Equestrian Program
Welcome to the equestrian program page. My name is Joanne Dumar, equestrian program manager for Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and 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, personify manager at 800.798.0833 or KimK@GSEIWI.org. Unless otherwise noted, Adult riders must be registered Girl Scouts to ride horses.
Click here for a look at our Horseback Riding Guidlines.
| 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 6-11 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 6-11 riders. Cost is $15 per rider. 3 hour Workshop: Includes arena riding time as well as learning to groom, saddle, and general horse care. Girls will earn the Horse Fun program patch. 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. Girls will earn the Horse Smart program patch.
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| 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. |
*Note: Due to the size and age of the horses, there is a 250 lb. weight limit for all riders.
Please see additional riding guidelines.
2012 Riding Schedule
There is a 250lb. weight limit for all riders in all our programs.
To schedule a date, complete the Troop Horseback Riding Reservation Form.
| 2012 RIDING SCHEDULE | Troop Riding |
|---|---|
| April | 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 Family Ride 22 11:30-1pm |
| May | 5, 6, 12, 19, 20, 26, 27 NO Riding May 13 for Mother's Day Family Ride 19 11:30-1pm Trail Leader Training May 19 |
| June | 2, 3 |
| August | 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 |
*Dates in red are FULL. *All August riding times are only until 1:00 pm due to heat.
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.
Horse Ownership Class
Always wanted to own a horse but didn't know where to start? Or have a horse but also lots of questions?
An informational evening on horse ownership slanted at the new owner is being offered at Camp Conestoga on Monday, May 7th, 2012 from 7-9 pm.
Topics will include horse selection, feeding, housing requirements, and health care. There will be plenty of time for questions and group discussion. There is a $10/family registration fee and registrations may be made through Kim Kirby at the Rock Island office 1.800.798.0833. Questions about the class content? Please call Joanne Dumar at 563.349.6149 or e-mail at JoanneD@GSEIWI.org.
To register, send in the individual girl event registration form with the $10 registration fee to: GSEIWI :: Kim Kirby, 2011 Second Ave., Rock Island, IL 61201.
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 program patch for Brownies or the Horse Smart program patch 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 (minimum of 6 girls required).
This is a classroom badge and does not involve any live horses. For more information or scheduling, contact Joanne Dumar 563.349.6149 or JoanneD@GSEIWI.org.
Ranch Hands
Ranch Hands are advanced riders in grade 8 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 online or contact Joanne Dumar 563.349.6149 or JoanneD@GSEIWI.org for questions.
Download the Ranch Hand Application.
Trail Leaders
This 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 Smart Program Kits
Girl Scout Brownie and Junior leaders may check out the Horse Fun or Horse Smart program patch kits. These kits allow the non-horsey leader to help their girls to earn the Horse Fun program patch for Brownies and the Horse Smart program patch for Juniors. Kits are available for three month checkouts for a fee of $5. For questions or to arrange to checkout a kit contact Joanne Dumar at JoanneD@GSEIWI.org or 563.349.6149.
Horse Trivia Nights
Get your horsey friends together and schedule a night of fun!
Horse trivia nights can be 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. To schedule a trivia night contact Joanne Dumar at 563.349.6149 or JoanneD@GSEIWI.org. Cost is $3/girl. Girls do not have to be Girl Scouts to participate. A minimum of 6 girls required for a program to be scheduled. After your date is set, register using the individual girl event registration form and mail the form with fee to: GSEIWI - Attn: Registrar, 2011 Second Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201
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.
| 2012 HORSE INTEREST GROUPS | Girl Scout Juniors | Girl Scout Cadettes |
|---|---|---|
| March | Overnight at Camp Conestoga 16-17 |
Overnight at Camp Conestoga 23-24 |
| April | Camp Conestoga 9, 5:30-7pm |
Camp Conestoga 16, 5:30-7pm |
| May | Camp Conestoga 14, 5:30-7pm |
Camp Conestoga 21, 5:30-7pm |
Register online or complete the individual girl event registration form. For more information or to register contact Joanne Dumar at 563.349.6149 or JoanneD@GSEIWI.org.
