Zoo ALIVE Teen Volunteers

HEY TEENS! Love animals and kids? Passionate about wildlife and conservation? Want to help others appreciate the natural world? Got a knack for talking to groups? Have some time to give? Then check out the coolest opportunity for teens in St. Louis -- Zoo ALIVE!

Zoo ALIVE is the Saint Louis Zoo’s volunteer educator program for high school age students. (ALIVE stands for Active Leaders In Volunteer Education.) Zoo ALIVE 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, ZOOmagination Station, 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 June 2010 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!

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 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. At the meeting, volunteers receive training for upcoming volunteer opportunities, can sign up for volunteer opportunities, and have the chance to create or suggest future activities. 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 required to attend an orientation/training day (either June 5 or June 11, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) 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.

How do I apply?
We accept 20 to 30 new Zoo ALIVE members each year, based on your application and an in-person interview. If you're interested in applying, see the information in the sidebar to the right.