Napolean's Story: A 'Win-Win' Program  Napolean is the newest member of Greenwell's lease program. As a participant in the lease program, Napolean lives at Greenwell and takes part in recreational and therapeutic riding lessons. Napolean is also taking part in Horse Camp this summer.
Here is how the lease program works:
Your horse or pony lives at Greenwell for no cost. Greenwell feeds and cares for your horse or pony and uses it in riding lessons and summer camps. You maintain ownership of your horse/pony; you can take your horse/pony off the premises on weekends; and you can ride your horse/pony at Greenwell.
It's a win-win situation for all involved. You get free board; Greenwell has more horses and ponies to use in its programs, and your horse/pony is a more well-rounded citizen because it is being kept in work and being ridden by different people with varying skill levels and body sizes.
Having your horse or pony in Greenwell's lease program is another way you can help support Greenwell.
The Greenwell Foundation offers a variety of inclusive programs such as therapeutic and recreational horseback riding lessons, summer camps, Nature Time and River Riders kayaking. Lessons fees, donations, and grants combine to cover the cost of offering these programs.
 Support from people like you helps cover the costs associated with Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Programs, as well as our summer camp programs. Please consider making a tax deductible donation today to help support all of Greenwell's inclusive programs.
Other ways to contribute to the Greenwell Foundation.
Opportunities: Generosity Opens Doors  This spring, 220 children from five Head Start centers in St. Mary’s County are attending Greenwell's Nature Time program. Children come to the park with their teachers for a close-up experience with nature and the environment.
A $25,000 grant from PNC made it possible to expand Greenwell’s weekly Nature Time program to these children. The grant covers the cost of transportation between the Head Start centers and Greenwell State Park for all of the children, staffing to run the program, and curriculum materials.
These sessions are in addition to the regularly scheduled weekly Nature Time sessions.
After summer break, the program for the Head Start centers will continue in the fall. Greenwell hopes to continue the program in 2011, and could eventually expand to serve Head Start centers in Calvert and Charles counties if funding can be secured.
Nature Time is an outdoors nature program for preschoolers and toddlers. Participants learn about and enjoy the wonders of nature at Greenwell State Park through games, crafts, stories, movement, and exploration. Recreation, education, and conservation all play a part in the activities.
The Greenwell Foundation offers a variety of inclusive programs such as Nature Time, therapeutic and recreational horseback riding lessons, summer camps and kayaking. Lessons fees, donations, and grants combine to cover the cost of offering these programs.
Support from people like you helps cover the costs associated with programs such as Nature Time. Please consider making a tax deductible donation today to help support all of Greenwell's inclusive programs.
Other ways to contribute to the Greenwell Foundation.
Gene's Story: The Circle of Life  A few years ago, Gene and Colleen Lane spent time at Greenwell as park hosts. They lived in their motor home at the park and volunteered with several of Greenwell’s programs including the Therapeutic Riding Program. As TRP volunteers, Gene and Colleen assisted as side-walkers, walking alongside a horse and TRP rider during lessons. Now, Gene is a TRP rider himself.
Shortly after completing their park host service, life took a drastic turn. Gene suffered a fall and a stroke. He lost the use of his legs and one side of his body.
Therapeutic riding was suggested as a way to offer Gene an opportunity to improve his physical and cognitive abilities. At first, he wasn't sure what to expect but he says because of his experience as a Greenwell TRP volunteer, "I knew I would be better." Colleen says they both knew the difference riding would make because of their experience as volunteers in the program.
Since his injury, Gene has had to rely on others for assistance with everyday tasks and he spends a lot of time in a wheelchair. But riding is the first thing he has done for himself. Therapeutic riding has also taken his recovery to a new level.
After two months of riding, his balance and posture have improved, he is able to sit upright, his legs are straighter and his overall attitude is happier. And the horse he rides, Spot, can sense that Gene is getting more comfortable as time goes on as evidenced by the change in Spot’s walk and gait.
"Riding in the TRP is truly the highlight of my life," says Gene. He says riding Spot has enriched his life in so many ways, adding, "Spot is a lifesaver."
The Greenwell Foundation offers therapeutic and recreational horseback riding lessons for children (age 7 and up) and adults with developmental, physical, or emotional challenges. Lessons fees, donations, and grants combine to cover the cost lessons year-round.
Support from people like you helps pay for therapeutic riding lessons for children and adults. Please consider making a tax deductible donation today to help support people like Gene and Greenwell's Therapeutic Riding Program.
Other ways to contribute to the Greenwell Foundation.
Jamie's Story: Therapeutic Riding Program Brings Results
 Jamie Fleury recently began taking horseback riding lessons in Greenwell's Therapeutic Riding Program. Jamie's mother says participating in the TRP has been a marvelous experience for her son:
"I cannot tell people enough how great horseback riding has been for Jamie. I did not know what to expect with it and was not expecting much but I am so impressed with the results already!," says Jill Fleury. "It is amazing how much it has helped him with his hypotonia and motor skills and even his social skills. It has helped his concentration and security with himself."
Jamie is one of the recipients of a scholarship made possible by Mechanicsville dentist Dr. Tim Modic through Smiles for Life, a program of the Garth Brooks Foundation. Every year, Dr. Modic raises funds and proceeds benefit a local charity of his choice. Dr. Modic has donated money for Greenwell TRP scholarships for several years now. Jamie's mother says the scholarship is "truly a godsend."
"I am also amazed and impressed at how well he is doing lesson-wise. I did not know what to expect with how far he would go with the lessons and he is now learning to trot."
--Jamie's mother Jill Fleury, Summer 2009
The Greenwell Foundation offers therapeutic and recreational horseback riding lessons for children (age 7 and up) and adults with developmental, physical, or emotional challenges. Lessons fees, donations, and grants combine to cover the cost lessons year-round.
Support from people like you helps pay for therapeutic riding lessons for children and adults. Please consider making a tax deductible donation today to help support children like Jamie and Greenwell's Therapeutic Riding Program.
Other ways to contribute to the Greenwell Foundation.
Spot's Story: The Story Behind a Popular Therapeutic Riding Horse
 Spot is the cornerstone of Greenwell's riding lesson program. He is popular with riders and campers alike. He is a favorite of riders with disabilities as he is so patient. Unknown to many, Spot led quite an interesting life before he came to Greenwell.
Spot was born in Texas where he was used for cow cutting. He did the same later in California. He landed in Oklahoma and was sold to a man who lived in Maryland. Caitlyn Keyes was 13 years old and living in Southern Maryland when she saw an ad in a magazine for an eventing farm.
"The ad had a picture of this really cool looking registered Paint Horse named Lucky Leo. We ended up going to that farm (because my mom does saddle fittings) and she asked a girl who this horse was because I just wanted to see him. Well come to find out he just so happened to be for sale. Of course we bought him!"
"He then evented up to Training Level but could easily school Prelim, but he developed arthritis so he was retired from jumping. Then a year later he went to nationals in Pony Club in Kentucky for Dressage! Also, the whole time I owned him he fox hunted. I am so happy to hear that he is still a superstar."
-- Caitlyn Keyes, Summer 2009
The Greenwell Foundation offers therapeutic and recreational horseback riding lessons for children (age 7 and up) and adults with developmental, physical, or emotional challenges. Lessons fees, donations, and grants combine to cover the cost lessons year-round.
Support from people like you helps pay for Spot’s second career as a therapeutic riding horse. Please consider making a tax deductible donation today to help support Greenwell's horses and the therapeutic riding program.
Other ways to contribute to the Greenwell Foundation.
Leland's Story: A Counselor's Perspective on Camp Greenwell
 Leland Thomas describes his work as a counselor at Camp Greenwell as the most significant activity in his life. "I work with a wide variety of children - from children with Down Syndrome to children who excel in academics; from children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder to children who would rather sit and read a book; and even from children in wheelchairs to children who just like to run around with their friends," says Thomas.
Thomas, like all counselors at Camp Greenwell, works to ensure that all of the campers have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. "To many people, it may seem impossible that a child with Down Syndrome could play with all other children or that a child in a wheelchair could "run around" and have fun with all other campers." says Thomas.
"Even though it may present challenges to the children with disabilities, they still take pleasure in doing what other children enjoy. When we, as counselors, help other children and sometimes parents understand this, we are doing things correctly."
-- Leland Thomas, Spring 2009
The Greenwell Foundation offers nine weeks of Camp Greenwell and several sessions of specialty camps including Horse Camp, Kayak Camp, and Fishing Camp. Camp fees, donations, and grants combine to cover the cost of offering a summer of inclusive camps.
The Greenwell Foundation is always looking to expand camp opportunities for more children. Please consider making a tax deductible donation today to help send a child to camp.
Other ways to contribute to the Greenwell Foundation.
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