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Posted
4/14/08: Two volunteer options are discussed on this page. By far the most intensive of the two mentioned here is an Internship Program which lasts 6 weeks. The other type of program is directed toward individuals and groups who want to spend a day working on a Sanctuary-directed project. For more information, choose a category below: Employment Internships Volunteer Day Office Volunteers Photos If you would like to volunteer at a Fundraiser or Awareness Booth at an event in support of The Elephant Sanctuary, click here for more information. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is currently accepting applications for six-week internships. The intern positions are not paid positions. We provide housing and interns are responsible for their own food and transportation. Interns are chosen for their field of study, experience and future goals. Internships are awarded to students studying veterinary science, zoology, wildlife management, and related fields, as well as to individuals drawn to the Sanctuary for spiritual reasons. Each prospective intern must visit the Sanctuary for a workday and interview before being accepted into the intern program. We recognize the distance many interns must travel to fulfill this requirement, but we have found this prerequisite essential. Interns are scheduled to work five days per week. All interns are required to work weekends. The day begins at 8:00 a.m. in the elephant barn with caregiver duties. Interns are here to learn the mechanics and our philosophy of elephant care. Interns assist our lead caregiver in all aspects of daily care, cleaning and feeding. The afternoon schedule varies. Most days the interns help with facility projects: facility maintenance, hay and produce restocking, and construction projects. Please note: Intern duties are labor intensive. You must be in good physical condition. At the Sanctuary, observation is the key to learning. We encourage silence while in the presence of elephants. This quiet space allows the interns to develop their observation skills. Our interns are allowed no direct physical contact or verbal interactions with the elephants. Interns are never left unsupervised with the elephants. If we accomplish only one thing with our interns, we hope to instill a respect for elephants and for all life. We encourage our interns to quiet their voice and learn through their eyes, ears, heart, soul and mind. If you are interested in applying, please send your resumé, availability, and three letters of recommendation to: The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald or email kate@elephants.com Posted
4/14/08:
Please note that volunteers will not have any direct contact with the elephants — however, your efforts will benefit the elephants in an important supporting role. You may be painting some of the miles of fencing that will protect their sanctuary, renovating structures, or even helping to clean up or remove barbed wire in new areas of habitat the elephants have not yet explored. Every task, no matter how big or small, matters in the lives of each of our Girls. The Sanctuary has established a set of guidelines that all volunteers must agree to respect. Please read through the guidelines to decide if becoming a volunteer is right for you. (Click any of these subjects to jump to the topic, or scroll down to read all) |
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Dates Limited Crews Age Requirements Personal Physical Condition Volunteer Day Hours Lunch With Staff What to Bring What to Wear What if I See an Elephant? No Pets Allowed No Smoking or Drinking Sign Me Up! |
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Posted
4/14/08:
Limited Crews: Unfortunately, we cannot handle more than 12 volunteers during a single day. Positions are given on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be notified when you submit your sign-up form if the day is already full. Please register for the next available date of your choosing. We also welcome clubs or organizations who would like to volunteer as a group. E-mail the Sanctuary for more information. Age Requirements: Minimum age to volunteer is 15; all minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or other adult guardian. Personal Physical Condition: Although some of our volunteer projects might not be terribly labor intensive, the terrain that you will be work in, coupled with the sometimes oppressive weather conditions, requires that you be in good physical condition. We are not able to leave any volunteer behind as the remainder of the group hikes to our designated project site. Volunteer Day Hours: The scheduled hours for Volunteer Day are 8:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. CST. You must be at the check-in point by 8:30 a.m., in Hohenwald, TN, approximately 90 minutes from downtown Nashville. (A map will be provided when your registration is accepted.) Volunteers are brought onto Sanctuary grounds as a group. Only those people with a reservation on a volunteer day will be allowed on grounds. Any volunteer who is late and misses the check-in time will not be admitted and will miss the opportunity. Lunch with Staff: At least one member of the staff will join you for lunch — a great time for questions and answers! |
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What to Bring: Everyone is asked to bring a sack lunch and enough water or other refreshments for the day. You may bring a personal cooler or backpack if you would like — but remember, you may have to carry it for some distance. You will want to record your visit with photos, so a small camera would also be on the list of what to bring. It is very helpful to bring latex rubber gloves to avoid getting the oil-based enamel paint on your hands as you paint. If you are allergic to anything (for example, bee stings), please bring the remedy with you! The project should be completed around 3:00 p.m. The Sanctuary will provide the opportunity for all volunteers to clean up before returning to their vehicles. |
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What to Wear: Depending on the season, temperatures can range from low 30s to as high as 100 degrees. Inclement weather, such as rain, happens often and will not cancel volunteer activities. In most cases, it merely changes your scheduled project. Insects such as mosquitoes and ticks are abundent in this area, so wear the proper repellants, work boots, long pants, comfortable long or short sleeved shirts, sunscreen, and sunglasses. We also recommend a tetanus shot. |
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What if I see an elephant? It is a rare occasion that a volunteer will see an elephant, but if you do, you will be instructed to remain quiet in their presence, and will not be allowed any verbal or physical interaction with them. Remember, this is their sanctuary. No Pets Allowed: While it is no secret that we love animals as much as you do, for the safety of all creatures big and small, please leave yours at home. No Smoking or Drinking: The Sanctuary buildings and grounds are a smoke-free and drug-free zone. No one is allowed to smoke or consume drugs or alcohol on grounds. Sign Me Up: Click here for an online registration form to volunteer. You will be notified if that date is already full and will have an opportunity to choose another. The Elephant Sanctuary will email you when you have been accepted, and will forward you links to download your map, list of things to bring, and a waiver form, which you will be required to sign and bring with you on Volunteer Day. |
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OFFICE VOLUNTEERS - Dates for 2008 Posted
4/14/08:
If you can help on one of the dates, please click here for an online registration form to be an office volunteer.
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Over
the past several years we have
been fortunate to have so many
Sanctuary supporters volunteer
their time to indirectly help
our elephants. There are many
ongoing and special on-site work
projects at the Sanctuary that
we simply don't have enough staff
to accomplish, so we have come
to rely on the kindness of volunteers
to assist us in keeping up.
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