It’s August. One month left in the summer break, and parents may be scrambling to find something for the kids to do.
Earthbound Kids camps offer close-to-home overnight and day camp experiences for kids ages 4 to 16 – especially those with a love of horses.
When Carol and Phillip Norton first opened Earthbound Kids in Stouffville, they had about 15 kids sign up for the overnight camping experience, that offered horseback riding, swimming, archery, and other outdoor activities.
Ten years later, the camp regularly sees 250 kids attend over the summer months, and the Nortons have opened a new Farm Camp on Line 2 in New Tecumseth – about 15 minutes from Bradford.
The Schomberg Farm Camp held its first open house this May. “This will be the first year we actually have a full program here,” said Phillip, who described himself as “more the tree, zip-line and construction side” of the operation.
“We are brand new,” said Carol, whose passion for horses inspires all of the camps. The Schomberg farm provides an overnight camp with a focus on equestrian arts, a Saddle Club Day Camp for pony-loving youngsters between six and 12 years, a Farm and Wildlife Day Camp for ages eight to 12, and a Family Farm Camp experience, on the rolling 48-acre property.
Campers don’t just do “horse stuff,” said Carol – riding, learning more about the care and grooming of the horses – they also get a full farm experience.
“They get to meet our “fibre” animals – alpacas and sheep. They learn how animals provide us with so many great things,” she said, and explore the vegetable garden, harvesting tomatoes and herbs to be used in the meals prepared at the camp. Kids enjoy trail rides, games, campfires, arts and crafts, sports and water slide fun.
Right now, the overnight camp can only accommodate six kids at a time – but the Nortons are in the middle of the building permit process for a second cabin, to accommodate another eight. The success of the Stouffville Camp suggests the Schomberg Earthbound Kids will continue to grow.
Overnight and day camps take place during the week. On weekends and after the summer season, the facility is open for Family Camp – when “kids can come with their adults and have that camp experience,” said Carol.
While the parents explore the area, the kids are kept “very busy,” she said, riding, checking out the garden, meeting the fibre animals, gathering eggs and making their meals, looking for wildlife and connecting with nature, under the supervision of trained staff. All the camps have a high ratio of staff to campers, to make sure the experience is not only fun, but safe.
But more often than not, the adults choose to stay and participate in camp activities, from riding, to exploring the farm.
“To date, most of the adults have joined in the fun,” Carol said.
It’s not a traditional riding school. Carol acknowledged there are “a ton” of really top-notch show facilities and equestrian schools in the area. “We’re not in that arena,” she said. “We really specialize in new riders, and a fun experience.”
For more information on the camping experiences, and on Earthbound Kids Schomberg, located at 4988 Line 2, visit here or here, or call 905-642-6087 ext. 102.
