by Jennifer Starr, for The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Twelve children landed at the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono Tuesday morning (July 7) to begin the five-day Harness Horse Youth Foundation Camp, and immediately set to work.

HHYF photo

Daniele Cragle of Old Forge, Pa., with the backbone of the camp, Sweet Karen.

The campers are working hands-on with the HHYF’s stable of Trottingbred horses. Among the topics they are learning are care and grooming, equipment, conformation, lameness, history, stable management, and equine careers.

During the week, the campers enjoy several other events, including dinner at Pacers Clubhouse and a night watching the live Pocono races; as well as a fun night bowling.

The children, eleven girls and one boy, are from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maine.

On Saturday, all 12 campers will compete in races accompanied by Pocono drivers. Post time for the races is 5:30 p.m., with live harness racing immediately following.

The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. The Foundation was established in 1976 and its programs include interactive learning experiences with these versatile animals, scholarship programs and educational materials. For more information on opportunities through HHYF and its mission, go to www.hhyf.org.