VOLUNTEER DAY

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.

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.

Outdoor Volunteer Dates : 2009

Office Volunteer Dates : 2009

Limited Crews: Unfortunately, we cannot handle more than 12 volunteers during a single day for outdoor volunteering and four volunteers per day for indoor volunteering. 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. Check the available volunteer days and sign up. If your group is too large to be accommodated by the existing volunteer days please email the Sanctuary with the name of your group or organization, the number in your group and the date you wish to volunteer.

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.

Cancellation: If you have signed up for a volunteer date and need to cancel please notify the office by e-mailing cathy@elephants.com at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled volunteer date. This will allow others on the waiting list the opportunity to take your place. If you fail to notify us of your cancellation and are a “no-show” on your reserved date you will not be allowed to volunteer at the Sanctuary for any other Volunteer dates throughout the year.

Lunch with Staff: At least one member of the staff will join you for lunch — a great time for questions and answers!

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.

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.

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.

VOLUNTEER DAY PHOTOS