How would you like to help out your community in a unique way? The Utica Zoo has many volunteer opportunities this year.

The Utica Zoo has many ways you can help them out in 2017 with a variety of fields where they're looking for volunteers, from educating the public on conservation and wildlife to volunteering during special events like "Wine in the Wilderness" and the Utica Zoo's Halloween "Spooktacular." Here are the different volunteering events that are available this year:

Docent

What It Is: A zoo docent is a trained volunteer who educates the public about the environment, wildlife, conservation, and the Utica Zoo. They lead guided tours and assist with classes both on and off the zoo grounds, help during special events, and interact with and educate zoo visitors.
How to Get Involved: To become a docent you have to be at least 18 years old and complete the Docent Training Course. The training days are Sunday, March 5th from 10am to 1pm, and Sunday, March 12th from 10am to 1pm. You must pre-register by Friday, March 3rd. You can pre-register and get more information by calling Nicolette Hajdasz at (315) 738-0472 ext. 34 or by emailing: volunteer@uticazoo.org
Cost: The fee for the course is $20 for members or $25 for non-members (which will cover any materials handed out during the course, a docent T-shirt, a name badge, and your first year of "docent dues").

Zoo Crew

What It Is: Zoo Crew are trained volunteers between the ages of 15 and 17, that are effective and independent zoo ambassadors who are capable of interpreting their environment successfully.
How to Get Involved: There are only 12 spots available for the Zoo Crew Training Course, so the Utica Zoo asks that you pre-register by Friday, June 23rd. The training course is held Monday, June 26th through Friday, June 30th, from 10am to 1pm each day. To pre-register you can contact Nicolette Hajdasz (at the number above) or email: volunteer@uticazoo.org
Cost: The fee for the course is $75 for members and $80 for non-members (which will include any materials that are handed out during the course, a Zoo Crew T-shirt, a name badge, and for other fun activities the kids will get to enjoy during the course).

Jr. Zoo Crew

What It Is: Jr. Zoo Crew is for kids 12 to 14 years old and will explore the zoo, its animals, and critical conservation issues in greater detail.
How to Get Involved: There are also only 12 spots available for Jr. Zoo Crew, so pre-registration is required and needs to be done by Friday, August 25th. The course runs from Monday, August 28th through Thursday, August 31st from 9am to 3pm each day. You can pre-register by contacting Nicolette Hajdasz at (315) 738-0472 ext. 34 or by emailing: volunteer@uticazoo.org
Cost: The fee for this course is $100 for members and $110 for non-members.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

There are also many other volunteers needed for special events like the Utica Zoo's "Eggstravaganza" Event, Earth Day, "Wine in the Wilderness," "Brewfest," Wildlife Festival, and "Spooktacular." The zoo is also looking for adminstrative volunteers, animal-care volunteers, zoo ambassadors, grounds and maintenance volunteers, and group volunteers. Some of these volunteer opportunities require you to be a certain age or pass a test. You can get more information and fill out a volunteer application for these events by visiting: uticazoo.org/volunteer

 

 

 


 

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