VOLUNTEER VOICE October 2013 In This Issue... - Denver Zoo

Volunteer VoiceTeen ProgramsJennifer Bahmeier HendersonJBahmeier@denverzoo.orgPictures courtesy of Jennifer Bahmeier HendersonSUMMER 2013 LIAISON REPORT TEENPROGRAMSWow, what happened to the summer? Suddenly it isquite quiet around the Volunteer Center and out ongrounds, as the teens have migrated back into theirclassrooms, Zoo Presenters is over, and the publicnumbers start to get smaller during the week. As we allget ready for the beautiful Colorado fall, each year Ithink to myself how much I love the cyclical nature ofthe zoo. I also feel so lucky as I think about the impactthat we each have on the guest experience, especially inthe summer with the thousands of guest that walkthrough the gates….that is pretty incredible to thinkabout.The Zoo Crew program has grown in opportunities Jifu Groleau with sand boaover the last couple of years, adding a few new jobs butstaying fairly consistent in the number of teens that we have in the program. This has been intentional as we wantto ensure that that we retain a good balance of support and opportunity. Summer 2013 we had 109 teens servingin Zoo Crew, and we now have teens working in over 30 different roles in various departments from Education,Animal and even in the Planning department!On any given day duringJune, July and thebeginning of August, 45teens were here during theweek, and the excitementoverflowed! This summer,teens experienced 165revamped “morninghuddles” that occurred inthe Volunteer Center,outside, and sometimes inthe hallways. Each weekhad a theme. We arethankful to the numerousvolunteers that gave somereally engaging talks to ourKate Berreman and Dave SassmanMariah Garrison and Jess Bertram(Continued on page 12)Page 11