Summer Programs
Equine Activities & Therapies
A Summer Your Child Won't Forget
Our programs bring together children with and without disabilities and offers a chance to participate in riding and many other equine-related activities. Participants learn tolerance, compassion and respect for differences while improving their horsemanship skills.
Register for Summer Camp below, or keep scrolling to find out more about other camps: Horse Sense, Vetkids, Immersion and our summer community riding program.
Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all camps are subject to change according to direction by the CDC or the Connecticut Governor’s Office.
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there is nothing better than
Summer Camp at High Hopes
Each summer High Hopes is pleased to offer five sessions of an inclusive summer camp. The sessions are designed to meet the needs of our campers’ ages and riding skill levels. Throughout our four-day camp sessions, participants experience grooming, tacking, daily riding lessons, trail rides, gymnastics on horseback, carriage driving, arts and crafts, and of course play inclusive team-building GAMES! All activities are conducted in age-appropriate groups.
All sessions are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Each session enrolls a maximum of 7 participants.
2020 Camp Sessions are as follows:
July 13 – July 16, 2020
July 20 – July 23, 2020- 2 Spots Available
July 27 – July 30, 2020- FULL WAITLIST
August 3 – August 6, 2020- FULL WAITLIST
A number of dedicated camps for different populations and interest groups are also available during the summer. Scroll for more information.
Register Now
responsibility and leadership
Horse Sense for Grades 5-8
This camp focuses on at-risk youth populations and focuses on community and self-development rather than horseback riding skills. The four-day camp includes daily interaction with our horses as well as team-building and communication activities to increase self-confidence, responsibility and leadership potential. This camp serves youth in the New London and Norwich districts and is limited to 7 participants.
Horse Sense Camp: August 10 – 13, 2020
Horse Sense Program is offered in conjunction with these wonderful sponsors:
Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
The Edward and Mary Lord Foundation
The R.S.Gernon Trust
James P Shea and Mary E Shea Perpetual Trust
Register Now 
Community Riding Lessons
Learn to ride at High Hopes
Our program is designed to open up the world of horses to our local community in a safe and fun learning environment. Our horses are specifically chosen for their good nature, patience and willingness to interact with people. Our professional staff has received extensive training on safety and the most effective teaching methods to reach all individuals. Our community lesson programs offer something for all levels of riders from someone who has never ridden to someone who is looking to further their riding and horsemanship skills.
Contact Marie to register your interest
for children with sensory differences and autism
Immersion
“IMMERSION” and “MY HORSE AND ME” are sensory-rich Equine Assisted Activities & Therapies Programs. These programs are collaborations between High Hopes’ highly qualified and experienced Therapeutic Riding Instructors and the Physical and Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Pathologists from Yale NewHaven Health Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. A referral is through the L+M pediatric team.
Immersion Camp: POSTPONED
My Horse and Me: POSTPONED
for children of military families and first responders
VetKids for ages 8-13
Children of Veterans and active service members are a population generally underserved by traditional Veterans programs, which tend to focus more on the service member and their spouse or partner. The children of First Responders and Frontline Workers face many similar uncertainties in their daily lives, particularly during this pandemic.
High Hopes created a program that focussed on character building, emotional regulation, team building, and communications. While some of the participants had ridden before; none had experienced the learning, confidence building, and self-esteem that can come from caring for and working with a horse in the barn.
The bond participants developed with their horses provided a low-key and trusting environment in which they could share their experiences of parents being deployed, or returning from deployment, responding to a crisis call, or returning from one.
All our participants and many parents commented on how important it was that everyone in the program “was in the same boat,” with similar experiences and shared emotions; something that is not the case in educational settings.
VetKids Camp: August 17 – 20, 2020
Download a flyer HERE
Please note that all of our camps are subject to change according to direction by the CDC and the OEC. Your place at this camp has been significantly subsidized through a donation from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT Foundation.
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A Summer to Remember
Summer at High Hopes:
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Funding, Licensing and Accreditation Partners
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Horses and Humans Improving Lives
The people who come to High Hopes represent all ages & backgrounds.The majority of our participants are between the ages of 3 and 14, some are in their 70’s. Most participants have varying degrees of cognitive, physical, behavioral, psychological or sensory disabilities.
About UsSupporting High Hopes
Your contribution will support our riding program and ensure the ongoing sustainability of our operations, including care of our horses and scholarship support to financially disadvantaged participants.
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High Hopes Therapeutic Riding is located at 36 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT.
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