Thomas School of Horsemanship Welcomes New Camp Director, Adds New Camp Programs

Thomas School of Horsemanship, which offers year-round horseback riding lessons and a summer day camp in Melville, recently named Janine Innes-Ortiz as the new summer camp director. The day camp will celebrate its 75th anniversary this summer, and it will offer new STEM and trapeze programming this year.

When Nancy Thomas, the previous director, retired, she asked Innes-Ortiz to take her place as director of the camp program. Innes-Ortiz started at Thomas School of Horsemanship in 1977 as a camper and has been involved with the camp ever since. “I’d like to continue on the tradition of children being able to find their strength through horses to develop that kindness and compassion and the ability to problem solve,” she says. “That’s what horses really do for our campers.”

In addition to horseback riding, swimming, arts and crafts, sports, and special themed days, campers, ages 3-15, can participate in new programming this year. “We have our STEM program, which we are going to expand upon this year. We are hoping to add in more robotics,” Innes-Ortiz says. Trapeze classes will also be offered for the first time this summer.

The camp facilities are located on 22 acres, with six barns, nine riding rings, two pools, a playground, picnic areas, stages for performances, a ropes course, and an indoor arena, which acts as the camp’s gymnasium.

Camp runs July 2-Aug. 17, and transportation services and half-day options for ages 3-4 are available. Registration is now open.

Main image: Children at Thomas School of Horsemanship’s summer camp will participate in horseback riding, arts and crafts, swimming, sports, and more.

Courtesy Thomas School of Horsemanship