Our boots and saddles camp is perfect for horse lovers between the ages 13 and 17 years old. The camp caters to all abilities and features several trail rides, horseback journeys, basic horse skills sessions, grooming, and horseback games. It runs for either 3 or 4 nights with campsite-based accommodation. All meals are provided as well as a shuttle service to Yass, Canberra and Tarcutta. Boots and Saddles camp promotes trust and communication between the rider and horse, and provides campers with an opportunity to learn new skills and meet new friends.
Price: From $720
Open to all genders
Sponsorship
Are you struggling to afford to send your child/children on camp? We believe every child should be given the opportunity to go on camp despite if their parent/carer cannot afford it. Mountain Trails has a list of generous supporters who see the benefit in camps and have donated to our sponsorship pool. If you need extra financial assistance to afford to send your child/children on camp please fill out the sponsorship form below. We understand that it may be difficult for some families with the increased cost of living so there is no shame in applying for sponsorship. Once the form is completed it will be assessed by Mountain Trails and you will be notified if your application is successful.
FAQ
What will my child be doing on camp?
Boots and saddles camp is for both beginner and experienced riders, it consists of skills sessions and trail ride sessions. There are also other activities included to break up riding, these vary depending on the season but can include activities such as caving, abseiling and dam activities. View a sample program below for a single day on camp.
| 7:30am | Wake up |
| 8:00am | Breakfast |
| 9:00am | Focus session |
| 9:30am | Morning tea and prepare for riding |
| 10:00am | Rider skills session |
| 1:00pm | Lunch |
| 2:00pm | Trail ride |
| 4:00pm | Dam time |
| 5:00pm | Refresh session |
| 5:15pm | Showers and free time |
| 6:00pm | Dinner |
| 7:30pm | Focus |
| 8:00pm | Night activity (campfire) |
| 10:00pm | Bed time |
What’s included in the fees?
All meals including morning/afternoon teas and lunch on the day of arrival and departure.
Accommodation in cabins with communal bathrooms.
Daily program full of horse riding run by qualified staff.
Use of our horses
Shuttle bus service.
Quality pastoral care.
Evening entertainment.
What’s not included:
Towels
Bed linen
Insurance for personal injury or loss/theft of property.
How does the shuttle bus work?
Our shuttle bus can pick up and drop off your child at the following locations.
Yass – Yass Information Centre, 259 Comur St Yass
Murrumbateman – Jones Park Rest Area
Belconnen – Macdermott Place Boat Ramp, Macdermott Place Belconnen
Waramanga – Stromlo High School, Corner of Namatjira Drive & Badimara Street, Waramanga
See the bus timetable below, the times specify when the bus departs. Please ensure you arrive at least 15 minutes before the departure time.
| Location | Pick up departure time | Drop off departure time |
| Yass | 10:45am | 3:30pm |
| Murrumbateman | 10:15am | 4:00pm |
| Belconnen | 9:45am | 4:30pm |
| Waramanga | 9:00am | 5:15pm |
What should my child bring?
A program will be emailed prior to the camp commencing to help with packing.
General packing list:
- Shirts with sleeves, long pants for horse riding.
- Jumper
- Warm clothes
- Closed in shoes
- Raincoat
- Bed linen – sleeping bag, sheets, pillow, pillow slips, blankets, etc.
- Towel
- Toiletries
- Torch
- Water bottle
- Swimmers (excludes winter programs)
- Old shoes and clothes that can get dirty (for activities such as caving)
- Plastic bag for dirty and/or wet clothes
- Sunscreen, hat and insect repellent
Please do not bring
- Any expensive items which may be misplaced.
- Mobile phones (there is limited reception). Campers have access to a land line phone should they need to contact parents/guardians during camp.
- Knives or other sharp and dangerous implements
- Matches or lighters
- Chewing or bubble gum
Is there a discount when booking more than one child?
Yes, we offer a sibling discount of $70 as well as a bring a friend discount of $70. When bringing a friend, only the person bringing a friend can claim a discount.
My child is 12 years old, can they attend boots and saddles camp?
Boots and saddles camp is for ages 13 -17, however, if the child is 12 turning 13 that school year then they are welcome to attend. We do not allow over 18s on camp.
Where can I find risk assessments for activities?
Risk assessments can be made available on request, please contact us.
How does overnight supervision work?
Staff are on site 24/7, once campers have been put to bed, staff sleep in separate staff accommodation near the cabins. If campers have any issues during the night they are told where their allocated leader is staying and they can knock on the door for assistance.
How does sponsorship work?
Sponsorship is for parents/carers that may need extra help to be able to pay for camps. Sponsorship funds are generously provided by our supporters who see the benefit in what we do. With the increased cost of living we understand that it may be hard for some people, but we believe children should still have the opportunity to come on camp. To apply for sponsorship for your child, please fill out the sponsorship form, this will be assessed by us, and you will be notified if you are successful and for what amount.
What is focus and refresh?
Mountain Trails is an organisation based on Christian values. As part of our school holiday camps each day has two, half hour sessions called focus. These are sessions in which children can participate in biblical learning and discussions, similar to SRE classes in schools.
Refresh is a short 15-minute session each day where children have the opportunity to debrief activities from the day with their peers and leaders. These sessions also include discussions about mental health and encourage personal growth.