Ekone Ranch Summer Camps

At Ekone, campers experience being an important member of an inclusive community, in relationship and service to a place.  We believe that this experience is fundamental to our human nature, transformative for those who experience it, and essential to creating a viable, vibrant future on Earth. 

And fun!  If there's anything Ekone is known for, it's finding the fun in everything. 

Our approach to horsemanship emphasizes the special relationship between children and horses. Everyone spends time grooming and caring for the horses, learning safe ground habits, and building relationships with horses from the ground while taking care of their minds and bodies.

As for riding, we ride primarily bareback, especially with beginning riders. 30+ years of experience have taught us that children learn to ride much faster bareback, gain their balance more quickly, develop a more empathetic relationship and better communication with the horse, and are actually safer without the trappings of tack to get tangled in and distracted by. For more advanced riders, we may progress with our wide selection of western and english saddles. We ride primarily in bitless bridles, keep our horses barefoot, and work toward providing the most species-appropriate lifestyle we can for them.  

Days at camp are spent almost entirely outside, with a community of between 10-25 children aged 8-18 (session-dependent), and a crew of 10-15 staff and mentors aged 16-80.  Together, we engage in play, work, skill-building, and activities designed to connect us to nature, each other, and ourselves.  We learn to listen closely to the birds.  We stalk the deer at the pond.  We create art from found objects.  We run wild through the woods.  We shed some of the busy-ness of modern life and remember how to make our own fun.

We also care for the needs of our place and community, taking responsibility for ourselves and our shared experience.  We cook meals, clean up after them, tend the garden, feed the animals, buck hay, haul firewood, and engage in conservation projects on the land.  We learn to listen to each other, speak our truth with kindness, and create the kind of community we want to live in.​

And we simply enjoy life on the ranch.  Campers sleep in the beautiful new bunkhouse or under the stars.  Our wholesome, delicious meals are cooked from scratch, and most of our produce is from Ekone's own garden.  We take a break from screens, mirrors, makeup, competition, and drama.  We swim in the pond, swing on the rope swings, catch frogs, and build forts. 

Camp Focus

Adventure Camps: Environmental

Arts Camps: Music

Traditional Camps

All Activities

2026 Session Dates:

Session 1, June 22-27

• 1A: Young Rider (age 8-12) - A particularly nurturing small-group session designed for our younger campers looking for an introduction to horsemanship and ranch life. Specifically for beginner riders - experienced riders should choose an all-level session.
• 1B: Horse Connection Camp (age 12-18) - Connect with horses in a whole new way, without the pressure of riding! Learn their language, foster relaxation and confidence, and build relationship through bodywork, massage, groundwork, exploration, and play, all from the ground.

Session 2, June 29-July 4

• 2A: Young Rider (age 8-12) - A particularly nurturing small-group session designed for our younger campers looking for an introduction to horsemanship and ranch life. Specifically for beginner riders - experienced riders should choose an all-level session.
• 2B: Ekone Leadership (age 14-18) - Designed for teens interested in gaining the leadership and practical skills needed to intern and/or work at Ekone someday, or who just generally want to gain a bunch of rad skills that could help you in lots of career paths!

Session 3, July 6-11

• 3A: All Girls All Levels Horse Camp (age 10-18) - Our horse program fosters a special relationship between children and horses, with an emphasis on kind and respectful communication with our equine partners. Expect bareback trail rides and lots of camp fun!
• 3B: Theater Camp (age 10-16) - New in 2026! During this fun and inspiring week, campers will have the opportunity to engage in creative expression through all aspects of the theater process. Campers will spend time on the land, exploring improv games, practicing circus skills, interacting with the natural world, inventing characters, and writing dialogue, plus all of the usual Ekone camp adventures.

Session 4, July 13-18

• 4A: Wrangler Camp (age 13-18) - This session is for returning campers ready for a “stretch” experience of ranch life and wranglin’. We’ll work hard, play hard, immerse ourselves in horses, and go for loooong trail rides. All riding levels are welcome; wranglin’ is about attitude.
• 4B: Art Camp (age 10-16) - Get your creative juices flowing in the crafty paradise of Ekone! Possibilities include mural painting, natural dyeing, collage, basket-making, creative writing, nature art, and so much more. Let’s make beauty together.

Session 5, July 20-25

• 5A: All Ages All Levels Horse Camp (age 8-18) - Our horse program fosters a special relationship between children and horses, with an emphasis on kind and respectful communication with our equine partners. Expect bareback trail rides and lots of camp fun!
• 5B: Rites of Passage for Teens - Explore the gifts, challenges, and rewards of stepping towards adulthood, with support from experienced mentors and the generous land of Ekone. Build a sense of identity, self-confidence, social integration, and a grounded connection with nature - and have fun along the way!

Session 6, July 27-August 1

• 6A: All Levels Horse Camp (age 10-18) - Our horse program fosters a special relationship between children and horses, with an emphasis on kind and respectful communication with our equine partners. Expect bareback trail rides and lots of camp fun!
• 6B: Harvest Cooking Camp (age 10-16) - Let’s engage all our senses and make something delicious in the fabulous Yummy Tummy Cafe! This awesome teaching space will be our playground for a creative, adventurous, skill-building week of flavors.

Session 7, August 3-8

• 7A: All Levels Horse Camp (age 10-18) - Our horse program fosters a special relationship between children and horses, with an emphasis on kind and respectful communication with our equine partners. Expect bareback trail rides and lots of camp fun!
• 7B: Music Camp (age 10-16) - Let Ekone nurture the joy of making music, no matter your skill level, instrument, or style. It’s a uniquely supportive environment with inspired leaders who meet every camper where they are to expand into a new relationship with music.

Session 8, August 10-15

• 8A: Advanced Riding Camp (age 10-18) - Designed for campers who ride regularly and are ready for more challenging trails and advanced horsemanship, and are interested in building a relaxed and non-competitive relationship with one of Ekone’s amazing horses to complement your regular lessons!
• 8B: Wilderness Camp (age 10-16) - A chance to deepen your connection with Ekone land, find the best secret spots, get ready for backcountry adventures, learn soooo much about the plants and animals, and get a little wild along the way.

• Goldendale, WA

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