Full Access Lease

Several parents have asked if we are doing the 'full access' lease program this year. The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that we spent quite a bit of time reflecting on the strengths and challenges of the program last year and have made some modifications. Thanks to all the parents who filled out questionnaires!

We will soon have sign ups for summer programming available and the successors to the full access lease are: Barn/Pleasure Riding & Barn Leadership programs Both these programs are ONLY open to students entering 6th grade or older.

The barn/pleasure riding program will look the most like full access lease. It will start June 1st and run through September 3rd. However, we will be strictly limiting participation to 3 riders per week. Instead of requiring a full month commitment (which was pretty flexible anyway) riders can sign up for a week and the cost will be $150. The increased cost reflects our observation that many of the participants wanted to do projects -- whether to beautify the barn, or simply crafting in a quiet afternoon moment. This include the full lease rate for the week. Same riding program: one hour a day lightly supervised plus a fun, instructor led ride once a week -- hopefully on the trail.

The second program is for those who want the same riding experiences and priviliges but are willing to commit to specific responsibilities in the barn. That would include helping new and beginner riders tack up, leading horses in beginner lessons, over seeing crafts. We are planning to build in some 'leadership training' opportunities and will be giving the participants responsibility for tasks in the barn or the other summer programs. An example might be that a participant will plan a craft and run that session for a group of younger kids. We will only be taking two students per week for this program and it will run from June 21st through August 13th. There will still be a fee for the riding and materials but it will be $125. If you are interested in this program, talk to Chuck, Linda or Jacki as soon as you have an idea of which weeks you'd like to do.

It doesn't feel much like summer out there, but I know folks are starting to think about summer activities. We will also be offering three other programs this summer -- the 3 day new & beginner riding experience, the Life on a Farm package, and a new Ready, Set, Show experience that culminates in participation in a show in Shelburne Falls.

Stay tuned!