Our Bright Futures volunteer program is for 9th – 12th-grade students looking to complete volunteer hours to receive a Bright Futures Scholarship through their school. They do this by interacting with Zoo guests at various activity stations using animal-related biofacts and activities. This is a fun opportunity for those who enjoy talking and interacting with people.
Duties
Educate about animal conservation during special events throughout the year.
Educate the public at several different activity stations throughout the Zoo.
Utilize bio-facts and activities to educate guests at the stations.
All stations are in front of animal habitats, but there is no direct contact with animals.
Training Sessions
We onboard new Bright Futures Volunteers approximately every other month. We send out invites to attend an orientation and training session about one month before the scheduled date. These sessions occur on either Saturdays or Sundays.
If accepted as a Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens volunteer, an initial volunteer orientation and training session is required before beginning volunteer service. Completing on-the-job training and an introductory period is also required before full acceptance into the Bright Futures volunteer position.
Application Required Documents
Signed copy of the Bright Futures Paperwork packet (linked in the application)
For Parents
Our teen programs are designed to foster independence, professionalism, and responsibility in teens. The program is designed to provide a healthy boost to teens’ self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. While parental support is important, it’s crucial that teens take the initiative in managing their volunteer commitments just as they would in a paid position. This means they should be the primary contact for communications and be proactive in handling their schedules and responsibilities.
Please encourage your teen to fill out the application themselves, have them use their own email and phone number in the application, and encourage them to communicate directly with Volunteer Services staff. This experience is not only about volunteering but also about growing into responsible, professional, and self-sufficient young adults.
Requirements
Must be a student going into 9th – 12th grade.
Volunteer shifts can be completed during the day and on select evenings, as long as it does not interfere with the student’s school schedule. Volunteers cannot skip school to volunteer at the Zoo.
Participate in volunteer orientation.
Successfully completed introductory period.
Abide by policies in the Volunteer Handbook.
Provide excellent customer service and demonstrate the ability to work well with visitors.
Be interested in educating the public about conservation.
Must be able to tolerate Florida’s weather conditions.
