Hands and Hoofs
Hands and Hoofs
Spend a day of discovery with your child that you will remember forever!
A Day of Outdoor Adventure Connecting Horses, Nature, Art, Friendship, & Discovery
A Day of Outdoor Adventure Connecting Horses, Nature, Art, Friendship, & Discovery
OUR MISSION AND VISION
Hands & Hoofs Experience provides a safe place to support youth as they explore a new environment and merge with the spirit of the land and animals through equine facilitated learning and bonding with horses; engendering acceptance, trust, and self- esteem; focusing on respect for nature and the local El Dorado National Forest; and enhanced by artistic expression.
Providing a space for our youth to be open and honest with no judgment while connecting with horses in the natural beauty of the outdoors, and expressing themselves without limitations.
POSITIVE IMPACTS
The Hands and Hoofs outdoor day camp activities provides youth an opportunity to explore a new environment while connecting with others, making new friends, bonding with animals, exploring nature and expressing their creativity through art. Building confidence and self-esteem, enabling independence and self-expression while gaining inspiration and respect for nature and the outdoors are just some of the benefits your camper will experience.
PLAY WITH PURPOSE
OUTDOOR CAMP BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN
Builds Confidence and Self Esteem
Enables Independence and Self Expression
Encourages Connections with Nature and Animals
Teaches Respect for Nature and the Outdoors
Keeps Children Engaged
Nurtures New Friendships
Teaches Social Skills
Promotes Physical Activity and Exercise
Teaches Teamwork and Leadership Skills
Gain Inspiration and Understanding from Nature
Provides a Break from Screen Time
Builds Confidence and Self Esteem
Enables Independence and Self Expression
Encourages Connections with Nature and Animals
Teaches Respect for Nature and the Outdoors
Keeps Children Engaged
Nurtures New Friendships
Teaches Social Skills
Promotes Physical Activity and Exercise
Teaches Teamwork and Leadership Skills
Gain Inspiration and Understanding from Nature
Provides a Break from Screen Time
By visiting the links provided below, you can learn more about the benefits and positive Impacts of experiencing an outdoor camp for children.
By visiting the links provided below, you can learn more about the benefits and positive Impacts of experiencing an outdoor camp for children.
ABOUT THE CAMP
We are a non-profit day camp for kids ages 6-14, located at a 5-acre ranch in Pollock Pines California. We provide youth a day of outdoor adventure and fun group activities.
We provide this free program through donations and volunteers so that all are welcome, and everyone can be included.
The program activities which focus on Horses, Nature & Art, make for a very unique experience.
What Will Your Child Do At Camp?
ACTIVITES, FOCUS & ATTRACTIONS
The land here was once home to the Miwok Indian Tribe. The kids begin the day's activity here, playing with drums and other musical instruments, while making new friends.
One of the many attractions of the ranch is an authentic style Native American teepee.
HORSE PLAY MAKES FOR A VERY SPECIAL DAY
The animals are a major part of the day. There are 3 horses, a mini horse and a donkey who take part in the program. Starting with the basics, the children will learn about horse behavior, communication and safety before meeting the animals in person and the hands-on fun starts.
Getting to know the horses starts with learning to groom and gives everyone the chance to get to know the animals and allows everyone to feel comfortable being around them. Afterward, learn how to become confident in partnership while learning to lead them around the arena. When everyone has gained some experience, they will navigate the horses through an obstacle course full of fun and challenging objects.
Improved confidence and self-esteem, teamwork and leadership skills, as well as emotional and physical bonding are just some of the remarkable benefits evident through working with the animals.
The rewards for everything that has been accomplished during the horse sessions are vast and plentiful for the kids, but for the horses it ends with the sweet treat of Horse Kiss painting. The kids and the animals collaborate together watercolor painting using the apple slices and their lips as their paint brushes.
A BIT ABOUT THE HORSES, DONKEY &
LITTLE MAN THE LLAMA
I'm Smoke
I'm a Grey colored male Appaloosa. I am 23 years old.
I'm Dusty
I'm a Bay colored, female Mustang. I am 25 years old.
I'm Chango
I'm a Palomino colored, male quarter horse. I am 17 years old.
I'm Ella Bella
I'm a Sorrel colored female mini horse. I am 7 years old.
I'm Abbey
I'm a grey female donkey and I am 21 years old.
I'm Little Man
I'm a 11-year-old Llama. I don't play in the arena, but you meet me at the ranch.
CREATIVITY AND ART INSPIRED BY NATURE AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS
We love the great outdoors, and we believe the kids do too. We also find that being outdoors inspires their self-expression and creative freedom. This is where nature and art merge. The focus on this portion of the day is inspired by nature, art and outdoor adventure and discovery.
Journey down the nature trail with the group, explore the forest and connect with the benefits of being in the wilderness. Hike to the seasonal creek and walk the fallen tree bridge. Learn about the treasures the forest has to offer and decorate a stone and leave a message in the labyrinth for the next group to find.
Collect what inspires you during your hike and use some of the gifts from nature as building material for art projects on the deck afterwards. Don't forget to keep an eye out during your trek through the woods, you may receive a visit or catch a glimpse of Little Man, the Llama. He plays a special part in the herd and the camp day.
EVENTS
Event Disclaimer: Subject to Availability
MEET OUR TEAM
With a ratio of 1 handler for each child working with a horse, our experienced team is set to make your child's day fulfilling -- mentally AND spiritually -- and ensures they stay safe.
To learn more about our trusted staff, you can read our bios below!
Mary Georgis
Board President & Program Manager
I am co-owner of Painted Sky Serenity Ranch in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. I have a love of the land and the animals upon the land; both wild and domestic and have a heartfelt need to share this ranch experience with children. I have had firsthand experience with special needs children and have seen the impact interaction with animals and nature can have on their sense of wholeness and worthiness.
I know that my skills in organization, motivation, communication and relationship building will support the success of the Hands and Hoofs Project. I work with these loving animals every day and know that the children who come to our program are in for a life changing experience.
Monica DaCosta
Board Secretary & Art Facilitator
Monica DaCosta has been active in many volunteer activities over the years. Following college, she spent two years in Honduras as a volunteer for the Direct Relief Foundation, teaching organic vegetable gardening and cooking classes. When her 2 sons were young, she volunteered for 7 years as a Camp Fire Boys and Girls club leader and organized many day camps. She also served as the Youth Education Director at her church for nearly 30 years. Moving to El Dorado County in 2015, she now leads the Placerville chapter of Together Women Rise and has been a volunteer with Hands and Hoofs for the past 2 years facilitating our art program. She loves working with children and encouraging their creativity and is really enjoying leading the hikes and craft projects at the Hands and Hoofs programs!
Sherry Wynne
Board Advisor/Youth Facillitator
I have a great passion for nature and the intimate connection with all of life I have been in the healing arts for 40 years also I am an ordained minister, teacher and spiritual counselor. I am the novice in this group in relationship to horses and am in awe of the great gift of wellbeing and joy that occurs when I am with these incredible animal teachers. I am so delighted to be a part of this group and know that the children, families and everyone will benefit greatly in this beautiful setting where life slows down, we breathe a little deeper and soak in the goodness nature offers us.
Carrie Mitchell
Board Director
Carrie comes to Hands and Hoofs with a variety of leadership experiences spanning nearly three decades in PreK-Grade 6 education as a teacher and principal. She brings extensive experience from the private sector with leading curriculum development, designing professional learning, leadership coaching and mentorship, community engagement and development, and qualitative and quantitative research methods. Carrie has served in numerous volunteer leadership roles in organizations for children, including 4-H Community Club Leader, Girl Scouts Troop Leader, and AYSO Board of Directors. She is a Master Food Preserver with El Dorado County, serves as California State Fair Canning and Baking Competition Judge, and has been a judge for a variety of 4-H canning, baking, and home arts competitions. Her goal is always, in every way possible, to create environments in which children feel safe to take risks to learn and thrive.
Pat Souza
Board Advisor
I had a 36 year career in public education as a teacher and administrator. My passion has always been kids and families; how to support them and help make their lives happier and more productive. I grew up around horses and know the power of the connection between humans and animals. Horses are wise teachers and ready for hands on experiences with humans, especially children. I am ‘all in’ to support children as they experience the wonder of connection with horses and ranch life through the Hands and Hoofs Project.
Julie Schultz
CEO & Senior Program Manager
I am co-owner of Painted Sky Serenity Ranch in the Sierra Mountains and Founder of Hands & Hoofs Experience. I worked as a crew manager for AT&T most of my career and am now retired. I have spent 22 years playing with horses and learning about myself through their eyes, I like to call it soul connection! Our herd of horses has been a blessing in our lives teaching us every day about ourselves by being a mirror of inner reflection. We are excited to share our herd with kids allowing them to interact & play while discovering something inside of them that reflects their inner selves.
GRATITUDE & APPRECIATION
We are Grateful to All Those Who Help Support Our Program
VOLUNTEER
We would like to offer a special thank you to the many members of our volunteer team who make the Hands and Hoofs program successful. The program is solely volunteer based, and possible only through the help of those willing to help and give of their time.
If you would like to volunteer and be part of our team, there are many ways to help get involved.
We are always in search of new volunteers to help in a number of ways.
Some areas of Volunteer opportunity include the following:
Horse and Animal Handling and Care
Art and crafts Assistance
Events
Grant Writing
Fund Raising
Ranch Maintenace
Volunteer Coordination
Youth Volunteers
...and more!
Horse and Animal Handling and Care
Art and crafts Assistance
Events
Grant Writing
Fund Raising
Ranch Maintenace
Volunteer Coordination
Youth Volunteers
etc.....
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A PROGRAM VOLUNTEER, please CONTACT JULIE SCHULTZVIA EMAIL AT [email protected]
help keep our program free!
We are very proud to have been serving our community for the past three years with the support of our volunteers and donors. All donations are welcome, and no donation is too small.
All proceeds go directly to operating the program.
Hands & Hoofs is a 501c(3) and all donations are tax deductible to the full amount allowed by IRS law.
Current Sponsors and In-Kind Donors
Mekeel Foundation, Shelly and Tom Mekeel
Vicki Dobbs Wolf
Judy Vermason
Clara Pursley
Mekeel Foundation, Shelly and Tom Mekeel
Vicki Dobbs Wolf
Judy Vermason
Clara Pursley
Georgis-Schultz Trust; Painted Sky Serenity Ranch
Marilee Schultz
Amani Spiritual Center
Pat Souza
Georgis-Schultz Trust; Painted Sky Serenity Ranch
Marilee Schultz
Amani Spiritual Center
Pat Souza
Become A Hands and Hoofs Sponsor
By becoming a Hands & Hoof’s Partner you'll receive recognition on our website, in our press materials, and in our upcoming printed 2024 calendar...which means recognition all year long! Based on the size of your sponsorship, you'll also receive priority status for 1-4 participants at our camp for the current season.
Platinum $10,000
Receive VIP priority status for 4 participants for 2024 season.
Gold $5,000
Receive Gold priority for 2 participants for 2024 season.
Silver $1,000
Receive Silver priority for 1 participant for 2024 season.
For more information about becoming a Hands and Hoofs sponsor, please contact
Julie Schultz via email at [email protected]
SPONSORSHIP AND DONATIONS
Blog about sponsorship and donations and wish list.
INDIVIDUAL DONOR
As a fund of the El Dorado Community Foundation (TaxID: 68-0305421), Hands and Hoofs programs are made possible by the generosity of our donors. You can help children experience the wonder of HORSES and develop an appreciation for NATURE.
Donate Online
Donate by Mail
Mail Checks to:
Hands and Hoofs, c/o El Dorado Community Foundation, PO Box 1388 Placerville, CA 95667
CONTACT US
Have a question or have feedback for us? Please fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!
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Hands & Hoofs is a non profit charitable 501c3 organization in good standing, Tax ID # 88-3545806
Hands & Hoofs is a non profit charitable 501c3 organization in good standing, Tax ID # 88-3545806