The eighth Harness Racing Youth League summer camp opened This morning at Pocono Downs with 11 participants, age 11 through 13.

Unique camp provides youngsters the opportunity to learn to drive racehorses. From grooming and care to harnessing, hitching and driving, the participants are exposed to hands-on aspects of the racing business.

The camp culminates with the kids participating in exhibition races using the horses provided by the Harness Horse Youth Foundation.

Those selected via essay contest stay overnight at the East Mountain Inn in Plains Township with meals also provided. There is no charge.

This year’s campers include the following: Jonathon Derr of Kingston; Jacqueline Feltus of Littleton, Mass.; Brian Gentile of Dunmore; Victoria Gomes of Hillburn, N.Y.; Stephanie Knorr of Taylor; Becky Ohman of Ashland, Mass.; Althena and Gina Palermo of Chinchilla; Taylor Prothero of Wilkes-Barre; Megan Roy of Milford, Mass.; Lily Scheier of Flemington, N.J.;

Ellen Taylor of the HHYF is director of the camps. She’s being assisted by Dana Michalowski of Maine and former camper and volunteer Molly Fenwick of Tunkhannock.

Pocono Downs, the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association (PHHA) and the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission sponsor the camp in conjunction with the HHYF.

(With files from Pocono)