What parent hasn’t heard their child say “I want a pony for my birthday”? While many of us don’t have the space (time or money) to care for a horse, enrolling your child in a horse-riding summer camp is the perfect solution to that childhood plea. The North Shore Equestrian Centre offers a unique summer camp experience! Their combination of expert instructors, plenty of riding-instructor-helpers, and commitment that every child is assigned their own horse means no waiting around and guarantees your child will have an exceptional experience. Each camp has a maximum of 6 students and includes a 45-60 minute riding lesson in addition to other exciting activities.
Summer Camps at the North Shore Equestrian Centre are geared towards kids ages 7 and up to build their skills from introductory to confident riders from the ground up. The camps are a week in length and there are 3 time slots available based on level: 8:30am-11:30am, 12pm-3pm and 3:30 pm-6:30pm. On the last day, all parents are encouraged to come and watch the campers display their horsemanship on ‘games day’. The North Shore Equestrian Centre is extremely well-appointed with stabling and outdoor areas for 70 horses. Two indoor riding areas offer shade in the summer and a covered space on wet days, as well as a large outdoor riding ring.
Introductory Level Camp – If this is your child’s first time on a horse, this is the camp for them. Over the week, campers will learn safety, grooming, leading, and how to tack up & untack a horse. They will also learn how to mount a horse, correct positioning, and how to control the horse at a walk and/or trot.
Advanced Beginner Level – If your child has completed the Introductory Level Camp or has had previous lessons, sign them up for this course. Continued development of the basics of good riding position and improved control at the walk and trot. Riders should expect to repeat the Advanced Beginner Level a few times to ensure they are ready to safely canter on their own.
Novice Level – This camp is for kids who have taken 3 or 4 week-long camps or have completed 3-4 months of weekly lessons. Your child must be confident and ready to canter on their own. The camp will focus on increased control for both cantering and two-point positions. Riders can expect to repeat this level many times before they are ready to move on to Advanced Novice.
Advanced Novice Level – Campers who have ridden in weekly sessions for a full year at least. Confidence with independent cantering is a must as poles and small jumps may be introduced as well as advanced stable management skills.
Requirements for all camp participants:
- leggings or jeans
- a closed-toe boot with a properly defined heel (no runners, wedges or flip flops)
- helmet (if your child has a certified ASTM riding helmet, if not, your child may use one of the NSEC helmets at no extra charge for the duration of their camp)
Inspire a love of horses and increase your child’s skills all while being outdoors. Register opens on April 15th and summer camp spaces fill up FAST. Set a reminder in your calendar and register here on April 15th!
North Shore Equestrian Centre Summer Camps:
Dates: June 30 – August 29, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Venue: North Shore Equestrian Centre
Address: 1301 Lillooet Road, North Vancouver
Website: www.wecreateriders.com
Get ready for summer vacation with our full Summer Camp Guide here!
