Apprentice Keeper

Description

Step Into the Boots of a Sanctuary Keeper!

Do you have a passion for wildlife? Are you considering a career with animals, or do you just want to see what goes on behind the scenes at a busy sanctuary?

Our Apprentice Keeper Sessions are designed specifically for young people aged 13–16 with a genuine interest in animal care. Led by our expert, DBS-checked staff, these interactive, 1-hour sessions offer a fantastic blend of classroom learning, practical skills, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access. Plus, every participant will receive a certificate to celebrate their new keeper skills!

(Please note: While these sessions are highly educational and hands-on, contact with the animals is limited. This is an educational keeper experience, not an animal petting or handling session.)

📅 Choose Your Apprentice Experience:

Select your session from the dropdown menu. Want to learn it all? You can book multiple sessions to master different skills!

• Reptiles (29th July | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm) Step into the fascinating world of scales and cold-blooded care. In this session, you’ll learn about the specialist care of our reptiles, prepare their diets, handle a snake and a lizard, and meet one of our resident tortoises.

• Birds of Prey (5th August | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm) Get up close with magnificent raptors. Discover the essential daily care of our birds of prey, practice using professional falconry equipment, complete an official training sheet, and get the incredible opportunity to handle and fly an owl!

• Enrichment (12th August | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm) Keeping sanctuary animals mentally stimulated is a vital daily task. Learn the science of animal enrichment, get hands-on to build custom enrichment items for our residents, and then step out into the sanctuary to observe the animals using them!

• Conservation (20th August | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm) Become a true wildlife ally. Discover how Gentleshaw works to protect species, take part in an active Bumblebee survey on-site, and learn how to identify and protect different local species.

• Animal Diets (26th August | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm) Great animal care starts in the kitchen! Learn about the diverse nutritional needs of our resident animals, create an official diet sheet, and get stuck into preparing food for some of our animals.

ℹ️ Essential Information for Parents & Participants

Please read the following details carefully before booking:

• Price: £15 per person, per session.

• Sanctuary Admission: Admission to the sanctuary for the participant is fully included for the rest of the day!

• Spectators: Spectators are very welcome to attend! Supervision is not essential as Gentleshaw staff will be present throughout the session. Spectators pay the usual sanctuary admission fee (payable on the day). Please note that some behind-the-scenes areas will not be accessible to spectators.

• Arrival: Please arrive 10 minutes before your session starts so we can begin on time.

• What to Bring & Wear:

  • Sturdy, closed-toe shoes must be worn for safety reasons (no sandals or flip-flops).

  • Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty or dusty.

  • Please bring your own drinks with you.

• Allergy Warning: Activities take place in active sanctuary environments and include handling food stuffs, nuts, animal bedding, and dusty environments. These sessions are not suitable for those with severe food allergies (including nuts).

• Staff: All sessions are run by friendly, professional, and fully DBS-checked Gentleshaw staff.

• Cameras: Cameras are highly welcome! Feel free to capture memories of your apprentice keeper in action.