Become A Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

There are several opportunities to volunteer at the Center including with the education program, husbandry area, and gift shop. Education volunteers devote their time to guest interaction; including answering questions and/or assisting with daily programs, groups, and outreach events. Volunteers working in the husbandry area get down and dirty assisting with food preparation, water changes, laundry, and other tasks. Several volunteers also dedicate their time to helping answer phones and run registers in the gift shop.

We ask that volunteers commit to at least two shifts a month in order to optimize your experience at the Center. Training is provided for all volunteers so there is no need to be a sea turtle expert.

What volunteer opportunities are available?

• Admissions and Gift Shop Associates
• Membership and Adoption Volunteer
• Docents
• Educational Program Docents
• Husbandry
• Turtle Walks and Hatchling Walks (seasonal)
• Night Patrols (seasonal)
• Terrapin Patrols (seasonal)

What are the benefits?

• Volunteer t-shirt and nametag
• Monthly Jekyll Island parking pass
• 10% discount in our gift shop
• Training on sea turtle biology, conservation, and rehabilitation
• Monthly focus classes
• The chance to work with a team of passionate and dedicated people

What are the minimum age requirements?

• Children’s programs and activities: Age 13+
• Interpretation, Administrative, Educational Walk Guide (with parent): Age 14+
• Husbandry, Educational Walk Guide (seasonal): Age 18+

What are the commitment requirements?

• At least 2 shifts per month
• Shifts are 4 hours long and typically are scheduled from 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm, but we are willing to work with your availability.
• Prefer 6-12 month commitment (3 month minimum)
• We have a number of volunteers that help us out all year round and also several snow birds/seasonal volunteers that help us out during the summer and winter.
• Due to the large time investment needed to properly train volunteers we do not accept volunteers on a short-term basis (less than 3 month commitment).  

What is the process of becoming a volunteer?

Step 1: Complete a volunteer application: Download volunteer application

• Meetings are held in conjunction with monthly focus classes at the Brunswick Library. 

2008 Interest Meeting/Focus Class Schedule

• September 22, 2008
• October 27, 2008
• November 24, 2008
• December 15, 2008

Step 3: Attend an orientation
Orientations are held on Tuesdays at 7pm and Saturdays at 9am and last approximately 2 hours.  You only need to attend one orientation; two sessions are offered to accommodate different schedules.

2008 Orientation Schedule

• Tuesday, October 14 or Saturday, October 18
• Tuesday, November 4 or Saturday, November 8
• Tuesday, December 9 or Saturday, December 13

Step 4: Complete 2 shadow shifts
Complete your training by shadowing a staff member for your first 2 shifts

Let us know!