Are you retired from teaching and missing working with young people? Star Gazing Farm is an animal sanctuary that houses approximately 55 animals from 11 different species and offers a weekly work and learn program for students ages 12 and up.
We
are looking for a seasoned educator who is interested in encouraging young people’s
interest in animal care and welfare. Providing guidance and supervision is a
key component of this volunteer job.
The work the students perform includes:
· Cleaning barns
· Scrubbing and filling water troughs and buckets
· Tidying the indoor small animal room (rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs)\
· Grooming the animals
· Assisting with animal husbandry tasks such as deworming, administering shots, hoof trimming and shearing
· Staffing events·
Every Saturday we allot 6 places for students to sign up to volunteer. (note: we also have occasional adults who volunteer but they generally do not work in a supervisory role). Saturday workdays run from 9am to 1pm.
These students
volunteer at the farm primarily because they are animal lovers. It is a
wonderful opportunity for them to have hands-on experience with both large and
small animals and to exercise both their mind and their bodies in doing farm
work.
While engaging in the work itself is educational and healthy, we
wish to further enrich their experience by providing both more direct
supervision and weekly educational components relating to animal care and
animal welfare.
We are seeking an experienced educator who enjoys working with teens and can motivate them to go beyond just the “regular” task list. This person will act as primary supervisor for the students:
· Making sure they understand how to use the tools available to them.
· Checking to see that jobs are properly completed.
· Ensuring that everyone is working safely and in a collegial manner.
· Keeping the flow of work going yet making sure needed breaks are taken.
· Helping students consider important questions regarding the animals they are working to help.
· Providing a short weekly educational exercise (homework is fine!) in relation to animal care and welfare.
Other notes:
· The supervisor is not required to perform the physical work but only to demonstrate use of tools.
· The farm is small (4 acres) but there is a lot of walking including up and down hills in the course of a Saturday.
· We heartily welcome retired schoolteachers and coaches.
Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.
