STARS - Brookings Area Special Training And Riding Skills

10/29/2025

Well deserved recognition for our awesome volunteers!! Thank you volunteers and Brookings Area United Way

🎉The Brookings Area United Way’s Volunteer United program congratulates the STARS - Brookings Area Special Training And Riding Skills volunteers on being named the October 2025 Volunteer Group of the Month, an area-wide award program sponsored by First Bank & Trust.

🐴(S.T.A.R.S.) is a nonprofit program, through the Brookings Area Interagency Council, offering adaptive horseback riding for people with disabilities, promoting physical and emotional growth through connection with horses. Volunteers make it all possible by helping riders mount, leading horses, sidewalking, and caring for the animals.💪 During the 2025 season, S.T.A.R.S. volunteers logged 650+ hours between June and August, an achievement worth celebrating!👏

Thank you, S.T.A.R.S volunteers (all 22+ of them!) for your dedication and the difference you make. We couldn’t create change without people like you!🐎

We are now accepting volunteer nominations for 2026! Nominate a volunteer or volunteer group today! https://brookingsunitedway.org/VOM/

09/01/2025

Thanks to all of our fantastic volunteers for a successful 2025 season! We had over 650 volunteers hours in June, July and August to make the program possible.

THANK YOU to all the people who make the program possible!

08/15/2025

After adding and checking and double checking, we have a total of 269 tubs of cookie dough ordered this year! That is 8,877 3" cookies and an awesome fundraiser for the program. We had a few donations in addition to orders. The money will help support the program.
We have 2 weeks left of rides. If you have time to come out to volunteer on a Tuesday or Thursday evening, we would love to see you.

08/13/2025

Thank you to everyone who has been collecting cookie dough orders! Orders and payment are due tomorrow night. We sold 285 tubs last year. How many do you think we will have this year?

08/07/2025

We had a great first night of rides on Tuesday with our third group of riders for the season. Many of our riders and volunteers are collecting orders for cookie dough as a fundraiser for the program. Order sheets are available on ride nights at the arena or send a message and we'll get one to you. Orders are due a week from today on August 14th.

07/22/2025

No stars tonight 7/22 due to heat advisories

07/21/2025

We will be selling Eileen's cookie dough as a fundraiser for STARS again this year. Order forms will be available starting this week at the arena Tuesday and Thursday nights during ride times from 5:30 to 7pm.

If you would like to order and don't know how to connect with one of our volunteers, just message the page and we'll get you on the list!

07/14/2025

We are in need of a pair of men's size 13 boots. If anyone has a pair that is gently used you would like to donate, we would put them to use with our riders.

07/12/2025

Come see us at the Brookings Summer Arts Festival this weekend in the children's area

Make your customized wish jar necklace, get a temporary tattoo or fancy button ring, and check out these awesome handmade animals!

Proceeds support the STARS adaptive riding program for people with disabilities in the Brookings community.

07/08/2025

S.T.A.R.S and Camp Adventure will have booth #6 in the children's area at the Brookings Summer Art Festival this weekend. We will have wish necklaces for the kids to make and temporary tattoos. Hope to see you there!

07/02/2025

Tonight was our last night with our first group of riders this summer. More than one asked why it had to be the last night. We love that they enjoy spending time with the horses and people.
Thank you so much to the volunteers that help make this program happen. If you are interested in volunteering let us know.
We have Thursday off for the holiday weekend then will start with the next group next week.
Have a happy and safe 4th of July!