Families seeking an enriching and adventure-filled summer for their children can register now for RanchLife 101 at Berkshire HorseWorks in Richmond, MA.
Returning for its fifth season, this unique six-week program gives kids ages 5–12 an immersive experience on two private ranches, combining outdoor exploration and hands-on interaction with rescued horses and donkeys. RanchLife 101 will be split into two, two-day units focusing on life skill development, horsemanship, team building and nature-centric crafts.
This year, the program expands to a second property to support growth, adds new enrichment components, and has expanded their herd of rescued horses to accommodate more participants.
What’s New for Summer 2026
- An expanded program and longer day, yet same affordable pricing: Ranch Life 101 runs for six weeks, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM, Monday–Thursday. Program hours have been extended to maximize time for friendship-building, skill acquisition, and ranch exploration, while tuition remains unchanged to improve accessibility.
- Mindfulness and literacy supports: New offerings include mindfulness coaching and literacy support through Horse Powered Reading (HPR) and a Book Club on the Ranch.
- Integrated enrichment: Yoga, art, and music are integrated into daily activities to foster creativity and well-being.
- EMIT Leadership Certification: The new Ranch Life 101 Leadership Track — Equine Mentors in Training (EMIT) — provides structured leadership development and opportunities for youth to serve as peer mentors.
- Second property expansion: Berkshire HorseWorks has expanded to a second property to increase program capacity, add more diversified trails for nature walks, and deepen development, allowing more families in the Berkshires to participate.
- Expanded herd: The herd has grown to 11 horses (6 large, 5 small) to support program growth and reflect the diversity of participants and capabilities.
- Guest specialists: A diverse lineup of mindfulness coaches, naturalists, artists, and musicians will join sessions to enrich learning experiences.
- Accessibility and scholarships: The program continues to offer scholarships and sliding-scale pricing, with scholarships supported by the Berkshire Taconic Foundation and by individual donors to ensure broader access.
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Program Details
Ranch Life 101 is built around two, two-day units that emphasize life skills, horsemanship, teamwork, and nature-centric crafts. The format blends hands-on horse interactions (ground-based and mounted) with meaningful activities designed to transfer skills beyond the ranch.
Activities Include:
- Eagala Model equine-assisted experiences
- trail walking
- yoga
- arts and crafts
- ranch chores
- mindfulness and literacy support (HPR/Book Club)
- and opportunities to connect with rescued horses and donkeys.
The program is co-facilitated by early education specialist Chris Ciepiela and Berkshire HorseWorks founder and executive director Hayley Sumner.
Scholarships and sliding-scale pricing are available; specific eligibility for community scholarships is supported through partnerships with organizations like Berkshire Taconic Foundation.
If you live in Adams, Becket, Cheshire, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Savoy, Washington, or Windsor, you may be eligible for scholarship assistance through newly awarded grant funding. Limited scholarship spots are available to help cover tuition costs. If you are seeking financial support, please inquire to learn more about eligibility.
Schedule and Tuition (Summer 2026)
- Duration: Six weeks, June 30 – August 7, 2026
- Days and hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM
- Daily rate: $395
- Multi-week pricing (savings reflect longer commitments):
- Weekly rate: $1,085 (savings of $495)
- Two weeks: $1,970 (savings of $200)
- Three weeks: $2,855 (savings of $400)
- All six weeks: $5,110 (savings of $1,400)
- Sponsorship: For every full tuition paid, Berkshire HorseWorks sponsors an at-risk youth, reinforcing the nonprofit’s mission to provide therapeutic and educational experiences.
- Scholarships: Sliding scales and sibling discounts available upon request.
What to Expect Each Day
- A balanced, engaging mix of active ranch time and structured learning
- Hands-on interaction with a growing herd of rescued horses and donkeys
- A focus on building trust, confidence, patience, teamwork, and communication
- Snack breaks provided; families are asked to pack a lunch (a 45-minute lunch break has been added this year)
Registration and Scholarships
Visit Berkshire HorseWorks or contact the team at info@berkshirehorseworks.com. For direct inquiries, call 413-698-3700.
Scholarships and sliding scales: Available; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Be sure to inquire early, as spots are limited.
Community scholarships: Available for eligible children in Becket, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington, Windsor, Cheshire, and Savoy, supported through Berkshire Taconic Foundation.
Berkshire HorseWorks, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has been a leader in equine-assisted therapy and learning for over 12 years, serving more than 4,200 at-risk youth, veterans, families, and individuals facing mental health challenges across New England and New York. Their expansion into educational programming, including Horse Powered Reading and Book Club curriculums, continues to create meaningful opportunities for children and families.
For more information or to register, visit Berkshire HorseWorks. To inquire about scholarships, call 413-698-3700 or email info@berkshirehorseworks.com
