EVENTS
THE HCF ART CONTEST WINNERS!!
Big Thanks to all those that participated and to our panel of judges that had a very difficult time choosing the winners.
Grades 10 - 12
First Place Winner
Second Place
Grade 7 - 9
First Place Winner
Second Place
Grades 3 - 6
First Place
Second Place
Grades K - 1
First Place
Second Place
VOLUNTEER
If you are interested in volunteering please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at HCFvolunteers@bellsouth.net
CURRENTLY WE ARE IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FOLLOWING TASKS
Photographer - must be reliable! For adoptable pet photos and videos. Must commit to coming to HCF at least once every 2 weeks. Would be more helpful if this was a volunteer pair to help handle animals during photo/video sessions. Must be over 18. We will train a person that will commit for 1 year or longer.
Poop Scooping -this can be a group volunteer session!
Help Setting Up and Attending HCF Events
Fundraising
Corporate Inkind Donation Solicitation
Construction of Barns and Buildings
Web Help
Printing Services
People with great ideas that get them done from start to finish.
If you would like to come out to just visit with the animals and pet them please contact our Visitor Coordinator
at HCFfieldtrips@bellsouth.net We ask for a $15 donation per person to attend our scheduled farm visits.
Make a donation over $100 and you will receive a HCF T-shirt!
Please understand we are a working farm with animals in different phases of rehabilitation. We are not a petting zoo or a place to seek out entertainment for the afternoon. Many of our new arrivals are sick or injured and do not need the stress of visitors. And we are much too busy tending to the animals, working, and trying to save lives to be able to handle visitors that are not helping our efforts to save animals. We do welcome visitors on scheduled Farm Visit Days and Open Houses.
HCF Youth Volunteer Program
HCF wants to offer parents a chance to help teach their children about responsibility and compassion.
We have developed a program that allows young people to not only learn about animals but also teaches them about goals and achievement.
In our program we have eight levels of participation. When their commitment has been met on one level, they move up to the next by completion of the volunteers tasks, showing up on time and on the assigned dates. Youth volunteers will take part in the handling, cleaning, and care of the specified animals. The program must be followed to the letter - no exceptions.
Level 1 - Chicken - At the chicken level, young people learn to care for various types of poultry at HCF. Proper cleaning, egg collection, and training of poultry – yes we have trained chickens and poultry. This also includes learning about poultry behavior and anatomy. 20 points to complete this level.
Level 2 - Goat - The Goat level includes learning about proper goat care. Grooming, trimming of hooves, anatomy, proper goat handling and behavior. 30 points to complete this level.
Level 3 – Pig - The pig level includes handling of the HCF guest pigs, cleaning and training of the pigs. Pigs are highly intelligent and enjoy human interaction. Advanced volunteer training will take place at this level. 40 points to complete this level.
Level 4- Dog - The dog level will include cleaning, grooming, exercising, and socialization of the adoptable HCF dogs. 50 points to complete this level.
Level 5- Pony - The pony level is the first level in the Youth Equine Program. Proper attire must be worn/supplied by youth volunteers. This level will teach the basics of horse care, equipment , safety, proper care and feeding of horses. It will involve supervised handling of select horses. 70 points to complete this level.
Level 6 – Horse - Once the Pony Level is complete the youth can move onto the Horse level. Responsibilities will be increased and basic horse handling and behavior . Advanced supervised handling to include worming, hoof care, some riding on select horses. 80 points to complete this level.
Level 7 – HCF Junior Handler - In this level the young person has completed and demonstrated responsibility in all other levels and will become a direct assistants to the HCF staff. 90 points to complete this level.
Level 8 – HCF Youth Trainer - A youth that has reached this level has to have demonstrated commitment to their volunteer goals, gained knowledge of all the animals behavior, and proven themselves to be a trustworthy and willing participant in the program. A youth trainer will assist in advanced training of all animals at HCF. No cleaning or menial tasks need to be performed at this level. This level will be earned and granted only by exceptional performance.
Parents and guardians are required to be at HCF at all times when their child is attending unless the child is over the age of 16 years old. No children under the age of 12 will be allowed at the farm during the youth volunteer sessions – no exceptions. Proper attire must be supplied by and worn by all participants. Waivers must be signed by parents and legal guardians. Bring your own food and beverage if you care to have lunch at HCF while volunteering.
All safety rules must be strictly adhered to at all times. No exceptions. If the rules are not followed your volunteer relationship with HCF will be terminated immediately.
Youth volunteer positions are limited to 4 children per level in total. Please do not sign up unless you are committed to completing your level so that others can have a chance to volunteer and advance.
Youths can achieve the next level by accumulating goal points.
Example Chicken Level - 20 points to complete this level.
1 point for each time the youth is on time for volunteer session.
1 point for completing cleaning and care of poultry during volunteer session.
1 point for learning about poultry on their own time at home and being able to answer questions about anatomy, humane care, and behavior.
3 points for fund raising to help care for the animals they are working with on that level. Example: youth volunteer (without the financial help of the parent) will get a needed item donated to feed or care for the animals in their level. - Child collects money to purchase a bag of chicken food.
Each level has a different point assignment to reflect the amount of time and commitment needed to achieve level goals.
The Youth volunteer will receive a HCF shirt with their designated level on the shirt upon entering a level. At each level the points revert back to zero. Points will be deducted for absence or tardiness.
We do hold parents accountable for getting their children to the farm on time. Please remember our staff is all volunteer and have to take time away from their jobs and families to participate as well.
HCF is a working farm.
We are not a public park or playground. This program was designed to give parents an opportunity to teach real world responsibility to their children and provide them with a sense of accomplishment when they reach their goals.
HCF can be a lot of fun. We have never had a parent or child not enjoy their volunteer time spent here, but it can be hot, it can be hard work, and at times a youth volunteer may become attached to an animal that is slated for adoption. No animals are euthanized at HCF unless they are beyond the hope of a medical recovery or have extreme issues that make them a safety hazard to other animals or humans. No animals are raised for food or slaughter at HCF. There is no breeding allowed at HCF.
Youth Animal Sponsorship
If unable to make the required trips to HCF a young person can become a Youth Sponsor of an HCF animal or animal group.
What is involved?
The child can take up a collection for money or actual donations for food for a specified animal or group of animals.
The child can take up a collection to help pay for vet care or shelter for a specified animal or group of animals.
The child can start an adoption campaign for a specified animal or group of animals at HCF. They can do this by linking the sponsored animals on their emails, by involving their church or school in trying to find a qualified home for an animal or groups of HCF animals.
Each child that sponsors an animal and raises enough money to feed that animal for 1 month will receive a 8×10 photo of a sponsored animal with a Sponsorship certificate from HCF.
A typical horse will need $170 per month for basic care and feed.
A typical dog will need $70 per month to feed and for basic vet care.
A goat will need $30 per month for basic feed and vet care.
A pig will need $ 30 per month for basic feed and vet care.
If a classroom or school would like to sponsor an animal they will receive an 8x 10 photo and sponsorship certificate for their good deed.
If a classroom or individual youth raises $500 or more they will receive the 8×10 photo of that animal and a professional pencil sketch by Vicky Kaseorg of the sponsored animal to display in their school or classroom with a HCF Youth Sponsor Certificate of Appreciation.
If you have any questions about our Youth Programs please feel free to email us at HollowCreekFarm@bellsouth.net