Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Spooktacular is Jacksonville’s premier family Halloween event, and one of the Zoo’s largest fundraisers. In order to make this magical 8-night event a success, the Zoo is recruiting groups to volunteer. This is a great team building activity for corporations and service organizations.

Volunteers can show off their acting skills by dressing up and performing in one of the Zoo’s many themed scenes, including this year’s new scare zones! Volunteers are also needed to hand out candy to little ghosts and goblins at Trick-or-Treat Stations, and to make the Pumpkin Patch a glowing success by carving hundreds of jack-o-lanterns for thousands of guests to admire.

The Zoo needs volunteers on October 21-24 and October 28-31 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. each night for the following positions:
• Candy station attendants
• Scare Zone actors - auditions will held for specific positions
• Scare Zone attendants
• Costume characters
• Mascots and mascot guides
• Bounce house attendants
• Parking attendants

Pumpkin carvers and scoopers are needed on October 20 and 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Volunteer requirements:
• Corporate groups and service organizations are encouraged to participate. If you have a group who would like to volunteer or would like to book a volunteer orientation at your organization, please contact the volunteer coordinator at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• Pumpkin carvers must be at least 14-years-old, and scoopers must be at least 10-years-old with adult supervision. Training is NOT required for pumpkin carvers and scoopers.
• Volunteers for all other positions must be at least 15-years-old and are REQUIRED to attend volunteer orientation, either at their organization or at the zoo, prior to the event.
• Volunteer orientations will take place at the Zoo’s Education Campus on Tuesday, October 5, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday, October 13, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., and Saturday, October 16, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Please choose ONE session to attend if orientation was not held at your organization and e-mail your selection to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
• As a show of appreciation, volunteers will receive either one Spooktacular ticket or one zoo ticket for each night of volunteering. And if you volunteer for 4 or more nights you will receive a zoo t-shirt!

To sign up to be a volunteer, or for more information, call the volunteer coordinator at (904) 757-4463, ext. 176 or email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 

Ever wonder what it would be like to work in a zoo? Do we have an opportunity for you!
We engage volunteers in all areas of zoo operations. If you are serious about participating in and supporting the Jacksonville Zoo’s conservation, education and recreation goals, then we need you.

General Volunteer Information

• Volunteers are needed to educate varied audiences about the natural world, teach conservation messages, beautify our grounds, assist our guests in various areas of the park, input data, lend a hand in our animal care areas, answer questions, drive trains and enhance our guests’ experiences.
• You provide the interest and enthusiasm, and we will provide the training. Scheduling is flexible. Volunteers receive special discounts, free admission, newsletters and special programs only available to employees and volunteers. Take this opportunity to meet others who share your interests in the animal kingdom. 
• New Adult Volunteer Orientations are held at the Pepsico Foundation Education Campus.
• Volunteer opportunities are available for both adults (age 18 and up) and teens (age 15 and up). Contact the Volunteer Office for the Teen Volunteer Application.
• Or, is your group or family looking for a community service project? We may have a special project that may suit your needs and ours.

Please contact the Volunteer Office at (904) 757-4463, ext. 176 for more information or by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Please note: Your $15 volunteer fee will be due at orientation. The fee covers a criminal background check, one name badge and your first t-shirt.

Corporate Groups and Organization Volunteers

The Zoo welcomes the opportunity to work with local businesses and organizations to plan a group volunteer day. Whether it’s landscaping, light maintenance, cleaning or special events, the volunteer experience is always more fun when it’s done at the Zoo. To arrange a time for your employees to give back to the community by helping the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, please fill out the form below and fax it to the Volunteer Office at (904) 757-1626.

Group Volunteer Form

Please contact the Volunteer Office at (904) 757-4463, ext. 176 for more information or by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Teen Volunteer Program

The deadline for joining the 2010 Teen Volunteer Program was April 1, 2010. Teens can still volunteer at the Zoo as Special Event Volunteers by filling our the Adult and Special Event Volunteer Application. Applications for those interested in the 2011 Teen Volunteer Program will be accepted beginning December 2010.

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