Ivey Ranch Park Association Saddles Up for an Action-Packed Summer Season

Ivey Ranch Park has mapped out a summer season that combines hands-on learning, community engagement, and some seriously good music—all in service of their mission to provide Equine-Assisted Services to individuals of all abilities.

Their summer season lineup offers multiple ways for us to get involved while supporting a cause that’s making real differences in people’s lives.

Summer Camps with Purpose

The equine summer camps represent everything we love about experiential learning. Starting at the end of June and running through August, these programs give young riders aged seven to 17 a comprehensive introduction to horsemanship that goes far beyond just riding lessons.

We’re talking about vaulting, ground training, and deep dives into animal care including anatomy, nutrition, and basic veterinary practices.

With sessions capped at 18 campers each week, the intimate setting ensures personalized attention while building genuine connections between participants and the therapy horses.

Adult riding sessions later in the program expand the offerings to serve the broader community, reflecting Ivey Ranch’s commitment to accessibility across age groups.

Real-World Internship Experience

The hands-on internship program opens doors for teens 14 and up, plus adults, to gain meaningful experience in equine care and therapy program support. Interns rotate through various roles, from grooming and tacking to stable operations and assisting with camp activities.

This isn’t busy work—it’s genuine skill-building that supports both able-bodied and disabled participants.

For young people considering careers in animal care, therapy, or nonprofit work, this kind of direct experience is invaluable.

Concert Series with Impact

Here’s where things get interesting—Ivey Ranch volunteers will be running the Beer Garden Tent at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre throughout the concert season.

The goal is ambitious: raise $45,000 to cover nearly six months of feed for their therapy horses. That’s the kind of direct impact that makes volunteer work feel meaningful.

This year’s concert lineup reads like a greatest hits of live music: Willie Nelson, Incubus, Little Big Town, Billy Idol, and Big Time Rush. We get to enjoy outstanding performances while knowing our participation directly supports the therapy horse program.

The Bigger Picture

Executive Director Tonya Danielly points out something important—they currently have a long waiting list of individuals eager to benefit from their programs. The events aren’t just fun activities; they’re essential fundraising efforts that determine how many people they can serve through the end of the year and beyond.

This connection between immediate community engagement and long-term program sustainability makes every camp registration, internship application, and volunteer shift at the amphitheatre feel more significant.

Multiple Ways to Get Involved

Whether we’re interested in the educational camps, hands-on internship experience, or volunteering at concerts, the organization offers entry points for different interests and availability levels. Corporate sponsorship and private donations provide additional ways to support their mission without direct time commitments.