ZooBoo is a spooky, but not too spooky, fun-filled event here at the “Eerie” Zoo featuring a variety of Halloween displays, costumed characters, a spooky train ride, our endangered species carousel, crafts, facepainting, games, and trick-or-treating for children 11 and under.
           
ZooBoo 2008 will run from Friday, October 17th through Tuesday, October 30th.  The gates are open to the public from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night.  Volunteers work from 5:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and sometimes until 10:00 p.m. on busy weekends.
Children 11 and under will be able to trick-or-treat at various booths throughout the Zoo.  Each child will receive a special bag that they can fill at the booths.

ZooBoo Job Descriptions

Volunteers must be at least 14 years old

Costumed and/or speaking roles:

TROLL – The troll will “guard” the Children's Zoo bridge as he asks questions of the visitors who wish to cross it.  The Zoo staff will provide the questions.  One question might be, “How long can a tortoise live?”  The answer is 150 years.  You must talk in a scratchy voice, and you will spend the majority of your time hunched over, so a good back is a must.  You want to be more funny than scary, so you won’t frighten children away.  Troll costumes will be provided. 

 SCARECROW FOR THE TALKING PUMPKIN – The Talking Pumpkin’s Scarecrow attendant will watch over the pumpkin display.  You should also interact briefly with the visitors while maintaining a friendly attitude.

SKULL EDUCATION STATION GUIDE- Returning this year by popular demand is the touch table featuring animal skulls. Volunteers will share with visitors information about the skulls.  All information is provided.

“BOOOTH” GUIDES – You will be stationed outside a booth directing visitors to one of the booth’s open windows, making sure to keep the lines moving.  You will be costumed according to the theme of the booth and in some cases you might be handing out treats.  An outgoing personality is a must.  You will be provided with the appropriate costume.  No formal auditioning is required.

TRAIN CROSSING GUIDE (Must be 17 years of age or older) – You will be stationed near the train crossing directing visitors when to safely cross the train tracks.  The Zoo will provide the costume and you will need to provide the personality. 

PERRY THE PENGUIN, COOL BEAR AND THEIR GUIDES – You will be responsible for being the Perry the Penguin or Cool Bear Erie Zoo mascot and entertaining the guests in line as well as guiding the mascot when out of costume.  An outgoing personality and willingness to answer visitor questions is a must.

Non-Costumed Roles:

BOOTH WORKER – You will be working at one of our decorated booths handing out treats to children age 11 and under that are provided by various sponsors.  Since you will be representing the Zoo and the sponsoring company, you must be friendly, courteous and professional.  A pleasant smile is a must.

CORN MAZE VOLUNTEERS- You will be responsible for insuring the safety of the visitors as they journey through the maze.

BAG-TABLE WORKER/BOOTH – You will be responsible for making sure that each child 11 and under receives a trick-or-treat bag.  Bags will not be handed to anyone older than 11 years of age.  Since you are representing the Zoo, you must be friendly, courteous and professional.  A friendly smile goes a long way.  Your shift will usually be done by 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. unless you are needed elsewhere.

BREAKPERSON – Your responsibility will be to fill in for other people while they go on breaks.  This does not mean that you will not get a break; you are entitled to have one also.  You will be assigned to several booths.  Once at the booth, you will relieve one person at a time for their break.  This is not a difficult job, but it requires a lot of responsibility.  You may also be asked to fill-in at a booth or another job if someone doesn’t show up. 

GAME LEADER- You will be responsible for facilitating the Zoo Boo game and distributing prizes to those who choose to stop and play. 

PARTY ROOM ASSISTANT - You will be responsible for assisting our birthday party coordinator to supervise parties in the birthday party room in the adventure center. Duties will include everything from set up to clean up and helping with food and games.

ADVANCED TICKET TAKER – You will be responsible for collecting tickets at the gate and marking them child or adult, then recording zip codes and number of people in the group. You may be asked to assist with other jobs if it is a slow night or once your gate closes.

CRAFT TABLE ATTENDANTS – You will be stationed assisting children 11 and under in making crafts provided by Zoo staff.  All supplies and directions will be provided.

FACE PAINTING - Your job is to paint simple designs on the hand or face of those guests who stop at your station.  You are responsible for cleaning up thoroughly when your shift is over.  Including washing stamps and brushes and returning all materials to the proper places.

RIDE ASSISTANT (Must be 16 years of age or older) – You will be responsible for assisting the ride operator with taking tickets and loading and unloading ride passengers.  You should expect that your volunteer hours will be from 5:15 to 9:30 p.m. each night unless weather is poor.

Concession (Must be 15 years of age or older):

FOOD SERVICE – Two to three volunteers are needed to help out at the Zoo’s concession stands each night of the event.  Your responsibilities may include making popcorn, cotton candy and slush puppies.  Those who volunteer for these positions must be able to work from 5:15 to 9:30 p.m. each night to help set up and clean up.  Gloves and hat must be worn at all times.

CAROUSEL VOLUNTEER – One person is needed each night of ZooBoo to help load and unload the carousel.  Your responsibilities may include collecting tickets and making sure that the correct number of people get on the carousel each time. Expect your work hours to be from 5:15 to 9:30 p.m. each night.

Training Sessions for ZooBoo

            Each volunteer MUST attend ONE training session to participate in ZooBoo.  Please circle the session that you plan to attend on your registration. 

Registrations must be turned in by September 22nd to the Erie Zoo Office. 

Once you choose a training session you should plan on attending that session unless you hear from the Volunteer Coordinator.  Trainings session seats are filled on a first come first serve basis.  So, get your application in early to get the training session you want.

            In an effort to make training more effective and cut down on time spent waiting for scheduling or auditioning, no more than 30 people will be admitted to each session.  Walk-ins will be permitted ONLY IF THE 30 SPOTS ARE NOT FILLED.  Additional training may be required for some positions.

ZOO BOO TRAINING DATES:
(You are required to attend one training session)

TRAINING OUTLINE:
Orientation to Volunteering and ZooBoo
Tour of the Zoo
Introduction to the Roles
Auditions for Costumed Roles*          
Further Instructions
Scheduling – Come to training prepared to schedule for Zoo Boo.
          
*Auditions will be held for each costumed role.  Auditions for costumed characters will require that each applicant practice and prepare for a performance-type audition.  A prepared piece will be given to all those auditioning.  Some auditions require role playing.
If you have any questions, please contact Tami Fowler at 864-4091 ext. 262.

Volunteer Responsibilities

As a ZooBoo volunteer, you will be expected to do the following:

1. Attend your training session.  ALL volunteers must attend ONE training session.

You must get your registration to the zoo office by Sept 22nd.
We will not accept walk-ins on training day, if the session is full.

1. Volunteers under 18 must have a signed parent permission slip.  All volunteers must sign that they agree to abide by our rules and policies as set out here and any specific to your position.   Breaking of any of these policies may result in dismissal from the volunteer position, phone calls to parents/guardian and/or school, loss of service hours or other consequences as set by the Erie Zoo, an individual's school/organization or by law.
2. Each night you are scheduled to work, arrive at the Zoo between 5:15 and 5:30 p.m.  Use the Activity Center door and report immediately to the Break Room (Activity Center Stage). Park in the ice rink parking lot.
3. Be polite, friendly, courteous and helpful to all visitors and fellow workers. Use of inappropriate language, gestures or behavior is prohibited.
4. Volunteers are prohibited from using illegal drugs or alcohol before arriving at the zoo or while on the zoo grounds.  Use of tobacco products is not permitted anywhere on the zoo grounds.  Closed drink containers only inside the booth.  No eating permitted in the booths.
5. Maintain the role you are playing during the 3½ hours that the event is open to the public.  You will have the opportunity to take a break during the evening.  Your break will be 5 to 10 minutes in length and must be taken in the Break Room.  Volunteers who take excessively long or multiple breaks may have their service hours reduced accordingly.  The Volunteer Coordinator will assign breaks.  Characters must be out of costume during bathroom breaks.
6. Stay at your assigned station until you are dismissed by the Volunteer Coordinator (dismissal is 9:30 p.m. on most nights; often until 10 p.m. on weekends or busy nights).  Do not leave your station if another volunteer tells you its okay to go.
7. Characters and booth guides are responsible for the care of costumes and makeup.  Everyone working is responsible for helping to keep his or her area clean and neat.
8. DRESS FOR THE WEATHER!  No open-toed or open backed shoes.   
9. If you are unable to come on a night that you are scheduled to work, you MUST call the Zoo (864-4091) ext. 262 before 4:00 p.m. of that day. If you do not talk to a person, please leave a message on the ZooBoo voice mail (ext. 310). DO NOT LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE GENERAL VOICE MAIL! If you call after 4:00 p.m., you will lose approval of one hour from your time sheet.  If you do not call, you will lose approval of four hours of time previously volunteered and you may be removed from the volunteer schedule.
10. It is your responsibility to remember when you scheduled yourself to volunteer. After training, we may call you for additional nights and you must remember those you agree to as well.  We cannot call to remind you of your schedule.
11. Volunteers are prohibited from eating or taking any of the treats or prizes designated for children 11 and under.
12. Volunteers are not permitted to visit with friends and family while on duty.  Only volunteers are permitted on the stage.  Family and friends must pick you up outside of the Zoo. 
13. Headphones, radios, handheld games, boomboxes, cellphones, PDA’s, beepers, blackberries, ipods or other electronic devices are NOT permitted to be used while on duty.
14. Within those parameters, HAVE FUN!

We hope that you enjoy your volunteer experience at the Erie Zoo and that you take the responsibility seriously.  We cannot run such a great event without all of you doing your part.  If you have any questions call Tami Fowler, Volunteer Coordinator at 864-4091 ext. 262.

Download a Volunteer Application Now