Wednesday Camp

Everyone has fallen into a good routine now! The campers enjoyed a good game of Simon Says and I Spy while riding today and of course trotting!

In arts and crafts the campers painted boot planters, painted sea shell jars to make an "Ocean in a Jar," signed pillow cases as thank you gifts for the horse owners and painted a few more sea shells!

They learned about different disciplines and types of tack in horse education along with how to tack up a horse! As always, they had to spend some time grooming on Cody!

The Orange Volunteer Fire Department came today and the campers were able to try on turn out gear, spray water, and learn about different pieces of equipment they carry.

Preparation for Rain *VOLUNTEERS AND CAMPERS**

Parents and volunteers-- they are calling for a 60% chance of rain tomorrow, all day. At this time TACO is STILL ON FOR TOMORROW!!! 

We will not cancel if it is a light rain or drizzle! However, if it is storming or torrential downpour in the morning we will have to cancel camp. We plan to make the decision by 7am. 

If you do not hear from us in the morning, camp is still on!! 

We will be contacting all volunteers and campers in the morning if camp is cancelled, and I will be posted it on our Facebook page and blog. If you are someone that is able to check our Facebook page in the morning to see about the status of camp, please let me know so I can take you off of the call list!

CAMPERS AND VOLUNTEERS!!! WEDNESDAY'S ATTIRE!!!

CAMPERS AND VOLUNTEERS!! Tomorrow (Wednesday) we will be taking a group photo! If you have a camp shirt from last year or previous years please wear your camp shirt on Wednesday!!!

If you do not have a camp shirt our color last year was light blue if you have a light blue shirt you'd like to wear!

Tuesday Camp!

We had another great day today!!

Grey Ghost was back at camp and everything was "back to normal" as far as horses go! Everyone enjoyed seeing him back, as he is always a familiar face at camp!

The campers got to enjoy practicing trotting for the first time since spring camp! They all did FANTASTIC!

In arts and crafts the campers made stepping stones with horse shoes pressed into them and other decorations and made bubble snakes!

In horse education campers learned about the different breeds and colors of horses. They were able to match their camp horses with their breeds and color!

For entertainment we had the Orange County Sheriffs Office SWAT Team! A special thank you for coming out and explaining to the campers about the SWAT team, showing them their equipment and police cars, and especially for the driving demonstration they provided.

I will be adding photos from Tuesday to this post this weekend!

Monday Camp Update!

Our first day of camp went great!! So great, I almost forgot it was Monday 

The horses were on their best behavior! New and returning campers were glad to be in the saddle! We are very thankful to Renee Bourke for stepping in with a pony at the last minute to take Grey Ghost's place today since he was out with a small injury. We are looking forward to Grey Ghost returning tomorrow, he was missed today! And of course we are all looking forward to our new and returning horses to ride!

The campers got to make invitations to the horse show for their parents, write thank you cards for the entertainment for the week, and also paint river rocks. Some even got to paint some sun catchers!

Campers also learned about horse and barn safety and were able to do some horse grooming!

At the end of the day, the campers enjoyed rides in a wagon pulled by draft horses and also Sully came and visited with some of his wonderful stories!

Fair Auction Piece- Quilt

Thank you to David and Renee Bourke for purchasing the campers quilt at the Orange County Fair Auction. The proceeds from the quilt will go directly to help fund TACO's 2013 Summer Camp! A huge thank you to Orange Piecemakers for putting the quilt together for us! 

 L to R TACO Committee Chair Jessica Harlow, TACO Treasurer, Stacy Burleson, TACO Committee Member and purchaser of quilt, Renee Bourke and TACO camper CJ Latham.

Last Minute Information! Two days to go!

TWO days until 2013 Summer TACO Camp!!!

Volunteers-- please plan to be at Elmwood Farm Monday morning at 7:45am. If you are a group leader, helping with morning snacks, horse leader, or did not attend our pre-camp meeting, PLEASE be sure to arrive by 7:45 am so we can give you any information you missed and/or you are ready in your position when campers start arriving.

Campers-- Please remember you may not arrive any earlier than 8:15 am and must stay in the tent when you arrive!!

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday morning and it looks like we will have a beautiful week ahead of us!

Summer Camp Informational Mailings

Volunteers-- I will be mailing out post cards on Monday, July 15. These post cards will contain your volunteer assignment along with the date you signed up to attend our pre-camp meeting.

Just a reminder, the pre camp meetings are Wednesday, July 17 and Sunday July 21 from 4-6pm at Elmwood Farm in Orange.

Campers-- I will be mailing out letters within the next week containing information regarding TACO's summer camp!

Please look for these mailings with in the next week!

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me at 4HTACO@gmail.com or (540)308-0433.

2013 Summer Camp T-shirts

TACO's 2013 Summer Camp t-shirt design!

If you would like to order a t-shirt please contact me at 4HTACO@gmail.com

All shirt orders must be in and paid for by Friday, July 19. Shirts will be available Friday, August 2, at camp!

"Outside" Craft Items needed for Summer Camp

This year, campers will be doing a "nature painting" craft at camp. The craft will take place the first day of camp (July 29). We are in need of smooth light colored river rocks or stones and any flower blooms.

The link to the craft is below so you can get an idea of the materials we need and what we will be doing.

If you have any smooth river rocks or stones (about the size of an adult  hand or a little larger) or flower blooms that TACO could use it would be greatly appreciated.

We also could use seashells (of any sizes) for another craft!

You can contact me at 4htaco@gmail.com if you have any of these items.

Nature Painting Link: http://www.housingaforest.com/nature-prints/

Entertainment Needed for Summer Camp

TACO is looking for entertainment for our 2013 Summer Camp, July 29-August 2.

Entertainment runs for approximately 50 minutes Monday through Thursday of camp. 

In the past we have had fire department demonstrations, pony cart rides, K-9 Demos, motorcycle rides, jumping demonstrations etc... 

We are looking for fun and interactive entertainment! If you have any ideas please let me know at 4htaco@gmail.com.

TACO's Annual Camper Horse Show, Carnival, and Pizza Party

As always, we will be hosting our annual camper horse show on Friday, August 2nd starting at approximately 9am. After the horse show we will be having our annual carnival and pizza party! 

If you would like to attend the horse show, please RSVP to 4htaco@gmail.com

TACO Water Bottles

We will have water bottle order forms available at summer camp this year. If you are interested in ordering additional water bottles or missed out on the orders this spring. They are still $12/each and must be pre-paid for. We will be placing the order after camp.

TACO T-Shirts

If you are interested in purchasing additional TACO t-shirts, the orders are due by Tuesday, July 9, 2013. Orders must be pre-paid for also. The exact color has not been determined yet, but they will be a light color (pale yellow or light orange possibly). The t-shirts are $20/each.

Summer Camp Information

TACO’s 2013 summer camp is quickly approaching with a little less than 4 weeks to go! The TACO staff is getting excited and we hope that you are too!

Campers— you should be receiving a letter in the mail with in the next 5-6 days. It outlines the rules of TACO along with some important pieces of information for this year’s summer camp.

Volunteers— In the next 1-2 weeks you will be receiving a post card with information regarding your volunteer assignment and training dates you have signed up for.

Campers and Volunteers— If for some reason you are not able to attend TACO on one of your committed dates, PLEASE contact Jessica Harlow at 540-308-0433 by call or text or at 4HTACO@gmail.com as soon as possible. It is vital that I know which campers and volunteers will be in attendance each day so I can plan 

accordingly. You may call, text, or e-mail as early or late as needed to let me know if you will be absent one day at TACO.

Thank you for all of your help and we can’t wait to see all of you in a few weeks!