Santa Barbara Youth Project

Santa Barbara Youth Project offers summer horse camps and a Summer Program for at-risk children, along with after school Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) programs. It also lists the Chumash Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) After School Program, MAS (Music and Art Support), and Education in Nature at Riverview Botanical Gardens / Garden Gnomes Program. The program also supports the Santa Ynez Valley Fútbol Club U-12 Girl’s Team and the Santa Ynez Valley U-11 Soccer Team.

Programs

• Summer horse camps / Summer Program — Summer camps for at-risk children; site says the program has been organizing summer horse camps for twenty years and that the 2023 Summer Program just ended on August 1st.
• After school EFL (Equine Facilitated Learning) programs — After school programs for the same children.
• Chumash Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) After School Program — Listed as a 2026 after-school EFL program.
• MAS (Music and Art Support) — A developing nonprofit program supported by the Santa Barbara Youth Project.
• Education in Nature at Riverview Botanical Gardens / Garden Gnomes Program — A 10-week program run in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club, March 19-May 28, 2025.
• Santa Ynez Valley Fútbol Club U-12 Girl’s Team support — Support for the 2025 season.
• Santa Ynez Valley U-11 Soccer Team support — Support for their first season ever.

About the provider

Since 1997, the organization says it has been dedicated to combining the healing power of horses and the kindness of strangers to help vulnerable children. It says it has been organizing summer horse camps for twenty years. It also states that it is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3), and lists partnerships with C.A.L.M., Hearts Therapeutic Riding, Fighting Back, MISC, the Boys & Girls Club, and the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden Foundation.

The organization states it is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3), and that donations are tax-deductible. No sensitive tax identifiers included.

What families say

“Spending time with the horses has become the highlight of his week. The horse therapy helped him overcome some fears he developed. Made him realize how much he has recovered, by inspiring him to push himself physically during the lesson. He is also figuring out how to stay calm to keep the horses calm and happy.” — Alex

“Thank you for horse riding! It helped me forget about my parents” — Rodrigo

“When I rode the horse all the problems went away because I was having so much fun. The horse are really sweet and calm.” — Alex

Last updated October 7, 2026.