What is RanchLife 101?
This season, RanchLife 101 will be co-facilitated by early education specialist Chris Ciepiela, certified Eagala practitioner and speech pathologist Cailtin Scott, and Eagala advanced certified equine specialist and founder Hayley Sumner. An authentic ranch adventure that provides a platform in nature for life skill development as children engage in developmentally appropriate experiences, RL sets the foundation for peer to peer mentoring. Through the powerful interaction with horses in both ground-based and mounted activities, participants learn how to develop relationships with the herd of horses and donkeys which, in turn, will grow their own ability to apply new skills to experiences outside the ranch. In addition to the Eagala-based activities, children will have the opportunity to learn basic riding skills, burn some energy doing yoga or trail walking with their equine partners, join in an interactive Book Club, practice team building while engaging in ranch “chores,” and use their imaginations and creativity during innovative nature-based arts and crafts. Practicing patience, growing friendships, increasing focus, developing confidence and trust, cultivating responsibility, building mentor/mentee skills and respect will all be explored. Structured for all ages and abilities, RanchLife 101 is a unique opportunity to learn and play side by side with the beautiful therapy herd of horses and donkeys.
Returning for its fifth season, RanchLife is a horse-centric, life skills program for children ages 5-12, that will begin on July 6th and run for six consecutive weeks on two private ranches in Richmond, MA. Taking place Mondays-Thursdays from 9:00am-3:30pm, RL 101 will be split into two, two-day units focusing on life skill development, horsemanship, team building, and nature-centric crafts.
