Volunteer orientation is offered on a monthly basis, and is required for each new volunteer. Additional mentoring with an experienced volunteer is an option (Click here for mentor contact list). Volunteer orientation takes place on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 10a-12n starting in the Chastain Horse Park Clubhouse, you do not need to register, just show up!
ONLINE SIGNUP CALENDAR for volunteer openings at Chastain Horse Park:
You must have completed the two hour orientation prior to signing up online.
- Sign up online with Becky Bunnell (Tu, Th) (link)
- Sign up online with Pam Smith (Tues-Sat) (link)
- Sign up online with Claire Langway (Mon, Sun) (link)
- Sign up online with Donna Peterson (Mon-Th) (link)
- Sign up online with Kathy Darnell (Mon, Tues, Sat) (link)
- Sign up online with Carrie Bartelme (Th) (link)
- Sign up online with Patsy Chalfant (Th) (link)
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to do to start volunteering?
Do I need to register to attend the orientation?
What commitment is required to become a volunteer?
How long does a class last?
Do I need to have knowledge of horses?
Will I get to ride horses if I volunteer at Chastain Horse Park?
What if I just want to groom and clean stalls and not work in the lessons?
What do I need to do to start volunteering?
All volunteers must attend an orientation session, offered on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10a to 12n, starting in the Clubhouse at Chastain Horse Park. For those wishing to start volunteering immediately, mentoring sessions are available following the orientation and on the following Sunday. Alternatively, private mentoring sessions can be scheduled. Plan on 2 hours for a mentoring session. Wear clothing that is appropriate to the work - jeans, t-shirts, etc. and closed toe shoes. YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 14 YEARS OLD to volunteer.
Do I need to register to attend the orientation?
No, you do not need to register - just show up! However, please print our volunteer release form to complete and bring to the orientation - click here.
What commitment is required to become a volunteer?
Chastain Horse Park requests that you volunteer for one lesson each week., but does not require a set minimum number of hours from volunteers. The volunteer schedule is emailed to every active volunteer regularly, and links to sign up online are posted on this page, http://www.chastainhorsepark.org/volunteer.php. Volunteers may contact instructors directly with the times they want to volunteer.
How long does a class last?
With few exceptions, classes are one hour in length. As a volunteer you would be asked to arrive 15 minutes early to help groom and tack the horses. If you volunteer for one class, your total commitment will be approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Do I need to have knowledge of horses?
No, you don't need to know anything about horses. We will provide training to help you with your duties as a volunteer.
Will I get to ride horses if I volunteer at Chastain Horse Park?
Volunteers do not get to ride the program horses, though volunteers are invited to enroll in routine riding lessons with any Chastain Horse Park instructor. These lessons are charged at the instructors' regular rates. When a volunteer works regularly with a particular instructor, that instructor may choose to offer the volunteer a small lesson fee discount, or an on-the-spot lesson when a rider cancels.
What if I just want to groom and clean stalls and not work in the lessons?
There is no volunteer program available to just work with the horses and not the students. There is a staff that cleans stalls and the volunteers that work with our students do the grooming.
