Turtle Bay Exploration Park Teen Volunteer Program

Turtle Bay Exploration Park, located in Redding, has long been a favorite family destination in the North State. The non-profit’s 300-acre campus features the world-famous Sundial Bridge, forestry and wildlife center, arboretum and botanical gardens, and museum, with rotating exhibitions. The Turtle Bay Exploration Park Teen Volunteer Program is a program giving teens the unique experience of volunteering at a museum. 

Each year the organization trains and implements approximately 100 teen volunteers between the ages of 13 to 18 to assist with ongoing programs and special events. In 2018, Turtle Bay’s teen volunteers clocked in over 7,000 hours of service, says Katie Fredericks, Event and Volunteer Coordinator.

There are many volunteer opportunities available at the Park, with the most popular departments being Animal Care, Horticulture, and Education. Many long-term volunteers are cross-trained and some have the opportunity to work in museum collections, where they help to care for the artifacts and assist with exhibits, getting to learn the “behind the scenes” of how museums operate.

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Volunteer experience can be a real asset when it comes to college and employment applications and volunteering at Turtle Bay is a great way for teens to gain valuable, real-life skills in a warm and welcoming place. Teens learn leadership, organization, and public speaking skills, which stay with them throughout their lives, says Fredericks. 

Additionally, parents of the teen volunteers also rave about the program. Brande Moffat’s daughter Ellie, 15, is a volunteer in Park’s education department and loves teaching young children new things. As a parent, one huge benefit to the program is that teens come away with a solid work ethic, says Moffat. 

“Teen volunteers are integral to what we do at Turtle Bay and so much of what we do would not be possible without them, Fredericks says. “We have a place for every interest and talent and our mentors help teens develop their skills and grow into accomplished team members.”  

Whether it’s reading stories and singing songs with children in the “Little Explorers” education program (ages 2-5) or working in the gardens, there are many ways to lend a hand at Turtle Bay. There are also opportunities to work with Turtle Bay’s animal ambassadors, through competitive Animal Care volunteer positions. In addition to keeping the animal habitats clean and safe, teens can learn about and connect with the hundreds of beloved creatures that reside at Turtle Bay, all of which have been rescued and/or rehabilitated. 

Sharon Clay, Curator of Animal Programs, has been working with the teen volunteers for the past 11 years and says one of the best parts about the program is seeing the teens develop self-confidence. She has seen the shyest of teens come out of their shells during their time as volunteers, and many of them have gone on to mentor others. There is also an educational component to being an animal care volunteer, as many of the teens have the opportunity to share their knowledge of the animals with the public at various events. Clay says that she has received positive feedback about her teen volunteers, in regards to their training and professionalism. 

The Teen Volunteer Program is generously funded by Redding Bank of Commerce, with additional support from Shasta College and Feather River College. 

“It’s a friendly environment, it’s a giving environment, it’s an environment that you’re going to find support at,” says Bobby Ranger, Regional Manager/Senior Vice President at Redding Bank of Commerce. “It will help teenagers prepare themselves for the rest of their lives.”

Do you know a teen who’d love to volunteer? Fill out an application to apply.