Horse Camp For Writers

Overview | Sample Schedule | Application | FAQ

Overview

Has a herd of horses shown up in your novel and insisted on staying for the duration — and you've never been close enough to a horse to touch it?

Are you writing a fantasy or historical or a contemporary novel set where horses are the main mode of transportation — and you want to get it right but you don't know where to begin? Have you had some experience with horses but your latest project needs specific facts and figures that require in-depth, hands-on experience?

Author Judith Tarr and DHF Lipizzans near Tucson, Arizona invite you to spend a weekend on the farm. From Friday afternoon through Sunday, observe and participate in the activity of a working horse farm, with class sessions and hands-on experience related to your specific needs and projects. Activities will be tailored to the group, and may include a field trip to a local equestrian event or facility, a riding lesson or trail ride (for additional charge), demos of riding, driving, or training, and in season, for lucky campers, observation of breeding or foaling. The level of instruction will vary according to the needs and experience of the group. We can run Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced weekends as needed.

Group size limited to 8 per weekend. On-farm accommodations are limited, but there are ample accommodations in the area. Cost includes meals.

The farm is 20 miles southeast of Tucson and just minutes off I-10. We are 25 minutes from the Tucson Airport and two hours down I-10 from Phoenix Sky Harbor.

Camp dates for 2006:

February 24th-26th, early May, early to mid October. Sign up for our mailing list for updates, specific dates, and new dates. Writers' groups are very welcome; we would be happy to schedule an additional weekend for your group.

Pricing:

BOARDERS: Two guest rooms available with double bed and shared bath. $350 per person includes two nights' lodging, meals, camp activities, and instructional materials (lesson and/or trail ride additional — price TBA). For those who want or need to work through the weekend, we have an all-in-one printer/scanner/fax and a wireless DSL network. We have an ethernet cable and a spare wireless card if your computer is not wireless-enabled. We also have a land line for a dialup modem connection. All facilities are non-smoking.

DAY CAMPERS: Up to 6 slots available. $250 per person includes meals, camp activities, and instructional materials (lessons and trail ride additional).

$100 deposit due 1 month prior. Balance due two weeks in advance.

Payment can be by check to:

Judith Tarr
PO Box 429
Vail, AZ 85641

or PayPal to capriole@smoe.org (please add 5% for PayPal). We also accept credit cards through PayPal.

Sample Weekend Schedule

The exact schedule and focus of each weekend will be determined by the needs of the group. Field trip or trail ride may be included by request and as available. A typical weekend will look like this:

Application

Please copy and paste the following into an e-mail and complete.

Name
Address and phone
EMail

The following questions will help us tailor the weekend's schedule and events to your needs.

Have you had any experience with or exposure to horses? If so, please describe:

Do you have specific questions to which you would like answers?

Does your project have a specific equestrian or equine focus?

What information can we provide that will make this weekend most valuable to you?

In addition, we like to make sure our campers are as comfortable as possible.

Do you have any food allergies or aversions? Anything you cannot or will not eat? Are you on a special diet? Please specify:

Are there any special needs or medical conditions of which we should be aware?

FAQ

What should I bring?
Bring a hat with a brim, sunglasses, and lots of sunblock. We also recommend good moisturizers, a water bottle if you have a favorite, and a notebook and pen. We do not recommend bringing your laptop down to the barn — dust and hay are not friendly to delicate techno-innards.

What should I wear?
The farm requires that all campers wear sturdy shoes in the barn and around the horses. No sandals, open-toed shoes, or dress shoes. Running shoes are a good option. We also ask that campers wear long pants (jeans are best). We recommend long-sleeved, lightweight, light-colored shirts and the above hat-with-brim. Campers who ride will be required to wear a riding helmet — we have one or two available for loan. If you will be riding, you will need sturdy boots or shoes with a low heel (running or walking shoes will not be do for this unless they have a heel), and well-fitted, sturdy jeans or leggings.

Can I bring the kids?
The Camp is not set up for daycare or babysitting. We will accept children aged 12 and over if they are able and willing to participate in the Camp. (Yes, you can bring your horse-mad daughter!)

What about liability?
All Campers will sign an Equine Activity Release. No sign, no camp.

Can I help with the horses?
If you want to wield a pitchfork, we'll be happy to hand you one. We do ask for liability reasons that Campers not go in with the horses at any time unless accompanied by someone from the farm; however there is plenty of room to park your chair and watch the horses from outside the fence.

May I sketch or photograph the horses?
Sketching is welcome. We ask that photographs not be posted publicly or sold professionally without permission. The farm has an official photographer who does our ads and promotion. However if you ask, we will nearly always be happy to oblige.