dancinghorse | Horse Camp the First

I think we have a concept we can run with here. It was a very small Camp, but that turned to be a good thing: my beta tester writes for one of my publishers and comes from a lot of the same places I do, and has minimal horse experience but a goodly amount of research under her belt. So, a good tester and we were able to see how the arc of the weekend worked, what sorts of things I should be sure to do or not do, and how I should schedule and structure the Camp.

Essential factors were:

Need to alternate relaying of information with ample downtime and data-processing time--also good for horse-watching and note-taking. In short--writers need to go off into a corner and like, you know, write.

Related to this was a discovery I've been making with the visits of

christymarx and

sartorias in recent weeks: that the things I take for granted about this place are the things that enthrall visitors the most. The physical presence of the horses, the way they look and feel, what and how they eat, how the routine works, all those utterly daily things, are fascinating and exotic and, from the expressions of all these writers, wonderful. My camper had the exact same reactions at the exact same times as the others, so I think we're on to something.

Just for starters, trying to do anything like formal instruction outside with the horses crowding around is a lost cause. Campers are going to wander off with their mouths open and their eyes all googly, and pet the curious noses and make wondering noises and watch the pretty horsies. So mostly, if information is to be relayed, it has to happen in the house before and after, via Q&A more than lecture format. Once the horses get into it, that's it. After all, you know what they say about acting with kids and dogs. Horses are 'way worse.

In the periods of "dead air" while I am doing horse chores, it is good to have buffet-style food out and available. (This lesson we've learned over years of running clinics, but Camp structure is a bit different, so it was useful to discover that the same rule applies. It is particularly important at breakfast time, since that's the main chore block and I'm out there for hours.)

The food btw is guaranteed to be good and plentiful. We make that a point of pride. ;>

Video Night is a good idea but offerings need to be short and to the point because by then, campers are plumb tuckered.

But hey, feed 'em, answer their questions, let them have their downtime, give them cat and dog fixes to order, and keep the horses coming, and they'll be happy. :)

So, a success, and a very good trial run. Next one will be in early May right after the Nebulas--I'll figure the exact dates this week. If you want to come and have a preference, let me know. I am considering that if I have a group of four or more, I will give a "beta discount" off the regular rate since it will be the first group and the first set of day campers as well as boarders.

More on that soon.

We did discuss dates and times for future Camps. Since the Nebs are in Tempe, it will be good to offer something right around it. Can't do one beforehand because I have a gig at Yale the weekend before Nebs. After that, mid-October (in between summer heat and the World Fantasy/Thanksgiving/Christmas blockage), and again in February through April--after the holidays and before the hot weather. And a possible summer session for the intrepid who want to experiment with desert and/or hot-weather horsekeeping.

Input on all of this would be most welcome.

And of course, Lipizzan Weekends are still a possibility. Those are booked like B&B weekends, you pick a date within a range (February through April, September through November), two people minimum, four max, and we're good to go. We did a little of that this weekend because it was a tiny Camp--ran a mini-clinic today and it went wonderfully. (Neep on next rock.)

All in all, looking good and I'm pleased. It was lots of fun and a real pleasure to do, and the horses ate it up. Worshippers! All Weekend Long!