Finding Beauty in God's Work...

Cassidy Agasutci, 7, left, of Fenwick and Braden Marr, 6, of Welland are two of the children involved in camp and riding lessons at Grandview Farms in Fenwick

After almost 23 years in the horse business, John Donker still finds awe “in God’s creation.”

John and his wife, Barb, own Grandview Farms in Fenwick. Grandview offers year round riding lessons and seasonal day and overnight camps for children between 6 and 15.

John says he loves working with horses and being connected with nature.

“I think the highlight (of his business) is just being a part of nature and God’s creation,” he says. And he is always reminded of the beauty of life with the birth of each new horse on their farm.

“You know what is really amazing to me? When a foal is born in the summer time; the foal is born with a short coat of hair. When a foal is born in the winter time; the foal is born with a long coat of hair,” he explains. “But the womb is always the same temperature, so how do they know? I think that is absolutely amazing. You can really see God’s handiwork there because those things just don’t happen by chance. I think that’s pretty cool.”

Barb agrees that one of the best things about running Grandview is the chance to regularly connect with nature. She also treasures the relationships created with campers.

“The best part of camp for me is probably getting to know the girls and spending time outside,” she says. “It’s nice to have a job where I can be outside in the summer time. And it’s nice to just have fun with the girls.”

Barb says it great to watch the children form their own relationship with nature and animals during their time at camp.

“It’s nice for kids to be around animals. It teaches them to be kind to animals and how to take care of them. Especially the girls because they seem to really bond with the horses. It’s a good hobby.”

Grandview campers get the chance not only to bond with horses, but with new friends.

“We’ll do camp fires and hay rides. We have a swimming pool and a media room in case it’s raining. We do scavenger hunts, crafts and talent shows,” Barb says. “And we even have a movie night where we actually take the campers out to the show. They really like that.”

Barb says not only is the camp fun, but it can also be therapeutic for many of the children.

“We’ve had campers come from FACS and other Children’s Aid Societies from different areas,” she says. “And for some of the kids it is therapeutic; especially if they are coming from the city. They’re not used to animals at all, and it’s nice for them.”



John says it can be “very emotional” to see children come to camp, that may not have been able to do so without some help from FACS.

“To see children that normally don’t have the opportunity to participate (in horse programs) is great.”

“
For a lot of them, if it’s something they really enjoy and are good at, you can see it’s a really good thing for them. And then they bond with the horses,” says Barb.

Many of the children love the horses and camp so much that they don’t want to leave at the end of the week.

“
It depends on the child,” Barb says. “For some a week is enough, but for others a week is too short. Sometimes they don’t want to go at the end and they start to linger. Especially if they’re from the city because it is such a different experience for them.”

Many of the campers come back year after year, and some even end up becoming camp counsellors.

“There are some who have come for years. They started when they were six or seven and they go right up to 14 or 15. Most of the counsellors that we have were originally boarders here and one was an original camper,” Barb says. “As the girls get bigger they start helping out a little bit and it’s a nice way to have counsellors join us.”

John says even their daughter became involved with the family business.

“Our youngest
daughter really took to horses right from the age of seven and then now to watch her is great. She has a career here giving lessons and being a coach. So it’s rewarding to watch that. We hope to keep the farm in the family for years to come.”

Grandview offers camps during summer, March and Christmas, but riding lessons are offered all year round.

Barb says a lot of children say they want a horse, but parents should let them attend a camp or take a few lessons before taking on the commitment of raising one.

“They will say they want a horse, or want lessons and camp is a good way to find out if that’s really something they want to pursue. We get a lot of beginners and camp is a great way to introduce them to horses. It’s a good way to find out if they truly are interested in horses.”

John says he loves the opportunities Grandview has given his own children, as well as campers.

“Just watching the kids grow up over the years on the farm has been amazing. It has been good for them because they all had to help with chores and be involved with nature and the animals. It’s enjoyable work and it’s a really good family life.”

Grandview Farms is located at 570 Highway 20 in Fenwick. Day camps run Monday to Friday from 9-4 and overnight camps begin Monday 9am- Friday 4pm. For a full list of dates available and fees visit
www.grandviewhorsecamp.com or call 905-892-6623. Registration is now taking place for all camps and lessons.

Published in Niagara Farmer's Monthly - May 2011


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