June 15, 2016

Madi Williams
mwilliams@blackfordcounty.org
(765) 348-3411
For Immediate Release

High Riding Camp continues growth for sixth year

HARTFORD CITY For the sixth year, local students are attending High Riding
Art and Equestrian Camp where they will be immersed in summer camp activities.
From June 6-10 the camp took place at the Hurley-McCammon Farm and from June
13-17 will be at Blackford High School.
Each year the camp has continued to grow. This years camp has nearly
doubled in attendance with 28 campers, 16 Ball State University student instructors,
and 20 other adult volunteers. Campers attend High Riding at no cost and receive a
lunch from the Blackford High School cafeteria each day.
The first week of camp at the Hurley-McCammon Farm campers participated
in a range of activities that included art, science, sports, and horseback riding. The
horses, riding assistants, and trainers are provided by Schuller Stables from Marion,
Ind.
When the camp moves to Blackford High School, the campers will continue
many of the activities in addition to learning cooking skills.
Ball State has provided a mobile classroom for campers to use during both
weeks of camp. In the mobile classroom they participate in digital activities like
watching movies or playing computer games.
Also this year at High Riding, there is an ongoing research study through Ball
State. The study will explore the effects that this kind of experience has on

undergraduate college students. The researchers use cameras to document the

interactions between the college students and campers.
Ball State students from many different majors participate in High Riding as
part of an Immersive Learning course. They create and lead the lessons and
activities for the campers.
Dr. Ruth Jefferson, Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education
at Ball State and leader of the Immersive Learning course, is director of the camp.
She has been the catalyst behind the success of High Riding. For the past three
years, Sam Keen, who graduated with a Special Education Degree from Ball State,
has been Dr. Jeffersons assistant for the camp.
This kind of camp requires support in many forms to allow campers to attend
at no cost. Funds were provided by Discovery Womens Group from Ball State;
Provosts Entrepreneurial and Immersive Learning Grant from Ball State; Ball State
University FoundationAutism Grant; and the Blackford County Community
Foundation. Volunteers and facilities were provided through the Hurley/McCammon
family, Blackford County Schools, Kitchen Kemists, and Schuller Stables.