The mission of the Wayne County Equine and Recreational Center is to afford others the opportunity we had.  Growing up we did not realize that other children did not ride horses, camp, travel and participate in a variety of activities that we took as a normal.  Learning new skills, self-control and conquering fear are so crucial for our youth, but as we look around, we see them obsessed by social media. The Wayne County Equine and Recreational Center is stepping forward to offer our youth the experiences we had, to gain and grow in their mind and spirit through the understanding and love of horses.

We envision our youth stepping forward with confidence and meeting new challenges with assurance. Redirecting youth focus in a positive and clear direction creating opportunities and experiences they may have never had the chance to experience nor even realized existed.  The equine world can be the doorway for our youth to see possibilities with a new vision of themselves and their world.

Our program is designed to build respect, skills, peer support, and dependability. 

Respect for oneself, peers, leaders, and all life.  Working with horses requires that the individual respect the animal, instructions, and time to keep themselves and the horses safe and healthy.

Skills are developed through education and opportunity.  Education needs to be complemented with hands-on opportunity to build skills. 

Peer support is an important key for youth. Youth learn quickly from each other. Working in groups with multiple horses and riders requires that everyone work together making and sharing goals and creating and following plans.

Dependability is required by all parties.  Leaders and youth must make the commitment, follow through with plans of action and keep their word.