ZooTeen Volunteer Program The ZooTeen Program is designed for young adults age 13 to high school seniors who desire to learn and teach others about the natural world while gaining valuable volunteer experience. With each continuing year of service, ZooTeens may be eligible for other opportunities throughout the Zoo. The ZooTeen program is an opportunity for ZooTeens to increase their knowledge of animals and conservation along with sharpening their public speaking and communication skills. Important Dates to Remember Applications and Recommendation Forms Due for all ZooTeens April 8 First Year ZooTeen Training Session May 14 Second ZooTeen Training Session May 21 ZooTeen Payment Due May 21 Schedules Passed Out May 21 Summer ZooTeen Program Begins May 30 TB Tests Required (for animal care only) May 30 Program Requirements: Programs are for young adults age 13 to high school seniors. Must submit: o ZooTeen Program Application o Typed essay of at least one page o Youth Volunteer Waiver Agreement o Two (2) completed ZooTeen Recommendation Forms Must read, sign and abide by the ZooTeen handbook. Must exhibit a strong desire to learn and teach others about the natural world. Must be friendly, outgoing, dependable, courteous and able to follow directions. Must attend ALL scheduled training sessions: o May 14 and 21 for First Year ZooTeens o May 21 for Returning ZooTeens Must volunteer for, at a minimum: o One (1) shift per month in March, April and May. o One (1) shift per week, for at least 7 of 9 weeks, between May 30 and July 29. o One (1) complete week of Zoo Camp o One (1) shift per month from August, September and October. o One (1) shift for our Boo at the Zoo event in October. (Croft Teens will volunteer for our Bluegrass at Grassmere event in September, in lieu of the Boo at the Zoo requirement.) To Parents/Guardians: The ZooTeen Program is a volunteer commitment for the entire summer for both the ZooTeen and their family. Please be advised that your cooperation, support and encouragement are essential to the success of your teen in the program. Read the ZooTeen handbook and sign the contract enclosed in this application. A limited number of applicants are accepted due to space and supervisory limitations. In addition to providing valuable skills, the training sessions should also be looked at as a tryout for the program. If a ZooTeen has your permission to stay on Zoo grounds before/after their shift is over, it is important that they realize they are no longer representing Nashville Zoo and must therefore not wear the ZooTeen uniform. Zoo personnel are not responsible for your child when they are at the Zoo on their own time. Nashville Zoo - ZooTeen Application 1
Service Area Descriptions: Basic Level Zoo Interpretation: ZooTeens will be stationed at various animal exhibits providing interpretation for Zoo guests on animals, the environment, and Nashville Zoo conservation efforts. You and a partner will use animal artifacts and other resources to help educate Zoo guests and connect them to our animal collection and conservation efforts. Specialty Levels Croft Teens Share the story of how Grassmere Farm became Nashville Zoo, and help take people back in time to frontier life in Middle Tennessee. As part of the Croft Teen program, you will create two artifact encounters where you choose an item from our historic collection, research it, and create a public presentation. You will also lead out-building tours and assist with open house tours throughout the day. Counselor in Training (CIT): Work alongside Summer Camp Staff to help monitor groups of children, lead activities, assist with set-up and clean-up, supervise games, and help with other camp activities. All the while gaining knowledge of wildlife and zoo careers, working with children in a classroom setting and building public speaking and leadership skills. Animal Care (Returning ZooTeens who are age 15+ only): Work with the Zoo s keeper staff and learn how to care for exotic animals. Assist keepers with cleaning, feeding, enrichment and observations of the animal collection. Available areas include the avian, herpetology, aquatics, and mammal departments. Please note that limited openings are available in animal care. Staffing decisions will be based on prior performance, availability and application essay. Assistant Instructor (Returning ZooTeens only): Ready to share your ZooTeen knowledge? We're looking for Assistant ZooTeen Instructors to research animal fact sheets and prepare interpretive materials. Being an Assistant Instructor is a great way to learn more about the Zoo and gain valuable leadership experience. General Information: Shifts & Scheduling: o Shifts are as follows: Zoo Interpretation: 9:00am 4:30pm, with a half hour lunch break. CIT: Range from 7:30am 5:30pm, with a half hour lunch break. Shifts will only be 7 hours long. o Animal Care ZooTeens work half-day shifts in animal areas and an interpretation shift during the remaining portion of their day. o ZooTeens will be given their schedules during training sessions or by mail. Any discrepancies must be brought to the attention of the Manager of Onsite Interpretation as soon as possible. Program Fee/Required Materials: o $100 (non-refundable) program fee covers supervision, program shirt, nametag and other program needs. Due by May 21. o Teens are responsible for providing their own khaki pants or shorts and appropriate shoes. Activities: o Educate zoo guests on the mission, animals, and conservation efforts of the Zoo. o Create and deliver educational talks and activities to Zoo guests. o Work closely on a large team and sharpen their public speaking and communication skills. Animal Care ZooTeens must provide proof of a negative TB test prior to volunteering. o TB tests are available from your primary care doctor, as well as CVS or Walgreens. o Tests must have a negative reading in order for the teen to participate in this program. Nashville Zoo - ZooTeen Application 2
ZooTeen Program Application Thank you for your interest in the ZooTeen Volunteer Program here at Nashville Zoo. Please fill out the following application in its entirety. Late/incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please submit completed application and essay by April 8 th to: Nashville Zoo at Grassmere Attn: Manager of Onsite Interpretation 3777 Nolensville Pike Nashville, TN 37211 cradek@nashvillezoo.org Today s Date: Volunteer Name: Age on June 2, 2016: Preferred Nickname (if any): Date of Birth: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Phone Number: Email Address: School: Current Grade: Requested Shirt Size: (Adult sizes) Small Medium Large Extra Large XX- Large Parent/Guardian Emergency Contact Information: Name: Email: Cell: Other: Relationship: Name: Email: Cell: Other: Relationship: List your hobbies and/or interests. List any organizations, groups, or teams in which you participate. Please list any places (and dates) where you have previously worked and/or volunteered. Nashville Zoo - ZooTeen Application 3
Essay Question (all applicants) Please describe why you want to volunteer here at the Nashville Zoo. What do you hope to gain from the experience? Please include an attached essay to your application of at least 150 words. Recommendation Letters (new ZooTeens only) Please provide the names of two individuals (non-relatives) from whom you are requesting a recommendation. ZooTeen Recommendation Forms can be found at the end of this application document. 1. 2. Preferred Service Areas (Mark ALL that apply) Zoo Interpretation Animal Care* Croft Teens Assistant Instructor* Counselor in Training *Returning ZooTeens only Weekly Shift Preference (Mark ALL that apply; you will only be responsible for one shift per week 9:00-4:30) Monday Friday Tuesday Saturday Wednesday Sunday Thursday Weeks you are NOT available to volunteer (Mark no more than 2) May 30 June 5 July 4 10 June 6 12 July 11 17 June 13 19 July 18 24 June 20 26 July 25 July 31 June 27 July 3 Weeks you are available to volunteer for one entire week (5 days) of Summer Camp Week Preference: (Mark ALL that apply) Shift Preference: May 30 June 3 July 5 8 Before-care 7:30am 2:30pm June 6 10 July 11 15 Regular 9:00am 4:30pm June 13 17 July 18 22 After-care 10:00am 5:00pm June 20 24 July 25 July 29 Any shift June 27 July 1 Additional Information Needed for Animal Care Specialty Option (Returning ZooTeens who are age 15+ only) Please rank the following areas based on your level of interest, on a scale of 1-9. 1 should represent your favorite option, and 9 should represent your least favorite Ambassador Animal Building West Lorikeets Critter Encounters Hoofstock (eland, zebra, etc.) Herpetology (reptiles, amphibians) Historic Farm Kangaroo (8:30am Noon) or (1:00pm 4:30pm) (9:00am Noon) (9:00am Noon) or (1:00pm 3:30pm) OR, mark here if any shift/area is fine Please note that there are limited openings in areas assisting Animal Care Staff. No specific shifts or positions are guaranteed. Many morning shifts will consist of cleaning while the afternoon shifts will include more public interaction. Teens are selected for these opportunities based upon their previous year s program performance and the teen s availability as it relates to animal care scheduling. Due to strict animal husbandry guidelines and safety issues, there is no animal contact or inside exhibit work with the animals in the zoo. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Nashville Zoo - ZooTeen Application 4
Parent/Applicant Commitment Statement I (parent) understand if my son/daughter gets accepted into the ZooTeen Volunteer Program at Nashville Zoo that the following requirements are needed for successful completion: Attend all required training sessions. Read and follow the ZooTeen Handbook including the code of conduct. Check in/out each day at Croft Center with the ZooTeen Instructor or Manager of Onsite Interpretation. Arrive on time for the scheduled shifts. Notify the ZooTeen Instructor or Manager of Onsite Interpretation of my absence before my shift starts. Report any problems immediately to the ZooTeen Instructor or Manager of Onsite Interpretation. Respect all fellow ZooTeens, Nashville Zoo employees, docents, volunteers, and Zoo guests. I (applicant) certify that all of the above information is correct. I understand that continued placement in the ZooTeen Program is based upon past performance, availability, and the required essay. I realize that I may not be selected for the service area that I request. Applicant s Signature: Parent/Guardian s Signature: Date: Date: Nashville Zoo - ZooTeen Application 5
Youth Volunteer Waiver Agreement This Waiver Agreement, made and entered by and between the Nashville Zoo, Inc., 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211, herein referred to as Nashville Zoo, and Volunteer Name (please print) Street Address City State Zip Code Phone Number E-mail Address The parties to this Agreement do hereby mutually recognize that Nashville Zoo does not provide Workman s Compensation or any other type of liability insurance to persons who are not actually employees of Nashville Zoo. Accordingly, persons such as Volunteers are not covered by Nashville Zoo for such forms of insurance. Through this Waiver Agreement, the Volunteer does hereby knowingly release and hold harmless Nashville Zoo, Inc. from any injury, accident, or damage sustained by the Volunteer while serving in such a capacity. I authorize Nashville Zoo and its employees to take all necessary steps to insure my child s health and safety in case of an emergency. (Parent or Guardian; please initial) Gator Utility Vehicle Waiver & Permission Agreement: As a volunteer in an Animal Care service area, you may at some point need to ride on a John Deere Gator (similar to a golf cart). You must comply with the following rules at all times when on this moving vehicle: 1. Absolutely no horseplay on the vehicle. 2. Arms and legs must be kept in the vehicle at all times. 3. As a passenger, the teen must sit in the bucket seat at all times, never in the back of the vehicle. 4. Only paid zoo staff members may operate the vehicle. Through this permission form I agree that my child will abide by the rules listed above and agree that my child may ride on the Gators Utility vehicles when necessary. I understand that any divergence from the above rules will result in immediate dismissal from the program. Photograph Release Agreement: I authorize Nashville Zoo to use my child s name and photograph for education, public relations, and marketing purposes related to Nashville Zoo. Before/After Shift Agreement: I am aware that if my child arrives at the zoo prior to his/her shift, or needs to stay later, that Nashville Zoo is not responsible for my child at that time, and furthermore that my child is not representing the zoo and will not be wearing the uniform shirt of the ZooTeen program. Parent or Legal Guardian Signature Date Nashville Zoo - ZooTeen Application 6
ZooTeen Recommendation Form Applicant s Name: Date: Dear Leader, The applicant above has applied to serve as a volunteer for Nashville Zoo and has listed you as a reference. As part of the application process, the applicant must submit two Recommendation Forms. Please take a few moments to complete this form with the above listed teen in mind. The completed form must be received by April 18, 2016. Please mail to: Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Attn: Manager of Onsite Interpretation, 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211 Reference Name: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Phone Number: Email Address: Relationship to Applicant: Years Known the Applicant: Please rate the applicant s personal attributes on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning needs work and 5 meaning exceeds expectations Attitude Punctuality Enthusiasm for new projects Reliability Desires to grow and learn Leadership skills Hygiene Self-motivation Takes initiative on projects Cooperates with peers Accepts rules Follows directions Works well independently Works well with children Works well with adults Works well with peers Accepts criticism Confidence Additional Comments: Please Circle one: I (DO) (DO NOT) recommend this teen for participation in the ZooTeen Volunteer Program. Reference s Signature: Date: Nashville Zoo - ZooTeen Application 7