Happy February!!!

                                                                        

Dear Farm Family and Friends,

            As the snow piles melt and it gets up to the 40’s, I get inspired that spring is indeed on its way. When I walk every morning, the birds are actually singing and the ice is cracking off the bank to fall into the stream.  The local sap house is gearing up to start gathering the liquid gold which will become maple syrup for our pancakes.  It all makes me so eager to get out there and start riding and driving carriages again.  I simply cannot wait for springtime and your arrival!!!

            I am so thrilled to be feeling top of the wave again.  What a difference it is to wake up every morning and be rearin’ to go.  I am back to my old self again.  As we begin our 41^st year of camp, our 37^th year of riding lessons and the lodge, our 22^nd year of Horse Power, and our 11^th year of the Horse Power Instructor Training School, I love every day as much as I did back in those beginning times.  I adore watching all the activity that goes on during each season here at the farm.  Seeing so many people loving the animals, the land and being together makes my world shine bright. It is a real blessing to be part of this farm family.

            Speaking of team, what a great one we have for 2012. We are already nearly full for summer time camp staff.  Our Horse Power Instructional team is dynamite.  Our Barn Team is committed and hard working. Our Office Team is passionate about the business side of the farm.  Our Farm Management crew is so talented and smart, taking such good care of the buildings and property.  What a group of loving, caring, competent and professional people we have at Touchstone Farm.  Our mission is clearly alive in their hearts.

            Perhaps most exciting of all is that we are ramping up a new and dedicated team of Touchstone Farm riding and carriage driving instructors.  We have given this part of our program top priority.  This is definitely a building year for our general lesson program. We are eager to serve children and adults for both riding and driving.  We will be announcing some great deals to draw people into our new programs.  Watch for your emails to see what is around the corner this spring.  We have worked really hard to find something to offer all our local horse enthusiasts!

Emily and Zoe

            The transition to Touchstone Farm is now complete. It is proving to be a superior move.  What a pleasure to have one budget, one bank account and one set of customers.  Our vision of streamlining the organization has come true.  We want to thank all of you who were a part of this reorganization.  Your work, combined with the work of our board and staff, is making the farm come alive this year while paving the way for many years to come.  I am genuinely moved with   the progress and support that has been so generously given.

            We just went last weekend to visit some of the local barns which send us kids for Pony Farm summer camp.  We wanted to meet the folks and horses that the campers talk about so often during the summer months.  It was so great to see the wonderful teachers and fellow horse lovers during our trip.  We plan to visit more barns this month because it was such fun.

            The highlight of one of our visits was that two girls, Emily Goldman and Lauren Micou,  asked us for a special moment.  During our time together, they proudly showed us the results of their joint efforts to fundraise for Touchstone and its many programs. With a jar of Hershey’s kisses in their local library and a big poster, they had raised over $50.  They were mighty proud of themselves, as well they should be.  Having kids care about helping other kids moves me to my core.  We all join to heartily thank you, Emily and Lauren!!!

            Some other exciting news is that we have recently received a terrific grant from a family foundation. This grant is to help us upgrade the farm so that we can offer better riding and driving experiences for all our students, young and old.  We are so excited because we are going to be able to resurface all the riding and driving rings, including the indoor arena, with perfect footing.  We will also be taking out the existing sand footing and put it into the paddocks, making them mud free.  No more shoes lost in the mud when catching a horse!  We will then have brand new fencing installed for all the rings.  The grant will also allow us to rebuild  the fencing for the paddocks.  Imagine all bright, shiny new fences and rings…It is fantastic indeed.

Getting a new roof on the barn!

            In addition to these great improvements for our horses and riders, we will also be able to grade all the entrances and roadways in the farm.  This means no pot holes.  All of our cars will be glad for that!  Best of all, we have already been able to fix the part of the barn roof that was failing.  Knowing that the stately barn is preserved for the next 30 years from any water damage helps me to sleep better at night.

            I can’t wait for you to come see all these super changes. We are really on a roll these days. Between great staff, new horses, rings and roadways, wonderful health and exciting future events, we are flourishing. Now, all we need is to have YOU come to visit.  Don’t be a stranger.  We will welcome you into the farm gates with open arms and a big smile.

                                                Stay in touch…Warmly,

                                                Boo

Creating Advantage in College

Summer camp gives children meaningful advantages in college.

Published on December 2, 2011 by Steve Baskin in S'mores and More

When I started my career as a camp director in 1993, my mother (the "Silver Fox") shared the following thought with me: "summer camp is like college, but just a little bit early".
Being a strong believer in my mother's wisdom, I found myself thinking about this statement fairly often. Summer camp had been a huge part of my personal development as a young man, and had even found its way into my college and graduate school applications. Yet the idea that "camp was like college" did not seem to make sense to me at the time.

Over the past 16 years, I have found that this idea is actually a profound one.
Three years ago, we were talking with a friend whose daughter was in her first year at college. Both mother and daughter had struggled mightily with the separation. "During the first semester, we would talk everyday, sometimes 5 or 6 times. She was so sad and uncomfortable away from home. It really affected her grades and social life. She is better in her second semester, and she only calls once or twice a day. I still worry about her though."

This conversation reminded me of a speech I heard by Dr Wendy Mogel a few years ago. Dr Mogel is a nationally-known clinical psychologist and educator who wrote the best-seller parenting book "The Blessing of a Skinned Knee". She shared a story about a good friend of hers whose daughter was a freshman at college at Sarah Lawrence.

Unlike my friend, this woman's daughter thrived in her first semester in college. She earned exceptional marks (making the Dean's List) and she became president of the freshman class. During Parents weekend, her mother met the mother of a senior who was president of the entire student body and was weighing various job offers. The two mothers were sharing stories about their daughter's college experience when the mother of the senior shared an unexpected thought:
"I bet your daughter went to overnight summer camp."
"She did, but what makes you say that?"
"I am not surprised. I have noticed that my daughter's friends who had strong freshman years all went to overnight camp at some point. The ones that really struggled did not."
The contrast of these two freshman experiences (our friends and Wendy's) compelled me to think about why this might be true. Here is what I came up with.
Going to college presents many challenges, three of which jump out at me:

1. Increased academic rigor (college work is simply harder than high school work)
2. Being away from home and your traditional support system (family, friends, familiar places)
3. Dealing with large amounts of uncertainty (what will classes require, how will I fit in socially, can I deal with this new roommate)

Of course, overnight camp does little to deal with the first challenge of academic rigor, but it helps substantially with both of the other challenges.
Camp helps students adjust to being away-from-home by giving them practice being away-from-home. Campers coming to camp (often as young as Kindergarten or 1st grade) get to experience being separated from home successfully. Certainly, most campers have some homesickness, but the supportive camp community and the fun activities help ease them through this initial challenge. Homesickness is natural. Children will miss their parents.

Further, we live in a society that sometimes suggests to children that they are only safe within eyeshot of their parents. Yet, we parents want our children to grow in confidence and independence so that they can live productive, fulfilling and joyous lives. Camp enables children to experience successful independence. Like college, they are away-from-home. Unlike college, they are in a community committed to their physical and emotional safety.

Camp also helps campers deal with uncertainty. The first week of camp is full of uncertainty: Who are these counselors? What are these traditions? Where do I go? Who will be my friends? Will I be successful? Just like college, there is schedule-related uncertainty (where to go and when) and social uncertainty (who, among this group of relative strangers, will be my friend).

The camper gets to experience overcoming this uncertainty. I like to think of it as strengthening the "resilience muscle." Having done so, the next experience of uncertainty is easier to handle. The camper who comes to camp for several years gets multiple opportunities to strengthen his or her resilience muscle. By the time they go to college, they are much more confident and resilient.

So the former summer camper arriving at college as a Freshman can focus his or her energy on the challenges of academic rigor, but not worry about being away from home and the uncertainty of a new environment. Other students face all three challenges. Seen this way, it is not hard to understand how camp can help later with college.

Last summer, a long-time camp mom shared her thoughts about her oldest son going out-of-state to college. I asked her how she felt. "I'm going to miss him."
"Are you worried about his first semester?"
"No way. He has already gone to camp for 9 years, so I know he will be fine. He is so excited to face this challenge. Camp has also helped me - I have had practice being separated from him. He is going to shine at school!"

Later that evening, my wife and I agreed on three things: First, this was one of the nicest endorsements of camp we had heard. Second, we are so happy to think that the campers who have become such an important part of our lives will have an advantage in college. Finally, the "Silver Fox," once again, was right.

Roxy and Kiddo Talking about Winter Camp

Roxy and Kiddo  talking about Winter Camp! February 19 - March 2!

Dear Friends of Touchstone Farm, Pony Farm, Horse Power and Stepping Stone Lodge,

            It is with joy in my heart that I think of all the people that we have connected with during this year…our 40^th Anniversary!!! As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful indeed. What a pleasure and a privilege it has been to see former campers and lesson students come back to the farm now as adults and parents.  What a treat to hear that the farm is “still the same”…the barn still smells deliciously of horses, hay and happy times…the Homestead still carries memories of the stagecoach rumbling in with its weary travelers…the Lodge still offers its sense of comfort on a cold winter’s night or relaxation after a busy summer day…the horses still come to the stall door to greet guests with their ears forward…the goats still get out of the fence, and the hens still lay warm, wonderful eggs. In a hustle and bustle world, this deep sense of place is a beacon for us all. I cannot imagine being anywhere else in the world!!!

            We have had a lovely fall. The foliage has been bright and beautiful.  The days have been warm and the farm has been alive with activity.  The gardens are being put to bed and the ponies are growing their long coats, all in preparation for the coming of winter.  The firewood at the lodge is being stacked high so that the fireplace can burn brightly for all the exciting and fun events planned during the coming months. The staff has been a truly amazing team, working hard every day to care for all the lesson students and the animals that serve so faithfully.  We have several new additions to our fabulous group of staff members.  It is such a pleasure to work side by side with people, new and old, who share my passion and vision for the farm.

Our board of directors, who have so diligently and carefully put together all the parts to make Touchstone Farm a reality, have also been invaluable. This dedicated group has often met weekly to see to each development and make sure that Horse Power, Stepping Stone Lodge and Pony Farm all came together under the new not for profit umbrella of Touchstone Farm.  They kept vigil to make sure that the best of all three businesses were preserved under the new organization, while the necessary changes also happened to move boldly forward. Again, it is my profound delight to have such a committed and talented group working to uphold our mission.

Most amazing of all to me has been our loyal and devoted donors.  All of our dreams and hopes for the future are for naught if we don’t have the necessary financial strength to back them up! Individuals and families from all over this country have stepped up to help out.  The transition to Touchstone Farm has not only taken a huge amount of time, but has been costly to insure that the transition was done correctly.  Our farm family has certainly come forth to lay the foundation of this new organization, one brick at a time. Now that this foundation is strong and solid, we are eager to move forward into making all of our programs and camps even better, while creating new programs to meet the pressing needs of the world around us.  As our mission states, we are indeed “building foundations that last a lifetime”.

Our donations come in all sizes and from many sources.  Our donors are of all ages.  Some like to help feed and care for our horses.  Some like to offer scholarships. Some like to help us buy the necessary computers or phones to be efficient.  Some like to build things like new ring fences.  Some like to give us their time.  Some like to give us horses.  Others help us with their advice and experience.  All of these generous people help us fulfill our mission.

In the next four weeks, I would like to feature four donors who have truly touched us with their spirit of giving and generosity. They inspired us to move resolutely forward.  They gave us the heart and soul to make the needed changes. They gave us the courage to try new things and offer new programs to help those around us.  They were ‘there’ for us.

The first of these four donors is a pair of sisters. Their names are Abby and Didi.  They are 10 and 11 years old.  They come to Pony Farm, our summer camp, and they love ponies!  They are part of a family run boarding stable and work hard every day to keep the barn immaculate for fat and happy horses.  They came up with a “Pennies for Ponies” campaign to raise money for Touchstone.  They kept a jar in the tack room of the barn and would bring it out whenever one of the boarders drove in the driveway.  They would ask for any loose change that was in the car, telling people that they were raising money for kids who needed to be able to ride.

After months of collecting this pocket money, their time to come to camp finally arrived. They packed up all their riding and camp stuff, including their “Pennies for Ponies”.  On the Opening Day of their session, they proudly walked up to me, lugging over $125 of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.  With beaming grins on their face, they proudly told me of their mission to help other kids.  I was moved to tears as these two sweet, wonderful girls spoke.

Daily we are bombarded with stories of kids who bully others…or who are apathetic…or who are destructive…or who are lazy…or who are selfish and self-centered.  With no flash and flourish, these girls simply gave.  They gave with their heart and their time.  Abby and Didi’s gift  of coins and love truly moved me.  They inspired all of us to work harder to make the farm even better.  Their gift made us consider every dime we spend to make it count.  Their commitment strengthened our resolve to keep serving our world community.

So, as we approach Thanksgiving, I give deep thanks to Abby and Didi, and all the other generous people of our “farm family” who have given gifts, large and small, to fuel our mission and vision.  Together, with our horses, gardens and farm animals, we are making the world a happier, brighter and healthier place for the many people who come through our farm gates.  With children in the world like Abby and Didi, the future will be bright. So, thank you, Abby and Didi for inspiring us. Thank you for being YOU!

May your week be great and your heart thankful as we come into the season of gathering in our blessings.  Please do be in touch with us.  The welcome mat of Touchstone Farm is always out and the gates are always open.

                                                                                    Most warmly,

                                                                                    Boo

Better late than never...

Friday August 19^th, 2011

Dearest Pony Farm Parents and Friends of the Farm,

            I cannot believe how this week has flown by…It seems like you all were just here and we were all looking forward to the week ahead.  Now, this is the last full day of summer camp.  I simply cannot believe where the time goes. I guess the old adage that “time flies when you are having fun” is really accurate, as we sure have had fun this week with your ‘ladies’.

            I have to admit something to you all….Both the staff and I are usually pretty tired by now. This is the eleventh week of either preparing for camp via certification and orientation, or doing camp with all its many moving parts.  I have to say that the girls that you dropped off have been so much fun, so good, so smart, so capable, so engaging, so eager, and so energetic in all good ways, that we have had a blast. It is almost like the universe “saved the best for last”. I truly mean this!  These kids are simply terrific.  They are just plain fun and gung ho for anything.

            Becky wrote you on Tuesday…and I will start on Tuesday night as it is such a perfect example of their willingness, team spirit, good soul and work ethic.  I was driving home after picking up my dad’s medicine and finalizing my son’s court case after his massive driving accident.  I had been gone all day, sadly for me.  The sun was working on going down and it was 6:50PM.  As I rounded the road coming to the farm from the east, I saw all the lights on in all the barns.  I said to myself…”Darn, how could they have been so careless to leave that many lights on for the evening?”  Driving up to the barn entrance, what did I behold but every staff person and every single camper down there working their hearts out to clean the barn.  I was amazed and moved.  I realized that I had told them that morning at the Community Meeting that we had a major donor to the new Touchstone Farm coming on Wednesday. I said how important it was to have this site visit and I hoped they would put on their boots and breeches as he wanted to see them ride and take a farm tour.  I also asked that they do a ‘good’ job at barn chore time.

            To my heart’s delight, they took this ‘small ask’ and made it into a major project. They worked like giants….the place simply sparkled and gleamed.  I was just about speechless, which as you know, is unusual for me!  I really was moved to tears to see their proud faces as they showed me “their barns”….The place looked spectacular.  With many thanks and LOTS of candy as a reward from the staff, they went up to shower, have dinner and finish out their evening.

            The next day dawned bright and beautiful.  The visitor came and wow, did the kids’ riding impress him, as did the whole farm. He said “I could eat off the barn floor it is so clean!”  This man is a major horse person, so his compliments about YOUR kids were educated and sincere ones.  I was proud and delighted that it all went so well, thanks to the spirit and care of your children!!!!

            After an extra-long riding lesson in the morning, lunch, and rest hour on Wednesday, the kids were ready to swim, relax and play with the small farm animals.  We wanted to make sure all the new kids had their “Pony Farm Swim Test” for sure as swimming with the horses was coming up on Thursday.  Needless to say, everyone passed with flying colors. They also really enjoyed the farm animals, all of whom adore the attention and miss kids during the school year.

            Wednesday night featured every camp’s version of a Snipe Hunt….with lots of stories and lead up to catching the mythical snipe….Of course, the only way to do this is to have peanut butter all over your face and hands.  We even had cages prepared for snipes so that when you got here, your camper could ask permission to bring a snipe home….For those of you who might not know about snipes, you should join us for one of these evenings…it really is a true camp tradition!!!!

            Thursday again dawned bright and clear….After Monday’s torrential rains, we sure have enjoyed cool, clear and happy days of good weather.  Some of you must have pushed the right buttons above to get us these great days.  This was the day to swim with the horses.  Enthusiasm was running high…After several years of not being able to swim here on the farm due to blue green algae infestation; we found a new place to swim just down the road.  This is a highlight of the week for everyone.  We have the system down pat so that it is highly safe for both kids and horses, so it is enjoyable for everyone!  The kids had a blast and the horses got clean!

            While half the campers went swimming, the other half practiced their ‘Specialties’ for the Parents’ Exhibition on Saturday.  They have made good solid progress this week in their riding skills and it is exciting to get ready for you to watch the demos.

            Last night, they did an all camp favorite evening activity called “Counselor Quest”.  This is a version of Hide and Seek with a flair.  The counselors are given a point value depending on how long they have been here. The idea is that the longer you have been here, the better hiding place you know about, thus the harder you are to find.  The kids have a blast running freely all over the farm while Kris keeps a watchful eye out for everyone.  The camper who gets the most points by racking up the most counselor points wins.  Everyone gets into this game!

            This was followed by the Ice Cream Trough…a huge long sundae filled with all sorts of toppings, sprinkles and whipped cream.  The kids love just chowing down as a reward for all their running and finding counselors in their lairs!

            Today is sunny again, with some clouds coming in tonight.  They are going to ride to practice again for the exhibition tomorrow. They will also get a jump start on packing, as well as write their Candlelight message.  This is a summary of what their camp experience this week or two weeks has meant to them.  We will read it either around the Campfire Circle (r inside the lodge by candlelight, depending on the weather.  Everyone will have time to shower and change into a nice outfit.  After a Turkey Dinner, we will all gather and listen to each camper and staff’s words as a candle is held so she can read by candlelight.

            Tomorrow is the day we have to give them back to you!  We ask that you arrive between 9:30 and 10AM.  We will ask that you gather up all your child/ren’s belongings and put them in your car. We do not want everyone in the barns watching the kids tack up. It is just plain too many people in too small a space.  The exhibition will begin at 10 in the various rings.  We will guide you to where your child is riding.  The demonstration lesson will be narrated by the senior staff while the Counselors-in-Training conduct the lesson. The kids will then move to their Specialties, which are the more exciting jumping and games events.  This whole demo will end with the girls feeding their horses and saying good bye to them.

            We will then gather on the front lawn and eat all together.  Please do bring a picnic for you and your family. We will provide drinks and desserts.  This is the perfect time to ask any questions about your daughters’ stay and to chat with all the staff.  Then….the sad thing is that we have to say good bye to you for a whole year.  Arghhh….

            I will end as I began by thanking you for lending us your children for a week or two. What a fantastic group.  It has been a pleasure and a privilege.  We look forward to staying in touch this coming year and hope you might join us for one of our specialty weekends during the school year.  It makes it seem like not such a long time until we see you again.

            Thank you again and again for choosing Pony Farm over all the other fantastic opportunities there are in this big wide world.  We are delighted to have you as part of our “Farm Family”, and look forward to watching your children grow up. See you at 9:30 tomorrow.

                                                            Most Warmly,

                                                            Boo

           

Closing Day

Hi Moms and Dads,

Saturday, August 20^th is Closing Day

Arrive between 9:30 and 10:00 am.  You will be able to watch your camper in a lesson.  There will be a sign in the lodge telling you what riding group your camper is in, who she is riding, and what ring the lesson is happening in.  Then follow your camper to her specialty.  After the specialty you are more than welcome to being a picnic lunch and sit on the back lawn and picnic.  Camp will have drinks and desserts available.

Be sure to say Hi to Boo on the back porch and to check out with Becky, also located on the back porch. 

Best,

Becky

On the Third Day the Sun Shined!

Hello Everyone!

Yesterday it spit rained a little bit and the sky looked threatening, but nothing ever happened.  In the morning we had out riding lessons.  In the afternoon, we were pre-pared for the weather and it never came!  For afternoon activities there was the option of a trip to Budweiser to see the barns and Clydesdales, small animals, horseless horse show, lunging, pair jumping and catch riding.  Last night we played Personal Scavenger Hunt, the best game of all the games in all the land!

It is going to be a beautiful day here!  The sun is shining and it is warming up!  We have a full day planned! Lessons in the morning, and then an array of activities for the afternoon! The list of possibilities includes trail rides, gambler’s choice, puissance, swimming and small animals, soccer.  Tonight we have the ice-cream trough and Snipe hunt.  It is going to be a gooey night!

We are staying busy and having a lot of fun!

Still Staying Dry,

Becky