Volunteers are the hands and heart of Greystone Manor Therapeutic Riding Center (GMTRC). Every year over 150 volunteers donate more than 12,000 hours of their time to our organization; GMTRC would not be able to operate without our volunteers.
We serve children and adults with special needs and provide the opportunity for them to learn riding and horsemanship skills and gain the benefits that come with the equine-human partnership. Riding helps improve balance, coordination, endurance, strength, social relationships, and self-esteem. Volunteers make this experience possible and have the chance to make a huge difference in the lives of our participants.
Our volunteers find serving as a part of our programs to be incredibly rewarding. Whether you are an enthusiast with many years of equine experience, or someone with no experience, you will gain many personal benefits, opportunities to learn, and the chance to share in our participants’ joys and triumphs.
Volunteers assist in every aspect of our program and are provided training opportunities for each area. Volunteer roles include: Lesson Volunteers, Barn Volunteers, Schooling Riders, Professional Volunteers, Facility Assistants, and more!
Time Commitment
Our primary openings for volunteers include helping in lessons and barn duty.
These roles require volunteers to be able to commit to a set time for at least 1-2 hours weekly. Days and times available depend on the current needs of our program. Volunteers, whose schedules do not allow a weekly commitment, may serve as substitutes when a regularly assigned volunteer is unavailable, however these opportunities will vary.
We also have some openings for volunteers to help with special events, fundraising, facilities and ground maintenance, and other areas which are not typically weekly needs. If you are interested in helping in any of these areas, please apply!
The Volunteer Coordinator team is happy to discuss volunteer options with you.
* Schooling riders are competent equestrians who are capable of riding with English techniques and equipment at walk/trot/canter. Interested individuals must volunteer with our lesson program for at least one full session prior to taking their schooling test. (See Volunteer Handbook for additional details.)
How to Become a Volunteer
- Review our Volunteer Handbook for Volunteer Program Information and Requirements (GMTRC welcomes volunteers 14 years of age and older)
- Complete our online application through our Volunteer Portal (button below). This is a two-part process.
- Part 1 is a screening to help us determine if your availability and interests fit with our program.
- Part 2 will ask for the full information we need to register you as a volunteer. (You will receive the link for this via email once our staff have reviewed Part 1 of your Volunteer Application.)
- Sign up for a New Volunteer Orientation (NVO) session. This training is required for all new volunteers.
- Once you have completed NVO, you will be able to start volunteering! We will provide you information about available time slots and let you know how to sign up.
Two signature forms must be fully completed and submitted with your online application:
All volunteers 18 years of age and older (except those still attending high school) must submit the following clearances:
- Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
- FBI Criminal History Clearance (required if you have not been a PA resident for 10 consecutive years)
- Site for all three Clearances
Single day and special event volunteers do not need to submit clearances unless working directly with clients/participants.
Click Here To Visit The Volunteer Portal
Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator with questions!
BY PHONE: (717) 203-7388
BY EMAIL: From our “Contact Us” Page