History
Camelot’s Founder
When Eileen Szychowski brought Camelot to Arizona, she had $100.00, two mares named
Guinevere and Janik, and a precious goose named Zanadu. Today, Camelot has grown
to be a privately funded, state-of-the-art, non-profit organization located on 14.25
acres in North Scottsdale.
Szychowski, a horsewoman with a disability, spent seven years studying under Josef
Rivers, a polio survivor and founder of
Dragon Slayers in California. During her time there, she also worked as a
full-time program director for the Santa Cruz Skills Center. When Eileen came to
Arizona, she became a park ranger at the Grand Canyon. She discovered that she could
live the life she dreamed, and under Rivers’ encouragement, she dared to dream
big.
Along the way, Szychowski has received support and encouragement from friends and
supporters all over the country. As time goes on, many former students continue
to participate in the dream, donating both time and money. Eileen retired in November
of 2004, but continues to guide the staff at Camelot through the knowledge and teachings
she has shared with them over the years. Thanks to these combined efforts, Camelot
exists today as living proof that dreams can come true.
Camelot’s Timeline
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1976
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The seeds of Camelot are planted as Eileen Szychowski becomes a student of Josef
Rivers, founder of the Dragon Slayer’s program in Northern California.
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1980
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Camelot begins to take shape as Eileen contemplates where a next-generation program
can most fill a need.
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1981
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On a trip to Grand Canyon National Park, the question is answered as Szychowski
is denied participation in the mule ride and access into the canyon based on her
disability.
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1982
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A barrier is turned into an opportunity as Szychowski moves to Arizona and becomes
the first disabled mounted Ranger in the National Park Service at the Grand Canyon.
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1983
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With two horses, a goose, and a dream, Camelot is established in Phoenix as a non-profit
organization, renting space at Santa Rita stables. The next five years will focus
on building the program, curriculum, and team of volunteers and supporters.
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1988
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With the program firmly established, Camelot launches a quest to raise funds for
a fully accessible ranch facility that will be its permanent home.
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1989
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The search is on for the perfect ranch site in North Scottsdale.
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1990
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Camelot is selected as a candidate for a major $100,000 challenge grant, but must
raise two dollars for every grant dollar.
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1991
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With help from donors large and small, Camelot meets the grant challenge after 16
months of campaigning.
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1992
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Camelot purchases a 14.25 acre parcel of land that encompasses everything on its
wish list.
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1992
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Camelot designs a state-of-the-art facility and begins the lengthy process of securing
a multitude of permits.
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1994
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The infrastructure begins with the installation of utilities and the creation of
a level building site.
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1996
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At last, a foundation is poured, and a barrier-free, wheelchair-accessible ranch
is under way.
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1997
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The horses move in and, after a 16 year journey, Camelot is home at last!
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1998
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The official Grand Opening Ceremony is held for Camelot’s one-of-a-kind, fully
accessible therapeutic horsemanship facility.
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2000
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Hay and equipment storage barn construction is completed.
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2005
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A grant from the Sybil B. Harrington Trust of Amarillo, Texas, sets Camelot on the
way to covering the riding arena. Students, instructors, and therapy mounts will
finally be out of the Arizona sun.
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2006
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After many meetings with the City of Scottsdale and the adjoining property owners,
spanning 18 months, Camelot obtains the necessary building permit.
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2007
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The arena improvement project is completed, with the arena footing funded by Ames
Construction, Inc., and Thunderbirds Charities.
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2008
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Daily dragon slaying continues as Camelot looks to the future.
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2010
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We need your help—be a part of Camelot’s future expansion.
Our dreams include: lesson warm-up/dressage arena, pasture space for Camelot therapy
horses, and a Camelot cabin to house future interns or foreign exchange students.
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The only way to keep a magical thing is to give it away.
Josef Rivers
Founder of Dragon Slayers
Take up your sword against the most formidable enemy of all... the voice within
that says, ‘I can’t.’
Eileen Szychowski
Founder of Camelot