Please review the following information before submitting the group volunteer request form.
Group Applications are processed year-round.
Service Projects:
Projects can vary based on the time of year and what department you are assisting. Here are some examples:
- Get creative with our design team and help build, paint, sculpt, and design multiple props and sets for some of our biggest events of the year. This can include everything from Spooktacular to ZOOLights.
- Keep our animals happy by helping beautify their enclosures. This includes helping our keepers with painting, cleaning, removing plants, and/or moving dirt.
- Help keep the Zoo clean by removing trash and recycling from our parking lots and other guest areas. This project can also encompass a variety of painting projects, window cleaning, and gutter clean up.
Your group qualifies to participate if:
- You have at least 5 people in your group, but no more than 20.
- All group members are willing to work outside and get dirty, no matter the weather and project.
- All group members complete and turn in the required waiver forms by the day of the project.
- All group members are a minimum age of 14.
- Groups with teens:
- Must provide 1 adult chaperone for every 5 teens (ages 14 – 17) to participate in the project.
- All volunteer waiver forms must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Steps to request a service project:
Step 1. Plan ahead. This popular program books up quickly. We request that all projects be scheduled a minimum of 2 weeks in advance. Your group must receive written confirmation to ensure you are booked on the day/time requested.
Step 2. Fill out and return the Service Project Request Form. As your company or organization's group project leader, please help us to ensure that all of your team members participating have read and received the information on page one of this form.
Step 3. All volunteers must sign and return the Volunteer Liability Waiver, Social Media Policy and Tetanus Waiver. Any group member ages 14-18 must sign this form and have their parent/guardian sign the Volunteer Liability Waiver as well. These forms can be e-mailed to volunteer@jacksonvillezoo.org prior to the project date or turned in the day of the project. This is required of all volunteers to participate.
Step 4. The Zoo’s Volunteer Engagement Department will contact you via e-mail to confirm your date and provide details on when and where to meet.
Step 5. On your project day, come to the Zoo dressed for the weather and have fun!
CANCELLATIONS:
If you need to cancel once your project has been confirmed, please e-mail volunteer@jacksonvillezoo.org. We kindly ask that you give at least a 48-hour notice of cancellation.
Special Events:
- Indulge in some summer fun by volunteering during our Nights at the Zoo. Night at the Zoo is held during various nights throughout the summer and encompasses live music, food trucks, and games on the great lawn.
- Get in the Halloween Spirit at our annual Spooktacular event. This event lasts multiple nights and is one of the biggest events at the Zoo. This event includes several Halloween characters, scare zones, singing characters and a candy trail.
- Be a part of the excitement and enchantment of the holidays by volunteering during our annual ZOOLights celebration. This event lasts most of December, and through the beginning of January and contains thousands of lights, moving sculptures and illuminated animals.
- Your group can participate in our annual ExZOOberation event. This wildly popular fundraising event is a ton of fun for all with silent auctions, dinner and dancing. All volunteers must be at least 21 or older to participate in this event.
- Come and join the party at our annual Brew at the Zoo event. This event includes over 100 food and drink vendors from all around Jacksonville. All money raised at this event goes towards the care of our animals. All volunteers must be at least 21 to participate at this event.
Your group qualifies to participate if:
- You have at least 5 people in your group.
- All group members are willing to work outside no matter the weather.
- All group members complete and turn in the required waiver forms by the day of the event.
- All group members meet the minimum age requirement depending on the event.
- Groups with teens:
- Must provide 1 adult chaperone for every 5 teens (ages 14 – 17) to participate.
- All volunteer waiver forms must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Steps to volunteer at a special event:
Step 1. Plan ahead. Some events book up months in advance. Please submit your request as soon as possible. We will accept applications as long as there are volunteer spaces available. Your group must receive written confirmation to ensure you are booked on the day/time requested.
Step 2. Fill out and return the Special Event Request Form. As your company or organization's group project leader, please help us to ensure that all of your team members participating have read and received the information on page one of this form.
Step 3. All volunteers must sign and return the Volunteer Liability Waiver, Social Media Policy and Tetanus Waiver. Any group member ages 14-18 must sign this form and have their parent/guardian sign the Volunteer Liability Waiver as well. These forms can be emailed prior to the event date or turned in the day of the event. This is required of all volunteers to participate.
Step 4. The Zoo’s Volunteer Engagement Department will contact you via phone or e-mail to confirm your date and provide the details your group will need.
Step 5. On your day, come to the Zoo dressed for the weather and have fun!
CANCELLATIONS:
If you need to cancel once your event has been confirmed, please e-mail volunteer@jacksonvillezoo.org. We kindly ask that you give at least a one-week notice of cancellation.
Is your company or organization a member of the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens Business Partner Program? If so, contact us about setting up a volunteer schedule with your employees!
If you are interested in becoming a partner, click here for more information.