If you are seeking a rewarding and fun volunteer opportunity that allows you to work with children and animals, you have found it! At Project R.I.D.E., Inc. volunteers are the heart of our organization. It takes the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers to make this program operate. Our volunteers come to us from all walks of life and include students, professionals and retired people. Although the majority of our volunteers are either Sidewalkers or Leaders, there are more ways you can help us.

10 ways YOU can help Project R.I.D.E. Inc.:

• Be a Sidewalker: walk alongside our clients while they ride
• Be a Leader: control the horse safely through the lesson
• Be an Alternate: provide backup coverage for our leaders and sidewalkers
• Be a Stable Assistant: make sure our hardworking horses and staff have a safe, healthy, clean and comfortable home in which to work
• Be an Office Assistant: help us to cover our phones and manage our office and classroom efficiently
• Be a Horse Hauler: help us transport our horses in our six-horse trailer from the arena in Elk Grove to our beautiful 58-acre ranch in Herald
• Be a Horse Feeder: assist our caretakers with caring for our herd of horses and other friendly animals
• Be a Fundraiser: help us develop and maintain friends in our community who support us financially
• Be an Ambassador: spread the word about Project R.I.D.E. at community events
• Be a Friend: contribute to our Jockey Club and make sure that every family can afford our program

Next Steps

Ready to get started? Please review our list of volunteer opportunities below, then contact our Volunteer Coordinator to reserve your space for the next Volunteer Orientation and Training Session, held approximately once monthly. The next orientation is scheduled for August 9 from 4:30 to 7:30pm and will be located at our riding arena in Elk Grove. Please contact us to register by emailing volunteer@projectride.org

Downloads

Volunteer Application

July Volunteer Calendar

Project R.I.D.E. student rides on our trail with volunteers assisting

Orientation and Training Session Guidelines

At this orientation and training session, required of all volunteers working directly in the riding lessons, we will review the history and purpose of our program, learn about how to keep students safe in lessons and take a tour of our facility. We will also conduct a hands-on training with the horses that qualifies volunteers to be Sidewalkers, as well as a brief evaluation for any potential Leaders. Leaders are then scheduled for an additional training at another time.
Please bring:

• Your completed Volunteer Application, signed by your parents if you are under 18
• A copy of a TB clearance done within the past two years, if you intend to volunteer with us during daytime hours September – March (this is a requirement of the Elk Grove Unified School District of anyone working with their students)
• Your Personal/Family Calendar
• (optional) A Snack or Water Bottle

Please wear:

• Comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting dusty
• In cool weather you should plan to dress in layers as we are partially exposed to the environment
• Sturdy closed-toe, closed-heel shoes or boots

Please do NOT wear or bring:
Strappy tank tops, short-shorts, flip-flops or other open sandals, dangling jewelry, sagging pants, clothing with inappropriate language or images, personal music players or video game players

Please Note: Volunteers wishing to assist with stable chores and Junior Volunteers under 14 are not required to attend orientation. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator to inquire if any stable chores positions are currently available.

Experienced horse handlers may join our volunteer ranks as Leaders.

FAQs about volunteering with Project R.I.D.E.

Q: Must I have horse experience to be a volunteer?
A: Absolutely not! Most positions require no horse experience at all. You can even assist us if you are afraid of these gentle giants and want to help our program without having any exposure to horses at all.

Q: I have lots of horse experience and want to be directly involved with the horses. How can I help?
A: If you are over 18, you may be a good candidate for our Leader position. The leader is in charge of the horse throughout the riding lesson, including grooming, tacking and leading the horse through our obstacle courses and on our trail. This position requires significant horse experience and new Leaders are required to attend sidewalker training, perform 10 hours of Sidewalking, pass Leader evaluation and undergo additional Leader training, held monthly. Please tell our Volunteer Coordinator that you are interested in that position. If you are 14-18, we do operate a Junior Leader program for very mature and well-qualified volunteers. You will begin as a Sidewalker and after demonstrating your commitment and willingness to learn, you may qualify to become a Leader in time.

Q: I am under 14 years of age but really want to help in your program. Do you accept Junior Volunteers?
A: Yes! Although you are prohibited from assisting with our riding lessons until you turn 14, we still need your help with stable management, office work, barn and ranch workdays and fundraisers. You are required to bring a responsible adult with you whenever you come to volunteer.

Q: Is there a minimum time commitment? What times are available for me to come volunteer?
A: Although we do not require a minimum time commitment, we do ask volunteers to work with our Volunteer Coordinator to create a regular schedule. The times available are constantly changing; please contact our Volunteer Coordinator to inquire about the currently available shifts. You may also wish to download our most current calendar of available shifts to assist in your planning.

Q: I am part of a youth/school/faith-based service group. Can we be of assistance?
A: Absolutely! We have 4-H and Scout troops that hold their monthly meetings here, after which they assist with stable cleaning. We have high school service clubs that serve food at our fundraisers. We have groups who come for a one-time service project and those who come regularly. We welcome them all. Just contact us to find out how we can fit your group into our schedule.

Q: What is my next step to begin volunteering?
A: If you are interested in assisting with our lessons, attendance at the three-hour orientation and training session, held monthly, is required. If you are interested in office work, stable management or fundraisers please contact us to be placed on our waiting list. In either case, your next step is to contact our Volunteer Coordinator by email or by telephone at (916) 685-7433 to express your interest.