We have kids attend who come from many diverse backgrounds; culturally, emotionally and spiritually. Everyone walks through the doors on the first day of Horse Camp with a different experience or expectation of what a week at camp will be like.

One particular young lady who attended had recently been transitioned into a new family. She was timid around all the new kids who were at camp with her, and she was very afraid and unsure being around horses. Over the first two days, I watched as the other children embraced her. They drew her into their groups with open arms and they encouraged her as she cautiously approached each day with her horse. I have often taught that horses aren’t judgmental – they don’t care what background someone comes from, what color their skin is, what kind of clothes they wear, how they do their hair, or whether they have makeup on or not. Horses display unbiased love and long for love in return. What amazed me about this week of camp was that I saw this same love also displayed by the campers. It was more than just the horses that did a healing work in this young lady’s life.

The environment at camp as a whole – from the horses to the campers, to the staff – was open, inviting and encouraging, allowing this young lady the freedom to open up her heart to new friends and experiences in ways she hadn’t thought possible on the first day of camp. This was the realization of our purpose to provide a safe, fun, encouraging environment that draws campers into God’s loving embrace. I can’t wait to see more campers experience this same embrace at Horse Camp this summer!

Information about this summer’s Horse Camps can be found at: www.WBCHorsemanship.com.

Lisa Tremain
Horsemanship Director
Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center