Volunteer
with Pony Power
Pony Power volunteers are fundamental to our work.
We train approximately 150 new volunteers each year and have a regular rotation of 100 volunteers each semester to assist in horse-assisted lessons and help care for the farm, small animals and garden.
We provide our volunteers with training and community building opportunities to make their time on the farm as enriching as possible.
Fall Therapeutic Riding Lesson Volunteers: Lead & Side Walker Shifts
SUNDAY MORNINGS
8:30am-10:30am and/or 10:30am-12:30pm
September 7, 14, 28, October 5, 12, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, December 7, 14
MONDAY MORNINGS
10am-11am
September 8, 15, 29, October 6, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, December 1, 8, 15
MONDAY AFTERNOONS
3pm-5pm and/or 4pm-6pm
September 8, 15, 29, October 6, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, December 1, 8, 15
TUESDAY MORNINGS
10am-11am
November 4, 11, 18, December 2, 9, 16
TUESDAY AFTERNOONS
3pm-5pm and/or 4pm-6pm
September 9, 16, 30, October 7, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, December 2, 9, 16
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
10:15am-11:15am
September 10, 17, 24, October 8, 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19, December 3, 10, 17
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS
3-5pm and/or 4-6pm
September 10, 17, 24, October 8, 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19, December 3, 10, 17
THURSDAY MORNINGS
10am-11am
September 11, 18, 25, October 9, 23, November 6
THURSDAY AFTERNOONS
3-5pm and/or 4-6pm
September 11, 18, 25, October 9, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11, 18
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Lead walker: Handles the horse during a lesson. Following the instructor’s direction, the lead walker will help as needed in steering and maintaining the horse’s speed. Previous horse experience is required.
Side walker: Provides physical support to the rider during a lesson, helping them maintain a balanced position on the horse. Following the instructor’s direction, a side walker will often play an active role in helping riders complete various exercises,such as stretching, counting and reaching.
Therapeutic riding lessons are given year-round, rain or shine.
Fall Farm Crew Volunteer Shifts
SUNDAYS
1pm-3pm OR any 1 or 2 hour time slot between 2:30-4pm
September 7, 14, 21, 28, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, December 7, 14, 21, 28
MONDAYS
9am-11am OR any 1 or 2 hour time slot between 3-5pm
September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24, December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
TUESDAYS
9am-11am OR any 1 or 2 hour time slot between 3-5pm
September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, 25, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
WEDNESDAYS
9am-11am OR any 1 or 2 hour time slot between 3-5pm
September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
THURSDAYS
9am-11am OR any 1 or 2 hour time slot between 3-5pm
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, 27, December 4, 11, 18, 25, January 1
FRIDAYS
8am-10am OR any 1 or 2 hour time slot between 2:30-4pm
September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12,19, 26, January 2
SATURDAYS
8am-10am OR any 1 or 2 hour time slot between 2:30-4pm
September 13, 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, December 6, 13,20, 27, January 3
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Morning crew: Helps maintain our red barn, goat, sheep, pig and chicken enclosures weekly.
Afternoon crew: Helps clean paddocks and does other chores around the farm weekly.
Fall Garden Crew Volunteer Shifts
SUNDAYS
10am-11am
September 7, 14, 21, 28, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, December 7, 14, 21, 28
MONDAYS
10am-11am
September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24, December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
TUESDAYS
10am-11am
September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, 25, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
WEDNESDAYS
10am-11am
September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
THURSDAYS
10am-11am
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, 27, December 4, 11, 18, 25, January 1
FRIDAYS
10am-11am
September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12,19, 26, January 2
SATURDAYS
10am-11am
September 13, 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, December 6, 13,20, 27, January 3
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AM Garden crew: Support our half-acre Farm in the Forest food production garden weekly. Tasks include weeding, mulching, watering and harvesting.
PM Garden crew: Support our half-acre Farm in the Forest food production garden and programs. Volunteers will assist with end of day garden crew tasks including watering and garden care, organizing garden materials/equipment, preparing garden activities for the next day, and tidying up garden spaces.
Requirements
All volunteers must:
be 14 years or older
be willing to be outdoors, rain or shine
have the ability to follow directions in a fast-paced environment
complete volunteer orientation and training
commit to a date and time for the semester
be able to lift and move approximately 30 pounds, for example, water buckets and full wheelbarrows
be able to walk for up to 90 minutes in a dirt arena and jog for short distances (Riding Lesson volunteers only)
be able to support riders up to 180 pounds if asked (limited; Riding Lesson volunteers only)
Volunteers must be a suitable match. You will be notified of acceptance after training.
“Volunteering at Pony Power has completely changed my life. It’s one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in my life! The farm is magic.”
— Bonnie, volunteer