Zoo ALIVE Teen Volunteers – Deadline for limited # of spots approaching 3/13/14 – Forest Park
Zoo ALIVE Teen Volunteers
- Help Education Department staff members deliver weekend programs for children — including preschool classes, youth programs, and scout overnights.
- Lead educational activities for Zoo visitors.
- Help with our awesome summer camp program, Camp KangaZoo.
- Assist with birthday parties, and outreach programs.
- Go on hiking and camping trips to explore nature and wildlife.
- Help with the Zoo’s conservation programs.
- Learn all about the Zoo, its animals, and more!
Who can join?
Teens who will be at least 15 years old before volunteering in June 2014 may apply for the Zoo ALIVE program. We are seeking mature, responsible teens with an aptitude for leadership. Applicants should enjoy working with children, and should be interested in animals and conservation. No experience is necessary, but you must be willing to try new things, work together with members of our diverse group, and be an excellent representative of our world-class organization. Zoo ALIVE volunteers are required to lead discussions and demonstrate activities to groups of children and adults, so good communication skills are a must. Enthusiasm, confidence and a positive attitude are required!
PARENTS – We expect a lot from the young adults in this program. It is rewarding for us and can be life-changing for the teens who rise to the challenge. If you are wondering if your teen is ready for this program, please click here to see ourexpectations.
How much time is required?
All Zoo ALIVE volunteers are required to attend a monthly meeting throughout the year, usually held the first Sunday of each month from 5 – 7 p.m. At the meeting, volunteers receive training for upcoming volunteer opportunities and learn about current events and happenings at the Zoo or with the environment. Teens create and give presentations about environmental topics of their interest. There is also time to socialize and get to know other volunteers. (The first meeting for new volunteers is Sunday, June 8).
Besides the meeting, volunteers are asked to donate their time for at least two Zoo activities per month for at least one whole year. New Zoo ALIVE volunteers are also required to attend an orientation/training day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.(either Saturday, May 31 or Friday, June 6) and volunteer for two consecutive weeks at Camp KangaZoo, the Zoo’s summer day camp.
Can I volunteer just for the summer?
Zoo ALIVE is a year-round program, which requires at least one full year commitment. Click here for other Zoo volunteer opportunities.
What else is required?
All Zoo volunteers — including Zoo ALIVE teens — must pass a background check. Volunteers must agree to follow all of the Zoo’s volunteer policies and procedures, including dress code and code of conduct. We communicate using email, so Zoo ALIVE teens must have an email account that they can check regularly. Most volunteer opportunities take place at the Zoo, so you must have reliable transportation.
A mandatory Parent Orientation meeting will be held for parents and guardians of new volunteers Sunday, June 8, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., right before the first meeting with volunteers.
How do I apply?
We accept 20 to 30 new Zoo ALIVE members each year, based on your application and an in-person interview on Sunday, March 30. If you’re interested in applying, see the information in the sidebar to the right.
Hurry up and apply to be a Zoo ALIVE volunteer!
To apply for Zoo ALIVE, you will need to complete an application packet and an in-person interview at the Zoo.
1. Application packet -Applications must be received no later than March 13, 2014 .
Please download an application packet or call the Education Department at (314) 646-4544, Option #6 and request an application packet to be mailed to you, OR
You may pick up or drop off an application packet at our Open House on Sunday, March 2, 20141-4 p.m. in The Living World (North Entrance.)
2. Group Interview – Group interviews will be held at the Zoo on Sunday, March 30, 2014.Group interviews will be held in 2 sessions, 9 a.m. – noon and 1 – 4 p.m. All applicants are required to attend one group interview session, no exceptions.
There are a limited number of positions, so not all applicants can be accepted into the program. We hope that you will find the application and interview process valuable, even if you are not accepted. Final selections will be made and applicants will be notified in May.
For more information, please call our Youth Programs Coordinator Eve Cooney at (314) 646-4563, or e-mail her at Cooney@stlzoo.org.
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