TACO Camp Rides Again! By: Kaci Daniels, Orange County Extension Office; Photos via Orange County Extension Office
Orange County 4 - H hosted 12 campers at TACO (Therapeutic Adventure Camp of Orange) during the last week of June. 4 - H TACO provides a summer camp experience, with horseback riding, arts and crafts, science experiments, and fellowship and play for local youth in special education. The camp continues to use the wheelchair ramp built and donated by Gordonsville Methodist nearly 20 years ago. More than 50 4 - H volunteers made the camp possible this year, serving as side walkers, group leaders, and project assistants. Jim McDonough Cutting Horses provided the location, horses, and riding instruction. Grey Ghost, a pony owned by Teresa Critchfield, completed his 15 th year at 4 - H TACO camp, and is a camper favorite. Local churches contributed the daily snacks, and nine Rappahannock Electric Cooperative employees volunteered. Youth ages 12 and up, and adult volunteers are needed annually. Applications to help are accepted each spring. Contact the Extension Office at (540) 672 - 1361, in May, if interested.
Above: Zain Masood smiles as he rides his horse with volunteer side walkers.
Above: Jeremie Stinnie, Teresa Critchfield, and Kaid Altman assist Alexis Pitts riding pony Grey Ghost.
Above: Volunteers assist camper April Valentine transition to horseback from a wheelchair during camp.
Above: Campers and volunteers pose for the annual group photo on the last day of camp!
Page 26 | July 2023
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter