Horseback riding facilities may be added or discontinued during the year based on compliance with our council’s list of safety checkpoints and insurance requirements. Check the council Web site for the most current list of approved facilities.

As per Safety-Wise, trail riding will only be allowed based on the ability of the least experienced rider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Girl Scouts U.S.A. give an age/grade minimum for horseback riding?
A: Due to the girls’ physical size and maturity level, we do not recommend horseback riding for girls younger than Junior Girl Scouts. Even though some Brownies may be experienced riders, attending as a Brownie group is not recommended by Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast.   
Q: What paperwork do I need?
A: Each rider MUST have a signed Girl Scout Horseback Riding Waiver from a parent or guardian. This protects you, the ranch, and Girl Scouts.   Troop leaders should keep one copy of the waiver until after the riding session is done in case of an accident.  In addition, some stables may require an additional waiver from their particular stable. 
Q: Can we use other stables?
A: Each listed stable has an annual facility inspection, follows Safety-Wise standards, and has appropriate insurance for riders. Other local stables have chosen not to be inspected and approved. Therefore, you can only use the listed stables when doing Girl Scout activities even if you personally use a different stable for your family riding.
Q: If I have more questions or suggestions, who do I contact?
A: Specific information about the riding program should be directed to the individual ranches. If you have Girl Scout questions about horseback riding, call Lori Kasun at (262) 544-8777 ext. 114 or lkasun@gswise.org

Facilities List

Camp Anokijig
Location: W5639 Anokijig Lane, Plymouth WI 53073
Phone: (920) 893-0782 or (800) 741-6931
Season: May - November
Experience Required: Best suited for Junior through Senior Girl Scouts; trail rides are available for any skill level. Hour-long rides are adjusted to match the least skilled rider present. All rides include basic instruction and rider evaluation prior to departing on the trail.
Riding Style: Western saddle riding
Award Programs: Horse Fan Badge, Horse Rider Badge, Horse Sense Interest Project Patch
Program Description: Just one hour north of Milwaukee nestled on 357 acres of beautiful Kettle Moraine Forest surrounding Little Elkhart Lake. The Broken Circle-A Ranch, with its stable of 45 horses, offers trail rides. Led by a minimum of one experienced Anokijig wrangler for every four riders, rides are offered May through November by appointment. Group lessons are available to help complete patch and badge requirements.
Other Information: Anokijig is a full-service camp offering many additional opportunities for a troop outing.  Picnic areas, meals, crafts, archery, boating, or even a trip around the lake in our 34’ Voyager canoes (seats up to 20) are all possibilities. Horse drawn hayrides are also available. Contact the camp office for more information on developing a great outing.

Fantasy Hills Ranch, Ltd.
Location: 4978 Town Hall Road; Delavan (45 minutes southwest of Milwaukee)
Phone: (262) 728-1773
Season: Year-round by appointment
Experience Required: Best suited for Junior through Senior Girl Scouts.
Riding Style: Western saddle riding
Award Programs: Horse Fan Badge, Horse Rider Badge, Horse Sense Interest Project Patch
Program Description: Opens daily at 9 a.m. and schedule on the hour. The ride is a guided 50-minute activity.  They will undertake pre-ride instruction. A clinic time is offered for badge work and provides a campfire at no charge. Ranch personnel will personalize the ride for your skill level.
Other Information: Hay/sleigh rides, picnic, and campfire areas. Additional/advanced riding lessons can be arranged, which can be applied to other earned awards. Safety ratio: one staff member for every five riders. Web site: www.fantasyhillsranch.com

Phantom Ranch Bible Camp
Location: W309 S10910 Hwy. I, Mukwonago, WI 53149
Phone: Contact Krista at (262) 363-6940 or krista@phantomranch.org
Season: June - August weekdays, September - May weekends
Experience Required: Junior through Senior Girl Scouts
Riding Style: Western saddle riding
Award Programs: Horse Fan Badge, Horse Rider Badge, Horse Sense Interest Project Patch
Program Description: There is 111 acres of private land with trails to accommodate up to 16 riders at a time. Horsemanship clinics, riding lessons (Western and English), and hour-long guided trail rides are provided. Professional staff is flexible and will adapt to your group’s needs.
Other Information: Canoeing, kayaking, lake property for fishing and swimming, hiking, air soft target range, archery target range, professional nine-hole disc golf course, and four big ball fields (including a soccer field and a baseball field with a dugout) are also available. Cabins, tepees, and camping sites are available for overnights.

Whispering Willow Farm
Location: 21134 West 7 Mile Road, Franksville, WI 53126
Phone: (262) 895-6978 or whisperingwillowfarm@yahoo.com
Season: Year-round by appointment
Experience Required: No experience necessary. Great as a first-time event, perfect for Junior through Senior Girl Scouts.
Riding Style: Balanced seat: Accommodating both English and Western
Award Programs: Horse Fan Badge, Horse Rider Badge, Horse Sense Interest Project Patch, CHA Levels Program, CHA Certification Skills Program
Program Description: Each award program is 2+ hours in length. Each session will include: lecture, video, demonstration, game, and hands-on activities. Each activity will be progressive skill-building aligned with the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Level Standards, with SAFETY being foremost. The horses will be assigned based on each rider’s ability. The Master Instructor is certified through the CHA and is also a Certified CHA Clinician, Multi-State and Breed Carded Judge and Certified in Equine Management.
Other Information: Picnic and campfire area. Trail rides arranged in advance after the Horse Rider Badge is earned. Additional riding lessons, clinics and horse shows are available by appointment. A detailed program description can be provided. References furnished upon request.  Web site: www.geocities.com/whisperingwillowfarm

Wilderness Pursuit Horseback Adventures
Location:  N5773 Rosewood Avenue, Neillsville, WI  
Phone: Contact Lynette at (877) 896-4221 or wpwpw@tds.net
Season: May - October
Experience Required: Because it is a weekend event, it is better suited for girls who have ridden at least once before.   Perfect for Junior through Senior Girl Scouts.
Riding Style: Western riding
Award Programs: Horse Fan Badge, Horse Rider Badge, Horse Sense Interest Project Patch Program Description: Offering extended Overnight Horse Camping on 133,000 acres of Clark County Forest to ride on wonderful, gentle horses.  All meals, tents, camping gear, and horse included. All horseback adventures can be custom built to suit your needs. 
Other Information: Mouth-watering steak dinners with all the fixins; cowboy breakfasts; scrumptious desserts; cozy, log-sided sleeping cabins; crackling campfires; wildlife sightings including deer, turkey and more!

YMCA Camp Minikani Equestrian Center
Location: 860 Amy Belle Lake Road Hubertus, WI 53033
Phone: (262) 251-9080
Season: Year-round
Experience Required: Riders need to be 10 years or older. No experience necessary.
Riding Style: English and Western riding
Award Programs: Horse Fan Badge, Horse Rider Badge, Horse Sense Interest Project Patch.
Program Description: New state-of-the-art winterized stable with indoor and outdoor riding arenas and trails. Certified staff with over 30 years experience in all riding disciplines.
Other Information: Camp Minikani also provides individual and group riding lessons, day and overnight accommodations with other camping/team building facilities available for group rental.