US Horse Welfare & Rescue is a nonprofit horse rescue, sanctuary, and facility offering both adult and youth programs in a serene, tranquil environment tucked away upon Nod Hill in Avon. Since 2016 US Horse Welfare & Rescue has offered summer programs that enrich the lives of youth with knowledge and life skills while providing them with a fun and entertaining experience. Campers embark on an exciting journey of discovery, filled with diverse activities that go beyond the beloved horseback riding and horsemanship.

Exploratory nature hikes to the river and around the expansive 20-acre farm provide opportunities to observe wildlife and connect with the great outdoors. Equestrian experiences include horseback riding, fun obstacle courses, feeding, grooming, tacking up, and learning essential horsemanship skills like basic equine first aid and therapeutic treatments for these very special equines. Campers develop responsibility, teamwork, and leadership skills through barn management activities.

Beyond the barn, creativity and fun flourish with arts and crafts, team-building exercises, and outdoor activities like “beach” volleyball in our white sand arena, yoga, and gardening. With every day carefully designed to foster confidence, friendships, and lifelong skills, campers enjoy a well-rounded, unforgettable summer experience.

Adventures on the Farm offers the perfect blend of maximum hands-on time with horses and a diverse range of enriching activities. Its indoor facilities ensure the excitement never stops, rain or shine, making every day a celebration of summer, learning, and connection. Designed for children ages six and up, the program warmly welcomes both Newbie horse enthusiasts and seasoned riders, creating unforgettable experiences for every skill level with our highly skilled trainers.

Highly experienced equestrians and well-trained counselors oversee the camp.

Summer at Shady Hill School offers a warm, nurturing, and inclusive environment for children aged four to fourteen to play, learn, and grow. The program balances individual voice and choice with the importance of coming together as a community. The focus is on developing essential social emotional skills and self-confidence, while offering a broad range of activities to explore. 

For Rising Grades K-II there is a daily schedule of STEM, Art and Movement classes as well as lots of active recess times on our popular summer inflatables and 11-acre campus.

For Rising Grades III-VII it is a choice-based program with daily options including Sports, Makerspace, Woodshop, Ceramics, Art Studio, Kitchen and select Field Trips.

There is also a small Leaders-in-Training program for interested Rising VII-IX students and select weeks of a Rising Pre-K program.

See website for 2025 dates. Hours are from 8:15 AM–3:15 PM. Aftercare will be available from 3:30–6:00 PM 

Camp Swiftie will take place this August, for ages 7-12, and offers three sessions:

Era 1: August 11-15 9am-3pm, with option to add aftercare 3-5pm

Era 2: August 18-22 9am-3pm, with option to add aftercare 3-5pm

Era 3: August 25-29 9am-3pm, with option to add aftercare 3-5pm

NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Singing Technique Classes
Explore the art of singing and learn how to use your voice like a pro.

Dance Classes
Move and groove to Taylor Swift’s greatest hits.

Arts and Crafts
Unleash your creativity with themed projects inspired by Taylor’s iconic eras.

Movement and Yoga
Stay active and centered with engaging exercises.

Acting Classes and Games
Build confidence and teamwork through acting fun.

Inclusivity & Allyship
Foster kindness, understanding, and empowerment.

Friday Showcase Rehearsals
Prepare for the grand finale where every camper will shine!

Storming Robots (SR) Learning Lab offers top-quality STEM education year-round for talented students in grades 5 to 12. Its programs feature engineering challenges rarely found in traditional grade-school curricula, emphasizing Robotics Engineering, Computational Thinking, and Computer Programming — all essential skills for cultivating critical thinkers in today’s AI-driven world.

It is led by a Presidential Scholars Distinguished Teachers Award recipient, who also serves as the AI-oriented Competition USA Rescue League Chair. SR’s programs stand out as one-of-a-kind pre-college opportunities for middle and high school students, with the following key characteristics:

• Hands-on Robotics (Novice to Advanced): Students focus on full autonomy, constantly honing their analytical skills.
• Computer Programming Skills : advancing skills from novice to advanced - reaching the capacity of software development.
• Student-Paced Progression: fostering deep understanding and master  by ensuring every student have the opportunity to meet their full potential,
• College-level challenges:  designed to equip students with advanced skills, and well-prepared for their college careers.
• Systematic Roadmap Ecosystem: A cohesive learning pathway from Grade 5 through 12—available throughout the school year and summer—rather than isolated or disjointed programs.
• Immersion in Computational Thinking (CT) and Interdisciplinary Engineering: In today's digital landscape, Computer Science (CS) with Computational Thinking (CT) literacy stands as fundamental as the ABCs.  CS is FAR more than just coding — it's a mindset, a journey that cultivates proficiency and adaptability  -  develop problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities using technology, including AI tools. 
• Increased Competitiveness: gain a competitive edge for science/engineering competitions, high school internships, and college applications.
• Proven Success: Nearly two decades of results, with alumni accepted into top universities such as MIT, Stanford, and CMU, consistently excelling in their college careers.
• Enhanced Standards:  Originally based on the CMU Robotics Academy curriculum, continuously evolving through in-house expertise to increase complexity and depth.

Its programs offer unparalleled environment helps grade school students thrive and remain competitive in the world of science, engineering, and technology.