Day Camp
We are the only camp on Long Island to offer the
Total Camp Experience with an extensive Riding Program!
Let your children find their passion here!
Thomas School of Horsemanship was founded in 1943 by Bill and Fran Thomas, and in 1950, they purchased and developed a stretch of potato fields in Melville. From those humble beginnings their dream was realized: A place where families can enjoy all the gifts that horses have to offer, a place where children can spend their summers riding, playing, learning, and growing, and a place for a supportive community to share in the joys of horsemanship.
''This is where our roots are, this is where we became who we are.''
Camp Alumni, Mike Martuscello, 1969
Today, Thomas School continues to be family owned and operated by Nancy Thomas, daughter of Bill and Fran. For over 65 years, Thomas School has given thousands of children experiences and friendships that they cherish for a lifetime.
''My best friends today are the friends I made at Thomas School.''
Camp Alumni, Katie Rimmer, 1996
The gifts that horses have to offer:- Caring for a horse creates a sense of Responsibility
- Interacting with a living being teaches Respect
- Creating a bond with a kind, gentle creature shows Compassion
- Being in control of an animal larger than yourself grants Confidence
- And the shared love for horses builds Friendships that last
This is why our motto for 65 years has been:
Let Horses Bring Out the Best in You
Interacting with horses instills important virtues.
Daily riding instruction builds Confidence,
Daily horse care lessons develop Compassion,
Grooming and tacking the horses teaches Responsibility.
"Your love of horses creates a unique loving atmosphere,
and that is what TSH is all about."
Parent, Joann Stein
Although we offer a full day camp experience, our specialty has always been our complete riding program. Every camper enjoys a daily riding lesson with one of our Horsemanship Safety Association Certified Instructors.
"Being a young teenager is hard for a girl. I think learning
to ride a horse at that time did wonders for my self esteem."
Camp Alumni, Randice Moore
We feel that true horsemanship includes more than the practice of riding well, it is also essential to have an understanding of these noble creatures, and the skills to care for them. Older campers have two additional periods a day dedicated to just that, including horsemanship training, and a period to care for their 'own' horse. Younger campers are given daily lessons in the basics of horse care.
"Every day I couldn't wait to hear about which horses my children rode, and all the things they learned about horses."
Parent, Diana Baravita, 2006
Swimming is a lifelong skill that every child needs.
We are dedicated to providing quality Red Cross lessons
to create confident swimmers.
Every child can become a confident swimmer with the support of a good teacher. That's why every single camper receives a daily Red Cross Instructional Swim period, tailored to their skill level, with one of our trained and Red Cross Certified Lifeguards.
"Knowing that every day my children were in a safe, supervised and fun place made going to work easier."
Camp Alumni/Parent/Staff, Debbie McGuire
Additionally, each camper enjoys a fun Free Swim period with pool toys and games, under the constant supervision of our pool staff. We also ensure that the children are familiar with our pool safety rules and procedures before they participate in Free Swim.
Finally, if your child loves swimming, and loves swimming fast, they can try out for the Swim Team! We regularly hold competitive Swim Meets with visiting camps, and as always, extra points are awarded for good sportsmanship and team spirit.
We have great sports and arts options for discovery and fun:
Gymnastics * Dance * Drama * Tennis * Archery * Soccer
Lacrosse * Hockey * Touch Football * Basketball * Softball * Kickball
Volleyball * Badminton * Ping Pong * Climbing Wall * Tetherball
Capture the Flag * Computer Games * Low Ropes Course
Martial Arts * Karaoke * Circus Juggling * and More!
Older campers get to personalize their camp experience through our Elective and Club periods. Electives are chosen each week for variety, and a Club is chosen each session for a more intensive learning experience.
"I've never, in my 22 years of raising three boys, ever seen or felt
a more heavenly experience for one of my children."
Parent, Diane Puccio
In our gymnasium or on the outdoor stage, campers learn Gymnastics and Dance, take part in fun improvisational games, or rehearse for Drama performances. Our staff specialists organize shows and demonstrations for Parent's Day so you can see all your child has learned!
But the opportunity for creative outlet doesn't end there! Our Arts and Crafts specialists always have fun, new projects for your campers, and you can always see their works of art on display at the Parent's Day Art Show.
Special Days are the highlight of each week at Camp!
Campers and Staff alike participate in the fun with costumes, face paint, special games, sportsmanship and team spirit!
Special Days often bring new and thrilling amusements to camp, like water slides, bounce castles, staff dunk tanks, and more. Sometimes our campers get to watch awesome demonstrations, past shows include: Rodeo-style Barrel Racing, Medieval Times-style Jousting, Horseback Dressage Demonstrations, and the always entertaining Staff Horse Shows. Special days also mean off-site trips for our Teens.
"You run a magical place, and I am grateful my daughter is a part of it."
Parent, Maureen Hession
Although we are always thinking up new and exciting themes, a few favorites have become tradition, and return every year: The always silly 'Crazy Hair/Hat Day,' the highly anticipated 'Water Fun Day,' and our long-standing tradition, 'Blue and Gold Day!'
Campers can never be sure what to expect on a Special Day, because everything changes for the theme. At the pool, they may find themselves in a relay race carrying a greased watermelon, or playing water volleyball. In the riding ring, they play all kinds of horse-back games, like 'Red-Light, Green-Light,' and 'Simon Says.' When special days include friendly competition and team spirit, our campers are always awarded extra points for good sportsmanship and teamwork.
Our CITs (Campers in Leadership Training) have the opportunity to take all kinds of fun trips once a week on Special Days. Some of our favorite trips from past years include: Six Flags: Great Adventure, Mountain Creek Water Park, Medieval Times, and our annual White Water Rafting/Camping Overnight Trip. We offer new trip opportunities every year.
Check out what's available for your child's age group. Our various programs are designed to be age-appropriate, but all children from 3 to 15 years old experience riding, swimming, sports and arts.
Early Starters (3-4 yrs old)
Our Early Starters experience all the activities Thomas School has to offer, but with the extra attention and gentle care they need. We have many horses who have spent their entire lives teaching children to ride, that is why they are perfect horses for our 3 and 4 year olds. Our swim staff take pride in helping the little ones become comfortable and confident in the water. It is amazing to see the progress that these young campers make in just one summer.
Junior Camper (5-8 yrs old)
Junior Campers' daily activities are suited to their developmental needs: Daily riding lessons are supplemented by basic horse care education. They enjoy periods of free play on the playground, the Junior Camp pool includes a very shallow end for beginner swimmers as well as a deep end for more advanced swimmers. Our friendly, charismatic group counselors are always helping the youngsters learn how to interact with their peers in a supportive way.
Senior Camper (9-12 yrs old)
Senior Campers have opportunities for advancement in many areas, learning skills that will stay with them for a lifetime. We offer riding classes for every skill level, and Senior Campers may test into more advanced Horse Science study, all the way up to Pre-Vet care. At the pool swimmers are grouped by ability for instructional periods. Senior Campers begin to feel a sense of responsibility as they take care of their "own" horse once a day.
Campers in Leadership Training(CITs) (13-15 yrs old)
In addition to enjoying the same activities as the rest of camp, our teens are given more responsibilities with horses and younger campers, are allowed more freedom with their schedules, and enjoy extra privileges like off-site trips and free periods. Outstanding CITs have the opportunity to become assistant group counselors, and may be offered staff positions upon completion of the program.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR 2010 CAMP APPLICATION:
Please read carefully.
1) Please click the link below and fill out all applicable fields. (Note: Link will open in a new browser window or tab.)
Camp 2010 Application
2) Save a copy of the completed application on your computer (You can save the file by clicking the icon near the top-left corner that looks like an old floppy disk).
3) Print the completed application and be sure to sign the application by hand. (Please also print and save a copy for your records).
4) You have two options for submitting your application:
4a) Fax the application to (631) 692 - 9536
4b) Mail the application to:
Thomas School of Horsemanship
250 Round Swamp Rd.
Melville, NY 11747
Camp 2010 Application
Feel free to call our office with any questions.
We look forward to meeting you!
Our rustic facility encourages a connection with nature.
Give your children a chance to experience the joys of
wide open fields and wooded areas.
"As many camps install air conditioning and classrooms, it is to your credit that you have a camp where kids can enjoy nature."
Camp Alumni/Parent/Staff, Debby McGuire
We are located on 33 beautiful acres, with 6 barns, 9 riding rings, 2 large pools, a playground, picnic areas for lunch, theater stages in the woods, a low ropes course, and a large indoor arena which becomes an indoor gymnasium during the summer.
"Our girls have such a genuine love and appreciation of horses because of your fine camp and instructors and that is a special gift they will have for the rest of their lives. We can see how much their riding improves every year and the girls feel so good about becoming better riders."
-Parent, Bettina Battapaglia
"Every summer at this time I think about you and all that TSH did for me and I want you to know that I am who I am because of you all and the horses. Although I am miles away from TSH, I still long for the hot days and Blue-Gold Day. I promise that one day I'll be back!"
-Past Camper/Staff/Director, Sue Silver
"I attended TSH when I was a young teen, and never do I think of those days without smiling. Being a young teenager is hard for a girl. I think learning to ride a horse at that time did wonders for my self esteem. Taking lessons with my instructor Karen Earl twice a week was the highlight of our lives. The staff was always so kind and supportive. To this day I consider the day I learned to jump as one of the best days of my life."
-Camp Alumni, Randace Moore
"My daughter Mallory has been at your camp since the beginning of this camp season and words cannot express the joy I see in my child each and every day since camp began. Mallory has always been an animal lover, and since she started riding this past spring, it has changed her life. Mallory is truly in her environment at Thomas School and runs out the door every day to get on that camp bus. If the day started at 6:00 A.M., she would be the first one there!"
-Parent, Shana Breiter
"This is Valerie's sixth year at Thomas School. Its the only camp she's known and she's happiest when in your company. Your love of horses created the unique loving atmosphere which is what TSH is all about. Valerie shares your passion and its apparent in every word spoken and in every smile."
-Parent, Joann Stein
