August 17, 2006

The good old days of summer

Lucky kids spend days at Calero Stables summer camp

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

One of the best-kept secrets in the South Bay is Calero Ranch Stables. And equally exciting is the summer camp for kids where they learn all about horses, riding and having fun in the scenic countryside.

Camp counselors have as much fun as the kids who attend Calero Ranch Stables Summer Camp. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Calero Ranch Stables offers horse rentals, summer equestrian camp as well as boarding facilities and trail rides year round. The stable borders the southern tip of the 3,476-acre Calero County Park.

Two distinct areas define the park: the reservoir that offers a host of recreational activities and the adjoining “back country” filled with California oak woodland, chaparral riparian plants, wildlife habitats and spectacular views that can be experienced on the trail rides.

The summer camp offers six full weeks of horsy fun including trail rides at the park for kids from 6 to 14 years old.

“The kids learn everything to do with horses,” said Calero Stables Director Pat Jamison. “There are formal lessons bareback, Western and English. We teach them how to groom, brush and clean the animals as well as walk, cantor, turn, halt and vault. But we also have trail rides, crafts in the clubhouse, hayrides, line dancing, team relays and barbeques every Friday with the parents. We even dress up the horses one day. It is really rewarding the kids. They learn responsibility and have a lot of fun.”

After a full day of horsemanship, there’s even a pool to refresh the kids with a lifeguard keeping a watchful eye on the campers.

“I was a teacher for many years,” said New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association President Kitty Monahan on a recent visit to the summer camp. “The kids are learning and having a lot of fun at the same time at this camp. This is just great.”

Calero Ranch Stables is one of the few equestrian centers that are available for horse enthusiasts. The summer camp is filled with local kids but parents also bring their children from as far away as Palo Alto, Morgan Hill, San Francisco, Cupertino and they have had even attendees from as far as way as Colorado and England.

There’s something about girls and horses. Camp Counselor Jolene Harrington kisses Ladi.

The staff is a dedicated group with decades of equestrian experience. Many of the junior counselors attended the summer camp when they were kids and liked it so much that they returned to work there. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find several generations working and playing at the center on any given day.

“I have a really good time teaching here,” said Santa Clara County park interpreter Chris Bullock who began this year presenting a class on wildlife in the parks at the Calero Ranch Stables Summer Camp. “The kids are excited and so are the parents. They learn a lot of self-esteem, teamwork, horsemanship and they learn to respect the environment. There’s a lot of positive energy. And it’s a great asset to have this in the community.”

The summer camp is just for kids but all year round, Calero Ranch Stables offers trail rides, boarding and riding lessons for all ages in the covered arena. The equestrian center is on property leased from the Santa Clara County Water District and has been managed by Joe Gonzales for over 20 years.

“Our lease runs out in 2010,” said Calero Ranch Stables office manager Laurie Campbell who boarded her first horse at the equestrian center. “If the lease isn’t extended on this property, it might be moved to Bear Creek. It would be a shame to lose this facility here. Where else can you have all this so close to the city?”

Calero Ranch Stables is located at 23201 McKean Rd., San Jose. For more information call (408) 268-2567 or visit www.caleroranch.com.