Our Approach
At Neverland Pony Camp your child will learn to ride safely while having fun.
We teach children the traditional art of Horsemanship through creative games, song, and play.
Traditional horsemanship is a well-rounded practice that is so much more than just riding.
Our athletes will learn how to care for, eed, water, clean, brush, and bathe their pony in addition to practicing their riding skills.
By teaching these skills in a fun and engaging way, without them even knowing it, young athletes will:
- Learn how to take responsibility and ownership of important jobs
- Take on increasingly challenging tasks over the course of their camp week
- Build confidence through providing proper care and attending to the needs of another living creature
- Experience responsible and sustainable practices for raising horses in harmony with their environment
- Practice teamwork and strengthen their interactions with their peers
- Spend their week surrounded by nature in the absence of screens and other distractions
Our camp was founded and is run by school teachers who are also moms and true horsewomen.
We believe that playing outdoors and interacting with animals is great for a child’s confidence, behaviour and mental health.
What to Expect
Our days at Neverland Pony Camp are always filled with everything horsey! Your child can look forward to experiencing new adventures through the trails as well as daily riding lessons. They will get to enjoy our well mannered ponies through lots of games on horseback, pony yoga and learning different disciplines, just to name a few. When your child isn’t riding, we have horsey themed activities everyday such as arts and crafts, games and scavenger hunts.
An example day of camp
8:30 AM
Campers arrive and during the next half hour we teach them how to do various chores around the barn.
Feeding the ponies, making the grain for the next day, cleaning and refilling water buckets and cleaning stalls.
9:00 AM
Once the barn is in tip top shape and our chores are done, we get to ride.
Campers are divided into 4 groups. The groups are created according to riding level.
The ponies get brushed and then 2 of the 4 groups have a riding lesson for an hour.
In their lesson they will learn horsemanship along with practical riding skills on their pony.
While half of the campers are having their riding lesson, the other half take part in a fun activity with our activity coordinator. The activities range from horse related theory to crafts, scavenger hunts, orienteering etc.
Every week of camp is a different theme and activities are varied. In the past we’ve had themes like Cowboy Camp, Harry Potter, The Circus, Into the Wild, etc.
10:30 AM
After the hour, the groups switch. Those who were riding participate in the activity and those who were doing the activity will have their lesson.
Once everyone has had their lesson and completed the activity for the day, it’s time to take care of the ponies again. We brush or shower them if they are warm after their ride, make sure they have fresh water to drink and give them some lunch. We also take care of our tack, clean it and put it away!!
12:00 PM
Lunch!
12:30 PM
After lunch we have another lesson or a fun ride. Some examples include, a trail ride, pony yoga, bareback, vaulting, pony relays, and Parelli exercises.
You name it we have probably tried it. Of course, these activities are different from day to day depending on weather and the skill of the group. We do have an indoor Arena for rainy days.
3:30 PM
Head home for some rest so we can do it all again tomorrow!
Other cool things we do at Pony Camp
We work on riding levels based on the Petit Trot book. Beginner riders can work towards a goal of passing their bronze level during the week of camp. If they have passed their bronze, they work on silver (There are 4 levels).
Our Facilities
Neverland is located on a 20 plus acre wooded property equipped with a new outdoor riding ring (and an indoor riding arena if we need to take cover from the rain). It has a natural playground which includes, a zip line, slack line, many things to climb, along with many other fun features and games.
How to Register
If the registration page is still active, you can register directly for your desired week there.
If you visit this page after registration has been closed for the upcoming season, please click “Browse” and complete the application form.
This will ensure that you are notified about next season’s camps as soon as we open up registrations!
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages are the campers?
Our camps host children aged 6-12
What dates does pony camp run?
We are excited to offer six weeks of Pony Camp for the summer of 2024!
WEEK 1: June 24 – June 28 WEEK 2: July 1 – July 5 WEEK 3: July 15 – July 19 WEEK 4: July 22 – July 26 WEEK 5: August 5 – August 9 WEEK 6: August 12 – August 16
What is the price?
Our pony camps are offered at $600+tax per camper per week.
Do I need to pack a lunch?
Yes - campers should bring their own lunch, along with a refillable water bottle.
Can I register for multiple weeks?
Yes absolutely! Many of our campers choose to attend multiple weeks of camp. Each week of the summer has a different theme and new games and activities for the campers so they’ll experience something different each week they attend.
How many participants are there in each week?
16 - 18
When are the dropoff and pickup times?
Dropoff is between 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM Pickup is between 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
We also offer after hours babysitting at the farm. See babysitting question below for additional information.
Do you offer any transportation services?
We have explored several options but they are all overly cost prohibitive for the volume of campers who would opt for this service.
Do you offer a babysitting service if I can’t make the pickup time?
Yes we do! For an additional charge of $150 per week of camp, we can receive your child as early as 7:30 AM (please ensure they are fed prior to arrival 🧇) and can extend the pickup time until 6:00 PM.
Who (and what age) are the instructors/counsellors?
All of our summer day camps are planned and overseen by 2-3 of our senior program instructors, Kelly Tellier, Ali Welik, and Jennifer Udvarhelyi.
Kelly, Ali and Jennifer are all mothers (and just old enough not to want to share their ages on a website!) and lifelong equestrians.
Sophia Delle Donne is our full-time farm hand, and is another lifelong equestrian. She grew up on, and eventually ran her family’s riding school for several years before joining Neverland. Sophia supports our senior instructors throughout the day with the riding and activity sections of camp days.
Every day of camp is overseen by at least 2 of these senior instructors.
We then have 4-6 junior counsellors and CITs who are selected from our list of longtime current and former athletes who have spent many of their formative years actively participating in Neverland programs year round. These helpers typically range in age from 14-17.
Do I need any special equipment to participate in camp?
- Riding helmet
- Boots with a heel
- Grooming kit (can be purchased from us for $40)
Where to buy items on the list
We suggest Sandridge Saddlery, a local tack shop in our area. They have very knowledgeable and helpful staff and do offer all of our recommended brands and models of equipment listed below.
Helmet
Your little rider needs their own helmet.
We suggest the Tipperary helmet. It covers the back of the head very well and does not have a dial to tighten it.
Boots
Your child will also need boots with a heel. Blundstones are great for little feet, and they can wear them anywhere, not just to ride.
Pants
You do not NEED to get special riding pants for this stage of development, although you are always welcome! They make them in kids sizes are generally pretty darn cute!
Otherwise, leggings or sweatpants are going to be a better options than jeans.
Additional Items
- Lunch
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Layers (a sweater for the mornings, a t-shirt and shorts in the afternoon)
- Change of clothes
- Bathing suit
- Water bottle
- Raincoat & rain boots
My kid has outgrown being a camper - do you offer a CIT program?
Yes we do!
New this year, we will be selecting a few CIT’s per week. To apply, please review the detailed position overview, and then complete the application form linked from that page.
Interviews will be held in the month of May.