Jul 26
Visit the Barn
Upcoming Opportunities to Visit Barn Sanctuary
Plan Your Visit
On-Site visits run every weekend during Spring, Summer and Fall. All upcoming opportunities are listed below along with frequently asked questions to help you prepare for your visit. Keep in mind that we are only open to visitors during tours and for select celebrations so we recommend you plan your visit in advance. All public tours are listed below.
On-Site Youth Programs
We are excited to host our first ever Summer at the Sanctuary series! These programs are intended to foster creativity, compassion, and leadership in youth interested in learning more about animals, gardening, the environment, science, and art. We have open registration for ages 12-16 listed below, but can accommodate all ages. Troops, homeschool groups and other youth groups under age 12 are welcome – just email programs@barnsanctuary.org to schedule!
Virtual Tours
We offer Virtual Tours each month of the year! Keep an eye on our upcoming events and join us from anywhere around the world to meet our animal residents!
Field Trips
We are now offering on-site Field Trips for all ages! Groups will participate in a STEAM activity, make and enjoy a plant-based snack, meet and learn about some of our rescued residents and create a community mural! Email programs@barnsanctuary.org to get scheduled.
We offer Virtual Field Trips and Virtual Summer Camp Sessions all year round! Students will get the opportunity to meet our animal residents, hear their rescue stories and learn about the incredible lives of farmed animals. Please email visit@barnsanctuary.org with questions or to schedule a Virtual Field Trip or Summer Camp Session!
Private Visitations
If you would like to visit Barn Sanctuary outside of the listed tour times and upcoming celebrations, you can arrange for a private visit.
Private Tour Requests
Private tours offer a much more intimate experience of the sanctuary than our weekend group tours. They give visitors more opportunity to engage with the animals 1-on-1 and ask questions. During the tour we share individual animal stories, information about the species and industry facts. Private tours are led by trained tour guides who are super knowledgeable and can answer any questions you might have during your visit. These make for a really special experience and are great gifts for friends and loved ones!
Because private tours require more time, preparation and coordination from our team, booking private tours requires a larger donation. Donation amounts vary based on tour group size. To inquire about a private tour, please email us at: visit@barnsanctuary.org
Sponsor Visits
People who have sponsored an animal for two or more years get to visit the sanctuary for free to meet their sponsored resident in person! To schedule your visit email us at: visit@barnsanctuary.org
Upcoming Tours
Jul 27
Compassion Camp (Ages 12-13)
Compassion Camp will run for 4 hours for ages 12-13. This camp will include an in depth experience with one of our 8 species here at Barn Sanctuary, followed by making an enrichment activity. We will then be participating in a STEM based activity in the Learning Garden. Make sure to bring with you: closed toe shoes, sunscreen, bugspray, plant-based lunch and snacks, hat, sunglasses, towel, water bottle. Our program will run rain or shine so dress for success!Jul 31
On-Site Sanctuary Tour 7/31
We are excited to invite guests back to Barn Sanctuary in-person by offering public small group tours for folks ages 12 and up. During the tour, you will be guided through the property and will meet some of the residents and hear their stories, learn facts about each species, and information about their lives within our modern food systems. Questions are encouraged! Make sure to read all the details before registering. We are excited for you to meet the rescues!
Aug 3
Compassion Camp (Ages 12-13)
Compassion Camp will run for 4 hours for ages 12-13. This camp will include an in depth experience with one of our 8 species here at Barn Sanctuary, followed by making an enrichment activity. We will then be participating in a STEM based activity in the Learning Garden. Make sure to bring with you: closed toe shoes, sunscreen, bugspray, plant-based lunch and snacks, hat, sunglasses, towel, water bottle. Our program will run rain or shine so dress for success!Aug 4
Family-Friendly Sanctuary Tour 8/4
We are excited to invite guests of all ages back to Barn Sanctuary in-person by offering public family friendly tours. During these special family tours, you will be guided through a portion of our property and you will see many of our animal residents! For the safety of all, adults must stay with their little ones at all times during the tour. Please read all of the details before signing up. We look forward to seeing you at the sanctuary! If an hour and a half isn't enough for you, join us from 11:30-12 for a bring-your-own outdoor lunch on our front lawn (on the grass or bring a blanket). Lunches must be 100% vegan and plant-based (no eggs, dairy, meat, etc).
Aug 4
Farm Friends (Ages 8 and under)
Calling all 8 & unders! Love spending time at Barn Sanctuary? Grab a parent or guardian and head down to Barn Sanctuary for a one hour program including some special time with one of our 8 animal species and participate in an arts and crafts activity. Each child must have one parent or guardian over the age of 18 present with them throughout the program. If one hour isn’t enough time at Barn Sanctuary for you, we encourage you to sign up for our Family Friendly Tour, followed by a bring your own plant-based outdoor lunch on our front lawn.Aug 7
On-Site Sanctuary Tour 8/7
We are excited to invite guests back to Barn Sanctuary in-person by offering public small group tours for folks ages 12 and up. During the tour, you will be guided through the property and will meet some of the residents and hear their stories, learn facts about each species, and information about their lives within our modern food systems. Questions are encouraged! Make sure to read all the details before registering. We are excited for you to meet the rescues!
Aug 9
Family-Friendly Sanctuary Tour 8/9
We are excited to invite guests of all ages back to Barn Sanctuary in-person by offering public family friendly tours. During these special family tours, you will be guided through a portion of our property and you will see many of our animal residents! For the safety of all, adults must stay with their little ones at all times during the tour. Please read all of the details before signing up. We look forward to seeing you at the sanctuary! If an hour and a half isn't enough for you, join us from 11:30-12 for a bring-your-own outdoor lunch on our front lawn (on the grass or bring a blanket). Lunches must be 100% vegan and plant-based (no eggs, dairy, meat, etc).
Aug 11
Family-Friendly Sanctuary Tour 8/11
We are excited to invite guests of all ages back to Barn Sanctuary in-person by offering public family friendly tours. During these special family tours, you will be guided through a portion of our property and you will see many of our animal residents! For the safety of all, adults must stay with their little ones at all times during the tour. Please read all of the details before signing up. We look forward to seeing you at the sanctuary! If an hour and a half isn't enough for you, join us from 11:30-12 for a bring-your-own outdoor lunch on our front lawn (on the grass or bring a blanket). Lunches must be 100% vegan and plant-based (no eggs, dairy, meat, etc).
Aug 14
On-Site Sanctuary Tour 8/14
We are excited to invite guests back to Barn Sanctuary in-person by offering public small group tours for folks ages 12 and up. During the tour, you will be guided through the property and will meet some of the residents and hear their stories, learn facts about each species, and information about their lives within our modern food systems. Questions are encouraged! Make sure to read all the details before registering. We are excited for you to meet the rescues!
Aug 16
Family-Friendly Sanctuary Tour 8/16
We are excited to invite guests of all ages back to Barn Sanctuary in-person by offering public family friendly tours. During these special family tours, you will be guided through a portion of our property and you will see many of our animal residents! For the safety of all, adults must stay with their little ones at all times during the tour. Please read all of the details before signing up. We look forward to seeing you at the sanctuary! If an hour and a half isn't enough for you, join us from 11:30-12 for a bring-your-own outdoor lunch on our front lawn (on the grass or bring a blanket). Lunches must be 100% vegan and plant-based (no eggs, dairy, meat, etc).
Aug 16
Barn Buddies (Ages 9-11)
Explore your relationship with one of our 8 species here at Barn Sanctuary. We’ll talk about their needs, wants, and desires then create an enrichment activity for the residents of Barn Sanctuary to enjoy! We will then create an art project to reflect on our relationships with our human and nonhuman community. In total, the program will run for 2 hours. Make sure to bring with you: closed toe shoes, sunscreen, bugspray, plant-based lunch and snacks, hat, sunglasses, towel, water bottle. Our program will run rain or shine so dress for success!Aug 17
Compassion Camp (Ages 12-13)
Compassion Camp will run for 4 hours for ages 12-13. This camp will include an in depth experience with one of our 8 species here at Barn Sanctuary, followed by making an enrichment activity. We will then be participating in a STEM based activity in the Learning Garden. Make sure to bring with you: closed toe shoes, sunscreen, bugspray, plant-based lunch and snacks, hat, sunglasses, towel, water bottle. Our program will run rain or shine so dress for success!Aug 18
Family-Friendly Sanctuary Tour 8/18
We are excited to invite guests of all ages back to Barn Sanctuary in-person by offering public family friendly tours. During these special family tours, you will be guided through a portion of our property and you will see many of our animal residents! For the safety of all, adults must stay with their little ones at all times during the tour. Please read all of the details before signing up. We look forward to seeing you at the sanctuary! If an hour and a half isn't enough for you, join us from 11:30-12 for a bring-your-own outdoor lunch on our front lawn (on the grass or bring a blanket). Lunches must be 100% vegan and plant-based (no eggs, dairy, meat, etc).
Aug 18
Farm Friends (Ages 8 and under)
Calling all 8 & unders! Love spending time at Barn Sanctuary? Grab a parent or guardian and head down to Barn Sanctuary for a one hour program including some special time with one of our 8 animal species and participate in an arts and crafts activity. Each child must have one parent or guardian over the age of 18 present with them throughout the program. If one hour isn’t enough time at Barn Sanctuary for you, we encourage you to sign up for our Family Friendly Tour, followed by a bring your own plant-based outdoor lunch on our front lawn.Aug 21
On-Site Sanctuary Tour 8/21
We are excited to invite guests back to Barn Sanctuary in-person by offering public small group tours for folks ages 12 and up. During the tour, you will be guided through the property and will meet some of the residents and hear their stories, learn facts about each species, and information about their lives within our modern food systems. Questions are encouraged! Make sure to read all the details before registering. We are excited for you to meet the rescues!
Aug 23
Family-Friendly Sanctuary Tour 8/23
We are excited to invite guests of all ages back to Barn Sanctuary in-person by offering public family friendly tours. During these special family tours, you will be guided through a portion of our property and you will see many of our animal residents! For the safety of all, adults must stay with their little ones at all times during the tour. Please read all of the details before signing up. We look forward to seeing you at the sanctuary! If an hour and a half isn't enough for you, join us from 11:30-12 for a bring-your-own outdoor lunch on our front lawn (on the grass or bring a blanket). Lunches must be 100% vegan and plant-based (no eggs, dairy, meat, etc).
Aug 23
Barn Buddies (Ages 9-11)
Explore your relationship with one of our 8 species here at Barn Sanctuary. We’ll talk about their needs, wants, and desires then create an enrichment activity for the residents of Barn Sanctuary to enjoy! We will then create an art project to reflect on our relationships with our human and nonhuman community. In total, the program will run for 2 hours. Make sure to bring with you: closed toe shoes, sunscreen, bugspray, plant-based lunch and snacks, hat, sunglasses, towel, water bottle. Our program will run rain or shine so dress for success!Aug 28
On-Site Sanctuary Tour 8/28
We are excited to invite guests back to Barn Sanctuary in-person by offering public small group tours for folks ages 12 and up. During the tour, you will be guided through the property and will meet some of the residents and hear their stories, learn facts about each species, and information about their lives within our modern food systems. Questions are encouraged! Make sure to read all the details before registering. We are excited for you to meet the rescues!
FIND US
Visit Us:
20179 McKernan Rd. Chelsea, MI 48118
Call Us:
(734) 746-5009
Hours:
We are only open to visitors during tours and listed fundraisers and celebrations. All visits must be booked online in advance. View upcoming visiting opportunities here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to make a reservation to visit?
Yes. All visits must be during one of our tours, fundraisers or celebrations. Our team is busy at work running the sanctuary. We cannot accommodate drop in visitors.
What do the tours consist of?
You will be taken from species to species and enter the pastures and yards with some of the residents (we do not go in the living area of our cows or pigs – but you will get to see them!) During the tour, you will hear the residents’ stories, facts about each species, and information about their lives within our modern food systems. Questions are encouraged!
Are the tours child-friendly, or do you have special kid tours?
We offer general tours (ages 12+) and family-friendly tours that cater to all ages. This summer we will also be offering youth-oriented educational programming and more! Please read all event descriptions carefully before registration.
Can I feed the animals?
Many of our animals are on special diets. Please do not feed any food to the animals during your visit to the sanctuary unless Barn Sanctuary staff has provided that food to you specifically to give as treats.
Can I bring my dog?
For the safety and comfort of both our rescued animals and your dog, dogs are not allowed on sanctuary grounds. Registered service animals are the only exception to this rule, and must be kept on-leash at all times.
Can I bring my own food?
Yes, but please do not bring any meat, eggs, dairy, or animal by-products to the sanctuary out of respect for the animals, staff, and fellow visitors. You may be asked to put your food back in the car for consumption elsewhere if it does not meet these criteria.
Can We Visit Any Other Time Besides Tours or Events?
Barn Sanctuary is closed to the public at all other times. Our staff is working 7 days a week and we do not accommodate drop-ins. We are not open to visitors outside of the specified tours times and special events listed on our website. If you would like to tour the sanctuary during a time outside of our listed tour and visitor dates, you must fill out a private tour request.
Are We Allowed to Bring Hurt, Injured or Rescued Animals to Barn?
No. If there is an emergency or an animal in need, you must contact our team through the appropriate channels. If you are aware of an animal in need, please email rescue@barnsanctuary.org. Provide your name, contact information and as much information about the animal as possible. If this is an urgent rescue case, please type “URGENT” in the email subject line. Thank you!