| Program | Description | Training | Additional Requirements | Hours |
|---|
| Ambassadors | Volunteer ambassadors serve the public throughout the grounds providing basic information, directions, and Zoo history. On occasion, ambassadors assist with crowd control and special events. | Two (2) day Information Volunteer Training | 2- 3 hours of individual training provided by experienced volunteers | Monday -- Sunday flexible hours. |
| Animal Nutrition | Assist Zoo nutritionist in packaging and preparation of animal diets. (No animal contact) | One (1) day Volunteer Orientation | On the job training | Monday -- Friday flexible hours with commissary keepers. |
| Zoo Docents | Docents, managed by the Zoo's Education Department, are volunteer teachers. They help visitors and school children learn about animals and the natural world by teaching classes at the Zoo and in the community, Interpreting animals and conservation to visitors on Zoo grounds and conducting educational tours. | Two (2) day Information Volunteer Training and interview by the Docent Recruitment Committee | Docent Training consists of a 5-hour class one day/week for 13 weeks. Fall classes begin in September: spring classes begin in January. | Docents must volunteer a minimum of 62 hours per year. |
| Events -- Zoo, ZFA and YZF | Volunteer for Zoo, Zoo Friends and Young Zoo Friends fundraisers and other events. | One (1) day Volunteer Orientation | On the job training | Contact Volunteer Services for event dates and times |
| Gift Shops | Assist Zoo staff with operating cash registers, stocking merchandise and helping guests with their selection. | One (1) day Volunteer Orientation | On the job training | Monday -- Sunday flexible hours scheduled with the staff person in charge. |
| Horticulture | Help the horticulture crew with planting, watering, weeding and mulching throughout zoo grounds. | One (1) day Volunteer Orientation | On the job training | Monday through Friday flexible hours, as needed |
| Information Booth | Are you a people person? Meet and greet Zoo visitors. Providing directions within the Zoo and around St. Louis, dispensing maps and offering advice are just a part of this function. | Two (2) day Information Volunteer Training | On the job training | Memorial Day -- Labor dayDaily 9:00 am -- 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. -- 4:30 p.m. |
| Insectarium | Educate visitors about the vertebrates and invertebrates. | One (1) day Volunteer Orientation | On the job training | Monday -- Sunday flexible hours consisting of 2 hour shifts: 9:00 am -- 11:00 am, 11:00 am -- 1:00 p.m.,1:00 p.m. -- 3:00 p.m. |
| Internships | C ollege/university student or recent graduate in the areas of biology, zoology, education, animal science, or related field receiving credit through their college or university under the direction of a faculty advisor, while obtaining practical hands -- on work experience. | One (1) day Volunteer Orientation, plus on the job training | Letter of intent describing background, interest, goals and availability. Current resume; current university/college transcript; two letters of reference (educational or business) | Interns are required to serve a minimum of 20 hours per week for a minimum of six weeks. |
| Externships | A person seeking to obtain practical hands -- on experience in the areas of animal management, education, or related field. Externs need not be currently enrolled in college/university, but prior college coursework is required. Externs will not receive college credit for this program. | One (1) day Volunteer Orientation plus on the job training | Letter of intent describing background, interest, goals and availability. Current resume; current university/college transcript; two letters of reference (educational or business) | Externs are required to serve a minimum of 15 hours per week for a minimum of six weeks. |
| Zoo ALIVE Teen Volunteer Program | Zoo ALIVE volunteers are high school students who help with Camp KangaZoo during the summer, as well as overnight programs and other education programs and activities throughout the year. They help lead crafts, games, and activities for children and Zoo visitors, while learning about animals and wildlife conservation through opportunities at the Zoo and beyond. Minimum age is 15 by June 2008. | One day of training/orientation required on either Saturday, June 7 or Friday, June 13, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | A completed Zoo ALIVE Application Form, which you can receive by calling (314) 646-4544, and a letter of recommendation. Applicants are interviewed in spring, then selected in May. Contact Eve Cooney at (314) 646-4563 for additional information. | Participants in Zoo ALIVE are required to volunteer for at least two consecutive weeks during the summer. Weekly hours are Monday - Thursday 8 am - 3:40 p.m. and Thursday overnight from 6 p.m. - Friday 9 a.m. Must be able to attend a monthly meeting at the Zoo throughout the year, usually the third Sunday of the month 5:30 - 7:30 pm, and must also volunteer for at least two activities per month. |
| Tour Guides | Give guided walking tours to groups of 15 or more. | Two (2) day Information Volunteer Training | Five (5) weeks Tour Guide Training | Daytime tours as scheduled with groups from in town, out of town, schools, and businesses. |
| Wildside Walkers | Work with our club of walkers. | One (1) day Volunteer Orientation | On the job training | Tuesday - 7:00 am - 9:00 am
Saturday - 7:00 am - 9:00 am |
