Benbrook Stables 2024 Horse Camp Registration Now Open
With our diverse range of equestrian activities, friendly instructors, and beautiful surroundings, Benbrook Stables is the ultimate Spring and Summer destination for horse lovers. Enroll now in our horse camps, riding academy, or our Equestrian Academy for Adults. If you don't want to wait for camp, call today to start your riding lessons tomorrow. You will enjoy amazing trail adventures, learn all about horsemanship, and make some lifelong friends along the way. Our team is excited to share their knowledge and passion for horses while creating lasting memories for your child.
2024 Benbrook Stables Camp Season is scheduled
Spring Break Horse Camp
Ages: 5-12
Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Dates:
- March 11 -- $395
Summer Break Horse Camp
Ages: 5-12
Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Dates:
- June 3 - 6 -- $395
- June 19 & 20 -- $195
- June 24 & 25 -- $195
- July 8 & 9 -- $195
- July 17 & 18 -- $195
Riding Academy
Ages: 8-15
Time: 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Dates:
- June 12 & 13 -- $295
- June 26 & 27 -- $295
- July 10 & 11 -- $295
- July 15 & 16 -- $295
Spring Break Fish Camp
Ages: 5-12
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Dates:
-March 12 & 13 -- $195
-March 14 & 15 -- $195
Summer Fish Camp
Ages: 6-12
Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Dates:
- June 10 & 11 -- $195
- June 17 & 18 -- $195
- July 22 & 23 -- $195
- July 29 & 30 -- $195
At Benbrook Stables Summer Fish Camp, we are excited to offer a unique opportunity for young adventurers to explore the wonders of fishing and camping. Our campers will have a blast while learning about various local fish species, wildlife, plants, birds, and vegetation, and how to care for them.
They will learn how to bait a hook and catch fish like a pro!
Build a campfire and enjoy roasting marshmallows.
They will get to use different types of tools and learn survival instruments like a compass, following stars and so much more.
In addition to fishing, our campers will also have the opportunity to: set up a tent, go hiking, dig for fossils, and explore the amazing outdoors!
We will teach how to care for plant life, vegetation, and animals and why it is important.
Our camp is designed to provide a fun and educational experience in a safe and supportive environment. With our experienced instructors and well-equipped facilities, campers will gain valuable knowledge and skills while creating lifelong memories.
Sign up Now to make sure you have a spot!
Once enrolled, camp is non-refundable or transferable to another student or date
Horse Camp - Spring Break and Summer
Horse Camp at Benbrook Stables is so much fun for campers of every age. We begin every morning by greeting our campers at their car and walking them to the group they will spend the week with.
We let each camper find a group where they will be the happiest. If their relative or friend is also attending camp and they want to be together, we make sure that happens.
After everyone is settled into groups and ready to go, we introduce the counselors, helpers, and volunteers. The Instructors give a few guidelines of what to expect in today's camp, and some important rules they will have to follow to be safe around the horses, and while at the stables. We also share a few useful tips, like not picking up a barn cat, or feeding one of the barn dogs all of your lunch...lol.
Safety is our top priority at horse camp. We go over lots of safety rules at the beginning of each day and throughout the week. Most of our campers are a little younger, so we have plenty of helpers and volunteers to keep a close eye on all our campers and help them whenever needed to stay safe at all times.
Making sure they know to carry their water bottles with them to each activity throughout the day is always at the top of our list. However, we also let them know they are welcome to grab a snack, rest at any time, cool off or warm up, go to the restroom, or just sit for a few minutes is fine with us. All they have to do is let the group leader know, and they will assist them in getting to where they need to go safely.
As soon as all campers are here, accounted for, and situated in a group, we teach them their particular group yells. Our camp groups that will be following the Chisolm Trail are The Texans, The Sheriffs, The Outlaws, The Gold Miners, and The Lone Rangers. The Chisolm Trail will lead them to Horseback Riding, Arts and Crafts, Games, Lunch, All About the Horse, and back to Riding again.
Our second group of campers will follow the Oregon Trail. They are The Chiefs, The Tomahawks, The Mustangs, The Thunderbirds, and The Buffalos. Their trail will take them to the same activities at different times on different rotations.
Our Camp Groups:
Riding Class:
When they are in the Riding Class at horse camp, campers get to experience Western and English riding and sometimes even bareback. The instructor will start with a lesson on safety. Campers are shown how to approach a horse safely, mount, hold their reins, turn each way, how to get their horse to move forward, how to stop, and how to dismount. They will get to know the different types of saddles, bridles, bits, and blankets used in each of the different disciplines and learn how to use them. While in a grooming group, they will experience using all types of brushes and curry combs, how to properly remove mud or debris from the horse's body, mane, and tail. On warmer days, they will get to shampoo and condition, brush, and learn how to get their horse ready for a show or just turn out for the evening.
While learning all about tack, campers will get total hands-on experience tacking up their horses. We teach them how saddles properly fit the horse, how to make sure they have good blankets, and that all the tack fits their horse correctly. They will learn how to identify parts of the saddle and bridle, the differences between English and western tack, and learn what all the tack is used for as well as how to care for their tack.
Western Riding, Grooming, and Tack Classes at Benbrook Stables Horse Camp
Western Riding, Grooming, and Tack Classes at Benbrook Stables Horse Camp
Arts and Crafts:
In "Arts and Crafts" this year, campers will get to decorate their own group flag, build a cactus, a totem pole, make a dream catcher and a friendship bracelet. They will also learn to sing "Happy Trails" while out on a hayride. Arts and crafts time is a great time to have fun with new friends and make some fun things to take home from camp. Most go home singing Happy Trails on the car ride home, it is always a favorite activity among the campers. Depending on the day your child attends camp, they will get to do one or all of these activities.
All About the Horse and Anatomy :
In "All About the Horse", campers will learn to identify the different colors of horses and how we name those colors. For instance, a brown horse with a black mane and tail is called a Bay. A Brown horse with the same color mane and tail is called a Sorrel, and so on. They will learn to identify different markings on horses and get to draw and color those markings. They also get to see, touch, and feel all different types of grooming supplies, shampoos, hairdressings, brushes, curry combs, and more. One day may focus on learning how the environment in the barn works. From the job of a barn cat to cleaning stalls, we cover everything about the life of a horse living in the barn. They will get to feed horses and see and feel the different types of grain and hay. We will compare what an older horse eats to what a foal or filly may eat. Some campers even venture out and taste some of the different grains for themselves.
We will also explore horses' emotions and how to tell if a horse is feeling happy or sad or even a little sick. We will teach them to tell how old a horse is by looking at some horse's teeth and how tall they are by measuring them in hands. After all of that, we will learn the parts of the horses' anatomy and let the campers paint manes and tails and parts of a horse with hair coloring markers. This may sound like a lot for a five or six-year-old, but we teach all of these things in such a fun hands-on way that the campers don't even realize they are learning so much.
Games:
While campers are in the "Games" group, they will be having fun getting to run, play, and compete against other groups. We will have the all-time favorite barn tag day ready for them followed by obstacle course day, scavenger hunt, over and under, boot toss, field day, and then finally awards day where we award the most winning group of all five days.
On hot Summer days, we will pull out sprinklers and slip and slides, not just to have some fun, but to keep everyone cool while moving between horseback riding and other activities.
Nurse's Office:
If any bumps, bruises, stings, or ant bites happen, we have band-aids, topical ointments, ice packs, and sprays in the office. Two instructors are certified in CPR, and EMTs are only 2 miles away with a 5-minute arrival time. We always call a parent with even the smallest ouchies just to let them know and make sure they are informed.
Saying Goodbye:
At the end of each camp day, all campers head back to their designated area. We end the day with their camp yell and saying goodbye to their new friends. We hand deliver to each camper their picture and T-shirt if they have ordered one and make sure they have one that is a good fit. Everyone has a few minutes to round up their arts and crafts and get ready to meet their parents for pick-up.
Camp is filled with fun activities and gives us so many opportunities for some great pictures. We will try to incorporate as many pictures each day onto our social media websites so that parents can see some of the things their campers have done during the day.
We hope everyone enjoys their time at horse camp. Our instructors have a great time teaching and do everything possible to help every camper have a super fun experience.
They are here before camp and after camp to answer questions or help in any way they can, just give us a call and we are happy to help. If you are already signed up for camp, you will be receiving updates and informative emails each week leading up to your camp date.
Looking forward to an amazing camp season!
Hope to see you soon!
Riding Acacdemy
In our Riding Academy for kids eight years old and older, we focus all of our attention on horses. Students will spend one on one, with their very own horse. We start the day by feeding, grooming, and getting to know your horse. You will learn how to properly tack up, learn basic safety around your horse, basic reining skills, mounting and dismounting, and then head out riding for skill building.
You will learn arena games, and get to experience riding bareback, and in an English saddle. We will cover the fundamentals of horsemanship and everything we can involving horses.
It is a great way to learn all you ever wanted to know about horses in a short amount of time. We feel learning to ride is a whole lot more than just time in the saddle. In our Riding Academy, you will have to put in the time to learn how to care for horses, learn their markings, breeds, barn maintenance, and much more. This is an informative camp for the horse lover.
THE INSTRUCTORS:
Our Instructors are experienced, lifelong riders who can pass their knowledge to young riders, first-time riders of any age, and seniors looking to start riding for the first time. They can also give brush-up lessons to an experienced rider looking to get back in the saddle.
Our Instructors have all grown up with horses and all have years of riding experience. They teach horsemanship skills in a fun and positive atmosphere, where students can learn at their own pace. They learn all about the whole horse, and not just getting on the horse and riding. The Benbrook Stables staff is a great group of equestrians who love to help others learn all they can about horses.
BREEDS OF HORSES :
We enjoy watching our students learn about different breeds of horses. It is always good to know which breed of horse is used for different types of activities. For instance, the Quarter horse is well suited for ranchers and the work they have to do. Roping steers, dragging calves in to be branded or doctored, herding cattle, and other ranch jobs are usually done by quarter horses. They are physically suited for this type of work and have the right temperament for the work at hand.
The draft horse is a great horse for pulling heavy wagons or farming, whereas the Thoroughbred is usually a little taller horse with a longer stride and a leaner build. This makes a thoroughbred a great jumper or racehorse.
Another example of how a certain breed works well for a particular activity is the Arabian. Arabians are known to be great endurance horses. They typically have a smaller frame and can carry their riders for long distances without much trouble.
The list could go on and on as to what breed of horse is better suited for certain jobs or activities, but all horses can be great companions, no matter what breed they are.
The Benbrook Stables lesson horse is typically a quarter horse with a great attitude. We pick kind and gentle horses who love their jobs. They are a huge part of our family and the most essential staff member we have.
ARENA EVENTS:
Students in the Riding Academy get to experience fun activities on horseback like barrels, poles, flags, and events. These events help a rider navigate their horse through obstacles and use skills they have learned to compete against other students. These events are timed and the fastest time wins.
TACKING UP:
Learning how to properly tack your horse is essential to riding. Knowing your tack, what it is used for, and how to use it, is a fundamental part of riding. Without the skills to detect if your cinch is too loose or too tight, your saddle could slip one way or the other, or you could give your horse a cinch sore and have to stay off your horse while he heals. Knowing all of the parts of your bridle and how they should fit means the difference between a great ride and a ride that went wrong because of a missing or misused piece of tack.
HORSE COLORING AND MARKINGS AND WHY WE USE THEM:
We use colors such as bay, sorrel, Dunn, black and other colors along with white markings to help us identify different horses. If we were to say, "Go get the Dunn horse", or "Go get the brown horse", out of a pasture full of horses, you may stand in the pasture and search for a horse for a very long time. We label distinguishing markings on horses that help us to identify a particular horse. A blaze, a strip, a snip, a sock, a stocking, and a star are just a few. For instance, there could be four or five bay mares in the pasture, but only one bay mare with a blaze, two socks, and a stocking. Knowing how to identify a horse is the only way to tell which one is which.
LANGUAGE:
We teach all students the language of horsemen. for instance what "Take up on your reins" or " Your horse needs to be collected" means, and how they are supposed to be put into practice.
We will teach you what is meant by "Give two flakes of alfalfa to the bay gelding and two flakes of coastal to the grey mare"
Why is knowing the language important? If your instructor tells you to take up on your reins so that the horse can feel when you are asking him to stop and you do not know what your instructor is saying, you may not be able to stop your horse and you could have a wreck. Another reason might be, If you were to give the wrong grain or hay to the wrong horse, you could potentially colic the horse which can be very detrimental to the horse's health.
GRAINS AND HAY:
We like to know our students have a well-rounded education about horses before they are finished with our lesson program. This includes feeding horses properly with the right grain and hay. There are performance feeds with lots of protein to build muscle. There are feeds that are designed to feed young horses and certain feeds for older horses. There are grains and feeds that are just for supplemental purposes as well. Knowing what grain to feed, how much and how often is a very valuable piece of information for anyone looking to purchase their own horse.
Fish Camp at Benbrook Stables
Get hooked on an outdoor adventure at the new Fish Camp at Benbrook Stables.
Do you have a little one who loves spending time in the great outdoors and wants to have an unforgettable summer camp experience? Then you should definitely check out the new Fish Camp at Benbrook Stables in Fort Worth, Texas! This camp offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the outdoors, go fishing, and learn some cool new skills all while having a great time. Our campers will be taught how to bait a hook, build a campfire, set up a tent, go hiking, dig for fossils, and of course, fish, and explore the amazing outdoors! They'll also learn about our local wildlife and lake habitat and how to be a responsible part of our amazing ecosystem.
Sounds like an adventure you don't want to miss?
Benbrook Stables has been providing Spring Break and Summer camps for over twenty-five years, making us the top equestrian camp in Fort Worth for kids. We have a lifelong passion for introducing children to the wonders of the Texas environment, and our location at the edge of Lake Benbrook provides the perfect opportunity to teach kids about camping, hiking, and all the amazing activities the lake has to offer.
At Benbrook Stables, we are proud to offer a safe and friendly environment that is perfect for children of all ages. So why not join us for a new unforgettable camp experience?
With a variety of exciting activities and opportunities to explore the great outdoors, this camp is perfect for anyone who loves adventure. You'll have the chance to go fishing, hiking, dig for fossils, and enjoy some fun activities and arts & crafts to take home! Plus, the counselors are all friendly and helpful, making sure that every camper feels safe and comfortable throughout their camp day.
So don't wait - sign up for the New Fish Camp today and prepare for the summer adventure of a lifetime!
Starting in June of 2024 you'll have the opportunity to expand your knowledge about lake life beyond your wildest dreams. We'll delve into the diverse varieties of flora and fauna residing in and around the lake, studying each species and how it exists. Additionally, we'll provide our campers with the necessary skills to set up a tent and build a real campfire, as well as embark on adventures in the areas surrounding the lake, all while learning more about the environment. It's sure to be an unforgettable experience!
When it comes to camping, who knew there were so many different styles of camping? There are so many ways people interpret this outdoor adventure. It can mean something different to everyone, ranging from sleeping under the stars with minimal gear to enjoying modern luxuries in the wilderness. Your camper will get an idea of all the different ways to camp and enjoy the outdoors in a fun, safe environment with amazing instructors who share a love of adventure, camping, fishing, and hiking.
Just one of the fun activities we will cover in camp is, where to set up your tent.
We will show campers how to find a large, flat place to put their tent and remove any sticks, rocks, pinecones, or other debris from the area. These objects are not only uncomfortable to sleep on, but they may also puncture your tent.
They will also learn how to:
Avoid low and sunken areas on the ground -- they can become extremely wet when it rains.
Orient the tent so that your head will be on the uphill side while you are sleeping.
Some tents come with a ground cloth or "footprint" upon which you will set up the tent. If your tent does not have one included, a waterproof tarp will also work - just be sure to fold any excess tarp under, or else it will collect water rather than repel it. Lay down the ground cloth, then set up your tent according to your manufacturer's instructions
On a camping trip, your tent is your shelter! And even on a picnic or BBQ, at a festival, or spending a day at the beach, a tent is a great item to have to provide a home base, and protection from the elements. Tents come in all different shapes and sizes, from bivy sacks and bivy tents weighing only a couple of ounces to massive cabin tents ideal for larger groups weighing 50 lbs or more. Initially, tents were made out of thick canvas, but these days, they can be created from many types of materials, contributing to their weight and durability and making some tents better than others for bad weather or high winds. Many modern tents boast many features, including large vestibules, electric hookups, gear lofts and pockets, room dividers, and vertical walls to increase headspace. With so many different types of tents, there is a perfect tent for any application!
This camp not only provides exciting activities like fishing, and hiking, but also teaches campers about different campsite types such as wooded, desert, mountain, marshy, and lakeside camping.
We will teach them what to pack for a safe and enjoyable camping trip. They will learn to pack all the must-have essentials like a tent, sleeping bag, water, compass, rope, lighter or matches, hiking boots, first aid kit, food, duct tape, a tarp for backup ground cover or shade, paracord to tie up tarps and hang clothes, tent repair kit, flashlight or headlamp for after dark, hand sanitizer or soap, disinfecting wipes, good paper towels, toilet paper and more.
Our friendly and helpful counselors will make sure that every camper is ready for the adventure of a lifetime at the New Fish Camp. Don't hesitate, to sign up today!
In addition to learning all things tents and camping, our campers will learn everything they ever wanted to know about fishing and fishing lures.
If you’ve ever used a fishing lure to catch fish, you know how effective they can be. For those of you who haven’t, a fishing lure is a type of artificial fishing bait used to attract fish. Lures come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, each designed to attract a specific range of fish species. Of course, what works with one fish won’t necessarily work with another. So, how do you know which fishing lure to use?
At Fish Camp, we are going to examine the most common types of fishing lures and how to use them. You’ll be able to catch your limit in no time!
Along with camping, hiking, fishing, and tents, we will set out and explore the area for fossils. We will search all around the area for fossils of all kinds.
Fossil Digs:
Learning about Fossils. Campers will learn about and search for all types of fossils.
Benbrook Lake – located southwest of Fort Worth – is a noted fossil-hunting location. Much of the rock that underlies Tarrant County consists primarily of seventy to eighty-five million-year-old sedimentary rock strata from the Late Cretaceous Period. Accessible in the Benbrook Spillway cut and many other exposed areas, these rocks are the remains of a shallow ocean that covered this part of the continent and receded over the last seventy million years to the present Gulf Coast shoreline in South Texas. It represents a shallow marine habitat, under about thirty feet of depth, which was populated by oyster reefs, corals, clams, sea urchins, and ammonites. It is very similar to what you might find off the Texas coast today at similar depth, except for the ammonites. Ammonites are an extinct group of shelled mollusks, related to the nautilus, squid, and octopus. Most of the fossils you find have living descendants today, some in almost exactly the same form, like oyster shells. http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/20561-my-first-fossil-hunt-benbrook-lake-spillway-inspiration-point-lake-worth/
At Benbrook Stables Fish Camp, your camper will learn all about the native wildlife of Texas. Spending time in nature is beneficial for both children and adults, and when people understand something, they are more likely to care for it. That's why at Fish Camp, you'll learn all about the local wildlife and how to preserve and care for it by exploring and making observations. Whether you're hiking, looking for animal prints, or digging for fossils, there are many ways to learn about nature in a fun and engaging way. So come and experience the great outdoors while discovering the wonders of nature at Fish Camp.
Your children will also have the chance to learn how to tie sailing knots, identify plants, birds, and local wildlife. They will get to play fun games, make new friends, and gain valuable life skills that they will cherish forever.
Come join us for an unforgettable camp experience. We hope to see you soon!
PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR CAMPS OR RIDING ACADEMY
Camps are non-transferable. Camp days missed for any reason may not be refunded or made up on other camp days, traded for lessons or trail rides. Space is very limited. Once you are paid and a spot is reserved, no refunds will be made or transferred.
NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE AFTER CAMP DAYS ARE PAID AND RESERVED
817-249-1001 | 10001 Benbrook Blvd. Ft. Worth Tx. 76126
