Teen Volunteer Applications will be available in January, 2009

What do you give a sick pig? Why do mother kangaroos hate rainy days? What kind of bird does construction work?

If you have ever wanted to know what a zookeeper's day is like, how much an elephant eats, what other teens like you are up to, or the answers to questions like those above, Zoo Crew might be the place for you!

(By the way the answers are: oinkment, because the kids have to play inside and the crane)

THE DEAL

The two-tiered Zoo crew program operates primarily during the summer season to support the zoo in a number of ways.  During their first summer, teens can expect to work in the following areas:

• Keeper Assistant: Teen volunteers assist keepers with the daily animal husbandry responsibilities such as cleaning, diet preparation, animal observation, and enrichment.
• Education: Teen volunteers support Zoo Educators and enrich guests' experiences in areas like Summer Safari, the Zoo's summer camp, the African Kraal (the Zoo's animal contact yard) and at interpretive stations throughout the zoo.
• Commissary Assistant: Teen volunteers 15 years and older work in the Commissary, the Zoo's animal kitchen, assisting staff with diet preparation and delivery to various areas of the Zoo.

After one summer of participation, opportunities are available in addition to the above work areas.  During their second summer and beyond, teens can apply to take on additional responsibilities, such as:

• Animal Handler: Returning teen volunteers are trained to handle select animals to enhance the visitor experience at interpretive stations.
• Advanced Keeper Assistant: Returning teen volunteers currently perform husbandry tasks in support of areas not available to first-year teens, including penguins, forest aviary, and monkey island.
• Enrichment Assistant: Returning teen volunteers work alongside keepers to develop primate enrichment plans and create enrichment items.

• Recruitment for new Zoo Crew members occurs each spring
• Applicants must be at least 13 years old and no older than a junior in high school at the time of application
• Applications are made available in January and accepted through April 1st of each year. If you download and send an application, please do not expect a reply until April. Not all of those who apply are selected for an interview.

• Teen volunteers are required to commit to 24 hours per month for a three month period (June through August). WE DO NOT OFFER ONE-TIME COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOL OR COURT APPOINTED TEENS.
• In addition, teen volunteers must commit to one continuous week of volunteering to support Summer Safari, Denver Zoo's summer camp
• Teens 15 years and older are able to apply in the fall to volunteer year-round, after participating for at least one summer season

• Confirm and secure all necessary means of transportation
• Commit to the areas they are assigned to and report on time
• Attend a two-day training at the Zoo
• Abide by all Zoo rules set forth in the teen volunteer handbook
• Wear a Zoo Crew uniform and nametag

• All necessary training
• Zoo Crew uniform, including two shirts and a nametag
• Opportunities to meet and take breaks with Zoo professionals
• The opportunity to learn the ins and outs of Zoo operations
• Fun, Fun, Fun!

Thank you to the generous support of: