The Summer Camp in Sonoma County Parents Wish They Found Sooner
Every summer, parents across Sonoma County ask the same quiet question:
“What is my child going to do all summer?”
Not just to stay busy — but to grow.
To get outside.
To build confidence.
To try something real.
And for many families, the answer turns out to be something they weren’t even looking for.
Not a sports camp.
Not a tech camp.
Not another week of crafts and indoor games.
But a summer camp at Strides Riding Academy.
It Usually Starts With “We Just Wanted Something Different”
Very few families come to us saying,
“My child has always dreamed of horse camp.”
More often, it sounds like this:
“My daughter needs more confidence.”
“My son is glued to screens.”
“We just want them outside.”
And then they spend a week at Strides Riding Academy in Petaluma or Santa Rosa.
They ride.
They learn archery.
They groom and tack horses.
They take responsibility.
They get dusty.
They laugh.
They try something that feels big.
And something shifts.
The Kids Who Come Back Year After Year
One of the clearest signs that this camp works?
They come back.
We have campers who started when they were young — nervous, unsure, maybe even afraid of the horses.
They come back the next year taller.
More confident.
More capable.
By the third or fourth summer, they’re helping new campers feel comfortable. They know how to halter a horse without hesitation. They remind others about safety rules. They carry themselves differently.
Parents notice it too.
It’s not just that they had fun.
It’s that they grew.
When a child asks to return every single year, that tells you something.
More Than a Riding Camp
Yes, this is a horseback riding camp.
But that’s only part of the experience.
At our summer camp in Sonoma County, campers participate in:
Daily riding instruction
Horsemanship and horse care
Archery
Outdoor team activities
Confidence-building challenges
Leadership development
They don’t just ride horses.
They learn how to care for them.
How to communicate clearly.
How to stay calm.
How to take responsibility.
Horses are honest teachers. They respond to energy and leadership. Kids quickly realize that yelling or rushing doesn’t work — but patience and focus do.
And that lesson carries far beyond the arena.
The Confidence Parents Are Hoping For
Many parents are not just looking for childcare.
They’re looking for:
Independence
Responsibility
Social growth
Resilience
Horses naturally build all of that.
A 1,000-pound animal does not respond to hesitation or distraction. Campers learn to be present. To breathe. To try again when something feels hard.
For some kids, this is the first time they:
Lead something bigger than themselves
Care for something that depends on them
Feel physically capable in a new way
It’s not dramatic.
It’s not loud.
But it’s powerful.
And often, it’s exactly what they needed.
Petaluma & Santa Rosa Summer Camp Locations
Strides Riding Academy offers summer camp in:
📍 Petaluma
📍 Santa Rosa
Families across Sonoma County appreciate having access to a structured, skill-based outdoor camp close to home.
Both locations provide:
Experienced instructors
Small riding group sizes
Safe, structured programming
Hands-on learning
We intentionally limit enrollment to ensure every child receives attention, instruction, and a safe experience.
Which is why many sessions fill quickly.
A Different Kind of Summer Memory
Ask returning campers what they remember.
It’s not just riding.
It’s the horse they bonded with.
The first time they hit the archery target.
The friend they met in the barn aisle.
The moment they realized they could do something they thought was hard.
For many kids, this camp becomes a marker in their childhood.
“Remember when I rode for the first time?”
“Remember my favorite camp horse?”
“Remember when I was scared and then I did it anyway?”
That’s not just a week of entertainment.
That’s growth.
2026 Summer Camp Dates Are Now Open (Limited Spots)
If you’re searching for a summer camp in Sonoma County for 2026, we encourage you to review available sessions early.
Because of our commitment to safety and quality instruction:
Spots are limited
Riding Groups are intentionally small
Many weeks fill in advance
You can view all available dates here:
👉 https://www.stridesridingacademy.com/summer-camp
If your child needs something different this summer — something real, something grounding, something confidence-building — this might be it.
Sometimes the Right Camp Isn’t the Obvious One
Most parents don’t start their search thinking,
“My child needs a horse camp.”
But many finish the summer realizing:
“This was exactly what they needed.”
If you’re still deciding what kind of summer experience would truly benefit your child, take a look at our 2026 dates.
You might find what so many Sonoma County families already have — a place they return to year after year.
👉 https://www.stridesridingacademy.com/summer-camp
Spots are limited. And for some kids, this is where everything clicks.