Western riding camps may be just the thing your child needs to learn the art of Western riding, a subspecialty of equestrian riding. With a focus on personal growth and self-discovery, Western riding camps offer not only riding instruction from skilled equestrians trainers but also camping, backpacking and sports. Whether set against a backdrop of majestic mountains, in pine forests or on dusty dude ranches, a horseback riding camp can offer a variety of fun programs like fossil digging, mountain survival courses, cattle roundup, archery and river rafting. Programs build upon the Western riding philosophy, which evolved on cattle ranches in the American West. It's a slightly different style of riding than English riding and therefore has subtle nuances. Some camps are integrated, while others are strictly for boys or girls.

What to Ask the Camp Director: Find out the age groups the horseback riding camp caters to, as there may be a minimum age, such as 9 years old, in order to participate.

What to Pack: Since campers will be taking part in a variety of outdoor pursuits, such as horseback riding and swimming, be sure to pack appropriate gear such as bathing suits, and jeans and boots for riding.

Weather Considerations: Watch the forecast before sending your child off to riding camp. Some camps are located in hot, dry climates where weather is rarely a problem, but others are located in climates where the weather may be wet and chilly one day and hot the next.