ZOO CORPS
Teen volunteer program at Woodland Park Zoo
Why Zoo Corps?
If you are interested in working with other teens, learning about animals and helping people learn more about animals, then Zoo Corps is for you! Zoo Corps teens teach the zoos visitors about animals, their habitats and zoo conservation programs, at various locations throughout the zoo. This work takes place both indoors and outdoors, regardless of the weather. Qualified applicants are those who are able and willing to: courteously engage visitors of all ages in conversation, work productively as a team member and individually, stand for up to four (4) hours, and lift up to 25 pounds without assistance.
Some basics about the Zoo Corps program:
- teens must be at least 14 years of age and in the 9th or 10th grades. Preference will be given to 9th grade students.
- Zoo Corps teaches work and leadership skills, builds confidence and inspires conservation awareness
- mandatory training program, four (4) to five (5) hours per week (Saturday afternoons March through May)
- following training, teens must work at least 25 hours of service per month in both July and August plus 2 shifts per month September through June.
- hands-on contact and working directly with animals is limited during the first summer season and not a key element of the program. (Teens completing prerequisites are eligible for additional animal handling training and certification for animals used in specific programs.)
Zoo Corps offers participants a unique opportunity to develop useful skills, increase their knowledge of animals and their habitats, and to expand their conservation awareness, in a supportive, fun learning environment.
Application Process
The application period for the 2012 training class opens Thursday, December 15, 2011 and closes on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. Applications and reference forms received after this date will not be accepted. Application materials will no longer be available for download after Thursday, January 26, 2012.
Contact
If you cannot find the answers to your questions about volunteering or need additional help please contact:
Adult Volunteer Program staff at 206.548.2450
or
Zoo Corps Teen Program staff at 206.548.2699 or zoocorps@zoo.org