Volunteers wanted at Zoo, Assiniboine Park

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This article was published 22/04/2021 (1940 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Assiniboine Park Conservancy is seeking 200 summer volunteers, with opportunities to suit every skill-set.   

Shaun Leonoff, manager of volunteer resources for APC, explained that volunteer positions are available to anyone aged 14 and older.

“We hope that adult volunteers give approximately 60 hours in a year, but that’s spread out over 12 months. So in the summer, we ask for one shift a week and our shifts are three hours long,” she said.

“We’re open seven days a week, and you can sign up to volunteer any of the days of the week.

There are three different times of day for the three-hour shifts. It really works with most people’s schedules. Even if they’re working, they can usually find a day of the week when they have some free time.”

Current volunteer opportunities for adults include roles as ambassadors, interpreters, visitor services concierges, special events assistants, and facility and grounds support.
For youth, volunteer opportunities are available as members of the zoo camp crew or as zoo teen ambassadors.

“For our teens, we ask for 30 hours in the summer for our zoo teen ambassador program,” Leonoff said.

“For our zoo camp crew, we ask for 40 hours. They volunteer Monday to Friday for a full week, and that way they get the 40-hour credit for school all in one week.”
Always a popular destination, Assiniboine Park and Zoo boasts nearly 400 acres of gardens and green space.

“One of the benefits of volunteering here is that you get to be part of a world-class organization. We have a big reputation all around North America, and you get to experience the exciting changes happening,” Leonoff said.

“You also get to spend time outdoors, particularly now with COVID-19 and so many restrictions.”

In addition, volunteers can add up their hours towards free zoo memberships.

“You get special behind-the-scenes tours and we offer continuing education opportunities. Once COVID restrictions are lifted, we also have social events, but those have become Zoom events right now,” Leonoff said.

“The flexibility really helps too. I often recommend to people who have a cottage that it’s really nice to volunteer in the spring and the fall. You can work around your cottage time and still volunteer regularly throughout the year.”
Volunteers are highly valued since they provide essential support to staff, she added.

“Our volunteers come from all walks of life, so they bring unique perspectives, ideas and experiences that the staff really consider very valuable. They’re bringing a community perspective to a lot of what we do,” Leonoff said.

“They are the face of Assiniboine Park Conservancy. We don’t have a huge number of staff that are front-facing but the volunteers are always there. There’s always someone there to greet you, to solve a problem or to give you advice on the best things to do while you’re here.

All of our feedback we get from visitors is that volunteers made a difference to their experience because they’re so friendly and knowledgeable.”

Volunteering is also an opportunity to make new friends — or to share the experience with loved ones.

“I encourage people to join with a family member or friend. We have a lot of couples and a lot of retired sisters,” Leonoff said.

“Come out with someone that you enjoy seeing regularly. It’s a great opportunity to see them while you volunteer.”

More information about volunteer opportunities is posted on the Assiniboine Park and Zoo website at www.assiniboinepark.ca/volunteer. The application deadline is May 31 for the summer season