Hands and Hoofs is excited to announce that it is moving to Treasured Heart Ranch in Wilton California. The ranch as well as the large barn and several horse paddocks will give us the opportunity to have additional horses and small animals that will become part of our expanding educational programs.

A Day of Fun connecting horses, art, friendship and new discoveries.

A Day of Fun connecting horses, art, friendship and new discoveries.

OUR MISSION AND VISION

Hands & Hoofs offers free Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) programs to youth and adults to promote deeper connection with the animals, each other, and themselves. The program incorporates art, music, social emotional learning, and inclusive practices through a fun and accepting outdoor experience.

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 7-14, located on a 5 acre Horse Ranch in Wilton California. We provide youth a day of Horse animal connection, education, art, and fun 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.

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.

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 & Julie Schultz

Co-Founder

Rebecca Diddams

Board President

Julie Schultz

Board Advisor

Mark Weiner

Secretary

Monica Dacosta

Board Advisor

Mary Welsh

Treasurer

Travis Baker

Executive Director

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; Treasured Heart Ranch, Wilton CA

  • 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

Travis Baker 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 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