Life at horse camp

 Unlike, most summer horse camps where camp participants may only spend a few hours a day riding. Meadow Vue Ranch is special we focus on getting camp participants as much time in the saddle as possible. Besides the extra time in the saddle we are a working ranch meaning that camp participants will experience life on a real working ranch, participate in our rodeos, depending on the week camp participants may get to help move cattle, and participate in other real ranch experiences. What is a typical week of camp like at Meadow Vue Ranch?  

 Sunday (Afternoon) Horse camp participants arrive after 2 pm on Sunday. Upon arrival horse camp participants will meet their camp counselors and learn which bunkhouse they will be staying in for the week.  Horse camp participants are housed “dormitory-style, in single-sex bunkhouses with counselor supervision. While horse camp participants wait for other horse camp participants to check in you can get to know your fellow horse camp participants and counselors and get settled in to your bunkhouse. At 6:30pm horse camp participants will get to experience cooking their dinner over an open fire as they cook hot dogs and smores and get also eat other great ranch side dishes. After dinner horse camp participants will go over rules and expectations with the ranch staff. Horse camp participants will also get to know the other camp participants and counselors through an activity. After the rules and introductions horse camp participants will be able to participate in learning a song that they will perform at the rodeo during the week and learn several line dances. After a fun filled evening horse camp participants will go to bed at 10pm. 

 Horse camp participants wake at 7am to start their day. By 7:30am horse camp participants will be split into two groups group one will help prepare their horses for the day by catching, grooming, and saddling all the horses for the camp. The second group will complete some small chores around the ranch such as cleaning their bunkhouses and the restrooms.  After the horses are saddled and the chores are done it is time for breakfast. After breakfast it is a very exciting time at horse camp, it is time to ride. At this point our staff will assign each camp participant the horse that they will be riding for the rest of the week. The staff assigns the horse based on the experience, age, and personality of the camp participant. After horses are assigned and equipment is double checked, we then proceed to evaluate the skills of each individual camp participant so the staff is able to identify the ability of each rider so that they can receive the instruction and guidance needed based on ability. After the evaluation we begin instructing the horse camp participants based on their abilities to improve their riding skills. Through out the morning we will take a few small restroom and water breaks, but most of the time will be spent their horses. We break for lunch on the ranch at 12:30pm. After lunch time for more riding! The afternoon is spent learning more horsemanship skills through a wide variety of games and activities on horseback. During the afternoon horse camp participants also begin practicing for the mounted horse drill that the horse camp participants will preform during the rodeos on Wednesday and Saturday. Around 6pm horse activities end for the day. Horse camp participants help unsaddle and care for their horses every night. After evening chores are through it is time for dinner.  After the horses are put away and dinner is complete it is time to work off dinner with a little arena volleyball. There is an opportunity for supervised free time horse camp participants can play games, play capture the flag, get to know new friends, or shower.  

 Rise and shine at 7am the groups rotate group one will do chores and group two will help saddle.  After Breakfast time for more riding horse camp participants will practice the drill,  learn to do barrel racing and pole bending, play games on horse back such as red light green light, Simon says and ribbon racing. After lunch more fun from horseback horse camp participants may be split in the afternoon to work specific riding skills based on their skill level.  Experienced  horse camp participants will get to go staff to check on the cattle and doctor any sick cattle.  After dinner those that want to learn to rope will get great instruction from on of our staff.     Lights out at 10pm Wednesday is going to be a big day!  

  Wake up it is Rodeo day! After caring for horses and morning chores time for breakfast. After breakfast time to get back in the saddle and practice the drill and the grand entry. A few horse camp participants will be chosen to carry the flags in for the rodeo and someone will get to sing the national anthem at the rodeo. After lunch, it is time for a little more practice of the drill and practice barrels and poles for late that night and of course there will be time for a game or two. Late afternoon camp participants will get the chance to wash the dirt off and get cleaned up for the Rodeo & BBQ. 7 pm it is rodeo time! Horse camp participants start the start the rodeo off with the grand entry and the singing of the nation anthem. They will then get to preform the mounted horse drill they have been practicing all week. After the drill some of the camp participants will get to preform again in the barrel racing, pole bending, and steer riding. After the rodeo part of the horse camp participants will help take care of their horses and the rest will help serve dinner to the guests that are at the ranch for the rodeo and dinner. After the horses are taken care of all the campers will get to sign the song that they have been practicing throughout the week. After dinner time for some music and dancing. 10 pm Rodeo day is a long day so sleep comes easy tonight.  

 7am you are burning daylight! After the normal morning routine time to get back on that pony and ride. Thursday morning more games and practicing new skills games on Thursday may include the egg race, the water race, trail race, and much more. Thursday is also the day we take all camp participants on a trail ride in Targhee national forest behind the ranch. After lunch (depending on the week)is the normal time that the horse camp participants will get to practice their cowboy skills and help move cattle on the ranch. After an afternoon of moving cattle and another great dinner it is time for some singing. Thursday night is game night.

 7am Time another beautiful day at Meadow Vue Ranch! Breakfast is over and the horses are ready time for some more riding. Activities may include some great games, the drill, or learning more advanced horsemanship skills. After lunch if it is warm outside it might be time for a little for a slip & slide Meadow Vue Ranch style. After a nice afternoon of slipping & sliding, playing in the creek and enjoying the summer sun there may be time for a nice afternoon ride. Experienced  horse camp participants will get to go staff to check on the cattle and doctor any sick cattle. with  630pm it is dinner time on Friday that means it is time for another ranch favorite homemade pizza. After dinner horse camp participants get to make their very own Meadow Vue Ranch T-shirt and enjoy a movie and popcorn with their new friends. 10 pm time to hit the hay for the day. 

  7am time to enjoy the last day of camp if you are just staying for a week. After breakfast time to practice for the rodeo. After lunch one final time to practice barrels and pole and enjoy an afternoon of fun. Saturday night is when most parents come to the Rodeo and BBQ Dinner to see what horse camp participants have learned throughout the week. 7pm time for horse camp participants to show guests from all over the world and their parents what they have learned. The rodeo is one last chance to ride with all the friends that were made over the week. After chores, singing, dinner, and dancing many campers will go home with their parents so it may be time to say goodbye to friends old & new and to make plans to stay connected throughout the year and make plans for next years Meadow Vue Ranch adventure! 

 Sunday (morning) A morning of rest for those campers that did'nt go home with their parents Saturday night After waking up and having breakfast it may be time for more goodbyes Sunday morning is the final chance to check out for those only staying for a week of camp. For those that are staying it is a day to rest, do laundry and meet new and old friends as the next week begins! 

 1. Check in time is between 2pm-6pm unless other arrangements have been made.
2. If your child is flying in please confirm that we have the flight information.
3. Please remember to pack sunscreen and bug spray.
4. The balance of your account is due upon check in and can be paid with cash, check, or card. (unless you are signed up for a payment plan) The is a 2.75% fee for onsite credit card payment if you pay online there is no fee.
5. Check our website for a list of suggested items to pack.
6. It is ok with us if you send snacks, but please don't send snacks that are required to be in the fridge.
7. You can make reservations for the rodeo and dinner when you check your child in or by calling
8. You receive 2 discounted tickets ($40 per ticket) to the rodeo and dinner.
9. If you have any questions or concerns during camp please don't hesitate to call us 24 hrs a day.

10. please let us know if your child has any special dietary restrictions 

11. If you are staying in the area feel free to drop by and watch activities.

12. Check out is Saturday Night after the rodeo  or Sunday Morning before 10 AM