Special Programs – Renew TRC

School Groups

By partnering with teachers and therapists from local schools, therapeutic riding lessons are available during the school day and incorporated as part of the class curriculum. To date, we have served Holland Christian Schools, Holland Public Schools, West Ottawa Public Schools, Zeeland Public Schools, Fennville Public Schools and the Ottawa Area Center.

Homeschool Partnership

Renew TRC has partnered with Hamilton Virtual Schools to offer therapeutic horsemanship to homeschooled students. Through their time working with the herd at Renew, students develop an understanding of safe and effective horsemanship, riding skills, equine education, and barn management. This program is available during the fall and late spring sessions.

Group Homes

Renew also offers programs to area group homes for adults to gain physical fitness, socialize, and learn new life skills. We maintain partnerships with homes such as Benjamin’s Hope Life Enrichment program, adults from Harbor House Ministries in Jenison, and other local group homes.

Virtual Services

Renew TRC offers virtual programming to area assisted living centers and senior day centers. During these 30 minute virtual meetings, we offer time for sharing positive memories, educational opportunities, and a chance to interact with a horse. We also send our partners sensory kits to engage residents who we hope will be able to join us in person on the farm some day.

Day Camps

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our day camp offerings are limited at this time. We will be offering Equine Assisted Learning opportunities and Hoofbeats of Hope, and hosting speech camps on a select number of dates during 2021. Each camp is tailored to meet the needs of the specific campers while introducing and expanding knowledge of horsemanship.

As we are able, we hope to once again offer a wider selection of camp opportunities. These camps are a ton of fun, as campers get to spend a longer period of time at the barn, while learning how to provide daily care for the horses alongside their friends and volunteers.

Camps Include:

Equine Assisted Learning Opportunities
EAL opportunities provide students the chance to learn more about safe handling and effective horsemanship on the ground. Students will draw connections between what they are learning about horses to their own behavior and relationships, all while in a fun atmosphere.

Hoofbeats of Hope Camp
Renew Therapeutic Riding Center, in partnership with Starlight Ministries, is offering Hoofbeats of Hope, a day camp that incorporates the use of horses to help facilitate the grieving process for children and teens (ages 8-18) who have experienced the death of a loved one. Trained professionals, volunteers, and therapy horses partner to provide a safe environment to feel, process, and find hope despite facing immeasurable pain and grief. This camp experience will offer students hands-on opportunities to build trust, apply healthy coping skills, and gain confidence. These tools will help individuals in taking necessary steps toward healing in addition to providing a sound foundation for overcoming future hurdles.

Summer Speech Camp
Renew Summer Speech Camp is a unique collaboration between Renew, GVSU Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Macauley Therapy Services. This experience is open to riders between the ages of 5 and 18 with communication needs with a Speech IEP already in place from school. Camp participants will receive 1:1 individual speech therapy for three hours daily with a SLP Grad student, and under the guidance of Dr. Beth Macauley. Each session will have openings for six students to attend.

There will be three sessions of speech camp, one in June and two in August. If you are interested in learning more, please email Shaina at programs@renewtrc.org.