PARENTS
CAMP REGISTRATION
Online camp applications open the last Sunday in January each year at 8am and will be accepted until the camp is full. Once camp is full, youth may request to be placed on our waiting list. Payments are made using our PayPal Gateway. There is no refund on the registration fee. Space is limited.
You will be notified by email whether your camp application was accepted within 10 business days of submission. A welcome letter with important camp information will be emailed out by March 15th. After May 1st, a final email will be sent that includes check in information, volunteer schedules, check in forms, etc.
CAMP REGISTRATION
Online camp applications open the last Sunday in January each year at 8am and will be accepted until the camp is full. Once camp is full, youth may request to be placed on our waiting list. Payments are made using our PayPal Gateway. There is no refund on the registration fee. Space is limited.
You will be notified by email whether your camp application was accepted within 10 business days of submission. A welcome letter with important camp information will be emailed out by March 15th. After May 1st, a final email will be sent that includes check in information, volunteer schedules, check in forms, etc.
VOLUNTEERING AT CAMP
In order for us to operate a 24-hour-a-day camp for one week at a lower fee, our camp relies HEAVILY on volunteer help. If you have some time during the week and would like to volunteer at camp, please submit a Volunteer Form and review our Volunteer Expectations.
If you are volunteering at camp during the week and have the opportunity to observe your child in lessons, please do not be disruptive. If a parent and/or volunteer is being disruptive, which includes trying to instruct from the sidelines, they will be asked to leave the grounds. Volunteers serve at the discretion of the EIHPC board.
VOLUNTEERING AT CAMP
In order for us to operate a 24-hour-a-day camp for one week at a lower fee, our camp relies HEAVILY on volunteer help. If you have some time during the week and would like to volunteer at camp, please submit a Volunteer Form and review our Volunteer Expectations.
If you are volunteering at camp during the week and have the opportunity to observe your child in lessons, please do not be disruptive. If a parent and/or volunteer is being disruptive, which includes trying to instruct from the sidelines, they will be asked to leave the grounds. Volunteers serve at the discretion of the EIHPC board.
COMMUNICATION PRIOR TO CAMP
Prior to camp, the email(s) provided on your camp registration will be added to our current year’s “Camper Email List” so that we can communicate with you not only prior to but also during camp. Some emails you’ll receive prior to camp include information and links to forms that need to be completed, such as:
- Camper Riding Ability Assessment
- Camper Elective Selection Form
- Additional Waivers and Releases
- Camp Photo Order Information
- Camper Supply List
- Camp Check-in Procedures
There is also a private group on Facebook called: EIHPC – Info & Announcement Group for Parents, Campers & Volunteers. This group is for current year parents, campers, volunteers and staff. This group is for INFORMATIONAL and ANNOUNCEMENT purposes only and will mimic the emails EIHPC sends out. Live video and photos during camp will still be shared on the EIHPC Facebook page along with other public announcements. Again, this group is just an extension to the current year’s Camp Email list and will be used as such.
COMMUNICATION PRIOR TO CAMP
Prior to camp, the email(s) provided on your camp registration will be added to our current year’s “Camper Email List” so that we can communicate with you not only prior to but also during camp. Some emails you’ll receive prior to camp include information and links to forms that need to be completed, such as:
- Camper Riding Ability Assessment
- Camper Elective Selection Form
- Additional Waivers and Releases
- Camp Photo Order Information
- Camper Supply List
- Camp Check-in Procedures
There is also a private group on Facebook called: EIHPC – Info & Announcement Group for Parents, Campers & Volunteers. This group is for current year parents, campers, volunteers and staff. This group is for INFORMATIONAL and ANNOUNCEMENT purposes only and will mimic the emails EIHPC sends out. Live video and photos during camp will still be shared on the EIHPC Facebook page along with other public announcements. Again, this group is just an extension to the current year’s Camp Email list and will be used as such.
PREPARATION FOR CAMP
As camp nears, it’s important to start to prepare your camper and your camper’s horse.
- Check and clean tack. Be sure tack is in good working order, is safe, and fits the horse properly.
- Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. All horses, ponies and mules will need to have a health certificate dated within 30 days of camp. Out
- Have your horse, pony, or mule trimmed and/or shod three (3) to four (4) weeks prior to camp by a professional farrier. We strongly recommend not waiting to have this completed the week prior to camp.
- Begin to condition your horse, pony, or mule to be ready for camp. We suggest at least an hour a day, five days a week, for five weeks prior to the start of camp.
- If you have a camper that has previously attended camp, locate their camp paddle so they can get their next brand.
PREPARATION FOR CAMP
As camp nears, it’s important to start to prepare your camper and your camper’s horse.
- Check and clean tack. Be sure tack is in good working order, is safe, and fits the horse properly.
- Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. All horses, ponies and mules will need to have a health certificate dated within 30 days of camp. Out
- Have your horse, pony, or mule trimmed and/or shod three (3) to four (4) weeks prior to camp by a professional farrier. We strongly recommend not waiting to have this completed the week prior to camp.
- Begin to condition your horse, pony, or mule to be ready for camp. We suggest at least an hour a day, five days a week, for five weeks prior to the start of camp.
- If you have a camper that has previously attended camp, locate their camp paddle so they can get their next brand.
CAMP CHECK-IN
Camp check-in begins on Sunday of Fathers’ Day and check-in times are staggered based on the camper’s last name to help alleviate check-in congestion.
- Campers with a last name that begins with N-Z can arrive and begin check-in at 1:30pm.
- Campers with a last name that begins with A-F can arrive and begin check-in at 2:30pm.
- Campers with a last name that begins with G-M can arrive and begin check-in at 3:30pm.
Allow for 1.5 hours to check-in your camper and their horse/pony/mule, unload tack and supplies as well as their dorm items.
Parents will be asked to leave the grounds at 5:00 pm when camper activities begin. If a camper cannot make it during the normal check-in hours, please notify EIHPC staff or team@eihpc.com to make other arrangements as soon as possible. More detailed information about camp check-in for the current year will be emailed and posted as camp gets closer.
Trailer parking will be available if you would like to park your horse trailer at camp for the week. Parents are not allowed to stay in their horse trailers for the week.
CAMP CHECK-IN
Camp check-in begins on Sunday of Fathers’ Day and check-in times are staggered based on the camper’s last name to help alleviate check-in congestion.
- Campers with a last name that begins with N-Z can arrive and begin check-in at 1:30pm.
- Campers with a last name that begins with A-F can arrive and begin check-in at 2:30pm.
- Campers with a last name that begins with G-M can arrive and begin check-in at 3:30pm.
Allow for 1.5 hours to check-in your camper and their horse/pony/mule, unload tack and supplies as well as their dorm items.
Parents will be asked to leave the grounds at 5:00 pm when camper activities begin. If a camper cannot make it during the normal check-in hours, please notify EIHPC staff or team@eihpc.com to make other arrangements as soon as possible. More detailed information about camp check-in for the current year will be emailed and posted as camp gets closer.
Trailer parking will be available if you would like to park your horse trailer at camp for the week. Parents are not allowed to stay in their horse trailers for the week.
DURING CAMP WEEK
Camp week is fun, busy, educational, exciting and an extremely memorable experience. We will post photos and videos of camp happenings to the Eastern Iowa Horse and Pony Camp, Inc. Facebook Page. Be sure to follow the page to see all the fun we’re having.
Campers are not allowed to leave camp for any reason except medical or family emergencies. If there is a special circumstance, parents need to inform the EIHPC Board prior to the start of camp.
During the week of camp, unless you are volunteering for a shift, parents are asked to refrain from visiting. Parents are also not allowed to sleep on the grounds, whether it be in their trailer, camper, in the dorms, etc, during the week of camp unless they are scheduled as a full-time volunteer.
Not only is this policy in place for the safety of all campers but also to ensure efficient operations of camp. In our experience, this also aids campers in becoming more independent and responsible riders.
If you are volunteering at camp during the week and have the opportunity to observe your child in lessons, please do not be disruptive. If a parent and/or volunteer is being disruptive, which includes trying to instruct from the sidelines, they will be asked to leave the grounds. Volunteers serve at the discretion of the EIHPC board.
DURING CAMP WEEK
Camp week is fun, busy, educational, exciting and an extremely memorable experience. We will post photos and videos of camp happenings to the Eastern Iowa Horse and Pony Camp, Inc. Facebook Page. Be sure to follow the page to see all the fun we’re having.
Campers are not allowed to leave camp for any reason except medical or family emergencies. If there is a special circumstance, parents need to inform the EIHPC Board prior to the start of camp.
During the week of camp, unless you are volunteering for a shift, parents are asked to refrain from visiting. Parents are also not allowed to sleep on the grounds, whether it be in their trailer, camper, in the dorms, etc, during the week of camp unless they are scheduled as a full-time volunteer.
Not only is this policy in place for the safety of all campers but also to ensure efficient operations of camp. In our experience, this also aids campers in becoming more independent and responsible riders.
If you are volunteering at camp during the week and have the opportunity to observe your child in lessons, please do not be disruptive. If a parent and/or volunteer is being disruptive, which includes trying to instruct from the sidelines, they will be asked to leave the grounds. Volunteers serve at the discretion of the EIHPC board.
FRIDAY MEET & GREET + AWARDS
Parents are invited to arrive at camp on Friday afternoon at 12:45 pm to attend their camper’s riding lessons, chat with the riding instructors, as well as be part of Ecamedy where their camper will be awarded their camp paddle along with the brand they earned for the week. Following the afternoon lesson rotation, all campers, parents, staff, and volunteers will gather at the arena pavilion for the awards presentation, which includes the presentation of the “Most Improved Camper”.
FRIDAY MEET & GREET + AWARDS
Parents are invited to arrive at camp on Friday afternoon at 12:45 pm to attend their camper’s riding lessons, chat with the riding instructors, as well as be part of Ecamedy where their camper will be awarded their camp paddle along with the brand they earned for the week. Following the afternoon lesson rotation, all campers, parents, staff, and volunteers will gather at the arena pavilion for the awards presentation, which includes the presentation of the “Most Improved Camper”.
CHECK OUT
Campers can check out and leave with their parents on Friday following the awards ceremony. Any campers that are checking out on Friday will begin the check-out process immediately following the awards and must exit the grounds by 7:00 pm.
Saturday check-out begins at 7:30 am and all parents must be on the grounds and starting the check-out process by 8:30 am. All campers are expected to be checked out and leaving the grounds by 10:00 am.
CHECK OUT
Campers can check out and leave with their parents on Friday following the awards ceremony. Any campers that are checking out on Friday will begin the check-out process immediately following the awards and must exit the grounds by 7:00 pm.
Saturday check-out begins at 7:30 am and all parents must be on the grounds and starting the check-out process by 8:30 am. All campers are expected to be checked out and leaving the grounds by 10:00 am.
