather around a bon-fire for an old fashion hoe down complete with a cookout, and an evening full of entertainment, staged by the campers.
Camp concludes with a horse performance, for families and friends. Ribbons and trophies are awarded during the performance, and a victory celebration is held afterwards, for everyone attending.
• horseback drill team practice