Beginner Horsemanship Week

1. Program Description:

Hope for Horses Horsemanship Camp is a Monday through Friday, part-day program running from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Camp fee is $375.00 per camper per week.

This is an equine education week where campers are not purchasing a week of riding lessons. They are enrolling in a structured horsemanship week that covers all aspects of working with and understanding horses. Camp content is determined by instructors and grouped by skill level, not age alone.

Camp activities may include any combination of the following: Mounted riding instruction appropriate to skill level, Groundwork and natural horsemanship, Arts and Crafts, Safe horse handling, leading, and haltering, Equine anatomy and parts of the horse, Feed, nutrition, and general horse care, Equine first aid and health observation, Tack identification, fitting, and care, Barn management and facility safety, Other horsemanship topics as determined by the instructor. Daily content is instructor-determined based on weather, horse welfare, skill progression, and curriculum design. This is by design and is part of a well-rounded equine education. 

2. Registration and Payment

Camp registration is not confirmed until full payment of $375.00 is received. Spots are limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment in full is required to hold a camper’s spot.

3. Refund and Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to programs@hope4horses.com. The following schedule applies:

More than two (2) weeks before camp start date:  Full refund of the $375.00 registration fee.

Between one (1) and two (2) weeks before camp start date:  50% refund ($187.50). The remaining $187.50 is non-refundable.

Less than one (1) week before camp start date:  No refund. The full $375.00 is forfeited.

No-shows and mid-week withdrawals:  No refund or proration will be issued for campers who do not attend or who leave camp partway through the week.

Hope for Horses, Inc. reserves the right to cancel a camp session due to insufficient enrollment, instructor unavailability, or circumstances outside its control. In the event of an Organization-initiated cancellation, a full refund will be issued.

4. Required Camp Registration Form

All campers must have a completed camp registration form on file before the first day of camp. This form includes emergency contact information, medical history, known allergies, current medications, and any physical or behavioral conditions that may affect the camper’s safe participation.

Failure to disclose a known medical condition, allergy, or physical limitation that affects a camper’s ability to safely participate may result in immediate removal from camp without refund.  Hope for Horses, Inc. is not responsible for adverse outcomes resulting from undisclosed medical information.

If a camper requires medication during camp hours, it must be disclosed on the registration form. Hope for Horses, Inc. staff are not licensed to administer medications. Parents or guardians are responsible for arranging medication administration.

5. Food, Drinks, and What to Bring

Hope for Horses, Inc. does not provide food or beverages. Campers must arrive each day with: Sufficient snacks and drinks for a 4-hour session. Water is strongly recommended, especially in warm weather. Closed-toe shoes with a heel (no sandals, flip flops, or open-toe footwear of any kind). Weather-appropriate clothing, campers will be outdoors and working with horses regardless of heat or light weather changes. An ASTM/SEI-certified equestrian helmet that will be provided by Hope For Horses in the event the camper does not have their own. Helmets are required for all mounted activities and Sunscreen applied before arrival on sunny days.

Campers who arrive without appropriate footwear or clothing may be unable to participate in certain activities. No refund or credit will be issued in this circumstance.

6. Drop-Off, Pick-Up, and Supervision

Camp hours are 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Campers should be dropped off no earlier than 8:50 AM. Pick-up is at 1:00 PM.

Hope for Horses, Inc. is not responsible for the supervision of campers before or after scheduled camp hours. 

Campers will only be released to the parent, guardian, or authorized adult(s) listed on the registration form. Photo ID may be required. If someone other than the listed guardian will be picking up a camper, written notice must be provided to Hope for Horses, Inc. staff before that day.

7. Camper Conduct

Campers are expected to follow all staff instructions at all times, treat horses, staff, and fellow campers with respect, and behave in a manner consistent with a safe equine environment. Bullying, disruptive behavior, or any action that places horses, staff, or other campers at risk will not be tolerated.

Hope for Horses, Inc. reserves the right to remove a camper from the program at any time for conduct that violates these standards or poses a safety risk. In the event of removal for conduct, no refund will be issued for the remainder of the camp week.

8. Photo and Video Consent

By registering, the parent or guardian grants Hope for Horses, Inc. permission to photograph and/or video record the camper during camp activities for use in promotional, educational, and social media content, without compensation. This consent may be revoked in writing at any time prior to or during camp.

9. Assumption of Risk and Liability

Equine activities involve inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of the level of care or instruction provided, including but not limited to bucking, rearing, bolting, kicking, biting, falling, and unpredictable animal behavior. These risks are defined and governed by the Virginia Equine Activities Liability Act, Virginia Code Section 3.2-6200 et seq.

A signed Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk is required for all campers before the first day of camp. These Terms do not replace that Release; both documents apply and must be on file.

Hope for Horses, Inc., its officers, directors, employees, instructors, agents, and volunteers are not liable for injuries, accidents, illness, or property damage occurring during camp or while on the premises, to the extent permitted by Virginia law.

10. Weather and Program Modifications

Camp activities will proceed in most weather conditions. In the event of severe weather, lightning, or conditions that pose a risk to camper or horse safety, activities will be modified or moved indoors. Hope for Horses, Inc. reserves the right to modify the daily schedule, activities, or curriculum at any time without notice.

11. Governing Law and Severability

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Stafford County or the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia. If any provision is found invalid, the remaining provisions continue in full force.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND AGREEMENT

By purchasing a spot, the parent or guardian acknowledges that they have read and understood these Terms in full, that camp includes non-riding equine education as a core component, that the refund schedule in Section 3 applies, and that a completed camp registration form and signed Release of Liability must be on file before the camper’s first day.