Volunteer Program
March 14-15 April 11-12, 2026
Helping Hands
Year-round volunteer opportunities are many and varied at Turtle Island. Some folks come for a day, a weekend, two weeks, or two months; schedules pending. Each volunteer experience is set on an individual basis. Some volunteers specialize in one area, others experiment with a variety of duties, depending on climate and season. Some volunteers come from very far distances. Others, who live and work nearby come repeatedly throughout the year depending on the events and needs of Turtle Island that also works into their schedules. Our diverse team of volunteers is what keeps Turtle Island alive. Fill out your application and send in today! We will promptly be in touch.
Building Community
Turtle Island's overwhelming and steadfast success is due largely in part to the countless souls who have donated their time, and come out for over two decades to "plug-in." Now in our 10th year as a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we have developed an official Volunteer Application Process to place interested persons in roles that will enrich many lives. If you are interested in learning more about our volunteer program, please click the link below to download an application packet. This is the most efficient process for keeping our arsenal of help well organized.
Preserving Heritage
Whether you have a long weekend, a month, a summer off, or a day or two to spare every few months - once you have completed the application process there is a world of opportunity for volunteers to come out and get a hands-on, behind-the scenes, enriching experience with the Turtle Island Community. Many volunteers have been helping for years. From dish-washing to wood-chopping, from chain sawing to carpentry, there are always tasks needing done and many hands make light work. We thank you in advance for all your interest and assistance.
A short Testimonial from volunteers
2023 & 2024 Volunteer Reviews:
“I spent the week that Hurricane Helene arrived volunteering with a school group from Pittsboro at Eustace Conway's Turtle Island Preserve. The goal of Turtle Island Preserve is to teach people how to live off the land. The school group learned basic skills such as blacksmithing, important for making tools and shoeing horses. Net making, that you can use to catch fish. Flint Knapping, using certain types of rock to make arrowheads and cutting tools. Plants and botany many of which possess healing and health properties. Horsemanship, how to care for the animals that do the work for us, and also how to find clean water to drink.
I think it’s important to take kids out of the classroom and put them into the classroom of life occasionally. We packed the kids out on Thursday in a torrential rainstorm. They were wet, muddy, tired, and definitely out of their element. Yet ironically, a majority of them did not want to leave.
Little did we know that in less than 24 hours Hurricane Helene would come and change the landscape of our community for decades to come. My experience that week at Turtle Island Preserve impressed upon me the importance of being self-sustaining in the wake of what we’ve just gone through. Mountain people are tough and resilient, and have learned to live off the land for hundreds of years. We often take for granted running water, electricity, indoor plumbing, communication and transportation. However, just a few basic survival skills, like the ones being taught at Turtle Island Preserve, can be a “lifesaver”, literally. “
Todd Castle - Boone, North Carolina
Volunteer Resources:
Orientation Form:
Before you arrive to volunteer, please familiarize yourself with our camp orientation form so you can completely understand our expectations.
What to Bring List:
Before you arrive to volunteer, please familiarize yourself with our list of ‘What to Bring’ so you can be fully prepared to volunteer.
Guidelines:
Read up on our guidelines; the rules we live by.
Volunteer Handbook:
Our handbook prepares volunteers in detail.