Girl Scout “Gold Star” Project:

Majestic Hills Ranch in Need of Volunteers

Editor's Note: The Girl Scout Gold Star Project is on a par with the Boy Scouts' Eagle Project. The following is the project of one of our own confirmation students:

Majestic Hills Ranch is aimed at helping children with physical and emotional challenges or chronic illness to live their lives to the fullest extent possible. The ranch provides reputable, safe, and enjoyable therapeutic riding to enable children with special needs the opportunity to achieve a sense of freedom, accomplishment, and self-esteem while giving their families hope.

In the summer of 2006, Majestic Hill provided 1603 hours of service to 68 children. In the 2007 season, Majestic Hills helped 100 children, but 25 families were turned away due to a lack of volunteers. Help us to provide the opportunity for every child to receive therapeutic riding this 2008 season.

Therapeutic riding has gained worldwide recognition as one of the most progressive forms of therapy for children with special needs. Research shows that therapeutic riding improves balance and coordination, increases motor skills and creates a positive outlook, and sense of belonging. The gentle rhythm of the horse’s movements helps strengthen spine and pelvic muscles, increases joint mobility and helps keep muscles from atrophying. Additionally, the unique relationship that often forms between horse and rider can lead to an increase in self-confidence, patience, and self-esteem.

Jodi Townsend founded Majestic Hills Ranch in 1997 on 80 acres of farmland in Lakeville, MN. At the ranch miracles happen, seeing a child walk for the first time without the aid of crutches, hearing a child with Autism talk for the first time. The services she provides are FREE because she believes that the families are already financially burdened.

Volunteers are asked to work one day a week for a four-hour time period during the riding season. The evening sessions will be starting May 5th - October 30th. The hours are 3:45PM - 8:00PM, Monday - Thursday. The morning sessions will be starting June 9th - August 29th. The hours are 8:00AM - NOON, Monday - Thursday. Volunteers need to be 15 years old or older, but do not require any background in horses. If you are looking for a way to help others and just happen to like horses, Majestic Hills would love to have you. There are three training sessions for volunteers this spring, April 12, April 26, and May 3. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Helen J for more information.

For more information about the ranch, please visit www.majestichillsranch.com