About
Santa Ynez Valley Futbol Club Youth Soccer (supported by Santa Barbara Youth Project) is connected with club soccer activities and a Work to Play Event with SYV Fútbol Club. The Santa Barbara Youth Project also supports related youth offerings such as summer horse camps, after school Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) programs, and Education in Nature at Riverview Botanical Gardens through the 10-week Garden Gnomes Program, along with horse care and horseback riding. The organization is involved in Fundraiser Concerts and a Benefit Concert that support these youth programs.
• Ages: 11–12 years old
• Schedule: March 19–May 28, 2025; 10-week Garden Gnomes Program
The Santa Barbara Youth Project is a non-profit organization that since 1997–1998 has been dedicated to combining the healing power of horses and the kindness of strangers to help vulnerable children. It is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) and is supported entirely by donations from the general public and private foundations, and has always collaborated with other non-profit agencies. The Santa Barbara Youth Project is supporting the Santa Ynez Valley Futbol Club U-12 Girl’s Team for the 2025 season and offers Healthy Team Building for Youth sponsored by Zaca Creek Ranch and The Santa Barbara Youth Project.
The leadership team connected to these programs includes founders Peter Claydon, PhD, and Susan Miller, RN, Program Director Bear Erickson (MAS - Music and Art Support), Grey Bear Erickson (leader of the developing nonprofit Más - Music and Art Support), and Intern Lexi Trimm (Public Relations and Social Media Management). Peter Claydon, PhD, has been a licensed, practicing Clinical Psychologist in Santa Barbara County for over 33 years, has extensive riding experience in Eventing, Competitive Trail and Endurance, has completed the 100 mile Tevis Cup four times, and is qualified as an Equine Specialist with both EAGALA and PATH International and was previously qualified as a therapeutic riding instructor with NARHA, now PATH International. Susan Miller, RN, is a retired Critical Care, Hospice and Visiting nurse with over 40 years of professional service, has over 45 years of equestrian experience in multiple disciplines including dressage, jumping and endurance riding as well as teaching and training horses and their human partners, trained as a British Horse Society Assistant Instructor, and is a certified Equine Specialist with both EAGALA (Equine Facilitated Growth and Learning) and PATH International.
The Santa Barbara Youth Project partners with local, well-established and respected organizations such as C.A.L.M., Hearts Therapeutic Riding, Fighting Back and MISC in serving the community, and three non-profit organizations came together to help at-risk children at the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program. The Santa Barbara Youth Project collaborated with the Boys & Girls Club to enroll students in the Garden Gnomes Program at the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden Foundation, and it offers Chumash Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) After School Programs and summer horse camps for at-risk children. Work to Play Events with SYV Fútbol Club and a fundraiser concert series support the MAS (Music and Art Support) program, and the organization uses horses to provide a uniquely healing and transformational experience for at-risk children.
Participant comments about the horse-related programs include statements such as “Thank you for horse riding! It helped me forget about my parents” from Rodrigo and “When I rode the horse all the problems went away because I was having so much fun. The horse are really sweet and calm.” Another child said, “I want to go again and see my favorite horse, Rocky. I want to go again. I learned a lot of stuff. I had a good time,” and others thanked “the lady and man that were showing us everything” and “showing us all the rules and also for letting us know how to use a horse.” One child shared, “I’m happy ‘cause finally my dream came true of seeing a horse,” and another said, “Now I’m going to know how to talk to a horse when I have one.” Intern Lexi commented, “I am so thankful for the privilege to work with the Santa Barbara Youth Project this summer to grow both personally and professionally, as well as increase my skills in PR, marketing, community outreach and program management. Here’s to growth, collaboration, and making a difference!”
Last updated June 30, 2026.
• Ages: 11–12 years old
• Schedule: March 19–May 28, 2025; 10-week Garden Gnomes Program
The Santa Barbara Youth Project is a non-profit organization that since 1997–1998 has been dedicated to combining the healing power of horses and the kindness of strangers to help vulnerable children. It is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) and is supported entirely by donations from the general public and private foundations, and has always collaborated with other non-profit agencies. The Santa Barbara Youth Project is supporting the Santa Ynez Valley Futbol Club U-12 Girl’s Team for the 2025 season and offers Healthy Team Building for Youth sponsored by Zaca Creek Ranch and The Santa Barbara Youth Project.
The leadership team connected to these programs includes founders Peter Claydon, PhD, and Susan Miller, RN, Program Director Bear Erickson (MAS - Music and Art Support), Grey Bear Erickson (leader of the developing nonprofit Más - Music and Art Support), and Intern Lexi Trimm (Public Relations and Social Media Management). Peter Claydon, PhD, has been a licensed, practicing Clinical Psychologist in Santa Barbara County for over 33 years, has extensive riding experience in Eventing, Competitive Trail and Endurance, has completed the 100 mile Tevis Cup four times, and is qualified as an Equine Specialist with both EAGALA and PATH International and was previously qualified as a therapeutic riding instructor with NARHA, now PATH International. Susan Miller, RN, is a retired Critical Care, Hospice and Visiting nurse with over 40 years of professional service, has over 45 years of equestrian experience in multiple disciplines including dressage, jumping and endurance riding as well as teaching and training horses and their human partners, trained as a British Horse Society Assistant Instructor, and is a certified Equine Specialist with both EAGALA (Equine Facilitated Growth and Learning) and PATH International.
The Santa Barbara Youth Project partners with local, well-established and respected organizations such as C.A.L.M., Hearts Therapeutic Riding, Fighting Back and MISC in serving the community, and three non-profit organizations came together to help at-risk children at the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program. The Santa Barbara Youth Project collaborated with the Boys & Girls Club to enroll students in the Garden Gnomes Program at the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden Foundation, and it offers Chumash Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) After School Programs and summer horse camps for at-risk children. Work to Play Events with SYV Fútbol Club and a fundraiser concert series support the MAS (Music and Art Support) program, and the organization uses horses to provide a uniquely healing and transformational experience for at-risk children.
Participant comments about the horse-related programs include statements such as “Thank you for horse riding! It helped me forget about my parents” from Rodrigo and “When I rode the horse all the problems went away because I was having so much fun. The horse are really sweet and calm.” Another child said, “I want to go again and see my favorite horse, Rocky. I want to go again. I learned a lot of stuff. I had a good time,” and others thanked “the lady and man that were showing us everything” and “showing us all the rules and also for letting us know how to use a horse.” One child shared, “I’m happy ‘cause finally my dream came true of seeing a horse,” and another said, “Now I’m going to know how to talk to a horse when I have one.” Intern Lexi commented, “I am so thankful for the privilege to work with the Santa Barbara Youth Project this summer to grow both personally and professionally, as well as increase my skills in PR, marketing, community outreach and program management. Here’s to growth, collaboration, and making a difference!”
Last updated June 30, 2026.
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