Sep

Boo at the Zoo needs you!

Boo at the Zoo is back! Get in the spooky spirit and help make this family-friendly event at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. one to remember. Sign up today to join in on this year’s fun!

Photo 1: Boo at the Zoo Logo

This year’s family-friendly event will feature 30 treat stations around the zoo while fun vignettes featuring frolicking skeletons and fantastic creatures liven up the Zoo’s main pathway, Olmsted Walk. The Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, and Reptile Discovery Center will be open, and the animals will be offered spooky enrichment activities and tasty treats.

Boo at the Zoo raises funds that support essential operations at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The success of this family-friendly children’s trick-or-treating event relies on the generous support of our volunteers.

Please sign up to help with one, two or three nights of the event! Volunteers will be posted at treat stations around the park!

volunteers give treats to costumed children at the Zoo

Boys and ghouls alike look forward to “Boo at the Zoo”

Dates

Friday, October 20
Saturday, October 21
Sunday, October 22

Time

Volunteer check-in opens at 4:00pm. Volunteer shifts are from 4:30-8:00pm.

Volunteer Roles

Volunteers help pass out treats at trick-or-treat stations to guests.

Age Requirement

Applicants must be 18 years or older.

Training

Staff will be on hand to provide on the job training

Attire

This year, volunteers will also be provided with an event t-shirt! Volunteers are encouraged to wear fun hats/headbands or accessories. Masks that are not scary and do not fully cover your face are also allowed. The event shirt can also be worn over a costume!

Special Qualifications

Volunteers should be comfortable with hilly terrain and moving a possibly lengthy distance to their assigned station. Volunteers must be comfortable being outside for the duration of the event. The event is rain or shine.

Additional Information

A meal will be provided. A vegetarian option will be available, but we are unable to accommodate other dietary restrictions. Please plan accordingly.

We encourage all volunteers to utilize Metro to maximize available parking for paying event guests, however, limited parking will be available for volunteers. Additional directions will be provided with confirmation.

To Apply

Must be 18 or older to apply and participate.
If you are a CURRENT Smithsonian volunteer, complete the application by:
- Logging into your VSys profile
- Minimizing the VSys window
- Clicking here to fill out the application.
If you are NOT a current Smithsonian volunteer, complete the application by:
- Clicking here to fill out the application.