Specialties
SJ Riding Camp will celebrate our 63rd summer this year.
Horses + Camp = Magic.
San Juan Ranch was founded in 1956 by Mary E. Haines as a riding camp for her children and their friends. Since then, the camp has grown into a comprehensive riding facility and general activities camp while maintaining the family oriented feel that provides each camper with individual attention.
Our summer camp provides girls from 8-16 years old with a safe place to learn to ride, improve riding skills, take on the responsibility of horse care, improve their horsemanship skills, and have fun while learning to be active, caring members of the camp community.
The Camp runs for nine weeks, in 1-, 2-, and 3-week sessions. For girls who would like to devote more of their summer to camp, we have the option of combining sessions for a longer stay. Only 48 riders are accepted each week.
While at SJ, campers ride twice a day with time for other activities such as horse management and care, arts & crafts, theater games, archery, boating, swimming, tennis, basketball, and field games. Some of SJ's most loved activities include swimming with the horses, supper rides, the Banquet, horse shows, watching their instructors in a lesson, and the last night of each session campfire.
The riding program is full for 2018, and taking wait lists. Join us this year in our Farm Program.
Love horses and other animals but not ready to ride? Join our new Farm Camp...
History
Established in 1956.
SJ Riding Camp was founded by Mary E. Haines as a riding camp for her children and their friends. Since then, the camp has grown into a comprehensive riding facility and general activities camp while maintaining the family oriented feel that provides each camper with individual attention.
All of our riding lessons are taught by certified instructors and we own our herd of 50+ horses.
Our camp is licensed by the State of CT and accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA).
Meet the Manager: Alexandra T.
Director Alexandra "Alex" Thomas and her husband Terry joined the SJ family in February, 2014. She brought with her over 28 years of camp directing experience, having served co-ed and all-girl populations in both private and agency camps.
In addition to directing, Alex has been a camper, CIT, cabin counselor, unit leader, waterfront director,
archery instructor, first-aider, ropes course facilitator, program director, assistant director, and cook.
Alex taught adventure education at NWCCC for 3 years and currently is on the board of directors of CT Camping Association (CCA), and serves on the CT Youth Camp Advisory Committee, working closely with the Office of Early Childhood. She is very active as an instructor and volunteer for American Camp Association (ACA).
Alex believes in a well-rounded camp program based on mutual understanding and respect that offers girls opportunities to try new activities and make new friends in an environment that celebrates differences.
