HORSE CAMP FOR ANYONE

Dreams are coming true for aspiring horse girls of all family income levels in a special Girl Scout program.

- JUDY NAUSEEF

Many youth believe that the horse they meet at camp wants a friend as much as they do. The experience of learning new horsemanship skills, making lifelong friends, and riding different horses than you could at home is extremely appealing to many horse-crazy kids.

At Camp Liberty in New Liberty, Iowa, girls meet, learn about, and ride well-trained horses on 245 acres of woods, meadows, and lake.

This Girl Scout summer camp with American Camp Association accreditation offers a wide range of experiences. Programs are designed to challenge youth to find independence, create friendships, and take risks in a safe and supportive environment.

These accredited camps make safety their priority by following 300 safety standards. The well-trained and dedicated staff at Camp Liberty support, teach, and lead campers through new skills where they explore the outdoors and can just be themselves.

But what if the cost of summer camp has always seemed just out of your family's reach?

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT

According to their brochure, "To accommodate all of our families, there are three pricing levels. Choose the tier that is most suitable for your family. Each household makes this decision, and additional financial documents will not be required. When you register, you will be asked to select the tier your family can afford."

Staci Conforti, vice president of property and outdoor experiences, explains that the counselors aren't told which tiers the families use to register. All girls experience the same activities for the session they choose. Financial assistance for individual girls also comes from grants.