High Hopes provides Camp Harkness campers a new experience

July 06--WATERFORD -- A woman who appears to be in her late teens or early 20s tentatively mounts a horse in a small fenced in space nestled in the pastoral scenery of Camp Harkness.

"You look like a natural!" shouts United Cerebral Palsy camp counselor Patrick Aspinwall.

UCP was founded to serve those with cerebral palsy but now serves people with a variety of disabilities.

UCP is one of numerous organizations that utilize Camp Harkness each summer to provide a vacation-like experience for campers with disabilities.

And what would summer camp be without horseback riding?

Old Lyme-based nonprofit High Hopes has been offering horseback riding to the various camps for people with disabilities on the Camp Harkness property for four years, according to High Hopes Communications Manager Susan Shulman.

Most campers get to ride once or twice during their stay. Those not able to ride learn about horse and pony grooming.

High Hopes Executive Director Kitty Stalsburg said riding can help with ambulatory issues as well as confidence. Riding a horse moves a person's body similar to how walking does.

She mentioned also the emotional benefit of riding. She recalled that a woman who had been afraid of riding a horse was later proud of herself for staying on for the whole lesson.

UCP counselors Will Keating and Rebecca Salustri commented that a lot of campers live in assisted living where they don't have a lot of autonomy and that they watch a lot of television.

Salustri described High Hopes as "an exciting way for them to experience something new."

Campers remember their experiences with the horses and ponies year after year. UCP camper Edwin Williams recalled riding during camp last year.

"It was nice, very nice," he said.

Twitter: @TessTownsend

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