Little Britches Caps Off Successful Summer Camp

WOODBURY — The Little Britches Therapeutic Riding program concluded a successful camp, Summer Bridges, this past month. Thanks to generous grants from several corporate sponsors, 70 children attended the program at Children’s Community School. The participated in horseback riding lessons and learned to groom and care for horses. In addition, there were art lessons and environmental activities every day.

Since 1979, Little Britches’ mission has been to provide unique, equine-based outdoor activities, and therapies that foster extraordinary growth for people with cognitive, physical, emotional and economic challenges.

Children’s Community School is Waterbury’s only private, secular school dedicated to urban youth. It provides a safe and supportive environment for children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

The riding program promotes physical, mental, and emotional health through a series of skills and challenges. The children learn basic riding skills, but also improve their balance, muscle tone, and symmetry. The children learn responsibility, and to follow rules and directions that are vital to their safety. Almost all of the children are able to do a posting trot, and all can steer, halt, and direct the horses to walk on.  Self-esteem is increased as each child accomplishes these skills.

 Little Britches relies on volunteers, and Executive Director Cindy Joyce and Instructor Mary Daly, both of Newtown, encourage anyone who is interested in helping out to visit www.littlebritchesct.org, or send an email to little.britches@yahoo.com.