Volunteer at Boo at the Zoo!

Sunday, October 27, 2024 (Volunteering window: 7:45AM-2:30PM)

WHAT IS BOO AT THE ZOO?

Boo at the Zoo is Madison’s largest public trick-or-treating event! We regularly get over 12,000 guests and rely on volunteers to help us make this day so amazing for our community.

CAN I VOLUNTEER?

You must be at least 18+ by the date of the event, OR, you must be at least 16+ and have completed a summer of volunteering with HVZ this year in an ongoing role (Teen Program participants count!)
You must be able to receive text messages – as we use these to communicate with our volunteers during the event.

VOLUNTEERING FOR ALL

This event involves large crowds in a fast-paced and high-sensory environment, and may not be comfortable for those sensitive to light and sound. All volunteer roles are completely outdoors. Face painting is accessible by wheelchair (photographers may not be able to navigate through heavy crowds). Face painting works closely with children who may not be able to verbalize what they need; it requires the ability to read body language and other social cues.

WHAT DO I GET TO DO?

*Roles in bold are only available to those currently volunteering at HVZ in an ongoing role.

Face Painters – (9AM-12PM/11:30AM-2:30PM) Be the Pied Piper of the art world while flexing your creative bones. Children will come from all over the Zoo to get their faces painted by you and a small team of other talented artists. Be a small child’s hero by turning their face into spiderman. None of us are professionals of any kind. We have a premade menu designed to be beginner friendly. If you’re comfortable with a brush, then you should try this out.
Gate Greeter – (9:30AM-12PM/12-2PM/2-4PM) For one day only our gate greeters can live their wildest dreams by answering the number one question: “Do you have a map?” For today only, yes. Give out maps, provide stamps, and shower hordes of children in compliments.
Goat Yard – (10AM-1PM/1-4PM) Let us herd the kids, you herd the goats. 🙂 Hand out pellets, hay, browse and backscratchers, and make sure costume pieces stay on the guest side of the yard and out of our goats’ mouths!
Henry the Lion – (8:45-10:30AM; Costume time: 9-10:15AM) Greet guests before the gates open! Take photos with the kids and be the first excitement of the day!
Photographers (9-11:30AM) Please help the Zoo document the events that they spend months working on. By showing off your creative skills and photographing all our guests (and some animals) enjoying the day, you help us tell the Zoo story.
Train/Carousel – (10AM-1PM/1-4PM) Manage lines, run attractions, and try not to drown in the seas of sugar-high children dressed as the same 12 cartoon characters and 1 really creative box.
Vendor Check-in (7:45-9:30AM) Large event days are often chaotic. If you consider yourself to be the calm in the chaos, then this role is for you. This role jumps in to help with things as needed – including event set-up, additional volunteer check-in, go-fer tasks, etc. If you would describe yourself as a superhero or a human multi-tool, this role is for you.
Wildlife Champions – Palm Oil Pros – (9:30AM-12PM/12-2PM) Help share the story of how we can help wildlife impacted by Palm Oil production like our Gibbons and Orangutans! Palm Oil Pros will be wildlife championing with a specific mission in mind.

WHAT DOES HVZ PROVIDE?

Role-specific training & texted updates in the weeks before, and on the day of, the event
Discounts at our Glacier Grille, Cup & Cone and Gift Shoppe in the week leading up to the event, as well as day of
Access to the biweekly Volunteer Update – filled with tons of news about our animals and upcoming volunteer opportunities

AM I REQUIRED TO WEAR A COSTUME?

No, but we won’t stop you! If it’s family friendly, still allows you to move and wear a volunteer vest over it, then you’re set to go. (Bonus points if you can figure out how to incorporate in a costume that uses a blue safety vest.)

WHAT IF IT RAINS?

We host Boo at the Zoo regardless of the weather. All volunteers should be prepared with weather-appropriate gear. We will be in touch with all volunteers in the days/hours surrounding their date with texted updates that will include directions regarding weather.

CAN MY GROUP VOLUNTEER?

We love that you want to get your group involved! While Boo is not set up for group volunteering, we do offer group volunteer opportunities throughout the summer. You are welcome to check out our group volunteer opportunities here and/or get on our email list here to be the first to know when new opportunities become available.

Boo at the Zoo 2024

Thank you so much for your interest in Boo at the Zoo 2024! Please know that filling out this application does NOT mean that you are signed up to volunteer. You will receive a confirmation email from us confirming that you have secured your volunteer shift. Questions about this application? Please contact us at: volunteer@henryvilaszoo.gov. We will get back to you asap!

First Off

I am…(Required)

Head to MyImpact!

You’ve triggered this section by responding that you are a current HVZ volunteer with a MyImpact account. You can head to www.myimpactpage.com to sign up for any Boo at the Zoo roles. Please give us a call if you need help doing this.

Step 1: Choose your role!

First Preference(Required)

Second Preference(Required)

Photography Equipment Expectations

I understand that I must provide my own DSLR camera capable of holding a SD card, OR, can upload my photos onto a shared Google Drive after the event.

I am unable to provide the necessary equipment.

Photography Expectations

I understand that this role focuses on human and not animal subjects. While animals may be in the photos, the goal of the day is to highlight the guests and their interactions. I feel comfortable interacting with humans, and can take both candid and posed shots.

I am not comfortable interacting with humans.

Moving Forward

An answer of “No” to any of the photography expectations above has triggered this section. We stand firm on our requirements for volunteer photographers. If you are unable to agree to either one of these, then please stick to face painting for now. Face painting not your thing? No worries! We have many other volunteer roles that pop up throughout the event season. You can go to our Volunteer Interest Form to get on our email list for future event volunteering opportunities.

Step 2: Your information

Your Name(Required)

First Last

Your Email(Required)

We will use this to send important Run Wild info. You will also receive our weekly volunteer updates. After Run Wild you can opt out at any time.

If you're volunteering representing a group/organization, please list it here:

Date of Birth(Required)

Pronouns(Required)

(Optional) Race/Ethnicity

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Cell Phone #(Required)

Texting Agreement(Required)

We will be using text messaging to communicate to volunteers from just before their shifts to no later than 24hrs after Boo at the Zoo. Are you able to receive text messages on your cell phone for the duration of Boo at the Zoo volunteering?

Emergency Contact(Required)

First Last

Relation(Required)

Emergency Contact Phone#(Required)

How did you hear about volunteering with us?(Required)

Why do you want to volunteer with Henry Vilas Zoo?(Required)

What else would you like us to know about you? How can we help make this volunteer experience fun and meaningful for you?(Required)

Step 3: Finishing up!

Dane County Drug/Alcohol Policy for Volunteers(Required)

I have read, understand and agree to the above drug/alcohol policy for volunteers.

Dane County volunteers are held to the same expectations and requirements as County staff members when it comes to drugs/alcohol. Below is the policy as it applies to volunteers. Please read it over carefully before confirming that you have read and understand everything list.

Policy Statement: The work place should be free from the hazards posed by the use of alcohol and controlled substances in order to protect the safety of employees and the public. Alcohol and drugs can impair thinking and reasoning and may lead to behaviors that bring the user into severe conflict with their work environment. Misuse of alcohol and drugs/controlled substances among Dane County employees and/or volunteers can have a devastating impact on safety, health and on the efficiency of the workforce.

Dane County Drug/Alcohol Policy

1. Volunteers are prohibited from using alcohol while on duty, and are prohibited from reporting for duty (and from remaining on duty) when their blood alcohol concentration is greater than 0.00

2. Volunteers are prohibited from reporting for volunteering and from continuing to volunteer when under the influence of any drugs/controlled substance. Possession of drugs & controlled substances while on duty is prohibited as defined by statute and administrative rules.

3. Volunteers are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, sale or attempted sale, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of alcohol, drugs/controlled substance, and/or drug paraphernalia when representing themselves as a Dane County volunteer – whether on or off site.

4. Volunteers may be asked to leave and may or may not be permitted to return to the site should the Volunteer Coordinator or other staff hold reasonable suspicion that the volunteer is working while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Reasonable suspicion must be based on specific, contemporaneous, articulate observations concerning appearance, behavior, speech or body odors.

Dane County Social Media Policy(Required)

I have read, understand and agree to the social media policy.

Dane County volunteers are held to the same expectations and requirements as County staff members when it comes to posting on social media. Below is the policy as it applies to volunteers. Please read it over carefully before confirming that you have read and understand everything list.

Policy Statement: This policy provides guidance regarding the use of social media on behalf of the County, as well as guidance regarding volunteers’ personal use of social media, when that personal communication relates to Dane County government.

Guidelines for Dane County Volunteers’ Personal Use of Social Media

2.1 Volunteers may not make social media posts on behalf of the Dane County unless specifically authorized. If you identify yourself as a Dane County volunteer, then you must make it clear that what you post is representative of your personal views and opinions and not necessarily the views and opinions of the Dane County. Dane County volunteers may not use the Dane County seal or Department logos.

2.2 .Dane County Civil Service Rules require volunteers to use good judgment and to show respect for colleagues and the people we serve. If you’re about to publish something that makes you uncomfortable and it is related to Dane County’s business, please discuss the post with the Volunteer Coordinator. For example, while it is fine for colleagues to disagree, volunteers should not use their personal social media sites or accounts to air differences in an inappropriate or unprofessional manner. Dane County will investigate complaints regarding the use of social media on a case by case basis.

2.3 Certain Dane County volunteers, such as those who provide information to the public) have a higher obligation regarding the use of good judgment and showing respect for the people whom Dane County serves. Due to their positions, these volunteers should not only assume that Dane County colleagues and members of the general public may read what they post on social media, they should be careful not to publish personal thoughts in way that implies they are expressing official Dane County positions.

2.4 Social media blurs many of the traditional boundaries between internal and external communications. Dane County volunteers should be careful not to disclose Dane County confidential or proprietary information on social media (or elsewhere).

HVZ Volunteer Consent(Required)

I have read, understand and agree to the volunteer policy.

Policy Statement: This policy provides guidance regarding volunteer expectations as they relate to the time that the volunteer is representing themselves as a member of the HVZ team in a personal or professional capacity.

Guidelines for Henry Vilas Zoo Volunteers
1. Volunteer Policy. Volunteers understand that they are not employees of Dane County, and are not entitled to compensation from Dane County. Volunteers understand that Dane County will not be paying wages, stipend, or Workman’s Compensation benefits. Finally, they understand that the HVZ volunteer program is not a guaranteed pathway to paid work, nor does it take the place of an internship or job shadow program of any kind.

2. Experience Expectations. Volunteering at Henry Vilas Zoo should be fun and meaningful for every volunteer. If at any point one of those two things becomes the opposite, volunteers can talk with the Volunteer Coordinator, and/or the HVZ staff member who works most closely with them.

3. Behavior Expectations. Volunteers understand that we are all humans working together toward the common well-being of our animals, guests and each other. They show respect, patience and understanding towards all humans on Zoo grounds.

4. Dress Code. Volunteers will wear weather-appropriate clothing with the HVZ logo and/or nametag visible at all times. Shoes will be closed-toed. Henry Vilas Zoo will not be held responsible in the event that a volunteer comes to harm due to inappropriate dress. Volunteers will not wear their shirts or nametags outside of official Henry Vilas Zoo volunteer service.

5. Representation. Volunteers represent the Henry Vilas Zoo any time they are in uniform and/or volunteering with Henry Vilas Zoo in an official capacity. They welcome, listen, include and teach all who come through our gates or interact with us in any way.

6. Communication. Volunteers communicate their questions, concerns, and other ideas in a timely manner to the Volunteer Coordinator and/or HVZ staff member who works closely with them.

7. Health. Volunteers put health first. Volunteers communicate with the Volunteer Coordinator regarding schedule changes related to health. They do not put themselves or others at risk by showing up to volunteer while sick. In the event a volunteer needs to take a break from service due to long-term health issues of any kind, Henry Vilas Zoo will work with the volunteer to coordinate communication over the break.

8. Volunteers give permission to Henry Vilas Zoo to use images of them while on grounds in a promotional capacity for the Zoo and its programs. Volunteers understand that a criminal background check is part of the onboarding process for all adult volunteers.