2008 family with youth horsemanship camps

  • July 12 to16
  • Children must be 7 years or older to participate in horse activities.
  • Horses are provided in these camps by the Abajo Haven Guest Ranch.
  • All lodging, ranch activities, and meals included.
  • 5 full days:  arrive the evening before (July 11) and check out the morning after the camp (July 17)
  • ONLY 8 YOUTH RIDERS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THIS CAMP! BOOK YOUR RESERVATION FAST!
  • $1,200  adults
  • $875  young adults 11 to 17
  • $650  children 7 to 11
  • Children 6 & under free, no daycare is provided in this camp children 6 & under are not allowed to participate in horse activities.

Family youth horsemanship camps are jam packed full of fun. This camp is full of activities for both the parents and the children.  Parents, enjoy hiking and ATV tours to spectacular  Indian dwelling sites. Wildlife are usually seen at the ranch and also on the hikes that you take. You will see Utah back country while your children are learning about taking care of horses.  You can participate in as many activities as you want or you may want to just relax under a shade tree for the afternoon. This is your vacation!

MEALS:  All lodging, ranch activities, and meals are included in the price.  Just imagine sitting around the campfire enjoying a fresh baked meal.  Meals include oak smoked ribs, home style cooked meals such as; turkey dinners with mashed potatoes and gravy or Italian dinners such as; homemade lasagna with green salads and homemade soups.  The next morning will include a full breakfast such as; eggs, bacon, toast, sausage and biscuits, you name it we will have it!  Contact us for special dietary needs.

Safety is our number one priority!  Students must provide his/her own riding boots and approved riding helmet.  Guides will constantly be supervising children with their horses.  We spend the first day making sure your child knows and understands the safety rules of being around and caring for horses.

Spare time can be spent playing games:  Volleyball, baseball, water games, etc., building forts, or just spend time around the campfire.  Or you may want to do an activity on your own such as; site seeing/hiking in the National Forest (1 mile from ranch), fishing (a short drive from ranch), etc.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING:  Arrive at the ranch.  Check in not before 1:00.  Get settled in. Enjoy getting to know new friends, play volleyball, sit by the campfire, and have dinner while you hear about the upcoming weekly activities. 

SATURDAY:  A.M. Youth:  Activities will be getting to know your horse on the ground.  Safety around horses, grooming, and leading your horse will be the main topics this morning.
                                 Adults:  ATV to pristine Indian dwelling sites. (2 hours)  These sites are in a very private, pristine area that have not been seen by the main public, so you will probably not see another person on this tour since most of the land you are crossing is on private land.  You will see many dwellings on this tour as you follow a creek bed down a canyon.
                        AFTERNOON:  Hiking for the whole family.  Hike on a beautiful ancient trail through the pinyon and juniper trees where Anasazi Indians walked! Walk along a canyon wall and see two unique, pristine Anasazi dwellings.

SUNDAY:  A.M. Youth:  Safety issues will be reviewed.  Learn to saddle up. Basic riding will be done today.  Get to know your horse on his back.
                            Adults:  Pack a lunch, most of the day will be traveling to Montezuma Canyon.  This canyon was a main trading route to the Indians.  You will view many petrographs and indian sites.  Petrographs are seen along this ancient trail, along with many dwelling sites.  A packed picnic is provided under big cottonwood trees near an old corral.
                  AFTERNOON YOUTH:  Learn more about caring for your horse, keeping them healthy, feeding, etc.

MONDAY:  A.M. youth:  More riding today.  Today learn to maneuver through obstacles and patterns.
                   A.M. adults:  (2 hours) More Atv riding to spectacular wilderness. Stop and view wildlife and scenery.
                    Afternoon youth:  Play water games!
                    Early supper served today, so the whole gang can go fishing in the evening!

TUESDAY:  A.M. The whole family will do more hiking to dry wash dwellings.  This is a 2 mile hike to two dwellings that are on National Forest and literally are built on a cliff facing.  This dwelling is very well preserved due to being out of the weather.  The sticks used for this dwelling can still be seen.  These dwellings are amazing!
                      P.M.  Let the children show you what they have learned with their horses. Families watch as they groom, lead and ride their horses.
                     Early supper served today. The whole gang can go fishing or go wildlife viewing in the evening!

WEDNESDAY:  A.M. youth:  Youth ride one last time and get to say good bye to their new equine friend.
                          Last day!   We will take the whole gang to the magnificent museums that Blanding has to offer.  Blanding offers two Indian artifact museums and one Dinosaur Museum.  These museums are famous and are quite a surprise to have here. You would not want to miss seeing these museums while visiting Blanding. Their exhibits are incredible! The cost to the museums are included in your vacation package. There are also several trading posts that sell Indian jewelry that you may want to visit. And I am sure there will be time to get ice cream on the way back to the ranch!

                           EVENING:  Spent around the campfire giving awards to youth.