Kid's Horse Camps & Programs
Ranch Rudolf, 6841 Brown Bridge Road, Traverse City, MI 49696
About
Kid's Horse Camps & Programs includes activities such as horse handling, grooming, introduction to tack, basics of western riding, horse care, horsemanship, and horse communication and handling. Campers take part in tacking and bridling horses, games on horseback, extended trail rides, bareback opportunities, learning to lope, barn safety, meeting and working with horses, braiding a horse's tail, meet and greets with farm animals, crafts, trail rides, hay rides, sleigh rides, outdoor recreation, camping and lodging, river trips and fishing, and winter fun.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Barn Buddies Camp is a 3-day camp; Beginner Horse Camp is a 3-day camp; Novice Horse Camp is a 4-day horse camp; Intermediate Horse Camp is a 3-day camp; Advanced Horse Camp is a 3-day camp; Homeschool and Off-Season Camps are 3-day camps
• Price: Barn Buddies Camp: $325 per student, per session; Beginner Horse Camp: $380 per student, per session; Novice Horse Camp: $475 per student, per session; Intermediate Horse Camp: $455 per student, per session; Advanced Horse Camp: $455 per student, per session; Homeschool and Off-Season Camps: $325 per student, per session; Hangin’ With Horses: $55 per pair
Kid's Horse Camps & Programs offers a wide variety of horse camps for children ages 4 to 16. The program states that it takes great pride in sharing a love of horses and that its dedicated staff and horses bring the camps together. The Signature Camps follow progressive levels, and students are paired or partnered with a horse they will care for and learn with during camp. Riding typically begins on day 2 of multi-day camps, Novice Horse Camp includes a last day trail ride as a highlight of the week, Intermediate Horse Camp aims to ride all three days and introduce the gaits of the horse and some jogging, and Advanced Horse Camp is the highest level of instructional camp and includes various games on horseback and extended trail rides. Bareback opportunities and learning to lope are available to select students in Advanced Horse Camp based on individual skill set and comfort level, and Homeschool and Off-Season Camps offer Level 2 and Level 3 classes with enough student interest for students who have completed and been passed up from the intro camp level. Hangin’ With Horses is a non-riding activity for children with an adult, with a 1 student to 1 adult ratio required, and Pony Pals is designed as a drop-off program for kids and includes time with horses and farm animals. For all listed camps, students or pairs need boots or closed toe shoes, clothing for inclement weather, and a water bottle, and most full-day camps also require lunch and snacks.
Ranch Rudolf dates back to the early 1900s and was named “Ranch Rudolf” in 1930. The land was purchased by Harvey and Joanne Montgomery in 1963, and the Montgomerys opened the new Ranch Rudolf in June of 1966. When the Montgomerys opened the new Ranch Rudolf in June 1966, it was the fifth largest all wood constructed building in the United States, with exterior and interior all wood from floors to ceilings inside and out. The resort was sold to Dr. Powers in the early 1970s, and Sid and Melody Hamill purchased Ranch Rudolf in the spring of 1982. Ranch Rudolf is described as one of Traverse City’s first known landmarks.
Last updated January 8, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Barn Buddies Camp is a 3-day camp; Beginner Horse Camp is a 3-day camp; Novice Horse Camp is a 4-day horse camp; Intermediate Horse Camp is a 3-day camp; Advanced Horse Camp is a 3-day camp; Homeschool and Off-Season Camps are 3-day camps
• Price: Barn Buddies Camp: $325 per student, per session; Beginner Horse Camp: $380 per student, per session; Novice Horse Camp: $475 per student, per session; Intermediate Horse Camp: $455 per student, per session; Advanced Horse Camp: $455 per student, per session; Homeschool and Off-Season Camps: $325 per student, per session; Hangin’ With Horses: $55 per pair
Kid's Horse Camps & Programs offers a wide variety of horse camps for children ages 4 to 16. The program states that it takes great pride in sharing a love of horses and that its dedicated staff and horses bring the camps together. The Signature Camps follow progressive levels, and students are paired or partnered with a horse they will care for and learn with during camp. Riding typically begins on day 2 of multi-day camps, Novice Horse Camp includes a last day trail ride as a highlight of the week, Intermediate Horse Camp aims to ride all three days and introduce the gaits of the horse and some jogging, and Advanced Horse Camp is the highest level of instructional camp and includes various games on horseback and extended trail rides. Bareback opportunities and learning to lope are available to select students in Advanced Horse Camp based on individual skill set and comfort level, and Homeschool and Off-Season Camps offer Level 2 and Level 3 classes with enough student interest for students who have completed and been passed up from the intro camp level. Hangin’ With Horses is a non-riding activity for children with an adult, with a 1 student to 1 adult ratio required, and Pony Pals is designed as a drop-off program for kids and includes time with horses and farm animals. For all listed camps, students or pairs need boots or closed toe shoes, clothing for inclement weather, and a water bottle, and most full-day camps also require lunch and snacks.
Ranch Rudolf dates back to the early 1900s and was named “Ranch Rudolf” in 1930. The land was purchased by Harvey and Joanne Montgomery in 1963, and the Montgomerys opened the new Ranch Rudolf in June of 1966. When the Montgomerys opened the new Ranch Rudolf in June 1966, it was the fifth largest all wood constructed building in the United States, with exterior and interior all wood from floors to ceilings inside and out. The resort was sold to Dr. Powers in the early 1970s, and Sid and Melody Hamill purchased Ranch Rudolf in the spring of 1982. Ranch Rudolf is described as one of Traverse City’s first known landmarks.
Last updated January 8, 2026.
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