Volunteen Opportunities
Be a part of Celebrating and Saving Wildlife and Wild Places when you join the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) volunteen team. The DZS is a renowned leader in wildlife conservation, animal welfare, environmental sustainability and humane education. With the variety of opportunities listed below, we are sure you will find your place at the Detroit Zoo.
Zoo Corps (Year-Round):
The Zoo Corps program provides teens opportunities for personal and professional development as they become leaders and environmental stewards in their communities.
The Zoo Corps program prepares teens to have inspiring and meaningful interactions with Zoo guests. Training and continuing professional development will prepare Zoo Corps members to facilitate hands-on activities that explore science concepts, environmental stewardship, humane education, conservation concepts and animal information. Zoo Corps members will have opportunities to participate in one-of-a-kind experiences and personal and professional development.
Experiences:
- Guest Facing: Day-to-day youth participants, with the support of DZS staff, engage with guests about DZS conservation work and present activities on science concepts that allow guests to ask their own questions or increase their observation skills of animals at the Zoo.
- Leadership and Professional Development: These experiences are in addition to guest engagement shifts. Some examples could include:
- Youth Conference
- Participation in a Youth Council (Managing and Facilitating Social Programming for Teen Participants)
- Fieldwork experiences
- Off-Site Educational Field Trips
- Onsite Behind the Scenes Experiences
- Volunteer Appreciation Celebrations Geared Specifically for Teens
- Professional Development Workshops (Resume Writing, STEM Career Exploration etc.)
Program Requirements:
- Youth aged 14-17 years old
Applicants must be 14 by June 1st - Access to reliable transportation to and from the Detroit Zoo
- Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions
- Eagerness and willingness to engage with guests of all ages
- Complete:
- 60 Hours of service from June-August
- The Following Shifts from September-December
- 1 Zoo Boo or Run Wild
- 1 Wild Lights
- 1 Additional Shift or Party of your Choice
- The Following Shifts from January-May
- 4 Shifts of Your Choice
- Commit to attend all mandatory training dates
- Training dates count toward hour minimums
- Complete and submit required application and documentation
- Parent and teen will participate in a phone or virtual interview
Application:
Orientation:
- A mandatory one hour orientation will be held via Zoom in May
- Mandatory week long training will be held the following days from 9 am-4 pm
- June 17th, 2024
- June 18th, 2024
- June 19th, 2024
- June 20th, 2024
- June 24th, 2024
Additional Information:
If you have any questions about the Zoo Corps program, please reach out to the education department at education@dzs.org
CITs:
Counselor in Training (CIT) is a perfect introduction to camp counseling. CITs enjoy a leadership position mentoring elementary-aged Safari campers while enjoying camp and developing new skills. The CIT program allows teens to make a meaningful impact on campers and their communities.
Program Requirements:
- Youth aged 15 to 17 years old
- Access to reliable transportation to and from the Detroit Zoo
- Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions
- Eagerness and willingness to engage with guests of all ages
- Ability to commit to two full weeks of summer camp (Monday-Friday 8:30 am -4:15 pm)
- Commit to attend all mandatory training dates
- Training dates count toward hour minimums
- Complete and submit required application and documentation
- Parent and teen will participate in a phone or virtual interview
Application:
Additional Information:
If you have any questions about the CIT program, please reach out to the education department at education@dzs.org
Summer Zoo Corps (Summer Only):
The Summer Zoo Corps program allows busy teens to volunteer at the Detroit Zoo during their summer break, where they will develop their interpretation and education skills.
The Summer Zoo Corps program prepares teens to have inspiring and meaningful interactions with Zoo guests while learning interpretation techniques and developing public speaking skills. Summer Zoo Corps members will facilitate hands-on activities centered around environmental stewardship, biology and conservation concepts.
Program Requirements:
- Youth aged 14-17 years old
- Access to reliable transportation to and from the Detroit Zoo
- Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions
- Eagerness and willingness to engage with guests of all ages
- Complete: 60 hours of service (about 20 shifts) from June-August
- Commit to attending all mandatory training dates
- Complete and submit the required application and documentation
- Parent and teen will participate in a phone or virtual interview
Application:
Orientation:
- A mandatory one-hour orientation will be held via Zoom in May
- Mandatory week-long training camp will be held the following days from 9 am-4 pm
- June 17th, 2024
- June 18th, 2024
- June 19th, 2024
- June 20th, 2024
- June 24th, 2024
Additional Information:
If you have any questions about the Summer Zoo Corps program, please reach out to the education department at education@dzs.org