4-H summer camp introduces youth to wild horses, natural resource careers Aug. 6-8

May 6, 2026
By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Four young people pet the front of a brown horse while looking at the instructor do something with the horse's tail or behind — Range and Mustang Camp will offer youth an opportunity to learn about wild horse health and management.

Young people ages 9 to 18 invited to UC Range and Mustang Camp in Modoc National Forest

Would wild horses drag the attention of teenagers away from their phones? University educators are offering 4-H summer camps for youths age 9 to 18 to experience the outdoors while learning about wild horse management and careers in natural resources.

To educate young people about healthy lands and healthy horses, Utah State University and University of California Cooperative Extension have developed mustang camps across the United States. The 4-H camps are funded through a U.S. Bureau of Land Management grant.

“Research shows that learning outside of the classroom is a great way for young people to grow their interests and learn to take care of the natural world and protect it for the future,” said California camp organizer Laura Snell, UC Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resources advisor.

For the third year of the Northern California camp, UC Cooperative Extension is partnering with the CalPac section of the Society for Range Management to expand the Mustang Camp into a three-day, two-night Range and Mustang Camp, Aug. 6-8, 2026. It will be held in Modoc National Forest in the northeast corner of California.

Range and Mustang Camps will also be hosted in Idaho, Utah, Colorado and Nevada with more locations added throughout the year. Visit https://extension.usu.edu/utah4h/events/mustang-camp to learn about all Mustang Camps offered this year.

Sixteen teenagers stand in semi-circle around a man speaking on a large expanse of grassy rangeland — Campers will learn about rangeland habitat for wild horses and burros.

Curriculum, materials designed for two age groups

“We split the camp into two groups for learning – an introduction and advanced group,” Snell said.

The curriculum and educational materials are designed for two age groups – 11 to 13 and 14 to 18. Both groups will learn about managing public lands, rangelands, wild horses and burros. Campers will be invited to:

Take a deeper look at the relationship between healthy lands and healthy horses
Participate in the Mustang Camp curriculum to learn about managing wild horses on the range and in holding facilities
Get close-up experience at a Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse Facility and see wild horses out on rangelands

“New this year, the youth will learn about natural resource career opportunities such as forestry, soils and hydrology,” Snell added.

Six kids sit or stand around a table topped with pine cones and small plastic toy cows, horses and trees — Hands-on activities teach campers about land management.

Participants to enjoy camp experiences in Modoc National Forest

“We are moving camp to Blue Lake Camp in the Modoc National Forest,” Snell said. “This new location allows the young people to participate in traditional camp experiences such as swimming, canoeing and toasting s’mores - along with making lifetime camp memories.”

Anyone aged 9 to 18 is eligible.

Camp capacity is limited to 25 youths. Cost is $125 per camper and includes all meals from lunch on Thursday, Aug. 6, to lunch on Saturday, Aug. 8. Housing will be in bunk houses. Participants should bring a sleeping bag or bedding (e.g., sheets, pillow, blanket).

For anyone who is not already a 4-H member, the camp fees will cover 4-H registration for the 2026-27 program year. Register online by June 1 at https://link.ucanr.edu/mustangcamp2026.

For more information, please contact Laura Snell at lksnell@ucanr.edu or (530) 233-6400.