Aug. 23, 2012
Zoo volunteers, all 450 of them, make amazing contributions to the zoo. This week, we are celebrating our volunteers and all they have done for the zoo in the past year.
Volunteers contribute nearly 31,000 hours annually, assisting with summer camp, goat food sales, giraffe feeding, showing small animals, teaching programs, and more.
According to Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Terlizzi, this has been a banner year. "We have an incredible crew this year. They've stepped up every time we needed them!"
Terlizzi gives special praise to the 160 youth who participated in the Z-TEAM program this summer, including a new Conservation Crew that monitored water quality in Spy Run Creek all summer.
"I really enjoyed getting to know the teens and watch them develop leadership and teamwork skills," Terlizzi says.
The volunteers were honored this week with a special dinner and awards, but for most of them, their work at the zoo – connecting kids and animals – is its own reward. Hear it for yourself in the video at http://www.youtube.com/user/kidszootube?feature=mhee.
Learn more about the zoo's volunteer programs and upcoming training classes at http://kidszoo.org/support-the-zoo/volunteering/teen-volunteers/.
Last chance for Mad Mondays
Monday, Aug. 27, is your last chance to ride for just one token as part of our Mad Mondays promotion!
Enjoy the Train, Boat, Carousel and Sky Safari for just one token per rider instead of the regular price of two tokens on Monday. Tokens cost $1 each. The Pony Ride is not included in this promotion.
Tokens can be purchased at machines located throughout the zoo. Members and nonmembers can participate.
There is no limit to the number of rides that may be ridden on Mad Mondays.
Read about all zoo rides at http://kidszoo.org/plan-your-visit/rides/.
