Not ready to commit to being a regular volunteer? No problem! Our Episodic Volunteer Opportunities are great for those looking to try out volunteering or for those looking to earn a certain number of community service hours by a set date. There are no minimums and little to no training required to assist in these areas. Opportunities also exist for group team building experiences and corporate projects.
Special Event Volunteers
Individuals interested in assisting with our large-scale, zoo-wide special events (such as Zoo Boo, EggStravaganZoo, Holiday Fest, and others) can do so without completing an application or attending an Orientation Session. Just about anyone can help out with a special event! Kids must be at least 8 years old to volunteer with an adult or other authorized chaperone, and kids can volunteer without a chaperone starting at the age of 15. (Adults must sign a waiver authorizing all children to volunteer.) Zoo events take place throughout the year. We have opportunities for individuals, small groups, large groups, and for those with special needs.
Special Event Volunteers must commit to a specific volunteer shift by registering for an open slot on the Zoo’s current online event signup sheet. For more information about getting involved with future special events, send an email to our Volunteer Coordinator letting us know you’re interested in learning more!
Email the Volunteer Coordinator
Corporate & Group Volunteer Projects
The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park is proud to partner with businesses, corporate groups, schools, scouts, sports clubs, and other organizations to provide team building activities through volunteer service projects. First and foremost, we recommend that groups consider assisting with our Special Events, as these activities can easily accommodate teams of all sizes. Each group can register for the event date and time shifts of their choosing, setting their own schedules and commitments.
We also accept groups for other activities throughout the year. Opportunities vary seasonally and are typically most readily available in the fall, as we prepare for and clean up after our annual Halloween event. For more information about getting your group involved in a team volunteer project, contact our Volunteer Coordinator.
Remote Volunteer Projects
If you’re looking for a way to get your group involved in making a difference for the animals without coming to the Zoo – you’re in luck! You can help out from home – or from school, from church, from a scout group meeting, and so on! With just a few inexpensive supplies that you probably already have lying around, you can make enrichment toys for the zoo animals. It’s important that you follow the zoo’s instructions and paper mâché recipe (provided via request) in order to ensure the items are made safely for the animals. After you’ve created the items and allowed them to dry, you can paint them if you’d like! Painting is optional but does add some fun color for the critters to enjoy.
Completed paper mâché toys can be dropped off to the NEW Zoo’s main entrance building during regular hours. If you have any questions about creating the paper mâché items, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator.
Request Instructions
Eagle Scout Projects
Boy Scouts who are looking to earn their Eagle Scout status are welcome to inquire about potential projects with the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park. We have a few different “types” of project options:
- Creating new scenes/decorations/items for our annual Zoo Boo Halloween event
- Building/constructing miscellaneous items needed by zookeepers for animal use
- Building/constructing miscellaneous items for the Adventure Park and Reforestation Camp
Scouts interested in creating items for our Halloween event or for zookeeper and animal use should contact the zoo’s Volunteer Coordinator. Scouts interested in the building projects for the Reforestation Camp or Adventure Park can contact the Adventure Park Supervisor. Interested individuals will be asked to come to the zoo to discuss options in more detail, to help you learn more and decide if a potential project is a good fit for you. These meetings generally take 15 to 30 minutes, and scouts are encouraged to bring along a parent or scout master.
