No.  But your camper must have a plan or have a horse leased BEFORE registering for camp.  Camp volunteers are not responsible for pairing up horses and riders.  We are sorry we cannot provide mounts for all young riders :-/

Senior camp is for campers 13-18 years of age and registration cost is $200.  All camper meals, lesson curriculum and camp supplies are included in the camp registration fee.  Senior campers are invited to sleep over in a bunkhouse and take full responsibility for the care of their equine partners for the entirety of camp lasting from May 26th - May 29th, 2026.  

Junior camp is for campers ages 8-12 years of age and registration cost is $150.  All camp meals, lesson curriculum and camp supplies are included in the camp registration fee.  Junior camp is a day camp with camp kicking off the morning of June 1st and ending the afternoon of June 2nd.  Campers can be picked up at 7 pm on June 1st and return to the fairgrounds for morning feeding at 9 am June 2nd.  After registration, campers and guardians will receive an email confirming drop off and pick up times.  Equine partners can stay overnight at the fairgrounds and camp volunteers will be on-hand overnight to keep an eye on the barns. 

 Camp activities include horsemanship lessons, trail and beach rides, scavenger hunts and games, vet science and farriery lessons, equestrian-themed crafts and much more.  If you are unsure which camp your child should attend, we encourage you to choose the camp based on their age.  We tailer activities according to the maturity level of the youth participants, recognizing that younger campers may find it challenging to sustain engagement over the four-day period of senior camp. 

Senior campers will sleep in a heated indoor bunkhouse with an adult chaperone.  If your camper is not comfortable sleeping in a group setting or staying overnight with their peers, parents or guardians may pick up their Senior camper after evening activities (around 9 pm) and return them before morning feeding (around 730 am). Due to the size of the fairgrounds and chaperone limitations, we require all Senior campers not departing the grounds with a guardian for the night to sleep in the bunkhouse.  

Junior camp runs day-camp style and campers go home in the evening.  Equine partners spend the night.

Our fairgrounds has 20 covered 10x10 stalls and 16 12x12 outdoor stalls.  Stalls are preassigned and some stall requests can be accommodated.

Ninilchik Horse Camp is at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik - 16200 Sterling Highway, Ninilchik, Alaska.  All registered campers will receive an email with check-in instructions approximately one week before camp kick-off.  When you arrive, please check in at the large yellow building before unloading your horse.  

Check in day for Senior Camp is Tuesday, May 26th, 5-7 pm.  Our first activity is dinner and parents and guardians are welcome to stay.  Senior campers may be picked up after our afternoon activity between the times of 2-3 pm on Friday, May 29th.  If your camper has alternate plans, please let us know.  We are very flexible but do need to clear the fairgrounds for the weekend and prep for Junior Camp which starts the following Monday. 

Check in day for Junior Camp is Monday, June 1st, 10-11 am.  Please do not arrive early as our camp volunteers are busy prepping the grounds for an awesome camp experience!  Campers may be picked up by parents at 7 pm June 1st to go home for the evening.  Before leaving, campers should check out with a camp volunteer or their group leader.  Horses should be fed and watered and their breakfast for the next day should be laid out.  Campers may arrive at 9 am June 2nd, ready to clean their stalls and feed their horses.  Parents, guardians and friends are welcomed back for end-of-camp horsemanship show 2-3 pm and a camp farewell.  Please plan to attend and cheer!  Camp officially ends at 3 pm. 

Camp riding instructors encourage campers to attend horsemanship classes with a snaffle to build flexibility, soft contact and gentle communication into their horses.  This does not work for all rider and equine teams and we understand.  Please do try to bring a direct contact bit (no shank) or bosal to your horsemanship lessons.  Riders may choose to ride in an alternate bit during other riding activities.  

• Riding Helmet: All participants are required to wear a property-fitted ASTM/SEI certified riding helmet at all times while mounted.  Safety is our top priority! 

• Riding Boots: Please wear boots with a slick sole and heel.  This ensures a foot will not slip through a stirrup and will slip out easily in case of emergency. 

• Pants: Please choose jeans, breeches or jodhpurs that are comfortable for riding.  Campers will not be allowed to ride in shorts or baggy sweatpants. 

• Shirts: Opt for long sleeved shirts when possible.  T-shirts are acceptable during warmer weather but please be prepared for wind and dress in layers!  Campers will not be allowed to wear or ride in crop tops, sleeveless shirts or wide sleeve tanks due to danger of entanglement.  This rule applies to both English and Western riders.  

• Layers: Sweatshirts and warm jackets may be necessary.  Be prepared to ride in the rain with raingear if you prefer.  Bring extra socks in case of mud.

• Optional: Gloves, chaps, rain coat and sunglasses!

At Ninilchik Horse Camp, we prioritize creating a positive and respectful environment for all participants, equine and human alike.  To maintain this atmosphere, we kindly request that campers and volunteers refrain from wearing clothing with political messaging, disrespectful logos or drug and alcohol advertising.  We appreciate everyone’s understanding and cooperation in upholding these standards, as it contributes to a more enjoyable and enriching camp experience for us all! 

Our camp volunteers, campers and equine friends are guests at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds and hope to be welcomed back year to year.  Each stall used must be cleaned of bedding and manure before campers depart for home. Please plan to clean your stall daily as well as do a thorough clean before you trailer home.  Also take a few moments to clean up manure and hay around your trailer, stall entrance and road apple piles around common areas of the fairgrounds.  

• Bridle with a snaffle bit

• Waterbottle

• Chapstick

• Sunscreen

• Raincoat

• Rope halter with 10-foot lead

**OPTIONAL:

• • • Lariat

    • Pocket knife

    • Equestrian-themed games to share

    • Healthy snacks

    • Bedding for your stall

• Drugs, alcohol, weapons and vapes

• Extra money

• High sugar snacks

• Clothing that violates the camp dress code

Send us an email:

Ninilchikhorsecamp@gmail.com