Youth Summer Horsemanship Camp
CSU Main Campus, 301 University Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80523
About
Youth Summer Horsemanship Camp includes riding lessons, lectures on topics such as safety, grooming, nutrition, and horse behavior, and additional activities designed to expose campers to other areas of the equine industry and help campers get to know one another. Campers take part in evening activities, and on the last morning they give a demonstration of their skills for parents. All campers must have previous riding experience, be able to demonstrate basic riding skills, and be able to trot in a group environment independently.
• Ages: 10–18 years old (overnight campers 10–15 years old; day campers 10–18 years old)
• Schedule: Two week-long sessions in June 2026 (June 8–13 and June 14–19), beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Monday (session 1) or Sunday (session 2), and ending the last morning with departure by 11:00 a.m.
• Price: $1,250 – overnight camper; $750 – day camper; $250 – lease horse fee. All fees are due upon registration, with an option for 50% down and the remaining balance paid before May 1st.
Campers may participate as overnight or day campers, can ride English, Western, or both, and can choose to bring their own horse or reserve a CSU lease horse for each session. Overnight campers are provided housing and meals in a university residence hall on the main campus, and counselors transport them between the main campus and the B.W. Pickett Equine Center in University vans. Day campers are provided lunch and snacks, must arrange their own transportation and accommodations, and their horses are stalled at the B.W. Pickett Equine Center during camp. The fee for overnight campers covers lessons, evening activities, accommodations, three meals a day, snacks, and use of a stall, while the fee for day campers covers lessons, lunch, snacks, and use of a stall; day camper fees do not include evening activities or meals outside of lunch.
All campers are under supervision by counselors and/or instructors during their time at CSU. All campers and their parents are required to sign a Waiver of Liability, a Standards of Conduct, and Lost Key Deposit agreement, and all campers must provide proof of medical insurance. Campers must wear approved riding helmets and footwear. Participants may lease CSU horses for an additional fee, but lease horses are very limited, are best suited for intermediate to advanced riders, are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and based on rider experience, and not all lease horses are able to jump. Campers bringing their own horses must provide at check-in a valid negative Coggins certificate within one year and an On-Premise Authorization Form provided by CSU.
The camp is designed to be both an educational and fun experience for youth and is part of the College of Agricultural Sciences Outreach and Engagement offerings at Colorado State University. All classroom and riding facility instruction is provided by equine faculty and college students earning their degree in Equine Sciences, and riding instructors are University faculty supported by assistants and counselors who are experienced riding instructors. Lectures and instruction are provided by CSU Equine Sciences faculty, students, and camp counselors. There is a limit of approximately 30 campers per week, and registration and lease horses are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration for 2026 opens February 16 at 9:00 a.m. MST.
Last updated February 24, 2026.
• Ages: 10–18 years old (overnight campers 10–15 years old; day campers 10–18 years old)
• Schedule: Two week-long sessions in June 2026 (June 8–13 and June 14–19), beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Monday (session 1) or Sunday (session 2), and ending the last morning with departure by 11:00 a.m.
• Price: $1,250 – overnight camper; $750 – day camper; $250 – lease horse fee. All fees are due upon registration, with an option for 50% down and the remaining balance paid before May 1st.
Campers may participate as overnight or day campers, can ride English, Western, or both, and can choose to bring their own horse or reserve a CSU lease horse for each session. Overnight campers are provided housing and meals in a university residence hall on the main campus, and counselors transport them between the main campus and the B.W. Pickett Equine Center in University vans. Day campers are provided lunch and snacks, must arrange their own transportation and accommodations, and their horses are stalled at the B.W. Pickett Equine Center during camp. The fee for overnight campers covers lessons, evening activities, accommodations, three meals a day, snacks, and use of a stall, while the fee for day campers covers lessons, lunch, snacks, and use of a stall; day camper fees do not include evening activities or meals outside of lunch.
All campers are under supervision by counselors and/or instructors during their time at CSU. All campers and their parents are required to sign a Waiver of Liability, a Standards of Conduct, and Lost Key Deposit agreement, and all campers must provide proof of medical insurance. Campers must wear approved riding helmets and footwear. Participants may lease CSU horses for an additional fee, but lease horses are very limited, are best suited for intermediate to advanced riders, are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and based on rider experience, and not all lease horses are able to jump. Campers bringing their own horses must provide at check-in a valid negative Coggins certificate within one year and an On-Premise Authorization Form provided by CSU.
The camp is designed to be both an educational and fun experience for youth and is part of the College of Agricultural Sciences Outreach and Engagement offerings at Colorado State University. All classroom and riding facility instruction is provided by equine faculty and college students earning their degree in Equine Sciences, and riding instructors are University faculty supported by assistants and counselors who are experienced riding instructors. Lectures and instruction are provided by CSU Equine Sciences faculty, students, and camp counselors. There is a limit of approximately 30 campers per week, and registration and lease horses are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration for 2026 opens February 16 at 9:00 a.m. MST.
Last updated February 24, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.