Thanks so much for following up on your interest in volunteering at the farm! We are an organization with a small staff, so having a dedicated volunteer workforce is crucial for us to be able to continue to serve our community. Our volunteer opportunities are well underway! Through the months of March and April we will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am-1pm. Hours are seasonally dependent so during some of our 'higher volume' months we might have longer hours. During our open hours time, our largest need for volunteers is in the animal enclosures. These volunteers manage the gates in the animal pens, as well as provide information to the public about the animals and ensure the safety of both the animals and the public. Volunteers must be comfortable interacting with the public and animals. We have many species of animals including: chickens, pigs, goats, cows, sheep, donkeys, ponies, ducks, geese and rabbits. There are several non-animal jobs available as well. We are also ALWAYS in dire need of adult volunteers. There is no minimum volunteer commitment requirement. Volunteers under 13 years old must volunteer alongside an adult chaperone. At the present time, all volunteers in the animal pens will be required to wear masks, encouraged to practice social distancing, and sanitize hands frequently. Additionally, masks are required for all guests over the age of 3 years old and are encouraged to be conscious of their space as they move throughout the farm. Volunteer training dates vary on a monthly basis so please contact us to find out when the next available training is. After you complete a training, you will be eligible to volunteer during our open hours. This volunteer opportunity is not available for those looking to complete community service hours for court. Court ordered community service volunteers must contact our operations manager, Chris, at (708) 361-3650.
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About The Children's Farm at The Center
Location:
12700 Southwest Hwy., Palos Park, IL 60464, US
Mission Statement
The Center’s mission is to give people of all faiths, backgrounds, and ages the space to dream, grow, and become fully alive--physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Our goal is to connect people, animals and nature.
Description
The Children's Farm at The Center offers a rare and wonderful learning place where kids experience farm animals of all types, how they live, what they eat, how they feel and sound. Here, chickens lay eggs, sheep grow wool, cows give milk and horses eat hay harvested right from our fields. At the same time, children see crops grow and begin to understand the importance of farms and farmers to their own survival. Imagine - milk doesn’t have its origins in a cardboard or plastic carton! We offer a host of enriching farm programs, where children can handle the animals and experience the life of the farm.
