Equestrian Program
Meet Joanne
Welcome to the Equestrian Program page. My name is Joanne Dumar, the Equestrian Program Manager for Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois. I have been working for Girl Scouts since 2001 and have helped develop a riding program for girls in grades K-12. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns about the riding programs. I love to talk horseback riding! Joanne Dumar 563-349-6149 or JoanneD@GSEIWI.org Check out the possibilities below and come ride with us!
Troop Horseback Riding
Troop horseback riding for girls grades K-12 is available at Camp Conestoga, 25 miles northwest of the Quad Cities. Girl Scout Juliette’s (individually registered Girl Scouts) may register to ride and will be placed with a troop of their grade level. Riding is scheduled from mid-April through the first of June and then again from mid-August through mid-November. All riding dates exclude major Holiday weekends.
For questions about program content, contact Joanne Dumar, Equestrian Program Manager at 563-349-6149 or JoanneD@GSEIWI.org. For questions about registration and date availability contact Kim Kirby, Senior Council Registrar at 800-798-0833 or KimK@GSEIWI.org. Unless otherwise noted, Adult riders must be registered Girl Scouts to ride horses.
GRADES K-1:
- 1-hour Arena Ride: Girls are led in the arena by troop supplied Adults. Adults leading the horses do not need to be registered Girl Scouts. Limit 6-10 riders. Cost is $15 per rider.
GRADES 2-3:
- 1-hour Arena Ride Program: Girls steer the horses themselves in the arena only, no trail riding. Limit 6-10 riders. Cost is $15 per rider.
- 3 hour Workshop: Includes arena riding time as well as learning to groom, saddle, and general horse care. Limit 6-24 riders including up to-but not more than-20 Girls. Cost is $35 per rider.
GRADES 4-5:
- 90-minute Trail Ride Program: Includes trail ride through Camp Conestoga. Limit 6-12 riders. Cost is $20 per rider.
- Basic Junior Workshop: Includes an arena lesson, trail ride, grooming the horses, learning to saddle, and performing general horse care.
- Option #1: (3 hours)-Limit 6-12 riders. Cost is $40 per rider.
- Option #2: (4 hours)-Limit 13-24 riders. Cost is $40 per rider.
GRADES 5-12:
- Advanced Workshop: (3 hours)-Riders must have at least one hour of riding experience. Limit 6-12 riders. Cost is $40 per rider.
GRADES 6-12:
- 90-minute Trail Ride: Includes trail ride through Camp Conestoga. Limit 6-12 riders. Cost is $20 per rider.
- 3-hour Trail Ride Program: Includes trail ride through Camp Conestoga. Limit 6-12 riders. Cost is $40 per rider.
- Teen workshop: (4 hours)-Includes feeding the horses, preparing the horses for riding, extended trail ride OR arena games, and learning to jog the horses in the arena. Riders must have completed the advanced workshop listed above and be in grades 6-12. Limit 6-12 riders. Cost is $45 per rider. THIS WORKSHOP IS HELD ONLY FROM 8:00 AM TILL 12:00 NOON.
SPECIAL RIDES:
- Parent/Daughter Ride: All riders must meet eligibility requirements. For this ride only, Adult Parents or Persons over the age of 18, do not need to be registered Girl Scouts. All Girls riding must be registered Girl Scouts and be in grades 4-12. The cost is $20 per rider. Please contact Jo Dumar at 563-349-6149 for riding dates and times.
- Family Ride: All riders must meet eligibility requirements. For this ride only, adult parents, siblings, and or persons over the age of 18, do not need to be registered Girl Scouts. All “family” members riding with girl must be in the 4-12 grades. All girls riding must be registered Girl Scouts and be in grades 4-12. The cost is $20 per rider.
Due to the size and age of the horses, there is a 250 lb.
weight limit for all riders. Please see additional riding guidelines.
Riding Schudule
All riding in August ends by 1:00 pm.
August 14, 2010 - Troop Riding - FULLAugust 28, 2010 - Troop Riding - FULLAugust 29, 2010 - Troop Riding - FULL-
September 11, 2010 - Troop Riding - FULL
- September 12, 2010 - Troop Riding
September 18, 2010 - Troop Riding - FULL- September 19, 2010 - Troop Riding - ONLY time available is from 9:00 – 10:00 AM
- September 25, 2010 - Troop riding and Parent/Daughter ride
- September 26, 2010 - Troop Riding
- October 2, 2010 - Troop Riding
- October 3, 2010 - Troop Riding
- October 9, 2010 - Troop Riding
- October 10, 2010 - Troop Riding
- October 16, 2010 - Troop Riding
- October 17, 2010 - Troop Riding
- October 23, 2010 - Troop Riding and Trail Leader Training
- October 24, 2010 - Troop Riding
- October 30, 2010 - Troop Riding and Family Ride
- October 31, 2010 - Troop Riding
- November 6, 2010 - Troop Riding
- November 7, 2010 - Troop Riding
- November 13, 2010 - Troop Riding
- November 14, 2010 - Troop Riding
Family and parent/daughter rides
are for riders in grade 4 and older.
There is a 250lb. weight limit for all riders in all our programs.
Download the Troop Horseback Riding Reservation Request Form.
Horseback Riding Lessons Offered
Semi-private riding lessons are offered in the spring and fall at Camp Conestoga, 25 miles northwest of Davenport, Iowa. Lessons are given in a series of four or six each season and are an hour in length. Cost is $20/hour. Girls must be in second grade or older.
For more information contact Joanne Dumar 563-349-6149 or JoanneD@GSEIWI.org.
Rent a Program Manager!
Attention Girl Scout Brownie and Junior troops! Interested in learning about horses but need a little help? I would be happy to come to your troop meeting or you can come to the Camp Conestoga Equestrian Facility. We will work on the Horse Fun council patch for Brownies or the Horse Fan badge for Juniors. The workshop will leave you with most of the requirements done and easy instructions for anything still needed. Sessions are 1 ½ hours long and cost $20 at Camp Conestoga or $40 for me to come to your meeting.
This is a classroom badge and does not involve any live horses. For more information or scheduleing, contact Joanne Dumar 563-349-6149 or JoanneD@GSEIWI.org.
Ranch Hands
Ranch Hands are advanced riders in grade 7 or older who help with the troop riding program. Acceptance into the program is based on an interview and riding test. Girls will be required to saddle and bridle independently, ride in a specified pattern at a walk, jog, and lope and be mature enough to work as staff. Applications may be found on line or contact Joanne Dumar 563-349-6149 or JoanneD@GSEIWI.org for questions.
Download the Ranch Hand Program Application.
Trail Leaders
The program cannot happen without volunteers. Any adult interested in becoming a trail leader and helping with the troop riding program should contact Joanne Dumar at 563-349-6149 or JoanneD@GSEIWI.org.
Download the Trail Leader Application.
In addition to troop riding, we offer many other programs
and opportunities to enjoy and learn about horses.
Horse Fun & Horse Fan Program Kits Available
Girl Scout Brownie and Junior leaders may check out the Horse Fun or Horse Fan kits. These kits allow the non-horsey leader to help their girls to earn the Horse Fun council patch for Brownies or the Horse Fan badge for Juniors. Kits are available for 3 month checkout at a cost of $5.
To obtain a kit or for questions, please contact Joanne Dumar at JoanneD@GSEIWI.org or 563-349-6149.
Horse Trivia Nights
Horse trivia nights are scheduled throughout the council to have fun learning about horses. Girls will “buzz in” using our new buzzer system and answer questions. Come and expand your horse knowledge while challenging your current level. Bring a friend and have a great evening. Girls do not have to be Girl Scouts to participate.
Cost is $3/girl. Register online or complete the
EVENT REGISTRATION FORM FOR INDIVIDUAL GIRLS. Programs are scheduled for:
- Check back for new program dates.
Horse Interest Groups
Have you always wanted to spend more time learning about and riding horses? Try the Horse Interest Group at Camp Conestoga. Girls will meet once a month during the Spring and Fall sometimes riding and sometimes doing fun activities about horses. Two groups meet; Juniors the second Monday of the month and Cadettes and older the third Monday of the month. Spring session will meet three times starting in March and fall sessions meets four times starting in August. Fee for spring session is $45 and fall is $60.
- Junior Horse Interest Group
- August 9 from 5:30-7pm
- September 13 from 5:30-7pm
- October 4 from 5:30-7pm
- November 14 - (Sunday due to early dark)
- Cadette Horse Interest Group
- August 30 from 5:30-7pm
- September 20 from 5:30-7pm
- October 18 from 5:30-7pm
- November 14 ( Sunday due to early dark)
Register online
or complete the EVENT REGISTRATION FORM FOR INDIVIDUAL GIRLS.
For more information or to register contact Joanne Dumar at 563-349-6149 or JoanneD@GSEIWI.org.
Come Ride the North Woods
Bring along your mom or other adult female friend and travel to Wilderness Pursuits in Neillsville, Wisconsin for a fun weekend of horseback riding in the woods of Wisconsin. We will travel by van and stay in cute cabins for two days of riding. The trip is scheduled for September 17-19, 2010 and is for girls grades 6-12. All participants must have at least 5 hours of riding experience, be able to mount from the ground and control a horse at a walk. Cost of $220/per person covers transportation, lodging, riding and all meals on site. Additional costs are meals in route. For more information and registration, contact Joanne Dumar at JoanneD@GSEIWI.org or call 563-349-6149.
Outdoor Events & Resources
For more outdoor programs, visit the
Outdoor Events & Resources page.
