What is the Zoo ALIVE program?

The ZooALIVE volunteer program is an opportunity for teens to engage with zoo visitors by sharing their interests in animals and conservation at the Pueblo Zoo. ZooALIVE teens are trained to be interpretive guides during an intensive, week-long course.    

 

ZooALIVE members are taught how to handle ambassador animals and learn techniques for animal presentations and informal conservation lessons. Additionally, they learn about how zoos operate, what careers are available in the zoo world, and how zoos continue to evolve to provide the best education and inspiration to those who appreciate animals and nature. 

​

When does the training take place? 

Session 2:  June 10-14; 9:00am- 3:00 pm 

Session 3: June 17-20; 9:00am-4:00pm

​

I LOVE animals!  All I want to do is play and cuddle with them.  Is this training for me?

We love animals too!  We also love education, public speaking, and conservation- which is much of what you will be

introduced to and participate in as a ZooALIVE member.  Presenting animals to audiences at the zoo is certainly a fun aspect of the program, however, if you are uncomfortable speaking to people you are unfamiliar with or are uninterested in educating zoo guests about the environment, animal conservation, and facts about zoos, becoming a ZooALIVE team

member is probably not for you.

 

What kind of time commitment is expected of me after I complete the week of training?

We require a minimum of 25 hours volunteered in the year following your training.  If the 25 hours are not met, we may ask you to retrain on certain aspects of the volunteer position or reevaluate your commitment to the program entirely. 

 

You are able to sign up for 2 1/2 hour shifts, per the calendar availability. We understand many participants are in school most days of the week.  Our current ZooALIVERs sign up for their shifts on weekends, special event days and during long school breaks (spring, summer, winter).  Most of our teens are unable to transport themselves to the zoo, so make sure your parent or guardian is willing and able to provide you with transportation to the zoo so you can complete the minimum hours required.​

 

How does the application process work?  

Application & Essay Answers

YOU (not your sister or brother or mom or dad) are required to answer essay questions in the first part of the application process.  This allows us to get a better understanding of why you want to join the ZooALIVE team and how you will help

us in our zoo-wide mission to empower people to engage in the conservation of animals and their natural habitat.  

 

References
We also require TWO reference submissions from non-family member adults.  This can include teachers, mentors, scout

or 4H leaders, etc. This is due by March 4, 2024 for Session 1.

​

There's a fee?! What does it cover? How much is it?  Are scholarships available?  

There is a one-time fee for the week of training, a volunteer shirt, and Pueblo Zoo-branded accessories:

 

$200 members of the zoo

$225 non-members

​

25% scholarships are available!

​

Who is this program for?

Teens who are entering 7th-10th grades in the 2024-2025 school year have a strong desire to increase their knowledge in the fields of natural/environmental sciences and or education, zoology, and wildlife conservation.

 

Questions?

Email Elissa with any ZooALIVE program questions at evelasquez@pueblozoo.org