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LOUISVILLE
ZOO YOUTH BOARD
The Louisville Zoo Youth Board is a
30-member Board founded in 1993 for young people age 13-17.
The purpose of this group is to provide an opportunity for youth to
develop leadership skills and to create a forum for youth to be
actively involved with the Louisville Zoo. The Youth Board is
part of the Volunteer Department and the Coordinator of Volunteers
oversees activities and serves as staff liaison.
In 1997 members of the Youth Board
started offering face painting to Zoo guests for $1 as a fundraising
activity. They came up with a monetary goal and made a
pledge of $2,000 to help build the Boma African Petting Zoo.
The Board later decided to increase their pledge to $10,000.00 which
they paid off in two years.
 Since that time they have been going
strong. Youth Board Members have continued to provide face
painting for Zoo guests, and in the spring of 2001 expanded their
activities to include sand art and removable tattoos.
Their donations to major Zoo projects
are:
Boma African Petting Zoo - $10,000
Gorilla Forest - $15,000
Lorikeet Exhibit - $7,000
And they have already earned $8,000
toward their most recent pledge of $20,000 for the construction of
Glacier Run.
These enthusiastic young people work
long, hard hours throughout the year. At the end of summer,
they take an annual trip paying for this out of their budget. Click
here to see
pictures of the 2008 canoe trip.
The Youth Board has made a huge impact
on the Zoo. Not only have they made monetary contributions but
many have gone on to become employees of the Zoo. Seven of our
full-time keeper staff are past members of the Youth Board and
several past and present members are seasonal employees.
Youth Board Members participate in
Customer Service Training and Team Building and attend all of the
Zoo’s major events. They have represented the Zoo at events
throughout the City including Light Up Louisville, Festival at
Jefferson Mall and at the airport and National Processing Company.
This fine group of volunteers, past
and present, has always supported the Zoo’s Mission “to better the
bond between people and our planet”.
Click here to meet some members of the
Youth Board past and present, and hear what they have to say about
their experiences.
TO BECOME A MEMBER
Contact:
mary.taylor@louisvilleky.gov if you are interested in becoming a
Louisville Zoo Youth Board member.
2008
Canoe Trip
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