Get Involved

Every year, Scovill Zoo volunteers donate thousands of hours of their time to help make us one of the best zoos in Illinois. In order to prepare them for their roles at the zoo, volunteers complete 9 weeks of continuing education classes taught by assistant director Dave Webster and volunteer coordinator Elizabeth Van Ert. This program allows our zoo volunteers to practice handling our animal ambassadors, learn AZA-approved guided tour messaging, and brush up on zoology and conservation topics important to the zoo. We encourage all volunteers, new and old, to attend every session. This ensures that team members have all the tools they need to make each visitor’s experience fun and educational. Even volunteers that run the train and carousel find the classes beneficial as they answer animal questions before and after operating the rides.

Scovill Zoo Volunteer Application
Would you like to drive the Z.O. & O. Express or give riders a spin on the Endangered Species Carousel? Do you want to learn more about your community’s zoo and its animals? Opportunities range from guided tours, to Mobile Zoo presentations, to helping at special events. No experience required!

If you want to volunteer at the zoo, complete the Zoo Volunteer Application and return to the Scovill Zoo Office. For more information, please contact Elizabeth at 421-7435 orevanert@decparks.com.

If you love children and the arts, we need you! Please consider joining the Cultural Arts Support Team (CAST)! You’ll share your passion and talents by helping build sets, designing props and costumes, ushering and providing hospitality at shows, or working as part of the back-stage crew. For details, contact Megan Dickerson at 421-7748, ext. 1 or mdickerson@decparks.com. Financial assistance is also always greatly appreciated. View the C.A.S.T. pledge card.