TACO Camp Returns for Another Year of Horsing Around
By: Jessica Gredler, TACO Committee Chiarr; Photographs Courtesy of TACO Facebook Page
The popular 4 - H Therapeutic Adventure Camp of Orange (TACO) is a therapeutic riding camp for children with disabilities in Orange County. Campers must be ages nine to 19 and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). TACO offers a week - long half - day summer camp in June. There are three stations for campers, including: arts and crafts, therapeutic riding, and station three which consist of a variety
TACO Motto: Horses Helping Hands, Hearts, and Health
of supplemental activities. A daily snack and entertainment are also provided for campers and volunteers. At the end of the day, campers enjoy a special presentation. Examples of this presentation have included motorcycle sidecar rides, Orange County Sheriff ’ s Office K9 demonstrations, pony cart rides, and various other entertainment for the campers ’ enjoyment. This year, TACO was held June 24 - 27 at Jim McDonough Cutting Horses at Elmwood Farm with 13 campers and 57 volunteers (including 27 first - time volunteers)! Volunteers from local agencies were a big help, and
included six Orange County Sheriff ’ s Office Deputies and eight employees of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. However, so many folks helped out to make this event possible that they can ’ t all be listed in this article. For a complete list, be sure to visit the Thank You Note on TACO ’ s website. Thanks to the support of these volunteers, campers enjoyed another great year of horseback riding, arts and crafts, games, fellowship, and fun! Want to get involved? To be eligible to volunteer for TACO, you must be at least 12 years of age and have transportation
available to and from camp each day. Camp volunteers must attend a mandatory pre - camp training prior summer camp to ensure that all volunteers are informed of all safety guidelines and have a chance to learn more about their position. Two reference letters from non - related adults must accompany their application. Those interested in volunteering or registering a camper can call the Extension Office at (540) 672 - 1361 or email 4htaco@gmail.com. Applications for both campers and volunteers will be available for the 2025 TACO camp in the spring of next year.
Page 23 | July 2024
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