Junior Volunteer

This summer, Jersey #1 is getting the opportunity to be a Junior Volunteer at Galloping Grace Youth Ranch.

She is thrilled.  This is a dream come true for her.

Jersey #1 loves horses.  

Last summer, when we would visit the Ranch, Jersey #1 would admire the teens and tweens who were working as Junior Volunteers.  She told me that she wanted to know what it took to be a volunteer too.  We asked Cowboy Max about the requirements.  When he mentioned "maturity" as the first requirement, I could sense Jersey #1 perk up.  She has always been described as mature, so she knew she had what it took.  She just needed to have another birthday to be old enough for the program.  She even asked for cowboy boots for her birthday present.

I told her she also had to work on her attitude.  She had to expand her attitude to have a "servant's heart," and be willing to cheerfully help others.  I suggested she had to demonstrate this improved attitude at home, before I would allow her to volunteer at the Ranch.  Her determination was incredible.  She made a point to be more helpful at home, to assist her younger siblings without asking, and to complete chores and instruction without complaining.  By the time the Ranch opened, Jersey #1 was an entirely new kid, who hardly ever complains anymore. 

Part of her experience as Junior Volunteer has been to work with a group of kids who are visiting the ranch.  She goes through each station with them, and helps them enjoy the activities.  Part of her duties include chores around the Ranch.  No matter what is asked of her, she always tells me her work time at the Ranch was awesome.

In order to train the Junior Volunteers to assist the Ranch in a uniform manner, Cowboy Max has been holding training sessions.  Jersey #1 is learning so many cool things.  She is learning to catch a horse, lead it, groom it, put on a saddle and harness, and fit helmets on the kids.  She has received a couple opportunities to ride, where she had to practice an emergency dismount.  I was not expecting this, so it was a shock to look up and see her jumping off of a moving horse!  The adult volunteers who are training the Junior Volunteers in advanced horsemanship are really amazing instructors.  I am learning so much, just from standing near them to take pictures.  Jersey #1 is learning so much that she is all smiles when she talks about the Ranch.