Blaze a trail to Misty Hollow and discover all the many exciting opportunities waiting for you there! Please read through the following information thoroughly to help you decide on the best program for you or your group.
Our council leases horses and they reside at Misty Hollow from early May through mid-October. In the Spring and Fall, before and after several weeks of summer camp, the horses are available for Girl Scout groups and individuals to schedule horseback riding programs appropriate for girls' ages and skill level. Certain prerequisites must be met for each program and are included in the program description. Please bear in mind when looking into our programs that Misty Hollow is a riding instruction facility, not a place where people of any skill level may come for a trail ride. Trail riding is reserved for those who have attained a certain level of riding skill and whether or not they have reached that level is determined solely by our riding instructors.
Misty Hollow is fortunate to have a highly skilled staff of riding instructors. When a riding program is being conducted at Misty Hollow, the riding staff is responsible for the safety of our Girl Scouts and any accompanying adults, the horses, the facility, and each other. Because of their level of accountability, the staff will evaluate the riding ability of each participant at the beginning of every riding program. Instruction is then geared to the skill level of the group as a whole. The program length listed is an estimate of time for total program. Actual time riding varies depending on number of riders, skill level, weather conditions, etc.
Riding Program Schedule
Spring: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, April 30th through June 25th
Fall: Saturdays and Sundays, August 21st through October 8th
Equipment
Each participant must wear close-fitting long pants and shoes or boots with a ½-inch heel. Sneakers, hiking boots, and winter boots are not appropriate footwear. A selection of boots is available at Misty Hollow and may be borrowed during instruction time. Helmets are provided and are required to be worn at all times while working with and riding horses. An adult certified in First Aid must accompany all group programs.
Safety-Wise
Please review Safety-Wise horseback riding activity checkpoints, pages 102-104.
Registration
Use the Program Registration Form to request a group or individual horseback riding program. Be sure to indicate at least two date choices (as time slots tend to fill quickly) and the program appropriate for the age and skill level for the girls in your group.
If you have questions about the availability of certain dates, please e-mail Rhonda Wright, Administrative Assistant, or call her at 315-539-5085 ext. 2129 for assistance.
If you have specific questions about the program, including the appropriateness of a given program for the skill level of those registering, e-mail Kim Albrecht, Outdoor Program Manager, or call her at 607-342-4047.
Programs
Click on a program name to view the program description.
Badge Programs
Click on a program name to view the program description.
Wrangler-In-Training (WIT)
NEW for 2010! We are now offering Camp Wranglers, a terrific Wrangler-In-Training resident camp program at Misty Hollow Program Center. This program includes the Program Aid Core Training module. See our camp brochure for more information.
The Wrangler-In-Training program is the first step toward becoming a Wrangler (see below). Participants should have the ability to groom, saddle, and ride a horse comfortably. Those with limited experience should consider attending summer camp at Misty Hollow to expand upon these skills before applying to become a WIT. WITs must be at least 12 years of age and in 8th grade or registered Adults.
In order to become a Wrangler-In-Training, Girl Scouts must first complete Program Aid Core Training or have received the Leadership in Action (LiA) Award. For more information on either of these programs, e-mail Sara Stinnette, Program Manager, or contact her by telephone at 315-698-9400.
The second step to becoming a WIT is to apply for the program. Application materials can be obtained by contacting the Outdoor Program Manager (see below) or by registering for Wrangler-In-Training Day. The application deadline for this year is April 1, 2010.
The third step in becoming a WIT is to attend a mandatory training day (as mentioned above) at Misty Hollow Program Center. Trainings for WIT and Wrangler are offered bi-annually and are scheduled for April 2010. Please visit our program page for dates and registration information.
The final step in becoming a WIT is to complete a volunteer module. WITs must commit to volunteer at Misty Hollow Program Center for at least two programs during the riding program season (May-June or August-October). Proof of completion of the volunteer module will be submitted along with your application to become a Wrangler.
For more information, please e-mail Kim Albrecht, Outdoor Program Manager, or contact her at 607-342-4047.
Wrangler
This terrific leadership program is for girls who have already met the requirements and attained the status of Wrangler-In-Training (see above). A Wrangler has extensive riding, grooming, and tacking experience, a high comfort level around horses, and is interested in helping with horse programs at Misty Hollow Program Center. Many Wranglers later go on to become our valued Riding Assistants and Riding Instructors at Misty Hollow Program Center or Amahami Outdoor Center. Wranglers must be at least 14 years of age or registered Adults.
Wranglers are expected to volunteer for at least five (5) programs during the riding program season (May-October) and/or during summer day camp, expanding upon the skills and responsibilities of this leadership rank. (Wranglers register as campers at either Misty Hollow or Amahami. See our summer camp brochure for more information on our camp programs.) Appointment as Wrangler does not become official until the volunteer module is completed.
Girls must apply to become a Wrangler and pass a skills assessment conducted by the Riding Director on Wrangler Training Day. Trainings for WIT and Wrangler are offered bi-annually and are scheduled in April 2010. Please visit our program page for dates and registration information. An application can be obtained by contacting the Outdoor Program Manager (see below) or by registering for Wrangler Training Day. The application deadline for this year is April 1, 2010.
For more information, please e-mail Kim Albrecht, Outdoor Program Manager, or contact her by calling 607-342-4047.