News & Events

[Click Here] for Spring 2007 Newsletter
(4.83MB Word doc)

H.O.P.E. BRINGS SMILES TO
KIWANIS CHILDREN'S CAMP

In a joint effort by Kiwanis of Seattle and the Seattle Children's Hospital, this past August over 100 children with special needs were treated to a week of fun and challenging activities here on Whidbey Island at Camp Casey. The children were from not only the Northwest but some came from as far away as New Mexico.

It was a beautiful sunny, warm day at Ft. Casey. For a few hours, one of H.O.P.E.'s more seasoned volunteers, Ruffian, provided them the opportunity to groom her and even snuggle a bit. Ruffian was very pleased to learn that many of the children had a great deal of horse experience as a result of participating in therapeutic riding programs near their homes. Obviously, Ruffian enjoyed basking in the sun AND the attention while the children really loved meeting her. THANKS, RUFFIAN!!!!

(Ruffian is regular member of the H.O.P.E. lesson team, although she is currently on break because of a minor injury. Get well soon, Ruffian!!!)

H.O.P.E. VOLUNTEERS HELP MAKE
CHILDREN'S DAY 2004 A SUCCESS!!!

Aaaaaaaaannnnddddd.....THEY'RE OFF!!!!!!!!!! Who could have imagined those fiery stick horses had such speed? Countless times during Children's Day 2004, the racing participants showed us what talent they and their steeds had. Throughout the day, H.O.P.E. volunteers Karen Newman, Claudia Cox, Natasha Guenther and H.O.P.E. instructor Miriam Burk wrangled riders and stick horses, often providing free "riding lessons" and even gave some very fine demonstrations. Way to go, y'all!!! The looks of determination on the racers' faces as they sped around the track almost made us think we were watching the real Kentucky Derby. Needless to say, racers and onlookers alike had lots of fun!

Children's Day is an annual event at which organizations provide free activities for children of all ages from all across Whidbey Island. The event draws over 1,000 children for a great day of family fun!

(Note: No real 4-legged animals were harmed or even used in this event. We did have one stick horse go lame, but it should be up and around soon with no lasting ill effects. The volunteers have reportedly recovered very well, too.)

 

Classes
2007 Schedule

DECEMBER 2006
11th Winter Session Rider
Registrations Due

JANUARY
11th New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training Oak Harbor
18th New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training Oak Harbor

FEBRUARY
1st Winter Begins-Oak Harbor-
Thursday
2nd Winter Begins-Oak Harbor-
Friday
13th Spring Session Rider
Registrations Due

MARCH
8th & 9th Winter Ends-Oak Harbor
13th New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training-Langley
15th New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training-Oak Harbor
20th New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training-Langley-
22nd New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training-Oak Harbor
31st Spring Fling Party

APRIL
17th Spring Begins-Langley
19th Spring Begins-Oak Harbor-
Thursday
20th Spring Begins-Oak Harbor-
Friday-Tentative
30th Summer Registration Due

MAY
22nd Spring Ends-Langley
24th & 25th Spring Ends-Oak Harbor
29th New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training-Langley
31st New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training-Oak Harbor

JUNE
5th New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training-Langley
7th New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training-Oak Harbor
19th Summer Begins-Langley
21st Summer Begins-Oak Harbor-
Thursday
22nd Summer Begins-Oak Harbor-
Friday-Tentative
22nd-23rd Little Bit Horse Show

JULY
3rd No Lessons
6th & 7th No Lessons
30th Fall Registration Due
31st Summer Ends-Langley

AUGUST
2nd & 3rd Summer Ends-Oak Harbor
14th-19th Island County Fair
28th New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training-Langley
30th New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training-Oak Harbor

SEPTEMBER
11th New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training-Langley
13th New Rider Assessments/Voli
Training-Oak Harbor
18th Fall Begins-Langley
20th Fall Begins-Oak Harbor-
Thursday
21st Fall Begins-Oak Harbor-
Friday-Tentative

OCTOBER
6th HOPE HORSE SHOW-Tentative
23rd Fall Ends Langley
25th & 26th Fall Ends Oak Harbor

[CLICK HERE] for applications