Archive for the ‘Volunteer Programs’ Category

Aug
29

Calling All Teens!! Alternative Teen Break is Here!

Posted by in Education Office,Volunteer Programs

The Education Department at the Houston Zoo strives to create meaningful learning experiences for all ages. This year we are embarking on a brand new program strictly for teens!

The program is called Alternative Teen Break and it is a conservation education program for 10 teens ages 15-18 in the Houston area, with a field site visit to the Big Thicket National Preserve occurring over spring break in March 2012. Team members who are chosen for this first Alternative Teen Break trip (or ATB for short) will work as week-long volunteers in various conservation projects, providing invaluable conservation services for this area and ecosystem. Team members will learn skills and conservation knowledge from Houston Zoo staff and employees of the Big Thicket National Preserve.

ATB team members will meet monthly leading up to their trip to discuss conservation issues, local wildlife and conduct fundraising events. All team members will have the opportunity to raise funds to help pay for their trip. At the conclusion of the service trip team members will put together a presentation of their knowledge gained for Zoo staff and students’ families and teachers.

Big Thicket National Preserve

So, if you’re a teen between the ages of 15 and 18 that loves wildlife and wild places, and wants to help protect them for the future, join us this spring break as we do something about it!

Applications are available now. All applications will be due on Friday, September 30th. For more information on this program please visit our website.

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Jul
13

Houston Zoo Crew Spotlight

Posted by in Volunteer Programs,Zoo Crew

Let’s go on over to meet a Lead Senior Education Zoo Crew!

Val coordinating assignments for her group

1. What is your name?

Valerie but everyone calls me Val

2. What is your position and how many years have you been in Zoo Crew?

Lead Senior Education and 2 years

3. What do you do in your section?

Talk to guests about the animals and answer any questions they have, plus have fun!
=)  I am also in charge of leading one of the Education Zoo Crew groups.

4. Why did you choose to apply for Zoo Crew?

I want to look at possible future jobs and see what I might like to do in the future.

5. What has been the greatest benefit from being in the program?

Learning about the animals and meeting so many people.

Never a dull moment for a Lead Senior Zoo Crew (even on break) =D

6. What do you think the Zoo Crew program will give you in the future?

It will give me an idea of what I would like to do in the future and I have learned to
work well with a group and guests.

7. What advice would you give interested teens who want to be in the program?

Do it! Don’t hesitate! It’s a lot of fun and a good experience.

8. Where do you see yourself in the future?

Possibly animal sciences or medical school.

9. Has the experience here changed your future?

Yes!

10. What is the one thing you would like people to know about you, outside of Zoo Crew?

That I love the ocean and anything in water (especially surfing)!

11. What’s your favorite food to get from the Zoo’s concession stands?

Chicken fingers

Who will be next in the Zoo Crew Spotlight?  Stay tuned to find out!

Jul
08

Houston Zoo Crew Spotlight

Posted by in Volunteer Programs,Zoo Crew

We’re back with yet another Zoo Crew!  Have fun meeting Sharonda…

1. What is your name?

Sharonda assisting her campers with crafts

Sharonda K.

2. What is your position and how many years have you been in Zoo Crew?

Senior Camp Counselor and 2 years

3. What do you do in your section?

Help teachers with getting books, assist with crafts, and make sure the kids stay with the camp.

4. Why did you choose to apply for Zoo Crew?

I am interested in being a veterinarian, love animals, and it will look good on my college application.

5. What has been the greatest benefit from being in the program?

I have learned a lot of stuff on a lot of different animals. I am also now more patient when it comes to kids. Oh and meeting new people!

Getting supplies for her camp

6. What do you think the Zoo Crew program will give you in the future?

Learn how to interact with all age groups and also to solve problems.

7. What advice would you give interested teens who want to be in the program?

Have a great attitude, follow directions, be respectful, and try your best.

8. Where do you see yourself in the future?

Being a veterinarian or rescuing animals.

9. Has the experience here changed your future?

Yes, before I didn’t like kids, and now I love them!

10. What is the one thing you would like people to know about you, outside of Zoo Crew?

I am a hardworking person, friendly, and am easy to get along with.

11. What’s your favorite food to get from the Zoo’s concession stands?

Pizza and fries!

Stay tuned for your inside view to another Zoo Crew’s 2011 Summer experience.  Until then take a look here!

Jun
30

Houston Zoo Crew Spotlight

Posted by in Volunteer Programs,Zoo Crew

1. What is your name?

Viviel hosting a Bio-fact cart

Viviel B.

2. What is your position and how many years have you been in Zoo Crew?

Senior Theatrical and 2 years

3. What do you do in your section?

Rehearse skits that we perform for the public and Camp Zoofari, and guest service,
stuff like that.

4. Why did you choose to apply for Zoo Crew?

My sister did it and would come home with all these compliments and how fun it
was. Plus I am giving back to my community and getting “fun-cation.”

5. What has been the greatest benefit from being in the program?

Building friendships and I get to do what I love!

6. What do you think the Zoo Crew program will give you in the future?

It prepares me for real life, like work and the “real world.”

7. What advice would you give interested teens who want to be in the program?

Do it! Apply! Get in anywhere because it’s really fun and you won’t regret it!

8. Where do you see yourself in the future?

Majoring in Musical Theatre

9. Has the experience here changed your future?

I think so. It has given me experience being onstage.

10. What is the one thing you would like people to know about you, outside of Zoo Crew?

That I am open to meeting lots of people and new things.

11. What’s your favorite food to get from the Zoo’s concession stands?

The pretzels are REALLY good. And the fries too!

Stay tuned for more Zoo Crew Spotlights!

Jun
23

Houston Zoo Crew Spotlight

Posted by in Volunteer Programs,Zoo Crew

Ryan in one of our camp classrooms

Zoo Crew Spotlight

1. What is your name?

Ryan L.

2. What is your position and how many years have you been in Zoo Crew?

Senior Camp Counselor and for 2 years

3. What do you do in your section?

Help teachers in camp & make sure kids are safe and having fun but also learning.

4. Why did you choose to apply for Zoo Crew?

I know it helps the children and the Zoo in general.

It also helps the environment as a whole.

5. What has been the greatest benefit from being in the program?

Being able to get along with younger children and learning how to teach them.

6. What do you think the Zoo Crew program will give you in the future?

To be more approachable because here at the Zoo, guests approach you a lot, which then gets you to be more comfortable interacting with many different types of people.

Ryan assisting campers with a puzzle

7. What advice would you give interested teens who want to be in the program?

Be able to talk to people. Be approachable and friendly.

8. Where do you see yourself in the future?

I see myself running for a college on an athletic scholarship, and then medical or veterinary school, and then opening up a private practice.

9. Has the experience here changed your future?

It has changed it in a positive way, because now I can approach/speak with a vast number of different people.

10. What is the one thing you would like people to know about you, outside of Zoo Crew?

I have big plans after high school. Big ideas and lots of them! And I love running!

11. What’s your favorite food to get from the Zoo’s concession stands?

Soft serve ice-cream! It’s hard to find good soft service ice-cream anywhere around here.

Jun
23

Houston Zoo Teen Volunteer Program-Zoo Crew

Posted by in Volunteer Programs,Zoo Crew

Do you ever wonder what Zoo Crew do in their section?  Well here’s your chance, we’re starting a new blog series called Zoo Crew Spotlight!  This will give you the inside view of what our Zoo Crew do in their primary sections, what they like about being in the program, and much more!  Stay tuned for your inside view…

Week 3 Theatrical Zoo Crew

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Mar
25

Introducing… Erin Quassa!

Posted by in Education Office,Volunteer Programs

Erin loves all of the carnivores here at the Zoo, including our Anatolian shepherd Taji

This week we get to meet the third member of our Volunteer team.  Missed the previous parts of our series?  Check them out here!  

Name: Erin S. Quassa 

Department and Title: Volunteers; Volunteer Program Coordinator 

Job Description: I work with interns, keeper aides, and outside corporate/community groups. My main duties include coordination of projects and communication between candidates and the Zoo community. 

Hometown: Juneau, Alaska 

 Favorite animal and why? Lions.  They are my sorority mascot, I think that they have the most unique social structure among the big cats, and they are majestic, powerful animals! 

 Favorite class (or program) at HZI: I enoy doing informal information sessions such as career fairs. I also enjoy TCPP, I think that when we are out in the field children can really make strong, lasting connections to what they are learning about. 

How long have you worked at the Houston Zoo? 1 year and 2 months. 

Describe your education and experience prior to working at the Houston Zoo: I went to Sam Houston State University (Go Bearkats!). I got my Bachelors’ Degree in Mass Communications and Advertising with a minor in English. Before coming to the Zoo I work at the Houston SPCA, where after fostering 8 different dogs and keeping two of them I decided it was time to find a job where I couldn’t take the animals home with me. 

 What do you enjoy most about working in the EduTeer Department? The people, I truly think we have the best team at the zoo. We have strong positive leadership which guides us to our goals. Everyone gets along; we are all close enough that if we did have an issue we needed to work out it would be done in a respectful one-on-one conversation. We have fun together, we laugh a lot!  But we are also very hard working, ready and willing to help out and get things done even if it’s not our “assigned” job.  I am very lucky to be on the Eduteer team! 

Erin and Kiva, our male giraffe.

    What animals do you have at home? I have two Bassett Hound named Charles Buford Bernard Samuel Jackson Bartholomew Agatha Kristi Quassa the 18th and Magdalene Moo Moo Quassa 1st. They go by Maggie and Charlie most days or any number of other nicknames which include but are not limited to the following: Matugala, Mags, Tinkerton, Stinker-tinker-ton, Maggie girl sugars, Maggie fat girl, little butt, Mr. Man, Trawles, Chuck, and Little gentleman. 

 Tell us a fun fact about yourself:  I will try anything once, I think people waste time being afraid to try new things or step out of their comfort zones. We only live once so might as well make it as interesting as possible. One of my quotes to live by is “Most people treat their bodies like a temple, I treat mine like an amusement park. It’s going to be a wild ride” 

 Come back next week, when we’ll be moving back to the Education side of things!

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Mar
18

Introducing…Patrick Cadriel!

Posted by in Education Office,Volunteer Programs

How about we slide back over to the volunteer end of the EduTeer Department for this blog? You have met Paul, and now it is time to meet the rest of the department.

Name: Patrick Cadriel

Department and Title: Volunteers; Volunteer Programs Coordinator

Job Description: I coordinate the recruitment, training, scheduling, management, evaluation and recognition of all teen volunteer programs.

Hometown: Deer Park, Texas

Favorite animal and why? Sea lions; I love how interacting they can be and how they never fail to put a smile on my face.

Patrick getting a kiss from Cali-one of our female sea lions

Favorite class (or program) at HZI: I really enjoy participating in teen programs, given I am the coordinator for teen volunteer programs. My goal is to provide an educational, informative, inspirational experience promoting the development of our young adults.

How long have you worked at the Houston Zoo? 2 years

Describe your education and experience prior to working at the Houston Zoo: I was in school for real estate and have always been in the sales field. Since working at the Zoo I am pursuing a degree in Organization Leadership.

What do you enjoy most about working in the EduTeer Department? I love working with individuals who are following what makes them happy. Educating others about animals and conservation is an important role and someone has to do it. Not to mention it is hard to find a job where you can go see a lion training window or bat feeding on your lunch break, especially in Houston!

Patrick with our fall Zoo Crew at Galveston Island SP doing a beach cleanup

What animals do you have at home? None! My wife and I are happy just with our 5 month old daughter. I like to say “I love working around the animals, not with the animals.”

Tell us a fun fact about yourself: I have a strong interest in learning different languages! With English, French, and Spanish under my belt, I am currently learning Russian!

Check back next week as we meet our last volunteer dept. employee!

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Feb
25

Introducing… Paul Bishop

Posted by in Education Office,Volunteer Programs

To continue our series introducing the EduTeer Staff, we’ll head over to the Volunteer section…

Name: Paul Bishop

Title: Volunteer Programs Supervisor

Paul getting a smooch from one of our sea lions, Cali.

Job Description: I provide supervision to all of our volunteer programs and the coordinators that run them. I directly supervise the docent program.

Hometown: Marshall, TX

Favorite animal and why?  My overall favorite animal is the gorilla, but my favorite here at the Houston Zoo is the white rhino. I just find them extremely interesting and their plight in the wild is an issue that needs more attention.

Favorite class to teach at HZI: I enjoy coordinating our docent training sessions. I probably learn as much as they do.

How long have you worked at the Houston Zoo? About 8 months.

Describe your education and experience prior to working at the Houston Zoo: I have over 11 years of coaching experience on both the collegiate and high school level. I also have over 6 years of experience in personnel training.

What do you enjoy most about working in the EduTeer Department? Everyone here comes to work with a great attitude and is genuinely happy to be here. I also like that you can learn something new here everyday.

What animals do you have at home? My wife and I have a cat named Bam. (But I wish we had a dog!)

Tell us a fun fact about yourself: While coaching the cheerleaders at the University of Oklahoma, I also coached Carl Albert High School to 4 straight State Championships and one Grand National Championship.

Keep checking back to find out more about the unique staff here in the EduTeer family!

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Feb
18

Introducing…Chance Sanford!

Posted by in Education Office,Volunteer Programs

As Leigh mentioned previously, we will be doing a blog series about the staff that makes up the Education and Volunteer departments-aka the EduTeer Staff. We decided to make it easy on everyone and start from the top and work our way down the EduTeer family tree. Today’s blog features our head honcho…read on to find out more!

Name: Chance Sanford

Title: Director of Education

Job Description: I feel my role in the department is to place individuals in positions and give them responsibilities in which they will be successful, as well as provide them the resources, training, and knowledge for them to be successful in those roles. Beyond that I oversee the operations of volunteer programs, education programs, and the contact center.

Hometown: Pasadena, TX

Chance enjoying some time with our meerkat mob

Favorite animal and why? Rockhopper Penguin. I have had the fortune of working around a variety of penguin species in my career, and some of the most inquisitive and playful chicks are rockhoppers. It’s tough not to like an animal that you can have hang out in your lap.

Favorite class to teach at HZI: I haven’t had the opportunity to teach many classes, but I really enjoy Camp Zoofari.

How long have you worked at the Houston Zoo? 9 months

Describe your education and experience prior to working at the Houston Zoo: B.S. in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University at Galveston; M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from Concordia University. Prior to the Zoo I worked as an animal care specialist for a year at Rainforest Cafe, and worked 7 years in the Education Department at SeaWorld San Antonio over the camp programs (1 year as an Education Supervisor, 6 years as an Education Manager).

What do you enjoy most about working in the EduTeer Department? I enjoy working with such passionate people. Everyone in the department is passionate about something, be it education, interpretation, conservation or something else. I love coming to work everyday knowing that whatever it is that we want to accomplish, we can do it together, and our passion for it will drive our enthusiasm toward the goal.

What animals do you have at home? Dixie – Redbone Coonhound & Daisie – Black Lab mix

Tell us a fun fact about yourself: When I was in college I rowed a marathon.

Keep checking back to find out more about the unique staff here in the EduTeer family.

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