If you love horses, volunteering may be just the thing for you!

Whether you’ve been around horses your whole life or you’re just beginning, you may be able to help out at the Camp Ketcha Horse Barn. When you volunteer you will get to spend time caring for horses and other animals, be outside and help your local non-profit.  It’s a wonderful way to learn about horses and get involved in your community at the same time.

What kind of work would I be doing?

You would be caring for the horses doing the typical “horse owner” jobs– things like mucking stalls and paddocks, cleaning and filling water buckets, helping to feed the animals, barn cleaning and maintenance and many other miscellaneous skills along the way that are important for horse care.  There are also limited opportunities that include hands on work with horses directy; however, you do have to complete a training program with Jessie before you can participate.  If you’ve been begging your mom and dad for a pony, these are all things that you’re going to have to know how to do!

How old do I have to be and how often can I volunteer?

Ages 12-13:  Our youngest volunteer opportunity begins at 12 years old.  These volunteers must be currently in our riding lesson program.  These students can volunteer up to 3 hours per week.  This time will be supervised, and therefore, must be pre-arranged with Jessie.

Ages 14-17: May work up to 6 hours per week.  Keep in mind that due to our summer camp student ages, you do have have to be 16 years old to volunteer during summer camp hours.

Ages 18+: Unlimited hours which can be based upon current volunteer need.

What do I get in return?

1. To begin, you get that warm and fuzzy feeling of helping out your local non-profit organization.
2. You might also be earning required credits towards your high school graduation or other team organization.
3. You receive invaluable knowledge about horses, their behavior, health needs and general care, especially important if you’re hoping to get a horse of your own some day.
4. Lastly, you get to spend time around these wonderful animals!

       And if that’s not enough, you also earn…

Camp Ketcha Barn Bucks
CK Barn bucks are “credits” that can be earned and applied toward a private riding lesson
with an instructor at the Camp Ketcha horse barn.  Please ask Jessie for additional information.

Alright, Sign Me Up!

To be considered as a volunteer, you will need visit the Camp Ketcha Horse Barn, meet with our Equine Programs Director, Jessie and fill out a volunteer application.  Volunteer applications and the Barn Bucks policy can also be emailed.  If you have any other questions in the meantime, you can call the barn at 207-883-8977 Ext 110 or email Jessie at jbosse@campketcha.org.  If you meet all of the requirements and we do have enough volunteer opportunities still available, we will contact you to let you know that you’ve been accepted.  You will schedule a regular time (or schedule times on a case by case basis) to volunteer.  Lastly, you will sign a 2013 Equine Release and Volunteer Policy Agreement before you begin.

Current Available Volunteer Positions:

Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 10:30am
helping with morning feeding duties, cleaning stalls & paddocks, general clean-up tasks

Monday through Friday, 4:30pm to 6:30pm
helping with evening feeding duties, cleaning stalls & paddocks, general clean-up tasks

Saturday, 4:30pm to 6:30pm
helping with evening feeding duties, cleaning stalls & paddocks, general clean-up tasks

Sunday, 8:30am to 10:30am
helping with morning feeding duties, cleaning stalls & paddocks, general clean-up tasks

Sunday, 4:30pm to 6:30pm
helping with evening feeding duties, cleaning stalls & paddocks, general clean-up tasks