What ages is Overnight Horse Camp for?

Our Overnight Horse Camp is designed for children ages 8-13. Campers should be comfortable spending multiple nights away from home and participating in a full day of outdoor activities.

Does my child need horseback riding experience?

No! Campers do not need to own a horse or have extensive riding experience. Riders will be grouped based on their experience and comfort level so activities can be appropriate for each camper.

Where will campers sleep?

Campers will sleep together in our large canvas camp tents located on the property at Sauvie Island Stables. The tents are furnished with real bunk beds and mattresses, giving campers the fun of a traditional summer camp experience while still having a comfortable place to sleep.

Are boys and girls housed separately?

Our camp is co-ed, and campers may be housed together. If you have a strong preference for your child to be housed in a same-sex tent, please let us know during registration and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Are adults staying overnight with the campers?

Our Counselor-in-Training’s (CIT) will sleep in each tent with campers. Our lead counselors will stay in an Airstream immediately next to the tents, and the owners of Sauvie Island Stables will also be on the property overnight.

What is the camper-to-staff ratio?

We maintain approximately a 1:5 camper-to-counselor ratio, with additional Counselors-in-Training (CITs) supporting our groups throughout the week. Riding and other specialized activities may operate in smaller groups for additional instruction and supervision.

What happens during a typical day?

Campers will start their mornings with life around the farm—feeding horses, letting out the chickens, helping with breakfast, and getting ready for the day.

Mornings will primarily focus on riding and horsemanship, including grooming, braiding, horse anatomy, groundwork, horse care, polo wrapping, riding lessons, and jumping fundamentals.

Afternoons will include adventures around Sauvie Island, and evenings will bring campers back to the farm for dinner, games, crafts, downtime, and time with friends.

How much horseback riding will my child get?

Campers will participate in riding throughout the week, but this is a horsemanship and summer camp experience rather than an intensive riding camp. Riding time will depend on rider level, weather, and the needs of our horses.

What safety equipment is required for riding?

All campers must wear an ASTM/SEI-certified equestrian helmet while mounted. We recommend riding footwear with a defined heel and jeans, pants, or breeches.

What happens if it's extremely hot, smoky, or raining?

Camp activities may be modified for weather, air quality, or other environmental conditions. Horse welfare and camper safety will always come first. Riding may be shortened, rescheduled, or replaced with unmounted horsemanship activities when conditions aren't appropriate.

What happens if my child gets homesick?

Homesickness is completely normal at overnight camp. Our staff will help campers settle in, stay engaged, and work through those feelings.

If a camper is having significant difficulty, we will contact their parent or guardian and decide together what is best for the child.

Can my child call or text me during camp?

Overnight Camp is a device-free experience. Phones, tablets, smartwatches, and other personal devices should be left at home so campers can fully unplug and enjoy their time with horses, friends, and the outdoors.

Parents will receive the camp director’s personal phone number before camp and may contact us directly at any time if needed. We will also contact parents directly should a need arise during their child’s stay.

Will parents receive updates during the week?

To help create a truly unplugged summer camp experience, parents will not receive regular photos or updates during the week. Our counselors will also be limiting their own phone use, so only a small number of photos may be taken.

Campers are welcome to bring a Polaroid or disposable camera to capture their own memories, and we’ll have a few Polaroid cameras available for campers to use throughout the week.

If there is ever a concern or reason to contact you regarding your child, we will always reach out directly.

What bathroom and shower facilities are available?

A private porta potty and a hot-water outdoor shower will be located near the campers’ tents for easy access throughout the day and overnight. Campers will have designated shower times and privacy while changing and showering.

How are medications handled?

All prescription and over-the-counter medications must be provided to camp staff in their original labeled containers with written administration instructions. Campers should not keep medication in their tents unless specifically approved in advance.

We will have an on-call nurse available throughout camp, and all lead counselors will be CPR and First Aid certified. Staff will have access to camper emergency and medical information, and parents will be contacted directly if a medical concern arises.

Can you accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions?

Please tell us about allergies, dietary restrictions, or other important needs during registration. We will let families know whether we can safely accommodate their child's specific needs before camp begins.

What meals are provided?

All meals and snacks during camp are provided, beginning with [dinner on Sunday] and ending with [breakfast/snack on Friday]. Campers will participate in meal preparation as part of the traditional camp experience.

Can campers bring their own snacks?

Yes! Campers are welcome to bring a small selection of their favorite snacks. All personal food must be labeled with the camper’s name and stored in our designated refrigerator or food-storage area. No food or drinks other than water may be kept in the tents.

For allergy and dietary safety, personal snacks may not be shared between campers. We will also provide communal snacks throughout the week. Please make sure all food allergies and dietary restrictions are disclosed during registration.

What should my child pack?

Families will receive a complete packing list before camp. Campers should expect to bring riding clothes, riding boots, comfortable outdoor clothing, pajamas, toiletries, a sleeping bag/bedding, flashlight or headlamp, sunscreen, reusable water bottle, swimsuit, towel, and other personal necessities.

What shouldn't campers bring?

We recommend leaving valuables, expensive jewelry, electronics, and unnecessary personal items at home.

Are campers allowed to bring their own horse?

All horses used during camp will be provided by Sauvie Island Stables.

How do you choose which horse my child rides?

Horses are assigned based on a camper's size, experience, confidence, and riding ability as well as each horse's workload and needs. Campers may ride more than one horse throughout the week.

Will campers leave Sauvie Island Stables?

Yes. Part of our overnight camp experience includes supervised afternoon adventures around Sauvie Island. Families will receive additional information about planned excursions before camp.

What happens if my child gets sick or injured?

Minor injuries will be handled by staff according to our camp first-aid procedures. Parents or guardians will be contacted when appropriate. For an emergency, staff will contact emergency medical services and the camper's parent or guardian.

Parents must provide current emergency contacts and relevant medical information before camp.

Can my child be picked up early?

Early pickups must be arranged and approved prior to the start of camp. We ask that families plan for their camper to attend the full session to enjoy the complete overnight camp experience. Exceptions will be made for medical emergencies or other extenuating circumstances.

What if my child wants to go home?

We strongly encourage families to discuss the commitment of attending overnight camp before registering. If a camper ultimately needs to go home, we will contact their parent or guardian to arrange pickup.

What is your cancellation/refund policy?

Because overnight camp requires significant advance planning, staffing, horse care, food, supplies, and reservations,

Overnight Horse Camp tuition is $1,200 per camper.

A $300 non-refundable deposit is required at registration to secure your child's spot. This deposit is applied toward the total camp tuition.

Families may choose to pay in full at registration or enroll in an automatic monthly payment plan for the remaining $900.

Payment Policy

• All balances must be paid in full 30 days before your child's camp session begins.

• Registrations made within 30 days of camp require payment in full.

• Payment plans are subject to the same cancellation and refund policy.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

• More than 30 days before camp: Payments made beyond the $300 deposit are refundable.

• Within 30 days of camp: All tuition payments are non-refundable.

• No refunds or prorated credits will be issued for homesickness, early departures, missed camp days, or voluntary withdrawal.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing.

If Sauvie Island Stables cancels a camp session, families will receive a full refund, including their deposit.

We understand that plans can change and encourage families to contact us as soon as possible if they need to cancel.

When are drop-off and pickup?

For your 2027 sessions, your planned schedule is:

Session 1: June 20–25
Session 2: June 27–July 2
Session 3: July 4–9

Drop-off is 3:00 PM Sunday and pickup is 11:00 AM Friday.

What if my child has never been away from home before?

Overnight camp can be an incredible first step toward independence, but every child is different. If you're unsure whether your child is ready, you're welcome to contact us before registering so we can talk about the camp environment and help you decide whether it feels like a good fit.