Counting down

Counting down

Last night nineteen of the thirty-four girls went camping on the hill with Boo and three of the other staff members. The remaining campers had a blast Thursday evening playing human spoons in Penrose ring.

This morning the girls from the camping trip came back, excited to tell of the many adventures that they had endured that evening. The girls who chose to stay behind also squealed with excitement as they described the Pony Farm casino night, playing human spoons until vespers.

This morning all the girls will be participating in their regular riding lesson groups, to polish off their new skills for their big debut on Saturday. Groups one and four are very excited as today they both will be going on a trail ride.

This afternoon, preceding lunch the little ladies will have rest hour; and during which they will write their candlelights and pack. Following the cessation of rest hour, as a “carrot” for their effective use of rest hour to pack and write their candlelights, the girls will get to go swimming!

Tonight is Candlelight, and the girls are excited to get to wear their nice dresses, skirts, shirts, and shoes. The memories and experiences that occurred here will be shared, some tears of joy may be shed, but all in all the night will be AMAZING!

Picking Up Your Camper - Session 5 B

Pony Farm Summer Camp Picking Up Your Camper

Closing Day of each camp session is exciting and busy and bittersweet. We’ve developed a routine that gets your camper ready to show you what she’s learned as well as packed up to head home with you.

Below is the schedule for the closing Saturday of your camper’s session. All families are excited to see their camper, and for everyone’s enjoyment and safety, we ask that you please follow the schedule as presented.

Time	Location	Activity
9:30 – 10:00	The Lodge	Check in at the Lodge with Becky & Boo. Load your camper’s “stuff” into your car. (Your camper is already at the barn getting her horse ready. She will be all packed up, and her belongings will be waiting for you at the Lodge.) Check the posted list to see where your camper will ride during the Riding Exhibition and the location of her Specialty demonstration.
10:00 – 11:00	Riding Rings	Gather around your daughter’s ring and watch her ride while the Senior Riding Counselor explains what she worked on during her stay.
11:00 – 11:45	Riding Rings	Follow your daughter to the Specialty that she chose. This may be driving, vaulting, games, dressage, jumping a course, doing an obstacle course or puissance.
11:45 – 12:00	The Lodge	After her Specialty, your daughter puts away her horse and tack while you return to the Lodge and do any final packing up. On the back porch, you can also find her official camp photo and order prints if you wish.
12:00 – 1:00	Lawn and Porch of the Lodge	We ask that you bring a picnic for yourself and your family to enjoy. We will have drinks and desserts for you at tables on the porch. During this picnic, Becky will make a brief presentation about camp and the farm. We hope this will be a nice cap on your visit and you learn how vital the mission of the farm is for so many people.
1:00 – 1:30		You can plan to leave by 1:00 – 1:30 – depending on how long it takes your daughter to say goodbye to the staff, her friends, and, of course, her pony!

Meet the Staff Monday - Session 5B

Hello wonderful camp families!

While your daughters are settling in at Pony Farm, we thought we'd share a bit about the awesome staff who they are just beginning to meet. Welcome to Meet the Staff Monday!

Becky Sanborn Hawkes – Pony Farm Camp Director

Becky is the Director of Pony Farm Summer Camp.  Becky got married this past Fall to her Mikey.  She enjoys coming to camp with her fur child, Gunner!  In Becky’s down time she enjoys teaching second grade in Wilton.  This will make Becky’s 17th year on the farm!  In her spare time she enjoys reading, swimming, cooking, and hiking!

I have a conviction that a few weeks spent in a well organized summer camp may be of more value educationally than a whole year of formal school work.

-Charles Elliot,  Former President of Harvard Universitytion

Camp Leaders

Diana Zoltko, BSN, RN, NCSN

This is my third year as the Pony Farm head nurse. I also work 3 nights a week with the girls by facilitating evening activities. I grew up in Central Maine but I currently live in Wilton, NH with my husband and four children. I have a sophomore in college, a junior in high school, a fourth grader, and a kindergartener! I love reading and board games. I am currently pursuing my Master in Nursing Education.

Hey Everyone! My name is Meg Rothnie and I'll be assisting Becky organizing and running camp this summer!  I started coming to Pony Farm when I was 7 years old and have been very close to the farm ever since (I'm 33 now)! I live in Charleston, South Carolina, but I'll be spending the whole summer at Pony Farm and living in the Homestead! I am in the process of becoming a PATH certified therapeutic riding instructor and I ride and show my horse "Sweet T" down south. My favorite pony at Pony Farm is Maggie, who I used to own when she (and I) were quite a bit younger! But all the horses and ponies are fantastic. I can't wait to meet you all and have a super duper summer!!

Senior Staff

Hi there! My name is Sophie Shulman, and I am senior staff. This is my 11th summer at Pony Farm (I just can't seem to leave!) I'm from Needham, MA and am currently studying to be a veterinary technician at Mount Ida College. When I'm not in class, you can find me giving riding lessons year round at Willow Brook Farm in Holliston, MA, working at a local vet’s office, babysitting, or snuggling with my two dogs Pennie and Puck. Pony Farm is my home away from home and I can't wait to share it with you!

Hi:) my name is Breana Lloyd and I eighteen years old. I have a fifteen year old brother and very supportive parents. I am from a small town in New Hampshire, called Rindge. I graduated this year from Conant Highschool and will be attending New England College in the Fall, as a pre-med major. I love working with kids and horses alike. My favorite horse on the farm is Merle, the mustang. This will be my first year as a member of the senior staff and I look forward to having a blast this summer with y'all.

Hi everyone, my name is Alex Lahm and this will be my third year at Pony Farm. I started out as a third-year CIT and this will be my second year as senior staff. Gretski is my favorite horse on the farm, with Gruffy coming in as a close second. Horses have always been my favorite animal and I’ve been riding since I was five years old. In addition to riding, I played soccer, tennis, and was a swimmer throughout middle and high school. I am a student at Tulane University in Louisiana but I was born in Hong Kong and was raised overseas. I’ll be a sophomore in the fall and I hope to one day become a veterinarian. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone this summer!

My name is Katie Horblit, I am first year Senior Staff and this is my 5th summer at Pony Farm! I'm from Wellesley, MA and ride at Holly Hill West where I just finished my last year in Junior Equitation. I am a sophomore at UMass Amherst as a double major with Pre Law and Sociology, and spend my summers at home with my Mom, Dad, brother, and three dogs. I can't wait for an exciting summer with our campers!

Julia Paratore

Ellie 

Counselors in Training (CITS)

My name is Leah! I have been going to Pony Farm for four years now. My favorite ponies are Merle and Josh. I am from Framingham, Massachusetts and will be a 2nd year CIT. I have a pony back home named Johnny Rock-it.

Hi, I'm Megan! I'm a second year CIT from Framingham, MA and this will be my fourth year on the farm. Though I love all of the Pony Farm horses, Buster holds a special place in my heart. At home, I ride at Blue Meadow Farms. When I'm not around horses, I love to rock climb and work on projects for my school's television production class.

My name is Agnes Griggs! I’ve been a camper at Pony Farm for the past 5 years. This will be my first summer as a CIT. My favorite pony on the farm is Kiddo. I live in Brooklyn, New York with my parents, younger brother, and my dog. I ride on the weekends at a barn on Long Island. Pony Farm is my second home.

Hello my name is Jacqueline, but I would much rather prefer Jackie. This is going to be my 5th summer at Pony Farm. I will also be a second year CIT. I am from Westport, MA! My family is very horse oriented so I have grown up with them my whole life as well as riding my whole life. Although I started properly taking lessons when I was 6. When I'm not riding in my free time I am usually swimming or I am with my friends.

My name is Cecille! This will be my 6th summer on the farm, first year C.I.T. My favorite pony on the farm is Kiddo, and my favorite horse is Biscuit. I am from Wenham, Mass, but I live in Bethal, ME for the school year. I am 15, and I have a 17 year old brother. I ride my horse Biscuit, play soccer, and ski race. (In the picture, I'm the one with the yellow cleats!)

Opening Day - Session 5 B

OPENING DAY!

Dear Camp Families,

Welcome to our 45th summer of Pony Farm! Thank you for choosing Pony Farm. We know that it is hard these days to trust people outside of our own immediate family circle, and we want to sincerely reassure you that we will take good care of your camper(s). We are committed to doing a super job for each and every camper. We have worked extremely hard to get everything ‘just so’ for her arrival and stay. We just wanted to reiterate to you how seriously we take our job of providing “safe FUN.”

Right now, your daughter is meeting our terrific staff, many of whom have been with us for years. The camp staff has received lots of training specific to how Pony Farm operates, and in other essential skills, such as first aid and emergency response. They work together as a team, each person having the right skills and commitment for his or her job.

We begin camp orientation with our important motto of “Taking good care of each other, our horses and the land”. We take all campers through the steps of barn safety, horse care, mail call, medicines, meal times and house capers. We have carefully designed each part of their day so that it is like a big, well run family with all sorts of caring adults to guide campers through each activity from dawn to dusk. The fun and joy of being together has begun!

Tonight, we will have dinner and then begin with some “Getting to Know You” games. An “All Farm Scavenger Hunt” helps everyone get to know her way around the farm. Next, we sing together some favorite camp songs (“Barges,” anyone?) to make everyone feel comfy and cozy!

Our Counselors-in-Training have prepared Vespers for tonight to help set the tone of respect, care and consideration. Vespers is a peaceful ending to the day which lets the kids slow down and prepare for bed. This is a circle of thanks and reflection on everything from horses, being together, and loving our family and friends. Sometimes the staff or children write poems while other times they bring special books and read passages. It is so beautiful with all their sweet smiling faces bathed in candlelight with our Vesper Log lighting the main room of the lodge.

Then we sing special camp songs and each room tiptoes off to bed. They get changed and brush their teeth, and then their Room Counselors come tuck them in bed. For the littler kids, counselors read or tell a bedtime story. It is a peaceful ending to a day filled with activity! Tomorrow morning they will wake up and catch their pony for morning chores. Following that, they will begin their riding and get sorted into just the right group and onto just the right mount. We take huge care to do this correctly.

Emails are the best way to be in touch with people at camp, whether it be your daughter or staff. You can e-mail your daughter at camp@touchstone-farm.org. We check, print, and deliver any emails to your daughter’s mailbox every day. We are truly not by the phone because we are out with your kiddos….so do email. We are committed to checking e-mail before 11AM each day….and check once more before the evening is out.                                        

Becky’s email address: bhawkes@touchstone-farm.org

Andi’s email (for horse related questions): asnow@touchstone-farm.org

Just to remind you…Here is the phone call policy:  The office phone, 603-654-6308, is answered as much as is possible and the answering machine is checked regularly. You are welcome to call and leave a message for your child to call you back after the first week.

If there is an emergency at night, you can call Boo’s cell phone at 603-321-5255. Please reserve this for emergency use only. We are all only a phone call or an email away and like to work with parents to resolve any issues while they are small. Please look at our blog - http://touchstonefarmblog.blogspot.com/ and Facebook pages – Touchstone Farm and Pony Farm for camp updates!

We want to say again how pleased we are to have your child with us. Thank you for your confidence in us. We will do everything we can to make her stay fabulous. Rest assured that we will call if there is even one little question! Together, we will make this a fantastic time for her, creating memories she can take with her the rest of her life!

Best,,

Becky Hawkes

Camp Directors of Pony Farm Summer Camp

Picking Up Your Camper - 5 A

Pony Farm Summer Camp Picking Up Your Camper

Closing Day of each camp session is exciting and busy and bittersweet. We’ve developed a routine that gets your camper ready to show you what she’s learned as well as packed up to head home with you.

Below is the schedule for the closing Saturday of your camper’s session. All families are excited to see their camper, and for everyone’s enjoyment and safety, we ask that you please follow the schedule as presented.

Time	Location	Activity
9:30 – 10:00	The Lodge	Check in at the Lodge with Becky & Boo. Load your camper’s “stuff” into your car. (Your camper is already at the barn getting her horse ready. She will be all packed up, and her belongings will be waiting for you at the Lodge.) Check the posted list to see where your camper will ride during the Riding Exhibition and the location of her Specialty demonstration.
10:00 – 11:00	Riding Rings	Gather around your daughter’s ring and watch her ride while the Senior Riding Counselor explains what she worked on during her stay.
11:00 – 11:45	Riding Rings	Follow your daughter to the Specialty that she chose. This may be driving, vaulting, games, dressage, jumping a course, doing an obstacle course or puissance.
11:45 – 12:00	The Lodge	After her Specialty, your daughter puts away her horse and tack while you return to the Lodge and do any final packing up. On the back porch, you can also find her official camp photo and order prints if you wish.
12:00 – 1:00	Lawn and Porch of the Lodge	We ask that you bring a picnic for yourself and your family to enjoy. We will have drinks and desserts for you at tables on the porch. During this picnic, Becky will make a brief presentation about camp and the farm. We hope this will be a nice cap on your visit and you learn how vital the mission of the farm is for so many people.
1:00 – 1:30		You can plan to leave by 1:00 – 1:30 – depending on how long it takes your daughter to say goodbye to the staff, her friends, and, of course, her pony!

Meet the Staff Monday - Session 5A

Hello wonderful camp families!

While your daughters are settling in at Pony Farm, we thought we'd share a bit about the awesome staff who they are just beginning to meet. Welcome to Meet the Staff Monday!

Becky Sanborn Hawkes – Pony Farm Camp Director

Becky is the Director of Pony Farm Summer Camp.  Becky got married this past Fall to her Mikey.  She enjoys coming to camp with her fur child, Gunner!  In Becky’s down time she enjoys teaching second grade in Wilton.  This will make Becky’s 17th year on the farm!  In her spare time she enjoys reading, swimming, cooking, and hiking!

I have a conviction that a few weeks spent in a well organized summer camp may be of more value educationally than a whole year of formal school work.

-Charles Elliot,  Former President of Harvard University

Camp Leaders

Diana Zoltko, BSN, RN, NCSN

This is my third year as the Pony Farm head nurse. I also work 3 nights a week with the girls by facilitating evening activities. I grew up in Central Maine but I currently live in Wilton, NH with my husband and four children. I have a sophomore in college, a junior in high school, a fourth grader, and a kindergartener! I love reading and board games. I am currently pursuing my Master in Nursing Education.

Hey Everyone! My name is Meg Rothnie and I'll be assisting Becky organizing and running camp this summer!  I started coming to Pony Farm when I was 7 years old and have been very close to the farm ever since (I'm 33 now)! I live in Charleston, South Carolina, but I'll be spending the whole summer at Pony Farm and living in the Homestead! I am in the process of becoming a PATH certified therapeutic riding instructor and I ride and show my horse "Sweet T" down south. My favorite pony at Pony Farm is Maggie, who I used to own when she (and I) were quite a bit younger! But all the horses and ponies are fantastic. I can't wait to meet you all and have a super duper summer!!

Senior Staff

Hi:) my name is Breana Lloyd and I eighteen years old. I have a fifteen year old brother and very supportive parents. I am from a small town in New Hampshire, called Rindge. I graduated this year from Conant Highschool and will be attending New England College in the Fall, as a pre-med major. I love working with kids and horses alike. My favorite horse on the farm is Merle, the mustang. This will be my first year as a member of the senior staff and I look forward to having a blast this summer with y'all.

My name is Katie Horblit, I am first year Senior Staff and this is my 5th summer at Pony Farm! I'm from Wellesley, MA and ride at Holly Hill West where I just finished my last year in Junior Equitation. I am a sophomore at UMass Amherst as a double major with Pre Law and Sociology, and spend my summers at home with my Mom, Dad, brother, and three dogs. I can't wait for an exciting summer with our campers!

Hi there! My name is Sophie Shulman, and I am senior staff. This is my 11th summer at Pony Farm (I just can't seem to leave!) I'm from Needham, MA and am currently studying to be a veterinary technician at Mount Ida College. When I'm not in class, you can find me giving riding lessons year round at Willow Brook Farm in Holliston, MA, working at a local vet’s office, babysitting, or snuggling with my two dogs Pennie and Puck. Pony Farm is my home away from home and I can't wait to share it with you!

Hi everyone, my name is Alex Lahm and this will be my third year at Pony Farm. I started out as a third-year CIT and this will be my second year as senior staff. Gretski is my favorite horse on the farm, with Gruffy coming in as a close second. Horses have always been my favorite animal and I’ve been riding since I was five years old. In addition to riding, I played soccer, tennis, and was a swimmer throughout middle and high school. I am a student at Tulane University in Louisiana but I was born in Hong Kong and was raised overseas. I’ll be a sophomore in the fall and I hope to one day become a veterinarian. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone this summer!

Julia Paratore
Mia

Counselors in Training (CITS)

My name is Leah! I have been going to Pony Farm for four years now. My favorite ponies are Merle and Josh. I am from Framingham, Massachusetts and will be a 2nd year CIT. I have a pony back home named Johnny Rock-it.

Hi, I'm Megan! I'm a second year CIT from Framingham, MA and this will be my fourth year on the farm. Though I love all of the Pony Farm horses, Buster holds a special place in my heart. At home, I ride at Blue Meadow Farms. When I'm not around horses, I love to rock climb and work on projects for my school's television production class.

My name is Agnes Griggs! I’ve been a camper at Pony Farm for the past 5 years. This will be my first summer as a CIT. My favorite pony on the farm is Kiddo. I live in Brooklyn, New York with my parents, younger brother, and my dog. I ride on the weekends at a barn on Long Island. Pony Farm is my second home.

Hi! My name is Jamie Page and I have been coming to Pony Farm for seven years. I love all the ponies on the farm but two of my favorites are Charlie and Suzy. I live about an hour away in Wellesley, Massachusetts and during the year I ride my horse Lasser. I can’t (and don’t want to) remember my summers without all the amazing ponies and people I have met at pony farm and I am super exited to begin my first summer as a CIT!

My name is Cecille! This will be my 6th summer on the farm, first year C.I.T. My favorite pony on the farm is Kiddo, and my favorite horse is Biscuit. I am from Wenham, Mass, but I live in Bethal, ME for the school year. I am 15, and I have a 17 year old brother. I ride my horse Biscuit, play soccer, and ski race. (In the picture, I'm the one with the yellow cleats!)

Hello my name is Jacqueline, but I would much rather prefer Jackie. This is going to be my 5th summer at Pony Farm. I will also be a second year CIT. I am from Westport, MA! My family is very horse oriented so I have grown up with them my whole life as well as riding my whole life. Although I started properly taking lessons when I was 6. When I'm not riding in my free time I am usually swimming or I am with my friends.