Horse Camps

Welcome to Circle K Ranch! As the home of our Horse Camp program, when you visit us you can expect the most exciting equestrian experience around. Whether you are an accomplished rider, or you are just interested in dipping your toe into the Equestrian world, Horse Camp is the place to be! We pride ourselves on helping campers grow and learn by promoting problem-solving skills, unplugged social interaction, and quality mentorship. Spend a week or even just a day immersed in the world of horses. From trail rides and riding lessons, you can hone your skills while exploring YMCA Camp Kern’s 485 acres!

Boots & Bits Day Camp Ages 6 - 10

Day Camp Awesomeness!

Day Camp: Monday - Friday

Boots & Bits is an exciting day camp designed to help young ranchers build independence and horsemanship through hands on horse experience. Campers will learn the basics of horse care and horseback riding by participating in daily lessons on horse safety, grooming, tacking, leading horses, and riding. Boots & Bits Campers will also get the opportunity to try out camp activities such as swimming, rock climbing walls, and more. This program runs Monday - Friday with morning drop-off and evening pick-up each day. Campers must have completed Kindergarten to attend.

2024 Session Dates
Session 1: June 3-7
Session 2: June 10-14
Session 3: June 17-21
Session 4: June 24-28
Session 5: July 1-July 5
Session 6: July 8-12
Session 7: July 15-19
Session 8: July 22-26
Session 9: July 29-August 2

Availability

Session 1 (Co-ed)
Session 2 (Co-ed)
Session 3 (Co-ed)
Session 4 (Co-ed)
Session 5 (Co-ed)
Session 6 (Co-ed)
Session 7 (Co-ed)
Session 8 (Co-ed)
Session 9 (Co-ed)

$475

Lil' Farmers Day Camp Ages 5 - 7

Day Camp: Monday - Friday

New for 2024! Introducing one of camp's newest program areas: the Circle K Corral! The Corral is home to our farm animal petting zoo in an Ole' Western town setting.

In this new day camp centered around daily life at the Corral, Lil' Farmers will spend their days assisting in daily farm chores, collecting eggs, and feeding & caring for our animals (goats, rabbits, ducks, mini horses & cows, lambs and chickens) while learning about managing farm herds and tending to their own community garden: growing tomatoes, pumpkins and herbs!

They will also learn how to identify animal tracks, bugs, birds and wildlife while exploring all over camp's ranch. Additional activities including making natural arts & crafts projects, participating in pony rides, going on hay rides, and learning the very basics of roping the most well-behaved plastic steer on the planet. Just like our older campers, Lil' Farmers will also participate in typical camp activities like fishing, swimming, hiking, campfires, archery and conquering our wee climbing wall.

This day camp will run Monday through Friday with morning drop-offs and evening pick-ups. Campers must have completed Kindergarten to attend.

Availability

Session 1 (Co-ed)
Session 2 (Co-ed)
Session 3 (Co-ed)
Session 4 (Co-ed)
Session 5 (Co-ed)
Session 6 (Co-ed)
Session 7 (Co-ed)
Session 8 (Co-ed)
Session 9 (Co-ed)

$230

Horse Camp Ages 9 - 16

Our original and best overnight program!

Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday - Friday

Horse Camp at Circle K Ranch is a great way for your camper to build confidence in themselves and others through horsemanship. Ranchers will spend most of their week learning to responsibly ride and care for their horses. In addition to horseback riding lessons and trail rides, campers will enjoy other challenges such as swimming, archery, and more! Ranchers will stay at Elk Lodge, right next to the horse pastures! All riding levels are welcome, and both English and Western riding styles are offered. Saddle up and join us for a week like no other!

2024 Session Dates
Session 1: June 2-7 (Girls Only)
Session 2: June 9-14 (Girls Only)
Session 3: June 16-21 (Girls Only)
Session 4: June 23-28 (Coed)
Session 5: June 30-July 5 (Girls Only)
Session 6: July 7-12 (Coed)
Session 7: July 14-19 (Girls Only)
Session 8: July 21-26 (Girls Only)
Session 9: July 28-August 2 (Girls Only)

Availability

Session 1 (Girls Only)
Session 2 (Girls Only)
Session 3 (Girls Only)
Session 4 (Co-ed)
Session 5 (Girls Only)
Session 6 (Co-ed)
Session 7 (Girls Only)
Session 8 (Girls Only)
Session 9 (Girls Only)

$845

Advanced Horse Camp Ages 12 - 16

For experienced riders only

Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday - Friday

Circle K Ranch Advanced Horse Camp is designed to take the camper with previous Horse Camp experience to the next level.

Riders in this camp must know their diagonals, be able to trot without stirrups, know their correct leads and canter with control. This camp is open to both Western & English riders. A riding evaluation will be required prior to summer camp for those interested in Advanced Horse camp. After registering for a spot in Main Ranch/Horse Camp, please email our Ranch Director, Jessica Mullins, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule your riding evaluation or send her a video of your camper demonstrating the required skills listed above. If it is determined that Advanced Horse Camp is a good fit for your camper, your registration will be updated to Advanced Camp.

Hands-on Classes may include but not limited to Working Ranch Trail Horse Class, Designing Hunter & Jumping courses, Mounted Drill Team Maneuvers, Horse Liberty Workshop.

Ground Lessons may include but not limited to; Horse Health Science, Horse First Aid, Feed Management, Farrier Hot Shoeing Demonstration, Breeding Conformation, Horse Judging, and Equine Assisted Learning.

2024 Session Dates
Session 1: June 2-7 (Girls Only)
Session 4: June 23-28 (Coed)
Session 6: July 7-12 (Coed)
Session 8: July 21-26 (Girls Only)

NOTE: You will first need to register for our standard Horse/Ranch Camp for your desired session then reach out to Jessica Mullins at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to submit your skills video or schedule a skills demonstration if you live locally. If your camper qualifies for Advanced Camp, we will update your registration.

Availability

Session 1 (Girls Only)
Session 4 (Co-ed)
Session 6 (Co-ed)
Session 8 (Girls Only)

$875

Add-On: Free Weekend Stayover Ages 9 - 17

Fun All Weekend Long!

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Want to experience the magic of camp for two weeks or more in a row? Stay the weekend in between at Kern! The weeks must be consecutive weeks at camp. All campers laundry is cleaned in between weeks. Campers will participate in various activities at camp over the weekend before they are signed in for their next week of camp!

Weekend stays are only available to campers attending weeklong residential camp programs. Weekend Stayovers are not available for campers attending Sunrise Day Camp, Lil' Farmes Day Camp, First Camp, Taste of Kern, Boots & Bits Day Camp, or Frontier Village programs.

Space is limited! Make sure to select the Free Weekend Stayover Add-on on your Camper Application.

The following Free Weekend Stayovers are planned for summer 2024:

Sessions 3-4: June 21-23

Sessions 4-5: June 28-30

Sessions 5-6: July 5-7

Sessions 7-8: July 19-21

We are also offering "Super Stayovers" on other weekends that include a trip to Kings Island. These Super Stayovers will have a fee to cover park admission and food. Click the "Add On: Super Weekend Stayovers" tab to learn more.

Availability

Free

Add-On: Super Weekend Stayover Ages 9 - 17

Stay for the weeeeee-kend

Super Stay 1

Want to experience the magic of camp for two weeks or more in a row, stay at camp over the weekend AND take a day trip to Kings Island? Stay on for a Super Weekend Stayover at Kern! Participating campers must be enrolled for consecutive weeks at camp.

All campers laundry is cleaned in between weeks. Campers will participate in various activities at camp over the weekend and take a day trip to nearby Kings Island amusement park. The fee for the Super Stayover includes park admission, food and transportation.

Space is limited! Make sure to select the Super Weekend Stayover Add-on on your Camper Application.

The following Super Weekend Stayovers are planned for summer 2024:

Sessions 2-3: June 14-16

Sessions 6-7: July 12-14

We are also offering Free Stayovers on other weekends that do not include a Kings Island excursion. Click the "Add On: Free Weekend Stayovers" tab to learn more.

Availability

$110

If you have any questions about our Horse Camps, please contact Jessica Mullins, Equestrian Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (513) 932-3756 (ext. 1531).