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by Fran Falkin

"Top 10 Getaways for Tiny Travelers" award-winners have demonstrated their committment to you by offering superior children's programs for babies as well as older kids, gracious service for all ages, luxurious amenities, recreational facilities and a genuine commitment to the environment.  Our parent company www.FamilyTravelForum.com 's staff and contributing editors acknowledged these hotels, resorts, a cruise line and a tour operator in 2003.  Here's a look at the resort today.

Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
600 Route 44/55
Highland, New York  12528
800/647-2624, 845/691-2927

On 500 manicured acres of prime upstate New York hill country lies a lively, tidy little ranch known as Rocking Horse.  Back in 1958, owning a dude ranch was the dream of The Turks, "cowboy" kids who had watched horses pulling ice wagons around New York City's Lower East Side. They invested in a run-down hotel, renovated the property, and today, son Steve Turk manages the much-loved ranch, whose warm, fuzzy name should indicate how these friendly folk feel about kids. They love 'em.

As dudes have become grand-dudes and great-grand-dudes, Rocking Horse has kept pace. Very smartly, this once rustic venue for pony rides and petting zoos has evolved into a something-for-everyone four seasons family resort. In winter, the 1,030-foot ski hill is for beginners who take advantage of free equipment and lessons, or for snow tubing and sleigh riding sessions. In summer, two pools boast colorful waterslides, a 150-foot-long doozie and a sweet little one at the kiddie pool, both manned by lifeguards.

Horses are still a key part of the mix, with 108 good-natured beasts happy to tote little ones around a coral on the daily "pony" rides, and other family members from age 7 up on wrangler-guided trail rides.

In an atmosphere where parents join in for shuffleboard, miniature golf, Disney Trivia, waterskiing or banana boating, climbing the rockwall, and evening campfires, there is also a well supervised activities program for ages 4-12 years. Perhaps unique among dude ranches, Rocking Horse's Kid's Camp is open every day the ranch welcomes guests, from 9am-5pm with an hour lunch break, rates are $7/HR for the under-4s, free for ages 4 and up.

The largely high school and college-age counselors are hired for their past experience in working with children. Long-time Activities Director Claudia Mestrov, who expects energy, limitless patience and excellent references from her staff, trains them in handling issues such as separation anxiety and discipline. Several of the counselors also have First Aid or CPR degrees, and a registered EMT is on duty at the resort. Facilities provided for each age group are spotlessly maintained, bright, and adjacent to a large outdoor playground with climbing structures and a big Native American tipi.

Infants and toddlers 12 to 36-months in The Tykes mini-cabin will find Playskool furniture, napping cots, and in another room, several cribs. Parents may leave babies under 12 months for up to one hour of private childcare; the nursery often has an individual caregiver available during the afternoon ride times as well. Private babysitting by a counselor costs $8/HR plus $1/HR per sibling, with a three-hour minimum.

The Wild Buckaroos is a free program for kids 4-12 who are not out riding. Activities include scavenger hunts, pool play, sledding in winter, minigolf and volleyball, and, when up to 60 kids per day enroll in summer, they are divided into in age-appropriate groups (4-5s, 6-7s and 8-12s). What struck us most about these happy campers was the notion that the counselors, who maintain a ratio of 1:1 for infants, 1:4 for toddlers and 1:6 school-age children, allowed each day's group to select their own activities.

The Rocking Horse's comfortable décor has Western flair. The 119 motel-style rooms, rated three diamonds by AAA, are pretty similar with lots of Formica shelving, a phone, TV and an extra sink outside the bathroom to accommodate your posse of teeth-brushers; coffeemaker and minifridge are available for a fee.

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