About This Activity
Orchard Hill Equestrian Center’s horseback riding summer camp is a classic “horse kid dream week” designed for girls and boys ages 7–13 (they occasionally accept 6-year-olds after a private evaluation if you have a real horse lover). Campers are paired with one of the farm’s school horses or ponies, and the program blends daily riding lessons tailored by ability with lots of hands-on horsemanship (grooming, horse care, anatomy, and horse-show prep) plus camp-style fun like equine-themed games, vaulting practice, and arts & crafts. The week wraps with a Friday riding demonstration for parents, which is a sweet “look what I learned” moment for first-timers and experienced riders alike.
For 2026 logistics, Orchard Hill lists six weekly sessions (from June 29 to Aug 7) with two day-length options: 9am–2pm or 9am–3pm. They also note they have indoor riding and learning facilities available for rainy days (helpful for New England summers). As a side note for families who catch the horse bug beyond camp week, Orchard Hill also offers year-round riding instruction for kids and adults, including private and semi-private lessons.
Dates & Schedule
June 29 - August 7, 2026
Location
224 Sawyer Hill Rd
Berlin, MA 01503
Costs & Pricing
- 9am-2pm: $700/week
- 9am-3pm: $750/week
How to Register
Register for programs online here.
Contact
Ratings & Reviews
What Parents Like
- Overall reputation is strong (big-volume “recommend” signal). Orchard Hill’s Facebook page shows “98% recommend” with 300+ reviews—not camp-specific writeups, but a meaningful directional signal that many families in the community have had positive experiences with the program/facility. (1)
- A “real riding camp” week with clear skill progression. The camp is designed to meet kids where they are—beginners start safely on a lead line and can progress toward independent riding, posting/trotting, and even cantering/jumping, with a Friday riding demo for parents. That “visible progress” is usually what parents love most about a well-run riding camp.
- Orchard Hill is listed among top family-favorite horseback riding camps in a Greater Boston/Massachusetts roundup—another reputation signal that it’s on parents’ radar as a “known option.” (2)
What Parents Think Could Be Improved
- Beyond the broad “recommend” signal and local roundup mentions, there aren’t a lot of detailed online parent reviews that break down the day-to-day camp experience (group dynamics, communication, how they handle nerves/homesickness, etc.).
- While not a review, there’s consistent local chatter that riding camps like this fill—so families who want specific weeks should plan early (especially for popular summer dates). (3)
Our Take
Orchard Hill reads like a strong fit for kids who want a true horse-centered week—daily riding plus horsemanship learning and a clear end-of-week “look what I can do” moment. The best parent signals available online are broadly positive reputation markers (high recommend rate, inclusion in local camp lists), but because detailed camp-only reviews are limited, the most MomBrains move is a quick pre-booking fit-check.