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2006 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT (continued) zoo as a volunteer (I have reached 400-
plus hours over the past few years)!
The Center for Conservation She got me really excited about being a
Leadership is launched. part of this program—I signed up right Is there anything that has
away and sealed the deal. surprised you about your
today volunteering experience?
Can you describe a particularly
1,188 children in Zoo Camp memorable moment you had I was honored with the Volunteer of
1,644 adults and children volunteering at Brookfield Zoo? the Year Award in 2016. This was a
huge surprise and a very humbling
in family play programs Oh my, there are so many! I always enjoy experience. I owe it all to the other
teaching someone something new about volunteers who inspire me so much.
2,546 schools reached an animal. And it’s so rewarding see- Everyone—volunteers, staff, and
ing a child with a disability reach out guests—keeps me coming back and
through educational outreach programs and touch an animal for the first time, striving for more. I have joined the zoo’s
knowing I played a role in helping that Elite Status Program and the Edith
200K students reached through child feel comfortable—it’s amazing Rockefeller McCormick Society, as I
to watch the excitement on the child’s feel even more committed to the zoo’s
outreach and educational programs face and know that child is beginning mission and its plan moving forward.
a journey to showing an interest in and
649 K-12 teachers trained empathy toward animals and nature. Would you recommend
102 informal educators trained others volunteer here? Why?
I also just really like brightening guests’
through NatureStart™ Professional visits: I helped a family who had just Yes, yes. I would encourage others to step
Development missed the P Z’s New Year’s Eve out of their comfort zone and look into
countdown. I still had my noise maker one of the various volunteer programs
2010 and we staged our own countdown and available here at the zoo. I love encourag-
celebration. The family thanked me over ing students to join the King Conserva-
Our Advanced Inquiry Program and over for making their experience a tion Science Scholars program (a volun-
(a conservation-focused, inquiry- positive one. It feels incredible to know teer program for teens). I have had the
driven learning experience that I made their night special. pleasure of seeing the youth blossom into
combines web-based graduate adult volunteers and animal care special-
courses through Miami University What is your favorite thing ists over the years, and that’s so special.
in Ohio with field study at about being a volunteer here?
Brookfield Zoo) is launched. I also love to tell prospective docents
My favorite thing about being a volun- and early childhood docents what we
teer is everything. I have so much fun have to offer here at the zoo. I look at
each time I come to the zoo, and I learn the wonder and enthusiasm in the eyes
something new each and every time. This of potential volunteers and remember
is all while knowing I’m helping the zoo how I felt so many years ago. Come join
support its mission. I feel a part of the our family. It truly is a family. █
zoo family and truly feel appreciated in
all the time that I have invested in the
today 40 master’s students in
the 2018 cohort
24 master’s graduates in 2018
155 master’s degrees since
beginning of program
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