Group Volunteering

Group Gardening has two more open shifts for the 2025 season!

We just had two more spots open for interested group gardening volunteers! Take a look below for the details and application. These opportunities are first come, first served.

Role Summary

Group volunteers help with a variety of grounds projects throughout the warmer months (and occasionally in the colder months). With 28 acres to cover, groups are essential for us to maintain a beautiful and healthy environment for our guests and animals.

Group volunteers also run activities for kids and kids-at-heart! On days sunny and cloudy they bring out bubbles, games and other activities to bring smiles to guests' faces.

Responsibilities

Group Gardening: Work those muscles on our garden!
- Weed any number of gardens
- Lay fresh mulch in ornamental garden areas
- Plant flowers, small shrubberies, natives and vegetables (usually in the beginning of the season)
- Learn about zoo horticulture and the importance of browsable plants
Fun in the Sun (FITS): Bring smiles to the community!
- Run giant yard games (Jenga, Connect 4, Ladder Toss)
- Chalk up the sidewalks with kids
- Run a bubble station
- Paint faces! (Easy designs provided)

Volunteering For All

Gardeners volunteer outside in mostly open sun (though, shade can present itself in the early mornings when the shadows are longer). Terrain can vary from flat and smooth to rough and hilly - depending on where you're working for the day.

Fun in the Sun activities are guest-facing. Volunteers should expect to be interacting with any number of guests (usually depending on weather) from a few to a few dozen at a time. FITS takes place in a mix of shade and sun. We will move under the central tent when needed.

We give breaks when needed. Volunteers have access to public restrooms, as well as to our Volunteer Central - where volunteers can rest and cool down with access to a restroom and kitchen space.

Requirements & Skills

What to expect

Gardening: A HVZ staff member will meet your group at the main entrance to the zoo (the one facing Drake & Randall) at the start of your shift. Expect to walk down to Volunteer Central where we’ll check everyone in for the day, talk to you a bit about HVZ and your gardening project. From there, our horticulturalist will take you to get tools and show you the area you’ll be working in. You’ll have support from our horticulturalist and other volunteer coordination staff throughout your volunteer shift.

Fun in the Sun: A HVZ staff member will meet your group at the main entrance to the zoo (the one facing Drake & Randall) at the start of your shift. Expect to walk down to Volunteer Central where we’ll check everyone in for the day, talk to you a bit about HVZ and your gardening project. From there, a member of our guest services team will help you gather the yard games to set up outside. You'll have support from several staff members throughout your volunteer shift. Expect lots of kids and lots of smiles!

Time Commitment

What HVZ provides

What you should bring

Weather Policy

Gardening: While we do garden rain or shine, we do try to make sure our volunteers aren’t out in inclement weather. In the event that a portion of your volunteer time looks to be getting past the point of a drizzle, we’ll try to wait out the rain for a bit. In the event that there’s a steady rain that develops before/during your shift that doesn’t look like it will let up, then we will cancel for the day and make every effort to reschedule.

Fun in the Sun: We will run games rain or shine. In the event of precipitation we will move our games under the white tent in the middle of the zoo. In the event of truly inclement weather, we will contact you to cancel and make every effort to reschedule.

"This was absolutely fantastic. And I didn't accidentally paint myself!"

Exact Sciences Group Volunteer after a full morning of painting fences

Group Gardening Application

"*" indicates required fields

Quick, before you start: I understand that...*

As the person signing up my group, I take full responsibility for that group.

No call/no shows are hard on our staff. If plans change and our group must cancel, I can call to cancel. No worries.

No call/no shows and/or violations of the below volunteer agreement may result in us not inviting your group back to volunteer in the near future.

This volunteer role gets dirty, dusty, muddy and a whole variety of scuffed up. Our group is strong, prepared and can embrace the stains!

Dates

Dates are set according to staff availability and are not flexible beyond Fridays and Saturdays at the listed times.

First Choice: Available Gardening Dates/Times*

Second Choice: Available Gardening Dates/Times*

We would like to volunteer*

One of these days

Both of these days

Group Leads

Group/Organization Name*

Group Contact*

First Last

Contact Phone*

Contact Email*

Group Lead who will be attending

If group contact will not be attending

Group Lead Phone*

Group Lead Email*

The Whole Group

Approx. Number of Volunteers*

Min: 6, Max: 10

Do the people in your group know each other?*

Any special accommodations needed?*

(Optional) Does your group bring any kind of special skills/expertise they would like to use during volunteering?

Finally, finishing up!

Consent*

I 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. Support, Learning & Consequences. Volunteers understand that, although they may report directly to a variety of HVZ staff, they always have support through the Volunteer Coordinator. In the event that a volunteer violates one of the above expectations, and/or is acting in a manner that is contrary to the mission, vision and values of Henry Vilas Zoo, the Volunteer Coordinator will work with all involved to resolve the situation in a way that everyone can learn, improve and move forward in a healthy manner. Egregious or repeated violation of volunteer expectations may result in suspension or dismissal from the volunteer program.

9. The Volunteer gives permission to Henry Vilas Zoo to use images of them while on grounds in a promotional capacity for the Zoo and its programs.

10. Volunteers understand that a criminal background check is part of the onboarding process for all adult volunteers.