Grove City Volunteers

Thank you for your interest in volunteer projects at Wears Valley Ranch. Since the Ranch first opened, God has blessed us with hundreds of volunteers who have literally built much of this ministry. We hope that you will prayerfully consider how you can be a part of what God continues to do at Wears Valley Ranch through volunteer projects. We have heard countless reports that missions projects at the Ranch have been life-changing adventures for the participants.

The following information is designed to answer general questions about volunteering at the Wears Valley Ranch. We hope that reading this material will give you a better idea of what our specific needs are and how you can help.

To inquire more about opportunities, please feel out this form:

⇒Volunteer Inquiry Form

What are the needs?
Generally, our needs fall into the following categories:

  • Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance
  • Painting
  • Cleaning
  • Office/Clerical
Because our needs are continually changing we keep a separate list of specific projects. Please call to ask about specific project needs.

How do you assign jobs?
Wears Valley Ranch is a special place that we want to operate with excellence that brings Glory to God.  We assign jobs to groups that best match our need and their skill level.  When you fill out your volunteer inquiry, we will contact you about what jobs your group might be best suited for.

How are projects supervised?
Volunteer projects are supervised by a member of WVR.  Adult groups are able to meet with a WVR staff member to get started and can supervise themselves.  For middle and high school groups, we ask that you maintain at least a 1:4 ratio of adults to youth. This ratio helps ensure that you have enough leadership to be safe.

What do I need to bring?
No matter what the project, we need you to bring or sign a volunteer release form. Volunteers under age 18 must fill out a volunteer release form for minors and the form must be signed by a parent or adult guardian.

For landscaping, construction, or other work projects, each person should bring a pair of work gloves and appropriate clothing. We can usually provide some tools for landscaping and cleaning projects. For specific projects, we can put together a list of necessary items and work with you to see that all of them are available.

One of our guiding principles is to build without borrowing. Thus, we can only take on a project when God provides the funding. For some projects, we have the funds and only need labor; for other projects, we need both funding and labor. We also have ongoing needs, such as landscaping and cleaning that are virtually all labor and little cost.

When funds are needed for a project, we often encourage the group who is doing the project to also raise the funds. Our experience has been that when a group is spending money that they helped raise, they are often more careful to do a good job. However, do not let funding get in the way of planning a project—if you would like to help, we can use you!

When can we bring a group?
We welcome groups any time, but we ask that you contact us at least a couple of weeks in advance so that we can be prepared to work with you.  We are unable to accommodate volunteer groups during our summer camp which program operates from June – July.  If you would like to still visit during our summer camp for a tour, please email lradmore@wvr.org

What age group should volunteer?
We welcome groups of all ages – from youth to adults. We have also had a number of families volunteer along with small children. Even children who are too small to be very helpful will benefit from seeing mom and dad serving the Lord, just make sure you have adequate supervision to be safe.

How large a group should I bring?
Generally, we can manage groups of up to 25. With some advance notice, though, we can partner with other area ministries to accommodate larger groups.

What activities can we do other than work?
In addition to work, your group can enjoy a number of recreational activities while you are with us. On campus we have tennis and basketball courts, a soccer field, volleyball court, and hiking trails. If you would like to use on-campus facilities, please let us know in advance so that we can be sure they are available.

For recreation nearby, the Smoky Mountain National Park offers hiking as well as swimming and tubing in the Little Pigeon River. During the winter months, you may also enjoy snow skiing in Gatlinburg.

For spiritual enrichment, you are always welcome to join us for our morning devotions. Pastor Wood usually leads the study in the mornings on Tuesday through Friday. We would love to share this time of expository study and practical life applications with you.

How can we get to know and minister to Ranch students?
One of the best ways to get to know our students is to share a meal with them. You might plan a cookout at our picnic pavilion or join us for lunch in the Dining Hall. You might also join the students for their regular recreation period on weekday afternoons.

A third option is to plan a day of recreation or shopping for your group and invite our students and staff to join you.

Where can we stay?
We can usually accommodate volunteer groups in our camp cabin. The cabin consists of four units with 14 bunks in each unit (accommodating 56 people total). Each unit has its own restrooms and is climate controlled.

What do we need to bring?
If you are staying in the cabins, plan to bring your own linens, towels and toiletries.

Where can we eat?
During the school year, volunteers are encouraged to join us M-F in our dining hall for our lunch.  It’s a great time for volunteers to meet staff and students.

For breakfast, dinner and weekends, you may use our Dining Hall and kitchen to prepare your own meals. Please let us know in advance if you would like to prepare meals there so that we can coordinate the schedules with our school and staff.

If you are still reading, you must be ready to roll up your sleeves and pitch in! To schedule your project or to make an inquiry, please fill out the form below.  If you are hoping to spend time with our students and staff at Chapel, lunch and recreation class, keep in mind that those only operate M-F.

⇒Volunteer Inquiry Form

Another vital need is for volunteers in our Volunteer Family Program which provides a home away from the Ranch for children who are not able to stay with their families during holidays and on occasional weekends. For information regarding this type of volunteerism please contact our main office (865) 429-KIDS.

We hope that you will continue to pray for us as we engage daily in spiritual warfare to reclaim the lives of children who have suffered unimaginable abuse and tragedy. Without a doubt, our greatest need has always been and will remain the faithful prayers of God’s people. Once again we thank you for your desire to serve the Lord with us, and we look forward to working with you. May He richly bless you as you follow Him!