Testimonials

I just wanted to share my families experience with the Therapeutic Adventure Camp of Orange. My son, CJ, has participated in the TACO program for 3 years. For him, this program has really been about inclusion. After years of coming with me to drop his younger sister off at various camps and summer activities, he was thrilled to finally have a summer camp just for him. All year long he asks about the next TACO camp and verifies that he will be going. He loves the horses and really enjoys playing with the other campers. It is the one place that he gets to completely fit in! Furthermore, this sense of inclusion extends beyond TACO. This last fall, when listening to his sister and I discuss her horseback riding lessons, CJ asked to take riding lessons as well. It is the first time that he has ever asked to do any after school activity or sport. I’m so grateful that he was comfortable asking and is developing a lifelong love of horses.

The camp also encourages the children to focus and complete non-riding tasks during horse education and the art center. At the end of the week, the campers shine as they participate in a horse show, and have a bunch of great art projects to bring home. CJ really enjoyed carefully choosing from the various things he had made to give each family member a special handmade gift. It really provided him with a great sense of accomplishment.

This camp also benefits the volunteers. Last summer I volunteered as a group leader with my daughter as my assistant. My heart was touched by the way the campers really opened up and shared themselves with us. The time spent with these lovely children shows us how much they each have to give to the world. They are each so different, wonderful, and more than the disability with which they are labeled.
-Janie
Parent of TACO Camper

"I have an 11 year old son who has autism. He has meltdowns, social delays, low muscle tone, and some behavioral problems. He has attended the summer sessions of the Therapeutic Adventure Camp of Orange for three years. When he started the camp, he was fearful of the horse, very afraid of falling off, and generally was not comfortable being with the other campers. Three years later, due to the wonderful, kind, caring, and talented counselors, riders, and volunteers of the TACO camp, he can now sit up straight in the saddle, brush the horses, trot on the horse, and loves being at camp and being in a group setting. I can not begin to describe the growth and self confidence that he has achieved from being a part of the TACO camp. My child is like a totally different child when he is getting his therapeutic riding. He smiles, engages in conversation, and is at total ease with himself and others. I would totally recommend TACO camp to any family that has a child with a disability. The smiles, self confidence, and "being a part of a group" are just a few of the things he and I are most thankful for."

- Kim
Parent of TACO camper for 5 years

"I have an 11 year old son with Cerebral Palsy. He has attended camp for two years now, and he loves it ! Before camp he had a little fear of animals and now being around the horses he has overcome that. He looks forward to camp every year. The volunteers are very caring, compassionate and helpful. He enjoys riding his pony Doolittle with the help of his back rider Jessica and the side walkers. The volunteers work hard to make sure the children are safe and they have been amazing with my son. I am very thankful for the camp."

-Victoria
Parent of TACO camper for 4 years

Jeremy now is more open with animals since being involved with 4H TACO. Every spring he knows from hear-say at school when the "back to the Farm" day is and will come home and take me to the calendar and point to that day and say "horsey camp". He will do the same as soon as he hears the dates for summer camp. He has learned so much control with the horses and it has taught him responsibility. Being around his 4H TACO family has been one of the highlights of his life. Being autistic, he has sensory issues with touch and I never thought he would touch a horse but he will now and even feed them carrots as well! I really wish the age would be extended for the campers because there isn't enough out there for theses guys and girls as they age and they thrive with this program no matter how old they are.

Kathy Lewis
Parent of TACO camper for 4 years

Ben's other camp experiences were pretty negative and stressful, but TACO couldn't have been any better! Every day when I picked him up he was happy and bubbling with information, except for the first day when he was very quiet and introspective for an hour or so and then talked to me about how much he wanted to help people after seeing the volunteers at camp work with people he never would have thought could ride a horse. He still talks about Herbie and all of the wonderful people he met! Thank you for all of the hard work and effort everyone puts into TACO, I can't believe how much it boosted Ben's confidence.
Bobbi Collyer
TACO Parent of Camper for 1 year

I could not be more pleased with TACO camp. Michelle was able to ride a horse with the help of the volunteers and workers at the camp. I have video of Michelle riding her horse "Penny". She loved camp and the workers and campers there are AWESOME!!!
Mark Throckmorton
Parent of TACO Camper for 1 year

"I have been a volunteer and board member of TACO for a couple of years. I have little experience with children, having none of my own. I think what impresses me most about camp is the campers. They are very open and willing; always appreciative, curious and enthusiastic. The week goes too quickly and I feel I get as much from our time together as they do."

-Cynthia
TACO Committee member and teacher of Horse Education