CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

"I'm bored" is a phrase you don't hear from children at Latigo Dude Ranch. Structured activities throughout the day keep youngsters occupied and entertained. While parents are on their trail rides, children are supervised in educational activities.

Our intent at Latigo Dude Ranch is to give you flexibility and freedom. For some activities, parents want to be with their children; at other times they would like to be able to do things separately. The children's program is not mandatory. A family can do everything together, but we have found that most children prefer to be with their peers and counselor whenever possible.

8-13 YEAR-OLDS:

Children in this age group will spend a great deal of time riding. We emphasize instruction, and we structure fun riding activities with sufficient challenge to ensure that these young riders are improving their riding skills while having a good time. We encourage children to participate in all of the week's activities - trail rides, square-dancing, nature walks, swimming, fishing, hayrides, etc. They may eat meals with their family, or they may eat at a separate table with their peers and counselors.

  Ute Scouts - Kids Over Night

6-7 YEAR-OLDS: Riding a horse demands concentration. Children six to seven years old have more limited attention spans than older children and need special attention as they learn to ride. For example, six and seven year olds don't have the physical stamina and concentration needed to ride horseback on the long overnight packtrip.

To deal with the special needs of this age group, the counselors ride with them separately from the older children. These children will ride as frequently as the older ones, but on rides of slightly shorter duration. In addition to the activities that the older children engage in, these children will spend more time with their counselors in other activities like swimming, fishing, hiking and educational games

3-5 YEAR-OLDS: The combination of ranch and mountains stimulates inquiring young minds. We at Latigo Dude Ranch want to help youngsters seize the opportunity to learn about this unique environment. Children under six years of age are supervised during those hours that the adults are riding.

While here they will learn about mountain animals, plants and rocks. They will hear stories about Indians and horses. They will create crafts in the Sheriff's Office and the tipi, go on nature walks with their counselor, be led around on the Shetland pony, play stick-toss with Stormy the dog, feed the ranch pets like Charlie the lamb, Charcoal and Smokey the rabbits, and Wilbur the pig, or learn educational games and songs.

INFANTS (TWO YEARS AND UNDER):

Please talk with us in advance to arrange baby-sitting services for infants. The charge for babysitting is $7.00 per hour. Cribs are available for infants.