Internship Eligible

A Horseback Riding Assistant has an awesome summer outdoors, being a mentor to campers, while assisting the Equestrian Program Manager and the Equestrian Program Specialist in organizing and conducting all horseback riding activities and to assist in the care and handling of the Council Herd and tack.

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Camp is one of the outlets to make that mission a reality for many campers. A Horseback Riding Assistant is a part of that mission each Summer.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Enforce safety measures in all riding activities.

• Teach western riding skills, feeding, watering, and grooming of horses to campers.

• Teach horsemanship and stable management to campers

• Participate in all-camp activities and unit operations at the request of the Camp Director or Assistant Camp Director

• Prepare lesson plans for daily instruction of campers of varying age and ability.

• Help supervise campers in the dining hall

• Demonstrate safe horsemanship by wearing appropriate footwear and long pants when working anywhere around the horses (riding arena, on the trail, at the stable, bringing horses in from pasture) and wearing approved helmet when riding.

• Notify Equestrian Program Manager of any treatment needed by horses and of any repairs needed to the tack or facility.

• Keep records of class instruction and badge work completed by campers and submit to Equestrian Program Manager at the end of each session.

• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current certification or ability to receive certification in First Aid and CPR.

• Physical signed by medical professional within past 24 months.

• Possess western horseback riding skills.

• Desire and ability to work with children outdoors.

• Ability to relate to one’s peer group.

• Ability to accept guidance and supervision.

• Ability to communicate and work outdoors with groups of children between the ages of 6 and 17.

• Abilities to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior management techniques.

• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to camper and horseback riding activities.

• The knowledge, strength, and skill to lead and handle horses.

• Be willing to live in a staff tent or cabin near campers.

• Minimum of 18 years of age.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching and lifting 20 - 50 pounds.
• The physical strength and endurance to teach horseback riding skills for a minimum of six hours a day
• The physical strength to help feed, groom, and tack multiple horses daily.
• Daily exposure to seasonal weather conditions.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

All staff must be familiar with the safety rules and regulations. They must take reasonable steps to ensure their own health and safety, and that of anyone else who may be affected by their actions. They should inform their supervisor of any hazard with which they are not trained.