The setting is Storybook Adventures, a 24-acre equestrian centre and hobby farm set in the rolling hills of Brookfield, PEI. The scene is everything owner Jana Hemphill envisioned when she opened the doors 18 years ago. “I wanted a venue where riders of all levels, from recreational to the serious equestrian athlete, could develop and grow,” Hemphill explains. “But I also wanted to provide a peaceful, compassionate space where children and families could disconnect from the hectic pace of everyday life and connect with animals and nature.” The year-round equestrian centre features indoor and outdoor riding, where experienced coaches and 20 seasoned school horses support the beginner rider’s journey to master the building blocks of classical equitation, and the high-performance riders as they grow the skills needed to excel at competitions throughout PEI and beyond. Popular day camps allow children to learn about animals and explore fields, forest and streams, discovering the mysteries of the natural world, something Hemphill says is often lacking in today’s tech-rich world. “Studies show that contact with the natural world improves children's mental, emotional, physical and social health,” she says. “Activities in nature go a long way toward keeping kids healthy and happy.” Of course, farm camp is more than just play. Campers also spend a portion of each day assisting camp leaders with feeding, watering, collecting eggs, grooming animals and even cleaning pens. “Running a farm is a big job and the children are eager to help care for the animals,” says Hemphill, a lifelong
animal lover and advocate. “These responsibilities help build confidence, empathy and pride in caring for others.” The transformative power of working with animals inspired Hemphill’s interest and training in Equine Assisted Learning, a powerful, evidence- based approach that is particularly effective for children and young adults. Facilitator-led activities with horses help participants gain the skills and confidence to handle real-world challenges. The new, ‘horse-powered’ programs focus on three main areas: leadership, literacy and life skills, and families are already reporting positive results. “My daughter has generalized anxiety, PTSD and struggles with social and emotional regulation,” says Stephanie K. “She joined the Leadership program at Storybook last year, and I watched her confidence boosted week after week. She now tries things in her everyday life that before, she would not. The sessions at Storybook have helped change her mindset. I have seen as much improvement in attending just weeks of horse sessions, as I have seen in a year of therapy. I can’t recommend it enough.”
STORYBOOK ADVENTURES
18457 Rte 2, Brookfield 902.621.2029
storybookstables1@hotmail.com www.storybookadventures.ca
SPRING 2023 www.pei-living.ca
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