Do you want to be a ROCKateer?
Volunteers make up 88% of ROCK’s workforce and we could not operate without the dedicated help of volunteers. We offer numerous volunteer opportunities that require a wide variety of talents. Your volunteer time will make a difference in the lives of our participants and their families.
Steps to Become a ROCKateer
- Register for Volunteer Training via the Website (see information below to sign up)
- Volunteers attend their scheduled Orientation/Tour Volunteer Training date. After attending the Orientation/Tour training session, sign up for a nonprogram role, or sign up for additional In-person volunteer training such as Side Walker training or Horse Handler mentorship. Note: Those interested in horse handling must have prior horse experience.
- Attend additional in-person volunteer training.
- Sign up for a class, or two, or three with the Volunteer Team.
- Become a regular ROCK volunteer, a ROCKateer, and know that you are making a difference in the lives of our participants and their families.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Riding Programs
- Horse Handlers
- Side Walkers
- Arena Assistants
- Barn Buddies
- Horse Care
- Feeding
- Conditioning Team
- Special events & Fundraising
- ROCK Sponsored Events
- Barn Dance
- Silent Auction
- Numerous Additional Opportunities
- Welcome Wranglers
- Administrative and Front Desk Support
Volunteer training courses are offered throughout the year and, while horse experience is needed for certain roles, it is not required in order to volunteer. The volunteer training courses cover ROCK procedures, safety practices, and promote volunteer involvement. Regardless of prior experience, anyone wishing to work with the horses or clients must be trained and demonstrate competency in the area they wish to assist.
Please recognize, riders and horses have the best outcomes when volunteers exhibit consistency and commit to one lesson per week for the same rider. ROCK gives scheduling preference to long term volunteers who can meet this commitment.
2022-2023 Volunteer Training
Our riders and horses have the best outcomes when consistent volunteers commit to one lesson per week for the same rider throughout the year. ROCK gives scheduling preference to long-term volunteers who can meet this commitment.
In 2022 we will be working to implement a new model of training that was created to provide high compatibility between incoming volunteers and the roles we have available within our program. As we move towards reaching full capacity, we have very specific needs in our program that need fulfilled and we want to be sure that we have a role for you once training is complete. Due to the limited number of spots, training dates will be added as needed.
Volunteer training at ROCK is a two-step process. The first step in attending our Orientation and Tour. The second step is attending in-person training. Volunteers will be added to in-person training once they have completed the Orientation and Tour.
Currently, our volunteer need is primarily on weekday mornings and afternoons. We have limited volunteer opportunities in the evenings. One of our biggest needs at this time are horse handlers. Previous horse experience is not a requirement, but please let us know what experience you have. If you have availability during the day and are still interested in a volunteer training, please reach out!
Our website is kept up-to-date with the most current volunteer training information as of 11/30/2022. Please continue to check back here frequently. We are not maintaining a waitlist for volunteer trainings.
ROCK 2022-2023 Volunteer Training Dates
Orientation/Tour Dates
- Thursday, December 8 – 6:00-7:00 PM (FULL)
- Tuesday, January 3 – 2:30-3:30 PM
- Thursday, January 12 – 6:00-7:00 PM
- Tuesday, January 24 – 2:30-3:30 PM
- Thursday, February 2 – 6:00-7:00 PM
- Tuesday, February 21 – 2:30-3:30 PM
- Thursday, March 2 – 6:00-7:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 21 – 2:30-3:30 PM
- Thursday, April 13 – 6:00-7:00 PM
- Tuesday, May 9 – 2:30-3:30 PM
- Thursday, May 18 – 6:00-7:00 PM
- Tuesday, May 23 – 2:30-3:30 PM
- Thursday, May 25 – 6:00-7:00 PM
In-Person Training Dates
Must complete Orientation/Tour prior to attending
- Saturday, December 10 – 9:00-11:30 AM (FULL)
- Saturday, January 28 – 9:00-11:30 AM
- Saturday, February 11 – 9:00-11:30 AM
- Saturday, March 4 – 9:00-11:30 AM
- Saturday, April 22 – 9:00-11:30 AM
- Saturday, May 20 – 9:00-11:30 AM
- Saturday, June 17 – 9:00-11:30 AM
Please email us your name and phone number at rockateers@rockride.org if you want to be added to an open training date.
ROCK volunteer positions and training requirements can be found here. ROCK volunteers must be ages 14 and older.
Volunteer training is held at ROCK, 2050 Rockride Lane, Georgetown, TX 78626. Please call the Volunteer Department at (512) 930-7625 if you have any questions.
Corporate Volunteerism and Special Interest Groups
Is your organization looking for a volunteer opportunity? ROCK can provide many opportunities due to flexibility in scheduling and variety of tasks available. The real benefit of having your group volunteer at ROCK comes from the satisfaction of knowing that you have made a genuine difference in our community.
Community Service
Court Appointed Community Service
At this time, we are not able to offer any court appointed community service hours.
Service for Academic Credit
Students wishing to earn community service hours for a class must volunteer in a therapeutic or therapy lesson and commit to volunteering at least one hour per week, for a minimum of 12 weeks. Attending both the Orientation/Tour and In-person Volunteer Training is required.
