Parents Left Frustrated After Summer Equestrian Camp Delivers Disappointing Service

Many parents in Quebec are still waiting for a proper resolution from a popular equestrian center in St-Mathias-sur-Richelieu. The equestrian center had accepted bookings for a sleepover camp scheduled to start from July 31 onwards. Both the parents and the children were excited about the camp, as it promised a fun-filled and educational experience with horses. However, merely 48 hours before the camp was supposed to begin, they received very disappointing news.

Two parents, Cathy Morneau and Iryna Levin, said that they had booked the sleepover camp for their children at the Sunset Ranch Day Camp three weeks earlier. It was a 45-minute car ride from where they lived in Montreal. However, on July 29, they received the notification that the camp had been canceled. Now, three more weeks have passed, but the frustration still lingers largely due to the camp organizer’s inability to make up for their mistake.

Organizer’s failure to make amends deepens frustration of parents

Cathy Morneau told CCTV News Montreal, “The two kids were together, and they were just, like, it’s been five months they were dreaming about that week”. However, both kids felt devastated after they heard the news on July 29. The organizers canceled the sleepaway camp because of a flooding incident that rendered the campsite unsafe. While that was understandable, what frustrated parents even more was the lack of effort from the organizers to rectify the situation. Instead of offering a refund, the equestrian camp organizers have given them the run-around in the last couple of weeks.

Morneau connected directly with the ranch’s owner, Danika Beaudin, who promised her a refund within ten days. But since then, Beaudin has gone back on her word and suggested that the parents send the kids for day camp activities. She has also offered that they attend the next sleepaway camp in 2024, which the parent has explained as a very sly move.

Camp Organizer’s actions raise concerns and attract supervisory attention

The parent has found out that the Sunset Ranch equestrian facility is in the process of a sale. Therefore, Beaudin’s promise that the kids would receive another stay at the sleepaway camp in 2024 may not hold. Cathy Morneau and Iryna Levin aren’t the only parents seeking a refund from Sunset Ranch. Many others, like Karolanne Bouchard, had paid the full amount early to book a spot for their kids. An officer from Quebec’s consumer protection department said that the camp had no right to ask for any advance payments.

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Bouchard said that Beaudin asked her to make an e-transfer for the whole amount. The owner has refused to talk to the media and even called the police on them. The equestrian center has glowing reviews on social media, and the parents of the kids who attend their day camp program spoke highly of their services. The parents have asked Quebec’s camp association, ACQ, to intervene. But, as Sunset Ranch is not a member of the association, ACQ does not have direct jurisdiction over them. Cathy Morneau is still resolved to get her money back and “some apologies” for ruining the kids’ dreams. The association has simply recommended that the parents choose an ACQ-certified facility for their next booking. It is still unclear if and when the parents can receive what they have requested.

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