Check Out: Critter Barn Memberships
Critter Crew
Critter Crew Members,​
Now that you have invested time in our class, and are part of our Critter Crew team, you can choose from the options below to visit the farm and continue to grow.
Remember some basics when you come to volunteer:
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dress for the weather - bring a jacket, gloves, hat if needed
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wear your logo shirt and jeans, black or khaki pants/shorts
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wear tennis shoes or boots
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bring snacks, water bottles, sack lunch as needed
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work as a team and remember the golden rule
If you have any questions, contact our Programming Coordinator Makayla at volunteer@critterbarn.org or 616-748-1110
Thank you for your dedication and service to Critter Barn!
The animals, our guests, and members of our staff appreciate all you do.
Interested In Joining Critter Crew?​
First, you’ll need to enroll in our 5-day prerequisite class called Critter Camp. In camp you’ll meet our staff and learn about animal care, teamwork, and how our farm operation works.
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After graduating from Critter Camp, you may volunteer on our farm throughout the year as a Crew member!
Critter Crew Shifts​
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Beginning in January 2026, we will be switching our Critter Crew shift sign-up software from VolunteerLocal to Bloomerang. Bloomerang will help us better manage schedules, communication, and volunteer records moving forward. And hopefully be easier on your end!
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To sign up for future Critter Crew shifts, everyone will need to apply and be added to our organization in Bloomerang. Please follow the steps below to get started:
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Complete the online application using this LINK. Make sure you apply using the students first and last name, not parents.
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Once submitted, your application will be reviewed.
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After approval, you will receive an email confirming that you are approved and able to sign up for shifts.
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One important thing to note with this new software is that each Critter Crew member must have their own unique email address. Siblings are no longer able to share a single email account for shift sign-ups.
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If your family uses Gmail, there’s an easy workaround. You can create a unique email for each student by adding a plus sign (+) and the child’s name to your existing email address. For example: office+makayla@critterbarn.org
Emails sent to this address will still go to the main inbox, but Bloomerang will recognize it as a unique account for that student.
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Tips for using Bloomerang:
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When viewing available shifts, it's helpful to change the view to "calendar view".
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When signing up for a shift, you will be adding shifts to a "cart", but don't worry, you don't need to pay anything!
Exciting features that come with Bloomerang:
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They have an app! You can download the "Bloomerang Volunteer" app (it's purple) on your iphone to sign up for shifts through the app. Sign up online first, then once you have an account you can use the app.
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Through this system, it's easier to change shifts around and cancel shifts if needed.
We understand that new systems take a little time to adjust, and we truly appreciate your patience as we make this transition. Our goal is to make volunteering smoother, more organized, and more accessible for everyone.
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If you have questions or need help setting up emails or logging in, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to help walk you through it.