For some of the beginners at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College equine summer camp, they are just starting a new tradition. For some of the intermediate and advanced campers, they are coming back to what seems like a second home.
Portia Johns, 13, returned to camp this year not only as a learner, but as a teacher. During the intermediate and advanced week of camp, she was refining her skills with Nashville, her companion for the week. She didn’t go back to her Illinois town after she performed, though — she stayed on campus to help new riders.
While at The Woods, she looked forward to riding the most, with the chance to go into the arena twice a day.
“They give really good instructions. I jumped this week — the highest I’ve ever jumped,” Johns said. She even plans to start doing competitions next year. “I own my own saddle and I ride twice a week. I started English back in October, and I used to ride Western.”
Johns’ grandmother, Phyllis Harman ’68, said she is blessed to bring her grandchildren back to campus for the camps. Aside from Johns, two of Harman’s other grandchildren were attending the beginner’s camp.
“I think it’s the spirituality of being with Providence. It’s the idea of looking at creation with not just human beings but with nature itself,” Harman said.
She traveled to The Woods from Chicago and stayed on campus in the Guest House to be near her grandchildren. “I would like all five of my grandchildren to be a part of this experience — not only just an experience, but to become what their soul is meant to be.”
Seeing her granddaughter interact with the instructors and students is something that continues to bring her back.
“The kindness, thoughtfulness and compassion that they model are so good for these young kids. It’s overwhelming for me to see this in action. It’s good on paper, but when you see it performed, you go ‘Wow, God is great,’” Harman said.
Johns agreed, saying she is glad for the help, but also the trust in them to be independent. “They do a lot of hands-on stuff,” Johns said. “But you get your own horse; you can do your own thing. You don’t have to have someone with you all the time.”
On the other hand, the stables are the perfect learning grounds for a newbie to all things equine. That includes Sophia Ranard and Sydney Hay, who participated in the second week of beginner’s camp.
They learned how to groom, lead and properly care for their equine buddies. But of course, their favorite part is riding, they agreed.
Both campers also look forward to performing in the show at the end of the week.
“I like seeing my family see me ride,” Hay said. She not only participates in camp in the summer, but also takes lessons at The Woods throughout the year.
While camp is a fun way to spend summer, Ranard said, she enjoys the learning element. “Seeing people who are better than you and learning from them,” is one thing she takes away each year.
Angie McMillin ’13, equine facilities manager, along with a few other instructors and student helpers, welcomed about 40 campers during the three weeks. Although camp continued last year during COVID, she was glad to be back to normal.
“I think the kids were more excited to be able to go and do something without restrictions,” McMillin said.
She looks forward to seeing the growth in the campers each year. “It’s fun to see the students who have been in beginner camp for a few years and now are able to move up to intermediate,” McMillin said. This includes her helpers, such as Johns. “They’ve learned, and now they’re so excited to teach what they’ve learned.”
