Elisabeth Foundation Equestrian Camps. By Frank Kooistra
My name is Frank Kooistra and I am a Solution Architect at Greater!
Besides my fun and challenging job in IT, I dedicate myself selflessly as a volunteer and board member for Stichting Elisabeth Ruiterkampen. This foundation organizes every summer for more than 40 years riding camps for children and adults with and without disabilities. The camp weeks take place at the Prinses Margriet Manege in the beautiful Drenthe Westerbork. The stables is fully adapted for horseback riding and the daily care and guidance of riders with physical, mental and sensory disabilities.
Volunteers
The camp weeks depend entirely on the efforts of volunteers, without them we would not be able to organize the weeks. The volunteers, like the riders, come from all over the Netherlands (and sometimes Belgium). Some experienced volunteers are responsible for the entire camp management and guiding the horseback riding. Furthermore, all tasks and activities are performed by the volunteers together. Here you can think of taking care of the horses, cooking the meals and thinking up and leading the games outside horseback riding. Of course, the riders also lend a hand.
As a volunteer you will help the riders with brushing, saddling and un-saddling and you will walk along on the outdoor rides. In addition to supervising horseback riding and performing your duties, you will also do your part in guiding and caring for the riders. We offer one-on-one supervision during camp weeks, which means you will be paired with a rider and be his or her first point of contact. You provide the care your rider needs. This can range from a social chat to more intensive, physical care. Of course, the (care) experience you may or may not have as a volunteer is always taken into account, and most importantly, you can always fall back on the group for help.
When can you become a volunteer?
Good news is that almost anyone can become a volunteer, as long as you are at least 18 years old. Experience with people with disabilities or with horses is not necessary, enthusiasm and a little good sense are enough to give our riders - and yourself - a top week!
You will learn everything you need to know during the camp week. In addition, prior to the camp there is a preparation day with all the volunteers of your week. On this day you get to know each other, get information about the camp week and some tasks are already divided.
Camp week starts for volunteers on Saturday. That's when we practice guiding together and make final practical preparations for a fantastic week.
Equestrian camps 2022
Next summer we are organizing seven camp weeks. Each week we welcome 15 riders and 15 volunteers, who stay together at the stables from Sunday to Friday. Every day the riders go in groups for an outside ride through the woods or over the moors. There is also time to clean the horses, to do chores in the stables and to do crafts or games. Evenings (and sometimes nights) are also very cozy with a drink at the bar or the campfire.
Data
* for volunteers, camp week starts on Saturday
** preparation day for weeks 1 through 4 took place on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The preparation day for weeks 5 through 8 is on Saturday, July 2, 2022.
Will you also become a volunteer!
Did you get excited after reading this article? Then sign up as a volunteer. We are still looking for many volunteers for this year's equestrian camps and unfortunately, due to limited applications, we have already had to cancel one camp week. This is a huge shame, especially for the riders, parents and caregivers who all look forward to a week of vacation all year.
You can register by filling out the registration form on our website: www.elisabeth-ruiterkampen.nl, under the heading volunteers. On the website you will also find additional information about the equestrian camps. And then also take a look at our Instagram and Facebook page (@ElisabethRuiterkampen Foundation).
Have any questions? Please feel free to email [email protected] or: greater
