Volunteer Opportunities17 August,2020Janelle Casey

Graham Equestrian Center is a nonprofit educational organization that promotes the joy of horses to a diverse community, regardless of income or ability, through riding and therapeutic horsemanship activities, while preserving the open space of Gunpowder Falls State Park.

There is always work to be done around the farm!. All of our events would not happen if it weren’t for the wonderful help of volunteers. Even if you do not have horse experience, we can use your help!

  • Because we are a 501c3, volunteer hours at GEC count toward school volunteer/community service requirements
  • We welcome Veterinary Interns and College Internship Programs

Requirements for Volunteering

  1. Complete a background check via Volunteer Badge. We ask you to pay the nominal $5 fee for the background check so we offset the organization’s costs. This is the link.
    • we will contact you when your request has been completed so that you can register to volunteer
    • * please note your volunteer ID number (on the homepage of your Volunteer Badge account, you will need it to sign up *
  2. Our liability waiver must be completed prior to participating in volunteer activities.
  3. If you wish to volunteer for slots that involve horse handling or working in the fields with the horses, our Safe Horse Handling Course is required.
    • The Safe Horse Handling Class costs $25, or it is offered free of charge to volunteers after 20 hours of volunteer service is complete
    • You can register for the Safe Horse Handling Class here, it is listed under Make a Booking / Group Lessons

Barn Chores and feeding (these shifts are weekday mornings only)

  • Must be 16 years old to volunteer without a parent/guardian. If the volunteer does not drive, someone must be available to come pick them up immediately should any issue arise.
  • Ages 14-16 may volunteer if accompanied by an adult over the age of 18 throughout the shift – there is no ‘light’ work, chores involve carrying water buckets and pushing a wheelbarrow so smaller/younger children usually need help.
  • To volunteer for feeding, you must first volunteer for barn chores no less than 6 shifts (you need to learn which horses stalls are where first)
  • Volunteers for feeding must be approved by the Barn Manager or Assistant Barn Manager before signing up
  • To start volunteering in the barn please see this signup for volunteer training. At lease one training session is required, a second may be necessary.

Other volunteer opportunities:

  • Some of our events have positions that do not require horse handling experience or training. Roles such as the activity table/helping with waivers at Horse Discovery Days and concessions table at Jumper Shows are examples
  • Our signups always have requirements listed so be sure to read them before you sign up for something

Interested? Click on the banner below and browse through our open sign-ups below and be sure to add yourself to our volunteer mailing list.

GEC can’t do what we do without our dedicated volunteers – we appreciate you!