Hooley Farms- Horses, Highlands & Flowers

Come out and see us tonight, free rides starting at 5:30pm. Thank you for having us out again this year!

FREEDOM FEST!!
This Thursday and you won't want to miss it!
See you there!

🐐Week 2: Day 5 Afternoon Session🐐

Hooley Horse Camp 2026 is officially a wrap!

What an incredible two weeks it has been! We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our camp families for trusting us with your children and joining us for our closing ceremonies.

Over the past two weeks:

• More than 225 campers experienced the joys of life on the farm.
• Over 40 staff members and volunteers helped make camp possible.
• Campers interacted with 28 different animals, including horses, miniature donkeys, Nigerian Dwarf goats, and miniature Highland cattle.
• We crowned 20 Horse P**p Olympic Champions.
• We shared countless conversations about Self-Control, Humility, Integrity, Perseverance, and Dependability.

Our final Word of the Day was:

⭐ Dependable — Do what you say you'll do! ⭐

One of the highlights of the week was introducing campers to our newest venture at Hooley Farms: Beverage Burros! Campers loved meeting Zeke and Jubilee, our miniature donkeys who are training to deliver beverages at weddings, corporate events, parties, and other special occasions. We can't wait to share more about this fun and unique addition to the farm!

While campers certainly learned about horses and farm animals, our greatest hope is that they take home lessons that extend far beyond the farm. We hope the SHIP traits, Self-Control, Humility, Integrity, and Perseverance, continue to spark meaningful conversations around your dinner tables and guide your children throughout the year.

🥰 We are also incredibly grateful for those who have supported the Hooley Horse Youth Initiative. Your generosity helps provide horse-centered learning experiences, scholarships, and character development opportunities for Fort Wayne youth who might not otherwise have access to them.

All donations are tax-deductible through the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne.

If you would like to support the Hooley Horse Youth Initiative, simply click the link below:

https://cfgfw.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=7734
🥰

As we close another summer of camp, please know how thankful we are for your support, encouragement, and trust. It has been a joy and privilege to spend these past two weeks with your children.

👩🏼‍🌾Week 2: Day 5 Morning Session👨🏽‍🌾

Hooley Horse Camp 2026 is officially a wrap!

What an incredible two weeks it has been! We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our camp families for trusting us with your children and joining us for our closing ceremonies.

Over the past two weeks:

• More than 225 campers experienced the joys of life on the farm.
• Over 40 staff members and volunteers helped make camp possible.
• Campers interacted with 28 different animals, including horses, miniature donkeys, Nigerian Dwarf goats, and miniature Highland cattle.
• We crowned 20 Horse P**p Olympic Champions.
• We shared countless conversations about Self-Control, Humility, Integrity, Perseverance, and Dependability.

Our final Word of the Day was:

⭐ Dependable — Do what you say you'll do! ⭐

One of the highlights of the week was introducing campers to our newest venture at Hooley Farms: Beverage Burros! Campers loved meeting Zeke and Jubilee, our miniature donkeys who are training to deliver beverages at weddings, corporate events, parties, and other special occasions. We can't wait to share more about this fun and unique addition to the farm!

While campers certainly learned about horses and farm animals, our greatest hope is that they take home lessons that extend far beyond the farm. We hope the SHIP traits, Self-Control, Humility, Integrity, and Perseverance, continue to spark meaningful conversations around your dinner tables and guide your children throughout the year.

🥰 We are also incredibly grateful for those who have supported the Hooley Horse Youth Initiative. Your generosity helps provide horse-centered learning experiences, scholarships, and character development opportunities for Fort Wayne youth who might not otherwise have access to them.

All donations are tax-deductible through the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne.

If you would like to support the Hooley Horse Youth Initiative, simply click the link below:

https://cfgfw.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=7734
🥰

As we close another summer of camp, please know how thankful we are for your support, encouragement, and trust. It has been a joy and privilege to spend these past two weeks with your children.

🐐Week 2: Day 4 Afternoon Session of Hooley Horse Camp!🐐

A parent emailed us this week and shared the following story:

"On the drive home from camp each day, we talk about the character word of the day. They were telling me all about the word humble (Consider others, then yourself). I asked them to name a person they thought was humble. They both said, 'You are, Mom!' I teared up the whole way home!"

What a wonderful reminder that the lessons learned at camp often extend far beyond the farm. Hearing stories like this reminds us that horses are simply the vehicle, our goal is to help young people develop character, confidence, and life skills that will serve them for years to come.

Today's word of the day was Integrity: Do what's right when no one's watching. Throughout the day, campers had opportunities to demonstrate integrity as they worked together, cared for the horses, completed chores, and participated in activities around the farm.

Today was also Driving Day at Hooley Horse Camp! Campers enjoyed riding in our vintage carriage and pony cart, and many even had the opportunity to try their hand at driving. They also explored our stagecoach and surrey!

Campers met our Highland cow and her new fuzzy calf, Eloise! During Horse Science Lab, students conducted a fun "horse taste test" experiment, investigating which types of hay and feed horses might prefer.

Today also marked the 5th Annual Hooley Horse P**p Olympics! Campers competed in a variety of events, including team wheelbarrow races and other chore related challenges.

Fun Fact of the Day:
Horses produce approximately 50 pounds of manure every day! Here at the farm, that means we have our own version of the "P**p Olympics" every single day of the year!

Tomorrow is our final day of camp, and we can't wait to celebrate all that these incredible campers have learned and accomplished this week.

**pOlympics

👩🏼‍🌾Week 2: Day 4 Morning Session of Hooley Horse Camp!👨🏽‍🌾

A parent emailed us this week and shared the following story:

"On the drive home from camp each day, we talk about the character word of the day. They were telling me all about the word humble (Consider others, then yourself). I asked them to name a person they thought was humble. They both said, 'You are, Mom!' I teared up the whole way home!"

What a wonderful reminder that the lessons learned at camp often extend far beyond the farm. Hearing stories like this reminds us that horses are simply the vehicle, our goal is to help young people develop character, confidence, and life skills that will serve them for years to come.

Today's word of the day was Integrity: Do what's right when no one's watching. Throughout the day, campers had opportunities to demonstrate integrity as they worked together, cared for the horses, completed chores, and participated in activities around the farm.

Today was also Driving Day at Hooley Horse Camp! Campers enjoyed riding in our vintage carriage and pony cart, and many even had the opportunity to try their hand at driving. They also explored our stagecoach and surrey!

Campers met our Highland cow and her new fuzzy calf, Eloise! During Horse Science Lab, students conducted a fun "horse taste test" experiment, investigating which types of hay and feed horses might prefer.

Today also marked the 5th Annual Hooley Horse P**p Olympics! Campers competed in a variety of events, including team wheelbarrow races and other chore related challenges.

Fun Fact of the Day:
Horses produce approximately 50 pounds of manure every day! Here at the farm, that means we have our own version of the "P**p Olympics" every single day of the year!

Tomorrow is our final day of camp, and we can't wait to celebrate all that these incredible campers have learned and accomplished this week.

**pOlympics

So sorry! Our Day 2 Afternoon Session never went through so the pictures didn’t post.

Here is Week 2: Day 2 Afternoon group!

One of our favorite camper quotes from today was:

"I am pretty sure that baby donkey would fit under my bed. Can you potty train donkeys?" Campers got the opportunity to meet the newest baby donkey, Chloe! She was born Sunday morning and named after a dear friend who worked for us for many years. Campers learned an interesting difference between horses and donkeys: horses will often run away from danger, while donkeys are known for being protectors and are more likely to stand their ground and confront a threat.

Our word of the day was Self-Control: Quick to listen. Slow to speak. Slow to anger. Throughout the day, campers practiced self-control as they worked with horses, listened carefully to instructions, encouraged one another, and learned new skills.

Today was also Cheer Day! Each camp group is named after a draft horse breed and is learning about these incredible horses: Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons, Haflingers, and Belgians. Each team created its own cheer to celebrate its group spirit and horse breed. They did an outstanding job!

Campers learned how to properly saddle and mount a horse, measured horses using "hands" in Horse Science Lab, and played a game called Drill Sergeant in Character Lab as they connected the idea of self-control to everyday life. In Horse Arts, campers finished their horseshoe Christmas ornaments and are excited to take them home at the end of the week.

🐴 Fun Fact of the Day: A male donkey is called a jack and a female donkey is called a jenny.

We are looking forward to Day 3!

🐐Week 2: Day 3 Afternoon Session!🐐

Last night, a parent emailed us and shared:

"My kids attend camps every summer. They talk more about what they learn at Horse Camp than any other camp! They have had so much fun and gone to bed early every night!"

We absolutely love hearing stories like that!

Our word of the day was Humble: Consider others, then yourself. Throughout the day, we saw campers demonstrate humility as they let others go first, helped one another complete tasks, and encouraged their fellow campers. These are life skills in action!

One of our favorite parts of camp is watching confidence grow. Many campers who were hesitant at the beginning of the week are now stepping forward with excitement, courage, and determination as they work with the horses and learn new skills.

The warm temperatures certainly made today a little more challenging, but our campers did an outstanding job persevering through the heat. We saw great attitudes, resilience, and determination as they continued learning, riding, and participating in activities throughout the day.

Today's adventures included:
• Preparing for tomorrow's Horse P**p Olympics
• Competing in our horse obstacle course
• Learning how to interpret the whorl on a horse's head in Horse Science Lab
• Practicing line dance steps for Friday's Closing Ceremonies
• Riding all over the farm and continuing to build horsemanship skills

Campers also enjoyed spending time with our adorable newborn Nigerian Dwarf goats, Frodo and Sam, who quickly became favorites among many of our campers!

One camper shared with us today that she is often fearful of trying new things. After riding Beyoncé, our biggest horse, she proudly said:

"After riding Beyoncé, I feel like I can do anything!"

Moments like that remind us why we love what we do. Horse encounters create real-life opportunities for growth, confidence, courage, and resilience. We are so proud of these campers and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

👩🏼‍🌾Week 2: Day 3 Morning Session👨🏽‍🌾

Last night, a parent emailed us and shared:

"My kids attend camps every summer. They talk more about what they learn at Horse Camp than any other camp! They have had so much fun and gone to bed early every night!"

We absolutely love hearing stories like that!

Our word of the day was Humble: Consider others, then yourself. Throughout the day, we saw campers demonstrate humility as they let others go first, helped one another complete tasks, and encouraged their fellow campers. These are life skills in action!

One of our favorite parts of camp is watching confidence grow. Many campers who were hesitant at the beginning of the week are now stepping forward with excitement, courage, and determination as they work with the horses and learn new skills.

The warm temperatures certainly made today a little more challenging, but our campers did an outstanding job persevering through the heat. We saw great attitudes, resilience, and determination as they continued learning, riding, and participating in activities throughout the day.

Today's adventures included:
• Preparing for tomorrow's Horse P**p Olympics
• Competing in our horse obstacle course
• Learning how to interpret the whorl on a horse's head in Horse Science Lab
• Practicing line dance steps for Friday's Closing Ceremonies
• Riding all over the farm and continuing to build horsemanship skills

Campers also enjoyed spending time with our adorable newborn Nigerian Dwarf goats, Frodo and Sam, who quickly became favorites among many of our campers!

One camper shared with us today that she is often fearful of trying new things. After riding Beyoncé, our biggest horse, she proudly said:

"After riding Beyoncé, I feel like I can do anything!"

Moments like that remind us why we love what we do. Horse encounters create real-life opportunities for growth, confidence, courage, and resilience. We are so proud of these campers and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

👩🏼‍🌾Week 2: Day 2 Morning Session👨🏽‍🌾

One of our favorite camper quotes from today was:

"I am pretty sure that baby donkey would fit under my bed. Can you potty train donkeys?" Campers got the opportunity to meet the newest baby donkey, Chloe! She was born Sunday morning and named after a dear friend who worked for us for many years. Campers learned an interesting difference between horses and donkeys: horses will often run away from danger, while donkeys are known for being protectors and are more likely to stand their ground and confront a threat.

Our word of the day was Self-Control: Quick to listen. Slow to speak. Slow to anger. Throughout the day, campers practiced self-control as they worked with horses, listened carefully to instructions, encouraged one another, and learned new skills.

Today was also Cheer Day! Each camp group is named after a draft horse breed and is learning about these incredible horses: Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons, Haflingers, and Belgians. Each team created its own cheer to celebrate its group spirit and horse breed. They did an outstanding job!

Campers learned how to properly saddle and mount a horse, measured horses using "hands" in Horse Science Lab, and played a game called Drill Sergeant in Character Lab as they connected the idea of self-control to everyday life. In Horse Arts, campers finished their horseshoe Christmas ornaments and are excited to take them home at the end of the week.

🐴 Fun Fact of the Day: A male donkey is called a jack and a female donkey is called a jenny.

We are looking forward to Day 3!

🐐Day 1: Afternoon Session🐐

Hooley Horse Camp Week 2 is off to a great start!

Our word of the day was Persevere: When it's hard, keep trying! We watched campers demonstrate perseverance as they met new friends, learned new skills, and stepped outside their comfort zones while working with our horses.

In Horse Science Lab, campers learned about the incredible power of draft horses and discovered an important lesson: when we work together, we can accomplish far more than we can alone. Teamwork matters!

Throughout the day, campers enjoyed riding ba****ck, leading horses, creating horseshoe keepsakes, and spending plenty of hands-on time with our four-legged friends.

Fun Horse Fact: Horses have a toothless space in their mouths called the "bars." This is where the bit rests, and today campers even got to feel this unique part of a horse's mouth!

Looking forward to Day 2!