Since its inception in 2019 as a tribute to former staff member Charlie Cammer for his 20th work anniversary, the Elk River Kipper Scholarship has been awarded annually to a Vista staff alum to further their education and personal/career development. Charlie Cammer was committed to helping the many young staff he mentored learn and grow into leaders who serve their community, are environmentally aware, and are paying it forward out in the world.
We are thrilled to announce that this year’s recipient of the 2025 Elk River Kipper Scholarship is Rebecca Filiatreau.
Becca was a former Vista staff member who served in the barn as one of our wraglers. She invested her heart into both the horses and the guests through leading trail rides, assisting with cow work during cattle week, and teaching horsemanship clinics–which has been a particular highlight during her time at Vista.
“There were so many amazing opportunities as an employee at Vista Verde: trail rides, cow week, fly fishing, meeting amazing people. Of all the memories that I cherish from the ranch, teaching clinics was particularly inspiring for me. There’s nothing quite like teaching a clinic and knowing you had a part in a guest connecting with a horse in such a special way,” Becca shared.
Her deep love of teaching and helping others to connect with horses is what drove Becca to her next endeavor. As a P.A.T.H. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor since 2017, Becca plans to use her scholarship funds to further her equine education by earning an instructor certification from the Certified Horsemanship Association (C.H.A.) and obtaining an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning certification from P.A.T.H. International. These certifications will allow her to reach even more students through equine-assisted therapy and deepen the impact she makes through therapeutic riding.
“I am honored to receive the scholarship,” Becca says, “and I look forward to sharing some of the lessons I learned at Vista Verde with the students I teach in the future.”
We are proud to support Becca in this journey. It’s staff members like her that keep the legacies of Charlie Cammer and the Elk River Kipper Scholarship alive.
Congratulations, Becca, on becoming our 2025 Elk River Kipper Scholarship recipient! We can’t wait to see all the great things you accomplish.
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