Pony Farm Session 1 - Friday Already??

Dear Camp Families (Especially Session One Families!),

Thank you for entrusting your children to us! We have a had a wonderful session! Thank you for doing your job as parents, because you have terrific kids (for real, not for fake), and thank you for letting us as a camp do our job.

Terrific kids such as these three! (P.S. They clean up well.)

I am sad to see this group depart, but I am thankful  they are the way we started our summer.

I think your girls have learned a lot in this one week, and I hope you notice the changes as well.  Here are a few things that I think they will take away from camp this week.

Perseverance - when your counselors hid really well during counselor quest.  The group that stays together as a team, works as a team, and looks for the counselors until the horn blows will win.  The group whose members give up quickly because it is hard won't find the counselors.

Winning isn't everything. You won't always win every game and that's ok.  The important part is you tried your best.

Great things can come from putting down the cell phones, TVs,  iPods, laptops, iPads and everything in between.  Those great things are called nature, horses, sunshine, friends, and so much more!   

Driving lessons with Boo & George, AKA "learning how to fly with Peaches"

From my perspective, these girls have a lot more confidence in themselves.  I hope you notice these changes and more in your children when you take them home tomorrow.   For these reasons and more, camp is so important. 

Newest members of the Gruffy fan club!

All of us are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Your girls have worked hard at their riding lessons and their “specialty,” and they are so excited – WE are so excited – for you to see what they’ve accomplished.

Best,

Becky

Pony Farm Session 1 is Off to the Races!

Dear Pony Farm Camp Families,

Roxy was up bright and early
this morning too!

First, your girls are fabulous!  What a lovely, outgoing, polite group of kids!  There was no home sickness last night as everyone got ready for bed, a sure sign of a great session.  Naturally some of them had a hard time staying quiet until 7:30 this morning.  (But really, who can blame them? I would have a hard time, too!)

It is a gorgeous day here in southern NH.  The sun is out, and it is a little cool. But it's going to warm up in time for swim tests this afternoon. Jordan Reynolds, our Barn Manager, is also a certified life guard. She takes care of swim tests on the first day to make sure everyone can be safe in the pool -- and when swimming the horses, which happens later this week!

Meeting at the big red rock for barn chores

This morning the campers are working on barn chores, and then we will have breakfast.  After breakfast, the girls will get dressed to ride and clean their rooms.  Yes, you read that right. They clean their rooms here!  

We have too many moving parts not to try to stay organized, and that includes camper rooms.  I will tell you our secret to getting our campers to clean their rooms:  We have a competition for room clean up, and everyone in the cleanest room gets Connolly's ice cream.  (Some people may call this bribing, others might call it positive reinforcement.  I just call it smart.)

After they are dressed we will have a community meeting going over how the day will run!  Then we send them down to the barns to get tacked up and test out those ponies and horses!

Best,

Becky

PS Like Pony Farm on Facebook and check out lots more photos. We'll be posting through the week!

Boo's Update

 [Editor's Note: As many of you know, Boo is recovering from injuries due to a fall last month. She's making great strides in her recovery, and emailed us this update.]

The sun is shining bright down here at the Rehab Center where I am getting all strong and ready for the Pony Farm Reunion weekend in June...and for Pony Farm's 43nd summer of camp...my favorite time of year....I am calling my physical therapy Boot Camp and applying every smile and muscle to get better and get back to the farm I LOVE...and you all!!!

I am soooooo sad to miss the Pony Farm Gathering in Natick tonight.  I shout out a thanks and a 'love you' to John and Anet for hosting this fun evening for us.

 I HOPE lots of you show up to celebrate the farm and our 'farm family'.  This was such a super evening last year that I am just so sad to miss it. I will be there in spirit and will be toasting you from afar.  Maybe you all could call me sometime during that night. It would be sooooooooooo fun to hear your voices and make missing it a little easier.  Do take a look at the website for address and details.  Here's to PF Strong!

My entire goal is to get back to the farm and fit & firm for the Pony Farm Reunion weekend (June 6-8). It is so fun seeing the attendee list building...I hope lots more of you join us for this fun weekend of "Grown Up Camp Fun"!!!! Be in touch with Kris and join us for a full weekend of farm, friendship and good cheer.

However, the thing I am long time most excited about it having camp get started. We have a super full camp with great horses and wonderful staff. We could be ready to open tomorrow. With the upgrades to the lodge and the new rings and fencing, the farm is in tip top shape.

One of the other exciting things is that we really worked hard this winter to create a full curriculum for each riding group. Andi and I divided up both the riding, horsemanship and stable management skills that we hope each level can achieve during each girls' stay with us.  We are just concluding with lesson plans, games, activities and obstacle or jumping courses to hone each mounted skill in  a fun, interesting and creative way.  We want to be known as a specialty riding camp that has top flight teaching staff and horses.  We are shooting to have each camper's riding instructor be delighted with the progress she has made when she goes home to her barn.

We have spent hours on this and we will be presenting the results on the Pony Farm pages on our website and on the Opening Day of camp for each session. We will also feature the proud results of each group's progress on the final riding exhibition demo for each session.  We want our parents to be thrilled with the riding and horse ability of their daughters.

So....with lots of time on my hands as I wait for the next therapy session, please email me (bmartin@touchstone-farm.org) and give me your news. I am hungry for news 'of the outside world.'  Hearing from people definitely keeps my spirits bright and happy.

With much fondness, good cheer and a big smile,

Boo

Tuesdays with Boo

Mike & Ben are READY to get back to work.

I was so delighted to see everyone at the Open House for our spring lesson programs. Having everyone enjoying the farm and being together after this long, long winter, made my week. It is such a joy to stand at the barn door to greet old and new friends.

I don't need the ground hog to tell me that spring is on its way. Seeing all those bright and shining faces, eager to get on a horse, ushers in spring for me!

It has been many years since I have been this excited about the coming season and all the fantastic things that are happening at Touchstone, Pony Farm and Horse Power. We are truly 'on a roll' and 'on the move'. With such great staff, horses and the facility upgrades, it is a pleasure indeed to show people around.

Two weeks ago, we had a terrific group of folks who gathered to learn how to start their own programs for therapeutic riding. Being able to inspire them with what our team has accomplished over 42 years was moving indeed. How did I get so blessed to be surrounded by such a great team...and so much for look forward to in life.

I hope you are as energized as I am...and will come soon to visit to share the energy of the farm and the birth of springtime. Until then, stay well and know that the farm gates are always open for YOU!

With a hug and a big smile,

Boo

Tuesdays with Boo

We love our strong fences!

The sun is shining. The snow is leaving. Spring is here (on the calendar at least!). It is such a please to stay connected while we wait for spring weather and the return of YOU, our beloved lesson students of all ages, abilities and walks of life…and then YOU, our Pony Farmers and Day Campers this summer.

I truly don’t know when I have been more jazzed about the happenings at the farm. Between the beautiful horses, safely corralled by our new fencing, and the ring surfaces prepared especially for riding and driving fun, and our terrific staff, board and supporters, I feel so very blessed.

Someone asked me just yesterday to envision my dream job and life. I said, without a moment’s hesitation, that I already had both. My dreams have come true. I wake up every day to eagerly get back to making Touchstone, home of Pony Farm and Horse Power, thrive and bloom. Having you all as ‘farm family & friends’ sure makes the magic happen for me!!!

Ian on the AT

Alec on the slopes in CO

Speaking of magic, I had some at Disney World with Jamee and my two granddaughters…What a time we had, followed with a delightful trip down to the start of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia with son Ian who has begun his life’s adventure of a 2,000 plus hike to Maine, with its own blend of “Trail Magic”.

Then, to visit Ella in her glorious NYC Park Avenue apartment, living the exciting life in the Big Apple, only return home to see the pictures of Alec who has been out West skiing. Who could ask for anything better???

May magic be winging its way to you, bringing goodness and light into your life. Also, may the road lead you to the gates of Touchstone Farm. The Welcome mat is always out and magic is happening indeed!

Hugs,

Boo

Tuesdays with Boo

[Editor's note: Boo penned a quick "postcard" between two family trips. Once again, her chronologically challenged editor missed posting her message on a Tuesday.]

Many hands make light work at barn chores.

Just home from Disney World with my older daughter Jamee and the grand kids…and GRAND they are. I loved every minute of the time with them and at Disney. Am off tomorrow at 6AM to take Ian, my youngest son, to Georgia where he'll begin hiking the Appalachian Trail.

It is so great to see my own children work hard, play hard, plan hard and parent well. Ella, my younger daughter, who has built a successful life for herself in New York City, says she learned everything she ever needed to know during barn chores at Pony Farm.

Ella remembers asking “What more can I do?” Happily all my kids, and even better, my grandkids now ask “What more can I do?” What a great and simple motto for life!

Carriage driving and team work go hand-in-hand.

As I think about four generations on the farm…and “What more can I do” while loving the farm…and all it stands for, I smile. What could be better!?! I feel so fortunate and so blessed not only to have such a great family, but to have such a wonderful extended “Farm Family”!

The feeling of doing it right and making every "cast member" count feels very similar to what Walt Disney felt about his beloved dream. Great adventure, excellent value for one’s hard earned dollar, a sense of belonging, all the while taking care of the world we live in and love. What could be better?

I hope you will come see us soon…and be part of our most wonderful Farm Family. We are “Keeping the Light On" for YOU!!!
 
Love,

Boo

A horse show day at Pony Farm!

P.S. We welcome you to the farm any time, but if you think you need a reason, how about joining us for the Family Spring Fling weekend in April or the Pony Farm Alumnae weekend in June? We've also got summer horse shows scheduled - check out the farm calendar for all our doings!

P.P.S. If you're local, stop by on March 15 for our Spring Lesson Open House. Even if you're just there to say "hi," we would love to see you!

Tuesdays with Boo

[Editor's note: Boo submitted this post in plenty of time for Tuesday. Her editor dropped the ball.]

Gretta and Annie greet the audience
after participating in an EAGALA session

It was my great pleasure to welcome top leaders in the field of Equine Facilitated Mental Health and Learning to the farm this past weekend. We had the three major international organizations, three universities and five researchers represented, not to mention people from major therapeutic facilities across the US.


The programming, research and therapy models presented were fascinating. I was so proud that this happened at good old Pony Farm, Horse Power and Touchstone Farm!

Best of all, we had five Pony Farm camp alumnae with us in key roles. We relished their delicious presentations on research for PTSD, Equine Wellness and Business Models for Sustainability.

Leslie McCullough (second from right) debriefs after a
demo of equine facilitated psychotherapy.

Seeing these beloved campers all grown up into professional, capable and smart women making a difference in the lives of people and horses was especially thrilling for me!  Just so you don’t think that the spirit of camp was missing, we even playing a rip roaring game of spoons!

Now, I am off to Disney World with my daughter Jamee and Morgan & Megan, my two granddaughters. Everyone says that 8 and 10 is the perfect age for Disney.

Gretzki is ready to demo EMDR
on horseback.

I will be sending some fun pictures to Facebook of our time together. I will also send some news from the road when I take my son Ian to Georgia where he is starting to hike the Appalachian Trail. Lots of fun family happenings.

Rest assured however that I will return in plenty of time to come to NYC to meet up with current campers, new campers and alumnae on Saturday March 22. I can’t wait to see everyone and catch up with news.

So much to tell about the farm…and so eager to hear all your news…Let’s stay in touch. Plan to come visit the farm…The Welcome mat is always out for YOU!

Boo