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Rockbrook Equestrian Camp

Girls' Summer Camp with Hunter/Jumper Riding Program

Looking for a 100-year-old North Carolina summer camp where your daughter can learn to ride?

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Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated May 2026

Girls horseback riding at Rockbrook Equestrian Camp in the western North Carolina mountains

The Rockbrook Equestrian Camp by Rockbrook Camp For Girls

Rockbrook is a camp where no matter what you do, and learn to do, you'll have fun doing it, and horseback riding is no exception!

About Rockbrook Camp for Girls

Rockbrook is a traditional overnight summer camp for girls located in the mountains of western North Carolina. Established in 1921, it is one of the area's oldest sleepaway summer camps. Rockbrook provides multi-week overnight camp sessions for girls ages 6 through 16. Each session accommodates 192 campers.

Rockbrook is well known for its diverse program of activities, including horseback riding, outdoor adventure, crafts, sports, drama, swimming, and more. With its traditional log cabin and stone buildings, its beautiful forests, fields, waterfalls and rock outcroppings, and its over 200 acres of land, Rockbrook provides a fabulous outdoor experience.

Rockbrook employs an enthusiastic staff of cabin counselors and highly trained instructors. The directors and full-time staff are educators and professionals who work with children.

Rockbrook Equestrian Camp

The Rockbrook equestrian camp program combines qualified staff, experienced horses, and excellent facilities to create an atmosphere where campers can advance their horseback riding skills, expand their horsemanship knowledge, and enjoy riding with friends.

Their horse camp features horses ranging from experienced A circuit show horses to seasoned beginner ponies, including a number of horses from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and Sweet Briar College. All of their horses are active in equestrian programs throughout the year.

The equestrian staff is qualified to teach a wide range of riders. Young beginners play mounted games and learn about their favorite horses, while others may learn to post the trot, canter, or jump. More advanced riders may jump through gymnastics or over natural obstacles.

"We love the camp, the programs and especially the staff. My daughter could not have had a better experience anywhere else." — Parent, Charlotte, NC

"It's quite true that a spirit of Rockbrook does exist, and it's what brought me back year after year." — Former Camper, Tallahassee, FL

Get Your Daughter Enrolled At Rockbrook Camp For Girls Today!

Choosing the right equestrian camp for your daughter can make all the difference between an average summer and a summer to Remember!

Rockbrook is a camp where no matter what you do, and learn to do, you'll have fun doing it, and horseback riding is no exception!

"Rockbrook is near and dear to my child's heart. She has grown up coming to camp, has been on all three lines, and is now an independent teenager, full of confidence, self esteem, and spirit, a true 'Rockbrook girl.'" — Parent, Rome, GA

Girls' Summer Camp with Hunter/Jumper Riding Program

What is the riding program at Rockbrook Equestrian Camp?

Rockbrook's horseback riding program is built on the American system of forward riding, the same English foundation used by hunter-jumper, eventing, and dressage riders. Campers can ride up to six days a week as part of their regular camp tuition, with mounted lessons in the rings supplemented by the Stable Club for ground-based horsemanship. The emphasis is on safety, fun, and steady skill advancement in the noncompetitive spirit that has defined Rockbrook Camp for Girls since 1921.

Rockbrook horseback riding camp campers mounted in the ring

Who runs the equestrian program and teaches the lessons?

The riding program is directed by Kelsi Peterson, who holds a B.A. in Equine Business Management from St. Andrews Presbyterian College, is Anrc-rated, and brings more than 20 years of A-circuit and horse-camp teaching experience. A team of riding instructors and counselors works alongside her, assigning mounts, groups, and skill levels based on each rider's ability, confidence, and size so every camper gets individual attention.

Beginner rider getting English riding instruction at Rockbrook Camp for Girls

What horses and facilities does the Rockbrook Riding Center offer?

The Rockbrook Riding Center spans more than 40 acres with two barns, 32 stalls, outdoor rings, and a jump course, anchored by a 90' x 180' covered, lighted riding arena with engineered sand-and-fiber footing described as the largest camp covered arena in North Carolina. A herd of 40-plus horses and ponies ranges from seasoned show mounts to gentle beginner ponies, and the barns include heated wash stalls, a tack room, and a feed room.

Rockbrook covered lighted riding arena with engineered sand and fiber footing

How do riders progress from beginner to advanced?

Beginners start with mounted games that teach core riding principles, then advance to posting the trot, cantering, and their first jumps. Intermediate and advanced equestriennes ride gymnastics lines and natural obstacles, while the Stable Club covers grooming, tacking, bathing, feeding, stall care, and horse health management. Riders are grouped by skill so a first-timer and a seasoned competitor can each be challenged appropriately.

What is the specialty one-week Horse Camp?

Rockbrook's specialty Horse Camp is a one-week overnight session immersed entirely in English Hunter/Jumper and Huntseat Equitation instruction, limited to a maximum of 8 girls who have completed 7th through 9th grade. The day centers on two mounted lessons covering strength-and-balance drills, flatwork, equitation, work over rails, and jumping, plus horse care, barn management, and demonstrations from equine professionals, balanced with lake swimming and evening programs. Applicants must show advanced proficiency, including cantering in groups and trotting courses with jumps of at least two feet, and submit an application, an instructor recommendation, and riding videos.

How do families enroll and what are the dates and rates?

Rockbrook is in Brevard, NC 28712 and can be reached at or; full-camp rates cover all activities, off-camp trips, and horseback riding. Published 2026 sessions include the Early Summer Session (June 7-25, $7,000), Second Session (June 28-July 23, $8,550), July Mini sessions ($5,150 each), and the Late Summer Session (July 26-August 9, $5,900), with a refundable $1,000 deposit holding a spot after approval. An American Camp Association-accredited camp with a 1:4 staff-to-camper ratio, Rockbrook serves girls roughly ages 6-16.

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The Solution Section (FAQ)

What is Rockbrook Camp — and how long has it been operating?

Per Rockbrook Camp for Girls: a traditional overnight summer camp for girls located in the mountains of western North Carolina. Established in 1921 — one of the area's oldest sleepaway summer camps. Rockbrook provides multi-week overnight camp sessions for girls ages 6 through 16. Each session accommodates 192 campers.

Per the camp: well known for a diverse program of activities including horseback riding, outdoor adventure, crafts, sports, drama, swimming, and more.

What's the campus like — and what facilities are on-site?

Per Rockbrook Camp: situated on 214 private acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Features:

Traditional log cabin and stone buildings (most original to the sleepaway camp)
Beautiful forests, fields, waterfalls, rock outcroppings
Over 200 acres of land
Rustic wooden cabins with bunk beds for campers
Stone lodges for age-group meetings
Bath houses with private showers and toilets

Equestrian facilities: camp barn + 2 riding rings on the flatter part of camp where 26 horses live every summer.

What's the equestrian camp program — and what kinds of horses?

Per Rockbrook Equestrian Camp: the program combines qualified staff, experienced horses, and excellent facilities to create an atmosphere where campers can advance horseback riding skills, expand horsemanship knowledge, and enjoy riding with friends.

Horse range includes:

Experienced A-circuit show horses
Seasoned beginner ponies
A number of horses from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and Sweet Briar College

Per the camp: all horses are active in equestrian programs throughout the year.

What can my daughter learn at the camp — and how is the riding program structured?

Per Rockbrook Equestrian Camp, the equestrian staff teaches a wide range of riders:

Young beginners play mounted games and learn about their favorite horses
Other beginners may learn to post the trot, canter, or jump
More advanced riders may jump through gymnastics or over natural obstacles

The equestrian director considers skill, confidence, and size in assigning appropriate mounts, riding groups, and instructors. Per the camp: "The overall priorities are safety, fun, and skill advancement."

Do the campers ride every day?

Per Rockbrook Equestrian Camp: girls ride every day except Sunday. Campers can spend two one-hour periods at the barn:

One in a mounted riding lesson
One in Stable Club working with horses (groundwork / horsemanship knowledge)

Who are the staff — and what kind of training do they have?

Per Rockbrook Camp:

Enthusiastic cabin counselors
Highly trained instructors
Directors and full-time staff are educators and professionals who work with children

Per the camp: equestrian staff is qualified to teach a wide range of riders, with skill-confidence-size matching for each camper.

What's the food like at Rockbrook?

Per Rockbrook Camp: "Tasty, balanced meals served family style with cabinmates." Always includes:

A salad bar
A vegetarian option
A PB&J station

What do parents and former campers say — and how do I enroll?

Three voices from the source:

Parent, Rome GA (multi-line camper, now teenager): "Rockbrook is near and dear to my child's heart. She has grown up coming to camp, has been on all three lines, and is now an independent teenager, full of confidence, self esteem, and spirit, a true 'Rockbrook girl.'"

Parent, Charlotte NC: "We love the camp, the programs and especially the staff. My daughter could not have had a better experience anywhere else."

Former Camper, Tallahassee FL: "It's quite true that a spirit of Rockbrook does exist, and it's what brought me back year after year."

To enroll or learn more: Jeff and Sarah Carter (Directors) at 828-884-6151, email office@rockbrookcamp.com. Address: P.O. Box 792, Brevard, North Carolina 28712. Pricing varies by session length and lodging; pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors — confirm current pricing with Rockbrook Camp directly when booking.

Where is Rockbrook Equestrian Camp located?

Rockbrook is located in Brevard, North Carolina 28712, in the heart of a wooded mountain in western North Carolina. The Rockbrook Riding Center sits on more than 40 acres of the camp's property. Families can reach the camp office at 828.884.6151 or office@rockbrookcamp.com.

What riding style does Rockbrook teach?

Rockbrook teaches English riding based on the American system of forward riding, the same foundation used by hunter-jumper, eventing, and dressage riders. The specialty Horse Camp focuses specifically on English Hunter/Jumper and Huntseat Equitation. There is no Western program; the emphasis is on classical English seat, equitation, and jumping.

Do campers need prior riding experience to take part?

No. The regular riding program welcomes everyone from advanced equestriennes with years of experience to girls who have never ridden before. Beginners start with mounted games and core riding principles, while experienced riders work on flatwork, gymnastics, and jumping. Instructors assign mounts and groups by ability, confidence, and size.

How often can campers ride during a session?

Girls can ride up to six days a week as part of their regular camp tuition, with no extra charge for horseback riding. Mounted lessons take place in the rings and covered arena, and campers can also join the Stable Club for ground-based horsemanship. The amount of riding is largely up to each camper's interest and schedule.

What facilities does the Rockbrook Riding Center have?

The Riding Center includes a 90' x 180' covered, lighted arena with engineered sand-and-fiber footing, described as the largest camp covered riding arena in North Carolina. There are two barns with 32 stalls, heated wash stalls, a tack room, and a feed room, plus outdoor rings and a jump course. More than 40 acres of fenced pasture surround the facilities.

Who directs the equestrian program?

The riding program is directed by Kelsi Peterson. She holds a B.A. in Equine Business Management from St. Andrews Presbyterian College, is ANRC-rated, and has more than 20 years of A-circuit and horse-camp teaching experience, including intercollegiate coaching. A team of instructors and counselors teaches alongside her to provide individual attention.

How many horses and ponies does the camp keep?

Rockbrook maintains a herd of more than 40 horses and ponies. They range from experienced show horses for advanced riders to gentle beginner ponies for first-timers. The herd is maintained in partnership with the St. Andrews Presbyterian College equine program and Free Rein therapeutic riding.

What is the Stable Club?

The Stable Club is Rockbrook's ground-based horsemanship program. It teaches campers ground handling, grooming, tacking, bathing, feeding, stall care, and horse health management. It complements mounted lessons so girls learn the full picture of caring for and working with horses, not just riding them.

What is the specialty one-week Horse Camp?

The specialty Horse Camp is a one-week overnight session in which campers spend all of their activity time fully immersed at the Rockbrook Riding Center. It focuses on English Hunter/Jumper and Huntseat Equitation, with two mounted lessons a day plus horse care and barn management. Enrollment is limited to a maximum of 8 girls who have completed 7th through 9th grade.

What are the requirements to enroll in the specialty Horse Camp?

The specialty Horse Camp requires advanced riding proficiency. Applicants must be able to walk, trot, and canter in groups, trot courses with jumps of at least two feet, and understand posting diagonals and canter leads, with a minimum of about three years of professional lessons. Enrollment requires an online application, a riding instructor's recommendation letter, and submission of riding videos.

What does a typical day look like at the Horse Camp?

Horse Camp days center on two mounted riding lessons that cover strength-and-balance drills, flatwork, equitation, work over rails, and jumping. Campers also receive horse-care and barn-management instruction and watch demonstrations from equine professionals. The day is balanced with lake swimming, evening programs, and communal dining shared with the rest of camp.

How old do girls have to be to attend Rockbrook?

Rockbrook is a traditional overnight summer camp for girls roughly ages 6 to 16, spanning grades from kindergarten through 10th depending on the session. Different sessions have different grade ranges; for example, the July Mini sessions serve grades K through 6th, while the longer sessions extend through 10th grade. The specialty Horse Camp is limited to girls who have completed 7th through 9th grade.

What are the 2026 session dates and rates?

Published 2026 sessions include the Early Summer Session (June 7-25, $7,000), the Second Session (June 28-July 23, $8,550), July Mini 1 (June 28-July 9, $5,150), July Mini 2 (July 12-23, $5,150), and the Late Summer Session (July 26-August 9, $5,900). These rates cover all camp activities, off-camp trips, and horseback riding. A refundable $1,000 deposit holds a spot after an application is approved.

Is horseback riding included in the cost or an extra fee?

Horseback riding is included in the standard camp tuition at no additional charge. The published rates are described as the complete cost covering all activities, off-camp trips, and horseback riding. This means campers can ride up to six days a week without any add-on fee.

Is Rockbrook an accredited camp?

Yes. Rockbrook Camp for Girls is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), meaning it meets nearly 300 industry-accepted best-practice standards. As an ACA-accredited camp it undergoes regular on-site review of its operations, health and safety practices, hiring procedures, and program design. The camp also maintains a 1:4 staff-to-camper ratio.

How long has Rockbrook been operating?

Rockbrook was established in 1921 and has operated for more than 100 years, making it one of the area's oldest summer camps. It is a traditional overnight summer camp for girls in the mountains of western North Carolina. Its longevity reflects a consistent philosophy of recreation, adventure, creativity, friendship, and fun.

What is the riding atmosphere like at Rockbrook?

All Rockbrook activities, including riding, take place in a friendly, noncompetitive environment that encourages every girl to do her best without the fear of failure. The riding program prioritizes safety, fun, and skill advancement over competition. Girls deepen their horsemanship knowledge and enjoy riding alongside friends rather than chasing ribbons.