The Micke Grove Zoo Education Department is looking for individuals aged 18 and up to share their love of animals and the natural world as “Wild Guides” for Micke Grove Zoo. A free information meeting about this volunteer opportunity will be held Wednesday, April 30 from 6-7:30PM at the Memorial Building in Micke Grove Regional Park. Attendance at the meeting is mandatory in order to apply for the program.
Wild Guides help zoo visitors connect with the animals at Discovery Stations or by leading tours and assisting Education Specialists with school programs and at outreach events. They also mentor youth volunteers, help plan and implement special events, and contribute to the zoo newsletter. After additional training, they may work with some animals such as tortoises and Madagascar hissing cockroaches.
The information meeting will introduce candidates to the rewards and advantages of being a Wild Guide, as well as the recruitment process, training, obligations, and responsibilities. If one chooses to become a Micke Grove Zoo Wild Guide and their application is approved, extensive training will be provided. The training course includes 20 mandatory hours of in-depth lectures and tours followed by an additional 10 hours of on-the-job training. All of the courses will help expand the docent’s knowledge of the animals at Micke Grove Zoo in order to help him or her provide information to the Zoo’s guests. There is a fee that covers the docent training and training manual, t-shirt, and name badge and docents must have a negative TB test result.
Ideal candidates are responsible, have a positive attitude, and support the overall mission of Micke Grove Zoo. Successful volunteers are acknowledged at the Zoo’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony and awarded for their contributions to the organization. Interested parties are encouraged to visit the Micke Grove Zoo website, www.mgzoo.com, to download the Wild Guides job description and the information meeting flyer. Specific questions can be answered by the Education Department at (209) 331-2138 or
[email protected].
The Memorial Building is located across from Micke Grove Zoo and next to the Japanese Garden at 11793 N. Micke Grove Road in Lodi. Micke Grove Zoo is open every day of the year except for Christmas from 10am-5pm with last entry allowed at 4:30pm. Zoo admission is $5 for guests 14 and older, $3 for children 3-13, and free for children under the age of 2 and members of the Micke Grove Zoological Society. Please check the website,
www.mgzoo.com, for additional details. For parking fee information and additional services, please visit
www.sjparks.com.