COVID-19 - Riding Camp

COVID-19 Safety & Welfare Protocols for All Campers

We know camp will look a little different this year but rest assured there will be plenty of familiar faces — both two legged and four — to help guide you through these different times. The York Camp staff have been working diligently on new procedures and protocols to help ensure the safety of all it’s campers, staff and horses. Camp will still be dedicated to providing lessons in horseback riding and horsemanship while still being interactive and fun for all!

 

Registration and Drop Off:

  • Anyone exhibiting symptoms of illness will be denied entrance.
  • Anyone who has come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days will be denied entrance.
  • Registration will be conducted via email. All registration forms and waivers must be emailed to us at yorkequestrian@zing-net.ca prior to camp starting.
  • All non-riders (i.e. parents, friends etc.) will not be allowed beyond the parking lot. If parents would like to view our facility, please contact us to make an appointment for a private tour —we would love to show you around!
  • Campers will be required to use the “SANITIZATION STATION” before they enter the building. This station is located outside the barn entrance doors.
  • Campers will be expected to arrive at camp with a secure face covering. Anyone who does not have a face covering will be denied entrance. All staff will also be expected to wear a secure face covering.
  • Campers will be required to wear their face covering at all times except for when they are eating lunch and riding a horse.
  • Sterile tupperware containers will be provided for each camper at the beginning of the week and will be used to store their face coverings when not in use. Each container will be labeled with a camper’s name and will only be used by that camper throughout the week. These containers will be washed and sanitized by staff at the end of each day.

Throughout the Day:

  • The heightened sanitization processes that have been implemented since the COVID-19 pandemic started will be continued throughout the duration of camp. This includes the application of anti-virus sprays on all door handles and common surfaces
  • Campers will be asked to use sanitizer or soap and water before and after each camp activity.
  • Campers will be expected to thoroughly clean tack with the saddle soap provided and water after their ride. Additional tack cleaning stations will be set up outside in the wash stall bays in our efforts to maintain social distancing and reduce traffic in the barn.
  • There shall be absolutely no sharing of equipment.
  • Equipment such as saddle pads, boots, brushes etc. will be sanitized by our staff.
  • No personal tack or equipment other than riding apparel will be permitted at this time. i.e. no polos, saddle pads, brushes, crops etc.
  • Social distancing protocols will be enforced (a minimum of 2 meters while on the ground, and the normal 2 horse lengths apart while mounted). Instructors will do tack checks wearing a face covering.

Pick Up:

  • Sign out will be conducted via text message. A York Camp phone number will be provided to you at the beginning of the week. Please text this number when you have arrived at the end of the day.
  • We ask that you provide us with the number/numbers you will be texting us from at the beginning of the week via email. This allows us to ensure that campers are being picked by an authorized person.

Parents’ Day:

  • Due to the circumstances we will be unable to run a Parents’ Day Show at the end of each week. Instead, we will send parents a virtual package.
  • This virtual package will include:
    - Your child’s report card
    - Mounted photo
    - Video clip of your child riding
    - Information for future camp/lesson registration

As always, we look forward to having you with us at camp!

All the best,

Your Camp Coordinators


“We drive to York Equestrian every week from Toronto, which must say something about how much we like it! Our thirteen-year-old daughter has been taking lessons at York for four years now, and she loves the time spent in the barn as much as the time spent in the saddle.”