By Sue Gerard

This family resort has withstood the test of time.  Rocking Horse Ranch has been around since 1958.  It was originally established by Toolie and Gloria Turk who were from NewYork City but had a love of horses.  They wanted to create a resort that was a little less “rustic” than your typical dude ranch of the day, and more family friendly.  They converted one of the oldest hotels in Ulster County New York in a town called Highland.  They worked on the property during the week and catered to guests on the weekends.  It was the first and only ranch in the country to have an indoor and outdoor pool, water skiing, snow skiing, a nightclub and dozens of other activities in their facility.

After 10 years, business was booming and improvements were continually made to better satisfy guests.  Then tragedy struck in January 1971.  The Turks life’s work and dreams went up in flames during a New Year’s weekend fire.  All the guests were safe, but only the brick walls and chimney were left standing.  They decided to rebuild and made it bigger and better than before.  Now it truly was “their” structure and they have been thriving ever since.

I personally have been to this ranch twice in the winter months.  It was highly recommended by a friend who had taken her family there in both the summer and winter.  It is just under a 3 hour drive from Brick, so it’s not a bad ride to get there.  They even provide free pickup service from the Poughkeepsie Train Station or Stewart Airport if that’s your preferred method of travel.

I decided to go to Rocking Horse Ranch the first time in February 2009 after researching prices to take my kids skiing for the first time.  They were only 4, 6 and 8 so I needed to get each of them lessons and we all needed ski rentals.  Without even staying over anywhere, I was floored by the cost.  I looked into Rocking Horse Ranch and they were offering a special price the week before President’s Weekend.  Although I had to pull the kids out of school, we were able to book 3 days and 2 nights with them for not too much more than one afternoon at a Pocono based ski resort!

We had so much fun that we decided to try and go back about every other year, but we couldn’t stay away and went again this year!  The resort allows you to arrive as early as you’d like and use their facility even if you can’t check into your room.  They also let you stay as late as you’d like on your last day.  We got up early and arrived at 10:00am which is when the ski slopes open up.  My kids were so excited to try this new sport!  When we first arrived, our initial reaction to the size of their hills was disappointment.  However, once we realized the two of us hadn’t been on a ski slope for over 10 years, the hill seemed much bigger and more manageable!  And… it was so perfect for the kids.

As long as the temperatures remain low enough, RHR has 100% snow making ability.  They have a ski rental room where you fill out a form your first day with a release and all your pertinent information.  That form gets filed during your stay so all you have to do is give them your name and they pull out the right size boots and skis for you each time.  You get to know the staff very quickly while you are there since it is a very personal experience.  There is a bunny hill to learn on (they call it the “never ever area”) with instructors right there to help you learn how to snowplow and turn and use the rope lifts.  After one morning of lessons my boys were going half way up “the big hill” and by the second day they were going all the way to the top and skiing down by themselves.  You can ski from 10am to 4pm daily.

All your meals at Rocking Horse Ranch are included in the price of your stay.  On your first day, you don’t get lunch so prepare ahead for that if you plan to arrive early like we did.  We packed a lunch and ate it in the lobby which has many inviting couches, seats and tables, a bar and a fireplace.  There is also a side room (called the Round-up Room) with more seating, a big table and a TV.  That room has hot chocolate and coffee available with free food such as pound cake, cookies, brownies, etc.  There is also free At the dining room, you are seated with other guests at tables of 8 or 10.  The Turks wanted to set it up this way so that guests had a chance to mingle and get to know each other.  Breakfast and lunch are buffet style and there is a great variety to choose from.  Dinner is ordered from a menu of about 5 appetizer choices and 5 dinner choices.  They wanted to avoid a buffet style at every meal and give the guests the chance to “be served.”

Guests come mainly from Long Island, New York City, Westchester, north and central New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.  The general demographics of their average guest family has kids that range in age from 2 to 13.  They do not charge for children under age 4.  They have a supervised day camp and nursery for the youngest guests if you care to take advantage of that, and have activities for the tweens and teens too!  There is a Wii room where you can play wii games for free, as well as an arcade room with various video games and a ping pong table.  Every evening they have entertainment.  The ranch scouts for their entertainment in New York City as well as via the internet and by holding trial runs at the ranch.  A musical guest generally starts off and the headliner is either a magician, ventriloquist, juggler, circus act, comedian or general family entertainer!  All the acts we’ve seen were great and fun for the whole family.  We made sure we didn’t miss any of them while we were there.

Also during the winter months they offer night snow tubing from 7-9:30, weather permitting.  At the base of the run they have a bonfire where you can keep warm and provide marshmallows for roasting after a frosty ride!  By the end of the day, the tubing trail gets slick so the rides are fun and fast!  Another activity you don’t want to miss!

Although we’ve only been there in the winter, their busiest season begins at the end of June when school lets out and runs through Labor Day.  They are always at full capacity with 120 rooms booked solid.  They have a main lodge and a detached lodge called the Oklahoma Building.  The main lodge has 2 room sizes which can accommodate up to 4 people, or up to 6 people.  Bunk beds are provided in the larger rooms and some even connect with other rooms if you are staying with other families.  Oklahoma rooms are less expensive but only hold up to 2 people, or up to 6 people.  More rooms are expected to be built in coming years.

In the summer, the activities are endless.  They have a lake on site.  They provide waterskiing rides where you are taken around the lake 3 times and have a bar on the side of the boat to hold onto which is easier than attempting to get up when pulled by a rope.  There is no age limit; you just need to know how to swim.  They also have banana boat rides where you have up to 10 people straddling a big banana boat that is pulled by a ski boat.  For those that want a more serene ride, you can go kayaking or get on a paddle boat and ride around the lake.

There is catch and release fishing for fresh water bass.  You can play miniature golf, tennis, horseshoes, bocce ball and shuffle board.  There is both organized and “pick up” play for basketball, volleyball and softball.  For the adult crowds, there is “beer” softball and “beer” volleyball activities which are always a hoot.  There is the outdoor pool to utilize in the summer, as well as the indoor pool all year round.  You feel like you are on a campus with something to do at every turn.

Of course, we can’t forget about the horses.  There is horseback riding available every day.  They have 4 trail rides times during the week and 6 on the weekends.  There are 3 levels of rides including beginners, novice and advanced.  The beginner trail rides are the most popular and they have many wranglers along the trails making sure everyone has control of their horses.  You walk along the wooded trails at that level.  The novice riders do get to trot a little.  If you don’t have the skills to maintain proper control of your horse, then they will take you over to the beginner riders.  The advanced riders get to canter (gallop) with the horses along the trails.  The saddles are western so you have to be comfortable in that style.  I rode horses as a young girl but learned English so I was actually dropped down to novice when I was told I wasn’t keeping my but in the saddle!  I’m used to being up on my heels and posting!  All trail rides take about an hour and you must be 7 years old to ride.

If you have a younger child 6 or under, don’t worry, they have pony rides!  You can take your child over to the small area in the morning from 9:30-12:30 or after lunch between 2 and 3pm.  A staff member will walk your child around on a pony and you can ride as much and as often as you want.  Horse drawn hay rides are also available throughout the day.  They pick you up by the tennis courts and take you through the woods for a short ride.

Other activities which are available year round include the fun barn and rifle range.  The rifle range includes a shooting gallery and indoor archery.  The rifles shoot at an array of black light targets with air powered BB’s.  The fun barn is an indoor facility off by itself that’s great to visit as its own activity or a filler in between other events you are planning in your day.  There is a foam factory with interactive soft play with 10 air powered cannons, a climbing wall, a moon bounce, volleyball net and ping pong tables.  My kids love to go there.

There are activities and special events planned for each and every day.  These may include such things as riding demonstrations, tour of the stables, sports trivia, bingo, character lunches in the dining room, shoot out contest, scavenger hunts, horse betting, karaoke, arts & crafts, line dancing, etc, etc.  A schedule is available when you check in or can be picked up at any time at the front desk during your stay.

Don’t forget to take some time out for yourself.  Relax, rejuvenate and refresh yourself at the massage and facial center.  These services are not included in the price but rates are competitive.  There is also a fully equipped exercise room and men and women sauna rooms to enjoy.

New in 2009 is the Big Splash Indoor Water Park.  It was an expansion to the indoor pool area and now includes interactive fountains and dumping buckets, twin slides for toddlers, a water walk challenge with cargo netting, mini geysers and a 230 foot giant waterslide.

Don’t forget to visit their Gift Shoppe located right in the lobby.  I love to get Christmas tree ornaments from our vacations and they have a few on hand.  It’s always nice to go home with a souvenir so you can be reminded of the wonderful stay you had at Rocking Horse Ranch!

Over the next 5 years, they are planning to add on about 30 more rooms, increase the size of their dining room (and possibly have the option of eating at your own table instead of with other guests), provide a public meeting space, add on to their new indoor water slides and change their ski rope lifts to a magic carpet lift.  They are constantly looking for ways to attract and maintain their guests as well as keep them happy while they are there.  We sure were happy every time we went and are looking forward to our next visit!

Rocking Horse Ranch is located at 600 Route 44/45 Highland, NY 12528.  You can contact them at 1-800-647-2624 or visit their website at www.rockinghorseranch.com. There is a lot of information on the site and rates are posted for various seasons.  I also suggest signing up for their email list so you can take advantage of promotions and specials.

By Tricia Berwick

Dr. Michael Bleiman wishes he could go back.   The pediatrician from Southern Ocean County Hospital in Stafford wants to return to Haiti.
 
“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about my experience there,” reflects Dr. Bleiman, who spent almost two weeks on a mission to support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.  “I would go back in a minute if I could.  When I was offered the chance to help, it was an easy decision to make.”

 After a powerful earthquake shook the small Caribbean nation on January 12, Dr. Bleiman was drawn to the media coverage of the devastation and felt compelled to use his training as a doctor to help as many victims as possible.  Along with a team of physicians and nurses from Meridian Health, Dr. Bleiman traveled as a member of a partnership with the CRUDEM Foundation, an American nonprofit organization that supports Hôpital Sacré Coeur, a healthcare clinic in Milot, Haiti.

This team of American medical professionals worked day and night to help the earthquake’s victims.  They had limited supplies and medicines available, but they did the best they could with what was available to them.  While on their mission, the doctors and nurses worked long hours to treat as many patients as possible.  An average day began at 7 AM and the doctors usually treated patients until 9 or 10 o’clock at night.  The staff was provided with basic accommodations; they slept on cots in tents, and ate three meals a day which mainly consisted of rice and beans.  British and German doctors were also a part of the relief effort, but Dr. Bleiman says that the majority of physicians and volunteers were from the United States.

 Even though the earthquake’s victims were suffering through an extremely emotional and physical ordeal, they still took the time to express their deep sense of gratitude to the volunteers for all of their heroic efforts.
 
 “All of the Haitian people were very respectful and incredibly thankful and appreciative for all of the assistance being given to them,” says Dr. Bleiman.
 
In fact, Dr. Bleiman says that even with all of the destruction and many of the victims suffering devastating injuries, including becoming amputees, they still managed to remain upbeat and optimistic.

“They were always smiling and happy,” says Dr. Bleiman.  “They are a religious–based people with a lot of faith.  They found comfort in taking care of one another; a community of victims.  They were just happy to be alive and were thankful for the meals and shelter provided to them.  They knew that more challenging times would be ahead.”

Technology played a large role in providing the best care for each of the victims.  Even though Dr. Bleiman was many miles from home, thanks to cell phones and a Blackberry he really wasn’t that far away.   The doctor was able to call colleagues in the United States and ask their opinions about different methods of treatment.  In a country with limited resources, Dr. Bleiman found this to be extremely advantageous. 
“It was very helpful to have the technology because I did a lot of phone consults and would call back to the States for advice,” says Dr. Bleiman.  “For example, I called a few infectious disease specialists about which antibiotics to use on various patients.  I used my Blackberry every day and sent text messages, a journal of my experiences, and pictures back home on a daily basis,” says Dr. Bleiman.   It’s unbelievable but my cell phone actually worked better there than here in Manahawkin.”

Now that he is back in the States, Dr. Bleiman says he has a new appreciation for the resources and medical supplies that Americans take for granted.  He immediately noticed the difference between living in a Third World country and living in America as soon as he returned from his mission.
 
“After I returned from Haiti, I did a c-section and noticed that there were no flies in the operating room,” says Dr. Bleiman.  “I realized how nice it is to be back and it makes you appreciate what we have here.  My friend says that being born in America is like winning the lottery.  I agree with that because we have so many advantages here.  Americans may experience certain issues on a daily basis like getting to work on time or road rage amongst drivers.  But for the Haitian people, they are just trying to survive and feed their families.”

As for the future of Haiti, Dr. Bleiman knows there is a long road ahead for its people.  It’s been a few months now since the earthquake hit and some of the most prevalent concerns are post-traumatic stress and the need for additional money to purchase more sophisticated medical equipment.
 
“There’s a lot of work to be done in Haiti, and it’s not just medical concerns,” says

If anyone would like to volunteer their time donate money, they can visit the website, www.crudem.org.

It’s hard to believe that in a few short months, another school year will be completed.  Summer is just around the corner and that means it’s time to start researching day camps for your kids.   Instead of sitting of sitting on the couch, munching on snacks, and flipping on the television switch or the computer, your child will have stimulating activities with peers.  You won’t have to answer the daily question of, “Mom, what are doing today?   Are we doing anything fun?”  If you decide on a camp experience this summer, that question will be taken care of and you can feel at ease that your child will be busy and productive while having a good time.

According to the American Camp Association, (www.acacamps.org), camp encourages children to explore and learn in a nurturing environment.  It’s also a good opportunity for your child to try new activities and to have a better idea of what he or she is good at and feels comfortable doing.   Sending your child to camp is an excellent way for your child to learn how to be independent, too.

Another important reason to send your child to camp this summer is simply to enjoy the fresh air and to experience nature.  Your child will go on guided nature walks and learn to truly appreciate nature.  It’s always great to take a break from the everyday routine and to see something new.  During the school year, kids are always busy with homework and after-school activities.  However, summer is the perfect time to slow down, have some fun, and enjoy the warm weather.  Camp is a great way for your child to do all of these things with his peers.

Before deciding on a camp, it’s a good idea to gather as much information as possible before you commit to one.   A good technique to find out whether a camp would be a suitable fit for your child is to network with other parents.  Getting feedback from those who have already experienced the camp is one of the best ways to determine if the camp would be a good option.  When speaking to parents, be sure to ask questions about what a typical day is like, how competitive the activities are, what the camp-to-counselor ratio is and how the counselors are screened and trained.
 
 It’s also advisable to ask how counselors deal with difficulties that may arise.  For instance, how do they handle problems with discipline?  Do they call parents when there’s a problem?  It’s important to research the camp’s behavior policies before you sign on the dotted line.  Also, it’s not unreasonable to ask for references beforehand and to research the camp’s credentials.  Make sure to keep a checklist of your information to stay organized and focused while compiling research.

Another significant tip in the selection process is to determine what type of camp would work best for your child.  These days, there are many options to choose from, from traditional camps which feature nature and arts and crafts activities, as well as more specialized camps.  Does your child enjoying drawing pictures?  If so, an art camp would be appropriate.  If your child loves to shoot hoops, run the bases, and swim, a sports camp would be ideal. Or if your child likes dance, you could send her to a ballet camp.  Or perhaps even a camp which studies foreign languages or filmmaking.  Decide on a budget that your family can afford and then ask your child for input.

Point Pleasant Beach mother Joanna Madden, says she looks for a camp that can develop her children’s athletic abilities. 
“What’s important to me is how well the counselors can coach my kids, especially my older child,” says Madden.  “My nine-year-old is really involved with sports, so finding the right sports camp is a key factor for my family.  If there’s a camp that is designated for a specific skill, I would be more willing to travel.  I also want to make sure the camp has a down-to-earth atmosphere and allows the kids to be social with others.” Melissa Nagel, a mother of two, concurs with Madden and says that her kids, ages 5 and 3 have benefited from specialized camps in the past.
 
“The soccer camp we sent the kids to was small, with only three kids to a class which was great,” says the Point Pleasant mom.  “It was very specialized which helped them a lot.”
Other factors to consider are the cost and the location of the camp.  What is your family’s budget?  Sure, you would like your child to have a fun and rewarding summer camp experience, but it’s also important to determine what your family can reasonably afford.  What about location?  Is it better for the camp to be close to your job in case of an emergency, or should your child choose a local camp so he can socialize with kids from the neighborhood?  What about transportation to and from camp?  Will you be able to drive your child to camp or does the facility offer bus service?  Maybe you can coordinate a transportation schedule with another mom.  This way, one parent can take care of drop off and the other mom can be responsible for pickup.  It’s imperative to plan ahead and figure out the details before making a choice.

Once your family has decided on a particular camp, it’s important to register as early as possible.  Many times camps offer discounts if you commit before a certain date.  It’s also wise to book early if you have specific dates in mind that you would like your child to attend camp.
If you’re thinking about sending your child to camp this summer, start researching the Internet, visit some of the local camps and their staff, talk to other parents about their experiences, and ask your child what type of camp he or she would like to attend.   By working together as a team, you and your child will pick the best camp experience for the summer.