Volunteer at Dark Star Wildlife Center!

We will hold our 2019 Volunteer training days on

April 7th and 8th from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

 

Bringing the Wild and Kids together!

We need your help! Volunteer and internship positions are available April – October.

We are a newer 501©3 nonprofit organization. You will have the opportunity to grow with us, learn with us and be proud knowing you are a part of this important non-profit organization.

As a volunteer you will emphasize in educating children about wildlife species in Minnesota and the importance of wildlife safety, habitat preservation, wilderness awareness, and our ability to co-exist with Minnesota wildlife and what fun adventure they will have exploring in nature!

Why become a Dark Star Wildlife Center Volunteer?

Love of animals.

Help kids unplug from the wall and get into nature.

Learn of the many wildlife species in Minnesota.

Being in nature is great therapy for the mind and soul.

 Make new friends who have similar interests.

Sharing your talents with others

And more!

Who is Eligible?

Animal Caretakers for our wildlife must be 18 years of age or older. 

Under 18 must have a signed consent from parents or guardian to volunteer in all areas except wildlife enclosures.

Community service (must not have any animal cruelty, child abuse/endangerment or theft on record).

Collage students

Retired

Vets

Boy Scouts

Girl Scouts

Groups

Kids

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Who is Not Eligible to Volunteer: Anyone convicted of any crime in Child abuse, neglect or endangerments.  Anyone convicted of any crime in Animal abuse or cruelty

When can I volunteer?

We open Memorial Day Weekend and Close October 21st, Open Thursday – Sunday from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM. We also need volunteers during our days we are closed, summer camp and events.

 

Many incentives are offered in exchange for volunteering 20 hours or more a month.

Free Admission and to Events for volunteers and family.

Free camping in our Wild Kids Forest for volunteers and family

Training and education.

Photography

Unique experience to go inside the wildlife enclosures and interact with them, learn of them and take pictures (must be 18 or older)

 

Volunteer Must be:

18 years of age or older to be in the wildlife enclosures

17 and under must have a signed consent form from parent or guardian.

Enjoy working with the public

Enjoy being around kids

Enjoy being around animals

Enjoy the outdoors and being in nature

 

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Volunteer work available:

 

Education Volunteer – assist staff with education programs during our opening hours, summer camp and events.

 

Wildlife Animal Caretaker Volunteer –  Daily Chores 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM including feeding, watering, cleaning enclosures. When needed: Assist with the construction of any new enclosures or other projects. Designing the enclosures into a natural habitat surrounding. Opening hours: Watching over the animals when the public is here and doing educational talks to the public inside the enclosure of that species.

 

 Donkeys Caretaker- 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM Daily chores including feeding, watering, cleaning enclosure, brushing.  Training of our 3 miniature donkeys can be done anytime we are not open to the public. Opening hours staying inside the donkey pen letting the public come in donkey enclosure and watching over the donkeys as they are being petted, hugged etc.

 

Bully against Bullying program: Plan daily activities and events on Bullying in using our ambassador bullfrog and turtle to help stop bullying and to help the ones who are being bully’s to not bully anymore.  Daily chores feeding, cleaning turtle and frog enclosure.

 

Event Volunteer –  Plan and assist in events we have here.

 

Summer Camp Volunteer-Plan and assist with our summer camp.

 

Carpentry – Design and build many projects.

 

Gardener- Plant and care for flowers, wildlife prairie, butterfly garden, wetlands and wildflowers, berries trees and more.

 

Fundraising -  Plan all fundraising and talk or email businesses on sponsoring.

 

Activity’s -  Plan and create nature and wildlife activity’s in the Wild Kids Forest and for our summer  camp and events.

 

Wild Kids Forest Supervisor -  Supervising the public and designing natural fun adventures in the Wild Kids Forest.

 

Photographer – Take pictures of wildlife and nature for our website. Hold a wildlife photography class here to schedule during our summer camp and photo workshops in teaching kids photography.

 

Grounds Keeper-  Keeping the property clean and looking good, make sure all is safe for the public and checking enclosures to see if they need updating or fixing. Doing all repairs, updating and building enclosures.

 

Security: Coming in during our open hours, summer camps, and events to walking the property to  make sure everyone is following the rules.

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Display Projects: Design and make educational displays on wildlife in Minnesota and our captive wildlife and farm animals her at Dark Star. You can do this at home or here.

 

Arts and Crafts: Build and design outdoor signs and help kids to make nature crafts on our opening days, events and summer camp.

 

Landscaping: Design and build landscape projects.

 

Parking:  Directing visitors on where to park during opening hours, events and summer camp.

 

Admission: Collect money/donations and give out the do’s and don’ts in visiting us. Give information needed and how to find areas here. To follow all rules on signs. Have adults sign a not responsible for injury form.

 

Board Member: Be a part of decision making, voting on what needs to be done and go to monthly meetings.

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