The night before your child’s first day of summer camp, they might be wondering which horse they’ll meet or what they’ll get to make. You might be wondering where to park, whether they’ll eat their lunch, and how that first goodbye will go.
Here’s what to expect at Summer at Strides, what to pack, and a few ways to help your child get ready for Monday morning.
Summer at Strides runs June 7 through July 30, 2027, for children ages 6 to 12. All three day camps run Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 2 PM, at our ranch at 100 Lynch Road in Petaluma, California.
Which Summer Camp Is Your Child Starting?
All three camps share the same Petaluma ranch and hours. What your child spends the day doing depends on the camp they choose.
Riding Camp is for children who want to ride and learn how to care for horses. Campers take small-group riding lessons and get hands-on practice with grooming and horsemanship. Beginners and intermediate riders are welcome.
Ranch Adventure Camp is for children who like to move, explore, and play outdoors. Activities may include scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, and team challenges.
Makers & Creators Camp is for children who like to make things with their hands. Campers might paint, build, work with clay, or try a simple science experiment.
Horseback riding is part of Riding Camp only. If siblings are drawn to different activities, they can attend different camps during the same week, depending on availability.
What Does Drop-Off Look Like?
Monday morning is a chance for your child to meet the camp team, find their group, and get familiar with the ranch. Before you leave home, review your camp confirmation.
At drop-off, a simple goodbye can be enough. A hug and “I’ll see you at two” gives your child something familiar to count on. If they’re worried about joining the group, let a staff member know. Even a small detail, like “She’s been looking forward to painting,” can give us somewhere to start.
How the First Day of Camp Flows
Activities vary by camp and by week, but the first day has plenty of ordinary things to get used to. Learning a few names. Finding a spot for the lunch bag. Remembering where the water bottle went.
At Riding Camp, campers spend time getting to know the horses and practicing horsemanship on the ground. At Ranch Adventure Camp, a group game or challenge gives children something to do together while they’re getting to know each other. At Makers & Creators Camp, a hands-on project can give a quiet camper a place to start.
There’s time for activities, a lunch break, and quieter moments in between. Some children jump right in. Others like to watch for a bit first.
What to Pack for Summer Camp in Petaluma
Start with these basics:
A packed lunch
A labeled water bottle
Sunscreen
Comfortable clothes that suit the day’s activities
Closed-toe shoes for moving around the ranch
A light layer for cool Sonoma County mornings
For Riding Camp, check your camp confirmation for helmet, footwear, and clothing instructions. If you need to borrow a helmet or are unsure what shoes to bring, get in touch before camp.
For Ranch Adventure Camp, choose clothes your child can run and play in. An extra shirt can come in handy after a dusty afternoon.
For Makers & Creators Camp, send clothes that can handle a little paint or clay. This is a good day for the shirt that already has a paint spot.
Label lunch bags, jackets, and hats, too. And if your child is bringing a new lunch container, let them try opening it at home. One less thing to figure out on Monday.
How to Help a Nervous First-Time Camper
A new place, a new group, and a new routine can feel like a lot. At Riding Camp, there’s also the moment your child sees just how big a horse looks up close.
You can make the day a little more familiar before you get there:
Talk through the basics. “I’ll drop you off in the morning, you’ll have lunch at camp, and I’ll come back at two.”
Look at the camp photos together. Ask your child what they’d like to try or what they’re curious about.
Let them help pack. Choosing a water bottle or laying out clothes gives them a small part of the morning they already know how to do.
If your child gets teary at drop-off, let the camp team know what usually helps them in a new setting. A simple goodbye may work well for your family, and you’re welcome to talk with us beforehand if you’re worried about the handoff. Please also tell us in advance about any allergies or other needs we should know about.
What to Expect at Pickup
You might pick up a camper who tells you everything before you’ve pulled out of the driveway. You might get “good,” followed by a request for a snack. The longer version often comes later.
If they feel like talking, try something specific:
What made you laugh today?
What did you make, play, or try?
Is there anything you’re looking forward to tomorrow?
Sometimes the best story comes out at dinner, halfway through a completely different conversation.
First-Day Summer Camp FAQs
Where is Summer at Strides, and what are the camp hours?
All three camps take place at 100 Lynch Road in Petaluma, CA. Camp runs Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 2 PM, for children ages 6 to 12.
Does my child need horseback riding experience?
Riding Camp welcomes beginners and intermediate riders. Campers are grouped by age and riding ability, and campers with zero riding experience are welcome as well! Ranch Adventure Camp and Makers & Creators Camp have their own activities, with horseback riding offered exclusively at Riding Camp.
Can my child borrow a riding helmet?
Yes.
Can siblings attend different camps during the same week?
Yes, if there’s space in both camps that week. All three programs share the same ranch and hours, so you can plan around one drop-off and pickup location.
Find Your Week at Summer at Strides
If your child is already talking about horses, outdoor games, or what they’d like to build, take a look at the Petaluma summer camps at Strides and see which week works for your family.
Questions about the first day? Email stridesridingacademy@gmail.com. We’re happy to talk it through with you.