Zoo Atlanta: More than 100 teens to serve as Zoo Atlanta Volunteens this year after week of hands-on training earlier this month

More than 100 teen volunteers are lending helping hands this year

ATLANTA, 2014-6-25 — /Travel PR News/ — Looking for enthusiasm in action at Zoo Atlanta? Look for the red shirts. A record number of young people will serve as Zoo Atlanta Volunteens this year, with more than 100 teens on Zoo grounds after a week of hands-on training earlier this month. The Zoo’s volunteer program for youths ages 14 to 17 builds leadership, professional and interpersonal skills while fostering responsibility, customer service and commitment.

“We’re thrilled to look around the Zoo and see so many of these young people at work. As a nonprofit organization, Zoo Atlanta relies on volunteer services to provide an outstanding experience for our guests, and our Volunteens are a very special part of that volunteer force,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “Their energy is contagious, and their passion for wildlife is exceptional. We may very well be seeing career beginnings for the world’s next generation of zoologists, biologists, conservationists and educators.”

Zoo Atlanta Volunteers make invaluable contributions to the organization’s education, special events, guest experience and animal enrichment programs. Volunteers contributed nearly 59,000 service hours in 2013, the equivalent of $1.1 million and 26 full-time staff.

The Volunteen program offers incentives for experienced teens to serve in multiple program years. First-year Volunteens have opportunities to assist Zoo staff with Safari Day Camp, events and horticulture. Upon demonstrating responsibility and commitment, second-year Volunteens may begin broadening their experiences by assisting with animal care and husbandry.

The application for the 2015-2016 Volunteen service period will be available in January 2015. Visit www.zooatlanta.org to learn more about the Volunteen Program.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Keisha N. Hines
Director of Public Relations, Communications and Social Media
404.624.5980 – office
404.309.2238 – cell
khines@zooatlanta.org

About Zoo Atlanta
Founded in 1889 with the purchase of a bankrupt traveling circus, Zoo Atlanta celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2014. Viewed as one of the finest zoological parks in the U.S., the Zoo is a proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), with a mission to inspire value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family fun. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with nearly 1,400 animals from around the world. Highlights include Mei Lun and Mei Huan, the only twin giant pandas in the U.S.; the nation’s largest zoological collections of gorillas and orangutans; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Up-close-and-personal experiences include giraffe feeding, permitting guests to hand-feed Earth’s tallest living land mammals, and behind-the-scenes Wild Encounters with African elephants, giant pandas, lemurs and Aldabra giant tortoises. The Zoo is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD.

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