Rollestone Farm Stud & Livery

Hi all

I want to take a career break in 2009 to work at a summer camp in america, the BUNAC people say best way to get accepted is to have a skill and a qualification in it. I have been looking at distance learning courses for BHS stage 1, i was wondering if anyone has done this before and can let me know what to expect? Work pay £150 towards college courses which is good so i will have to see if this qualifies

Hi! Have done Stage 1 but not via distance learning. It's a straightforward exam, I think as a horse owner you will know most of the syllabus. I didn't do much prep for it - just two or three hours with an instructor, to go over doing things the BHS way. Since work may pay for your training I guess you should take advantage of it - otherwise I'd say take a look at the syllabus (on BHS website), perhaps give this exam a go without training (it is really not that hard) and then do distance learning training for Stage 2??

Anyway great idea about summer camp - I know several people who have done this (two with BUNAC), three have gone to Camp Rimrock (one I work with) so basically if you want any info let me know!!

Ahhh excellent thanks Lauren! I looked at the syllabus, i think i have most of it covered except bandaging a tail and im not so good at feed lol so maybe i will do the course just to be safe, i might go budleigh salterton or somewhere like that to make sure im BHS standard.
Did your friends enjoy working at camp, are there any down sides to it? I want to do some volunteer stuff next year at a camp in Devon for disadvantaged children, i think that will help too

That sounds a good idea to go to Budleigh. Tail bandages are not so difficult when you know how and are able to practice practice practice!!
I have also got a great formula for feeding (given to me by instructor) which is easier to learn than the ones that they have in the books. Let me know if you want it. And if you want to buy a Stage 1 book then the one by Hazel Reed is best.

All friends enjoyed camp, one has been back every year for four years, I think one of the others has been twice. None of them have ever mentioned anything bad about camp! Having worked at a day camp myself I'd say going home at the end of the day is a godsend and not doing this could be a down-side to holiday camps but I guess it is part and parcel of the deal!!!!! When I was looking for camp work near Exeter I found http://www.lasercamp.co.uk/ may interest you.