Looking for Horse Camp in East

[scripter]

My Venturing Crew is looking to go on a week long horse based trek next summer/ or a wild west like experience. We're located in Maryland, and are having problems finding any outfitter, BSA or private in the East. Does anyone know of such an outfitter?

[anarchist]

for a cattle drive in the East, good luck, but I doubt you will find what you are looking for ...heck most of my friends ride flat saddles...

 

really, a "drive" type experience takes an incredable amout of land...something we a rapidly loosing here in the east... and then there is having a herd to drive...

 

you might check the web for "ranches" in the Tennessee, Kentucky, Arksnsas area for a long trail ride experience.

 

whats wrong with going where the couboys did their thing?

 

should be home cleaning stalls

anarchist

[anarchist]

scripter

try these?

 

http://www.gohcr.com

North Little Rock, AR

As seen nationally on HGTV, ESPN2, Midwest Living,Ladies Home Journal and Family Fun magazines, next to the pristine Buffalo National River wilderness near Jasper, Arkansas. Owned and managed by four generations of the Johnson family, HCR offers guests a "Western experience with Southern Hospitality." Six-day week includes meals, lots of riding, cave trip and comfortable, rustic log cabins with spectacular views of rolling meadows and high cliffs. Other activities include pool, hot tub, campfires, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, elk viewing, cookouts, shooting, line dancing, river swimming, climbing-wall, petting zoo, fishing pond, lodge games and more. Credit cards accepted. We recommend early booking.

 

Riding / Riding Instructions Cattle / Cattle Drives Fishing Childrens Program Adult Weeks River Rafting Swimming Pool Hot Tub/Sauna Cabins - Accommodation Group Meetings Skeet/Trap Shooting Capacity 67 Price category: $

Scott Valley Ranch

 

http://www.scottvalley.com/

Mountain Home, AR

For 50 years guests have experienced this never-to-be-forgotten vacation! As a Family Circle "Family Resort of the Year" and featured in travel books and magazines like "Best Bargain Vacations in the USA", "Fodors Travel", "Fantastic Family Gatherings", "GH", "Best Places to Stay in the South", the referrals are boundless! This is a don't miss adventure with world class trout fishing on the famous White and North Fork Rivers, pool, whirlpool, tennis, game room and much more. Superb Missouri Fox Trotting horses raised and trained, not for show, but for our guests to have the finest mounts. Ask about our all Adult Weeks, for some great riding adventures.

 

Riding / Riding Instructions Fishing Adult Weeks Overnight Pack Trips River Rafting Swimming Pool Hot Tub/Sauna Cabins - Accommodation Lodge - Accommodation Group Meetings Capacity 45 Price category: $

 

or these

 

Wapiti Meadow Ranch

 

http://www.guestranches.com/wapiti

Cascade, ID

Wapiti Meadow is nestled in a spectacular mountain valley with lush green meadows bordered by heavily timbered slopes and rushing mountain streams, a wilderness retreat with all the amenities of civilization. Our limited number of adult guests allows us to individualize activities. Unlimited trail riding, Orvis Endorsed fly fishing, gold panning, ghost town exploration, stocked trout ponds, wild salmon spawning stream, outdoor spa. Private cabins, "Hearty Gourmet" dining. Awake to elk, deer & moose grazing in the meadow. Drive or fly direct from Boise - 120 miles, Sun Valley - 85 miles. Winter escapes. Brochure available. Contact Diana and Barry Bryant. Visit our web site at http://www.guestranches.com/wapiti.

 

Riding / Riding Instructions Fishing Overnight Pack Trips Hot Tub/Sauna Cabins - Accommodation Group Meetings Capacity 12 Price category: $$$$

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch

 

http://www.westernpleasureranch.com

Sandpoint, ID

Located on 960 acres of summer pastures with tall pines and breathtaking views of the Selkirk and Cabinet mountain ranges is the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. A fourth generation cattle ranch that has been operating on the same land since 1940. The ranch is located in Idaho's scenic Panhandle region, about 16 miles northeast of Sandpoint, Idaho. Roley and Janice Schoonover, and her parents, ranchers Jim and Virginia Wood, have transformed this historic ranch into one of Idaho's quality guest ranches. Your hosts Roley and Janice, share their love for their family ranch along with the rich history, beauty and traditions of the area. Western Pleasure is for folks who appreciate sincere, real country hospitality, while enjoying beautiful handcrafted log accommodation.

 

Riding / Riding Instructions Cattle / Cattle Drives Fishing Hot Tub/Sauna Cabins - Accommodation Lodge - Accommodation Capacity 15 Price category: $$

 

check Ohio also

[scripter]

THANKS! I'll look into these.

 

It seems we've found places in one of three categories. Very nice program, but too far/expensive, has exactly what we want, but is a resort/ we are spectators, no particpation, or the 'perfect' place, but is a short program, an outpost of sorts to a traditional scout program.

 

I did find one in Tenn, waiting on information on them. And Ohio is on the list as well.

 

Thanks for your help.

[scouter-mom]

I know it's not in the east, but what about Philmont's horse treks? They take venturing crews. Besides having an awesome high adventure program and an awesome training center, Philmont is also a working ranch,with bison, cattle, hay production and working horses.

 

I think their prices are far more reasonable than most private ranches with trail rides.

 

Just a thought. Hey, let us know where you do end up going and how it went. (Is the crew planning on getting any horsemanship/riding experience under their belts before the actual trip? As a horseman, and certified instructor, I'd highly encourage it !)

 

Have a blast, and be safe!

[Trevorum]

Also not in the East, but I highly recommend the cavalcade offered by Buffalo Trails Council at Buffalo Trails Scout Reservation. An EXCELLENT horseback trek!

[seabear]

How about Chincoteague Round-up. BLM , of U.S.Department of the Interior, has adopting a wild horse or Burro program. Volunteering can open doors and give a great experience for the crew, plus open up careers. U.S.Department of Agriculture, Forest Service you could contact. Or the Philadelphia Park Rangers, for a summertime opportunities. "Take Pride in America" The Fish & Wildlife Service could offer other types of experienes.Try contacting BAC or Powderhorn advisor for outfitters.

Happy Trails

[cajuncody]

No cattle drive but close to the area you want.

 

http://www.buckvalleyranch.com/

 

Kristi

[scripter]

Thanks for your help!

We decided to go to Smoke Rise Ranch, in southern Ohio ( http://www.smokeriseranch.com/ ). This was one of the few places willing to work with us. The only other place to really work with us was out in Colorado, I don't know the name of it. It's not cheap, we're looking at like 635 for the week, plus we need to buy our own food. The only downside to it imo is there is a lot of free time, about a half day daily. We're still working on that though. We will be participating in a cattle drive, working cattle, roping, trail rides with 1 overnight trail ride, barrels and poles, hayride, and bon fire. The place also has a pool, and locations for fishing. We're setting up a custom program, and we can rearrange our schedule and such as we see fit. Plus we're charged by the hour for the horse time, so we can add or remove time on the horse.

 

The runner up was Mountain Trail Horse Center ( http://www.mountaintrailhorse.com/ )in Wellsboro, PA. This trip was going to be a rough, no frills trail ride. We rode out, set up camp, and each day got on the horse at about 10am and got back between 4-5pm daily. We decided, although cheaper, we rather have a variety of programs, take it easy on the trail rides, and this place didn't provide anything other than a horse and a guide - no food, no water, no facilities.

 

The BSA programs we found were anything but helpful. We contacted maybe 6-7 that we found, and got information back from 2, if that.

 

The Crew decided to do this next summer, in 2006. So we have 6 months of intense fundraising to get about 700 dollars per person raised. It's not going to be easy.(This message has been edited by scripter)