Teen Volunteer Program

The Teen Volunteer program is primarily a summer program. Applications for the Teen Volunteer program are accepted in early spring. There are opportunities for experienced Teen Volunteers to continue working on weekends during the school year. 

Volunteer Requirements:

  • All teen volunteers must be at least 14 years of age by the time the program begins in June, and entering 9th to 12th grade after the summer.
  • All teen volunteers must submit a completed application, including two letters of recommendation from a teacher or counselor, by the deadline date.
  • All teen volunteers must attend an orientation session with a parent or guardian prior to the program start date.
  • All teen volunteers attend all training classes and successfully pass an exam before being assigned to a position.
  • All teen volunteers must be available for five days per week for two or three weeks  after training is completed. No more than two absences are allowed during the summer.
  • All teen volunteers must purchase a uniform shirt. Khaki shorts or slacks, close-toed shoes, and an official name badge complete the uniform

Volunteer Benefits:

  • Free entrance to the Zoo for the teen volunteer when not on duty
  • Opportunity to explore careers in a zoological institution
  • Accumulate community service hours required for graduation and scholarships
  • Letter of recommendation for a job well done
  • Opportunity to make new friends

Volunteer Opportunities:

All teen volunteers must work five days per week for two or three weeks as a Zoo Camp Aide. Shifts are full days during the summer; weekend shifts during the school year are three hours long.

Zoo Camp Aide

Zoo Camp Aides assist the instructors and counselors in the care of the children taking part in the summer camp program and during the winter and spring break camps. Duties include: escorting the children from the entrance gate to the classroom; preparing snacks; keeping the classroom clean; escorting the children to the restroom and on walks inside the Zoo.

Children's Zoo Volunteer

Contact Yard Aides assist the keepers and adult volunteers by interacting with the children who enter the petting zoo to touch the animals. Duties include: monitoring the interactions between the children and the animals, talking to the public about the animals, cleaning the area and grooming the animals.

Children's Zoo Project volunteers assist the Children's Zoo staff with various tasks. Duties include cleaning animal pens and enclosures, creating bird toys, preparing lab containers, painting and gardening.  DUTIES DO NOT INVOLVE HANDLING OF ANIMALS. 

Toadstool Guides will interact with the visitors in Toadstool, teaching them about the small animals on display in this area.  Duties include talking to the public and cleaning animal exhibits.

Dr. Wilde's World (DWW) Guide

DWW Guides interact with the visitors who enter the facility, helping them to enjoy the exhibits while ensuring the safety and security of the building itself. Duties include greeting visitors, distributing exhibit guides and activity books, reminding visitors about the Zoo's policies on drinks, food and strollers, assisting visitors with the games and activities, keeping the area clean and providing information to visitors about the exhibit.

American Bankers Family - Wings of Asia Aviary Aide

Volunteers assist with exhibit maintenance chores, working with Aviary staff members.

 

Special Events

Volunteers may help in a variety of ways during the Zoo's many special events.  Most events occur during the school year on weekends.  Duties include decorating team, handing out items to visitors, maintaining crowd control and accompanying costumed characters.
 
 

Teen Volunteer Application

The teen summer camp volunteer application is no longer available.  The 2014 application will be available at the beginning of March 2014.