T e e n

TRIB E Teen Recruits Inspiring By Example

2011 P r o g r a m M a n u a l

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Children’s Zoo Overview

The Children’s Zoo is geared towards children ages seven and younger and their families. The goals are to engage visitors in meaningful play, foster a sense of wonder, create emotional connections to , and develop caring attitudes towards nature. The big idea is that children who have positive, hands-on experiences with animals develop an emotional connection to and greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world. The focus is on “what did you do and feel?” rather than on “what did you learn?” Interacting with Zoo staff and volunteers, and of course, animals can make a significant impact on visitors and the Children’s Zoo provides plenty of opportunities for those kinds of encounters.

As visitors enter the Children’s Zoo, they walk along a boardwalk that takes them through a penguin exhibit. During the warmer months, little penguins and African penguins hang out here. During the cooler months, king penguins come out to play. From spring to fall, visitors are encouraged to participate in a penguin investigation facilitated by interpreters at a Wild Discover Zone located on the boardwalk.

Leaving the penguin area, visitors encounter the Nursery windows through which they can watch the zookeepers feed and socialize with young animals that require special care. At the Zoo, we hope that babies can remain with and be raised by their mothers. Unfortunately, circumstances may arise that require transferring a baby to the nursery for intensive care. A mother may, for whatever reason, be unable to care for her young properly. Babies that are born prematurely, become very sick or are severely injured may be taken to the nursery. Only a very few animals arrive at the Zoo as infants, yet those that do are raised in the nursery. The nursery is also home to animals that are in training to become ambassadors. The keepers spend time socializing these animals and preparing them for interacting with visitors.

To the right is the Be the Animal playground where children are invited to swing like a gibbon, hide like a , climb like a spider, and more. Fungineers engage with kids and families to enhance meaningful play and make the connections between the types of physical play and animal locomotion and adaptations. With one way in and one way out of the playground area, parents are welcome to sit back and relax on a bench without worrying about losing their children.

Small animal exhibits near the playground include tortoises and other animals on a rotating basis. Restrooms are located behind the playground area in the Children’s Zoo gift shop.

To the left, visitors enter the Barnyard where they might encounter free ranging chickens and other domestic animals. When staffed, visitors can enter the Petting Barnyard to interact, feed, and groom goats and babydoll . Feed is available for a nominal fee.

At the far end of the Barnyard is Blakely’s Barn, which houses domestic , such as Jacob sheep, Dexter cattle, and mini-cows. It is also home to a llama and an . There will be a regularly scheduled show.

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Throughout the Children’s Zoo, visitors may encounter Zoo staff and their animal ambassadors up close and personal. On any given day, the keepers might be taking an aardvark for a walk or roaming around with a raptor perched on an arm.

Teen TRIBE Program Overview

Goals of Program: The goals of this program are to develop personal and professional growth opportunities in teens by promoting leadership skills and a sense of responsibility in program participants. This program will inspire Zoo guests to become more involved in the activities in Children’s Zoo, and will create a year round opportunity for teens that is semi-self-sustaining. Teens in this program will function as young role models to all Zoo guests, and will embody the Zoo’s mission of conservation, environmental education, and public engagement in science.

Teen Opportunities:

Opportunity Requirements Tier One: Fungineers Entry level, Yr-Round or Seasonal Tier Two A: Contact Yard Entry level, Yr-Round or Seasonal Tier Two B: Discover Zone Entry level, Yr-Round or Seasonal Tier Three: Animal Encounters 1+ Years Exp., Yr-Round or Seasonal Tier Four: Junior Keepers 1+ Years Exp., Yr-Round or Seasonal Tier Five: Leaders 1+ Years Exp., Yr-Round

Tier Job Descriptions

Tier One: Fungineers (Entry level, year-round or seasonal) As a Fungineer, you will help guests (both kids and adults) interact with the exhibits within the Children’s Zoo. Fungineers must have outgoing personalities and be willing to get goofy with the kids! In this tier, you will literally help kids jump like lemurs, swing like gibbons, and hop like kangaroos, all while teaching the kids why animals move and act the way they do. Fungineers may randomly organize a of “Siamang Says” or “Bat and Moth”, or they may teach a group of young children fun educational songs about animals. When time and weather permits, Fungineers may help young guests water and take care of the plant exhibits. Before you can advance from being a Fungineer to working in the Contact Yard, you must become skilled Nature Interpreters that know how to have fun!

Tier Two: Contact Yard and Discover Zones (Entry level, year-round or seasonal) Contact Yard teens help open and maintain the contact yard each day, and help care for the chickens and turkeys that roam about the Children’s Zoo. As a Contact Yard teen, you are not simply there to help clean up after the goats, but you must also be able to guide young Zoo guests as they encounter animals in the Contact Yard. You will ensure that both our animals and our guests are safe, and help foster a love of animals in our guests. For TRIBE teens, the contact yard is your first taste of working directly with animals. As such, you must become knowledgeable about zoological facts, including understanding the various personalities of our Children’s Zoo animals. Contact Yard teens will be responsible for engaging the public with our animals and exhibits,

3/22/11 3 including helping guests touch and feed the Children’s Zoo animals. Through your experiences in the contact yard, you will become skilled in Visitor Engagement!

As a Tier Two teen, you will also assist with managing the Children’s Zoo Discover Zone. Discover Zone Teens manage the Little Penguin Discover Zone, and guide young Zoo guests through short inquiry investigations that teach our guests about animal adaptations, habitats, and behavior. In this role, you are responsible for opening, managing, and closing the Discover Zone cart, as well as answering questions from the public about Children’s Zoo animals and other Zoo exhibits. You will need to use engagement skills to encourage young guests to participate in investigations. Because you will be located at the entrance of the Children’s Zoo, you will be the first and last face of Children’s Zoo, and will need to be acquainted with the entire Zoo layout so that they can help exiting Children’s Zoo guests plan their Zoo experience. We will also count on Discover Zone teens to help us create fun and exciting investigations for our young guests to perform. Before you can advance to an Animal Encounter teen, you must become experienced Environmental Educators!

Animal Encounters; 1+ Years Experience, Year-Round or Seasonal Animal Encounter teens will be utilizing a special collection of animals in the Children’s Zoo to inspire our guests. As an Animal Encounter teen, you will get the opportunity to work with a variety of small animals, ranging from to ! You will learn how to handle and care for these animals, and will become knowledgeable about their natural behaviors and habitats. You will share this knowledge with the public in fun and engaging ways, and clearly demonstrate their passion for nature! You must strive to inspire our guests to learn more about the animals that surround them. Before moving onto Junior Keepers, Animal Encounter teens must become experienced Animal Ecologists!

Junior Keeper; 1+ Years Experience, Year-Round or Seasonal Junior Keepers assist Children’s Zoo keepers with the care and husbandry of the Children’s Zoo animals. This includes grooming and giving baths to goats and cows, assisting with animal feeding and food preparation, helping lead animal ambassadors around the Zoo grounds, and helping with public shows in the Children’s Zoo. This coveted position requires lots of hard work and dedication, and only the most driven teens will be selected to advance to this position. The health and happiness of the Children’s Zoo animals will be top priority for our Junior Keeper teens! As a Junior Keeper, you will also get the opportunity to supervise and train other teens that are assisting you with your daily chores. Before becoming Leader teens, Junior Keepers must become experienced Animal Care Givers who can collaborate with their fellow TRIBE members to make the Children’s Zoo an awesome experience for our guests!

Leader Teens; 1+ Years Experience, Year-Round Leader Teens are the top tier of the TRIBE, and serve as supervisors to all the other teens. Leader Teens are responsible for making sure that other teens have what they need to perform their duties, and understand the requirements of their jobs. As a Leader Teen, you will need to be able to explain the duties of all other TRIBE jobs, and be able to assist other teens in these roles when things get busy. You will be called on by the keepers to assist with everything from crowd control to roll call in the mornings and will need to be able to switch from one task to another with ease. Obviously, this position 3/22/11 4 will only be offered to those teens who have shown proficiency in all other TRIBE jobs, demonstrated leadership skills, and are willing to adjust their work load if necessary. Leader Teens will gain valuable experience in Management and Peer Leadership.

Expectations & Guidelines

Personal Appearance The Zoo looks upon TRIBE members as professional representatives of the Zoo. It is thus important that our teens see and present themselves as professionals and dress accordingly. If you arrive to work in a uniform that is considered unacceptable (meaning there are several violations on this page and the next) you may be sent home and disciplined. Continued abuse of the personal appearance standards could result in disciplinary action up to/including termination.

Shirts Shirts should be clean and free of tears, holes, etc. Shirt tails are to be tucked into your pants at all times. Shirt sleeves are not to be rolled up or altered.

Pants & Shorts Pants should be in good condition with no holes or tears in them. No jeans are to be worn as uniform attire. Pants should be tan, black, or navy. No other colors are permitted. Shorts need to be worn at a length no shorter than mid-thigh.

Shoes All shoes must be kept clean and in good shape; poorly maintained shoes are unacceptable. You will be expected to wear shoes appropriate for your job. Sandals, flip flops, and footwear of similar type are not permitted.

Jewelry & Cosmetics Keep jewelry to an absolute minimum; excessive jewelry (i.e. more than two pair of earrings or more than one ring on each hand) is not permitted. Earrings should not exceed the size of a quarter. Piercing of tongues, eyebrows, lips, etc., is not permitted. Generally, class rings and wrist watches are the only jewelry permitted. Volunteers should refrain from using excessive cosmetics and colognes; a natural look is required. Fingernails must be maintained at a feasible working length. If the length of your nails interferes with the ability to perform any function of your assigned job for any reason, you are expected to trim them to an appropriate length.

Miscellaneous : Only those hats issued by the Zoo may be worn. Sunglasses: Mirrored sunglasses are not permitted. Tattoos: Offensive tattoos must be covered up.

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Name Tags: You are expected to wear your Zoo name tag at all times while working. If you do not have a name tag, you will not be permitted to work that day.

Please note that this standard policy may be modified to meet more restrictive departmental requirements.

In conclusion, please remember that as a member of TRIBE at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, you are an integral part of what the Zoo experience is all about. You are important to us, the animals in the collection, and to our patrons. Always keep in mind that you are a representative of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and your appearance reflects all the way to the top of the organization. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Weather Policy The Zoo is open daily. However, during inclement weather staffing needs change and you may be sent home early. You will receive specific instruction in your respective departments regarding procedures to follow during times of inclement weather.

Absent/tardy Policy All teens are expected to be present for their scheduled assignment each day. If, for any reason, you will be absent or tardy for work, you must personally notify us no less than 30 minutes prior to schedule starting time. The call off number is 513-487-3400.

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Interpretive Tips

Interpretation in the Children’s Zoo is not just about giving out information about the animals, though learning is one of the goals. It’s more about making connections, helping people appreciate the animals, and inspiring people to act kindly towards nature. Here are some tips for engaging our guests.

1. Be outgoing. Be friendly. Smile. Make eye contact. Welcome visitors as they enter and let them know you’re there if they have any questions. Look neat and professional.

2. Show your passion. Passion is the priceless ingredient. Be enthusiastic and energetic. Tell personal stories. Show visitors how much you care about the animals, how much you love your job, and how excited you are to share this experience with them.

3. Know your stuff. Learn all you can about the animals on exhibit so you can be the best interpreter possible. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say you don’t know. Suggest where they might go to find the answer. After your shift, find out the answer so you’ll know it for next time.

4. Focus on the child. Activities should be child-focused. For example, let children guide the conversations during animal encounters. When talking to kids, bend down so that you’re on their same eye level. This allows you to make a better connection.

5. Make it personal and meaningful. Ask guests for their names and use their names during your interactions. Relate information to something guest are familiar with to enhance their understanding. For example, you can make comparisons between the domestic animals and their own at home.

6. Remember the message. Keep in mind the message that children who have positive, hands-on experiences with animals develop an emotional connection to and greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Keep it positive!

7. Make it fun. We want guests to enjoy their time with us. Use humor. Play a game. Use props. Involve their senses. Introduce the animals by name and share stories and personality traits about them. Be creative!

8. Have a conversation. Don’t give a lecture or just rattle off a list of facts. Engage your audience in a conversation. Ask them questions, and respond to their questions.

9. Thank them. When visitors leave, thank them for coming. Wish them a good rest of the day and perhaps suggest what else they should be sure to check out while they’re at the Zoo.

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Meet the Animals

Petting Barnyard

Llama Llamas are related to , and like camels, are used to carry goods over long distances. A llama can carry a heavy load as far as 20 miles in a single day.

A llama’s upper lip is split in half. The two sides press together to hold grass still while the llama cuts it with its teeth.

I wonder… Which animal eats the most grass in a single day—a llama, a sheep, or a cow?

Alpaca Like llamas, are related to camels. They are raised for their , which is shorn, or shaved off, once a year.

The alpaca’s thick, woolly coat keeps it warm when it’s cold and windy.

I wonder… Which animal has softer fur—a llama or an alpaca?

Miniature Cow About half the size of a typical cow, a miniature cow needs much less space than a full-size cow yet still provides a source of milk and .

Miniature cows have an easygoing and friendly nature.

I wonder… Which is friendlier—a cow or a bull?

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Babydoll Sheep The babydoll sheep is a rare breed of small sheep from England. People keep babydoll sheep as pets and natural lawnmowers. Their wool is also spun into .

Sheep live together in groups called flocks for safety.

I wonder… Does one sheep lead the flock or will the flock follow any sheep that moves?

Nigerian Dwarf Goat The Nigerian dwarf goat is a rare breed of domestic miniature dairy goat. Despite its miniature size, a female goat can produce two quarts of sweet milk a day.

Goats are playful and friendly, and they like to jump and climb. They are also very curious, and investigate new things by mouthing or nibbling.

I wonder… Are young or old goats more playful?

Mini-lop A breed of domestic rabbit, the mini-lop rabbit is known for its soft fur and long, floppy ears. Big ears make it easier for a rabbit to listen for danger.

Wild rabbits live in large groups called colonies. They warn each other of danger by thumping their back feet on the ground.

I wonder… How much better could I hear if I had big rabbit ears?

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Guinea The domestic is not really a pig. Like a hamster, the guinea pig is a rodent, but larger. Many people keep them as pets.

Guinea like to hang out with other guinea pigs. They talk to each other by whistling, squealing, and chirping.

I wonder… What sound does a guinea pig make when it’s happy or scared?

Chicken People have raised chickens for their meat and eggs for thousands of years. There are at least 60 different kinds of domestic chickens, and there are more chickens in the world than any other bird.

A flock consists of a single male (rooster) and several females (hens) with their young (chicks). Chickens communicate with each other by crowing, clucking, and bawking.

I wonder… Which one is noisier—a hen or a rooster?

Junglefowl are thought to be the wild ancestors of the modern day chicken. Junglefowl roam the forests of Southeast Asia and, like chickens, scratch the ground with their feet and peck at any seeds and small animals they can find with their beaks.

Junglefowl Gallus sp.

I wonder… How are chickens and junglefowl alike and different?

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Domestic Turkey The domestic turkey descended from the wild turkey. It is raised for its meat. Domestic turkeys grow to twice the size of a wild turkey and some grow so large that they are too heavy to fly.

A male turkey is called a tom. A female turkey is called a hen. A chick is called a poult.

I wonder… How are domestic turkeys and wild turkeys alike and different?

Blakely’s Barn

Jacob Sheep One of the oldest breeds of sheep, the Jacob sheep is a popular domestic animal in England. Its soft, fine fleece is spun into wool for making hats, scarves, and blankets.

A male sheep is called a ram and a female is called a ewe (YOO). Both rams and ewes can have up to six horns.

I wonder… Do larger sheep have more horns than smaller sheep?

Dexter Cattle Originally from Ireland, the Dexter breed of cattle is a small farm cow raised for both milk and . Once rare, Dexter cows are becoming more popular on family farms.

A cow chews and swallows its food twice. Food that comes back up from the stomach to be re-chewed is called cud.

I wonder… Do cows spend more time chewing new food or chewing cud?

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Tortoises Like , tortoises are reptiles that have shells. While turtles spend a lot of time in water, tortoises stay on land.

A tortoise cannot come out of its shell. The shell is a part of its body. When frightened, a tortoise pulls its head, legs, and tail into its shell for protection.

A tortoise uses its super sense of smell to sniff out food. Since it has no teeth, the tortoise bites and chews up food with the sharp edge of its beak.

I wonder… Would a tortoise rather be out in the open or under a bush?

Radiated Tortoise, Geochelone radiate

Range: Southern Madagascar Length: Up to 1.3 ft Weight: Up to 35 lbs Lifespan: 40 to 50 yrs Habitat: Dry woodland Diet: Grass, fruit, and cactus Status: Species at Risk (IUCN—Vulnerable) Species Survival Plan

Red-footed tortoise, Geochelone carbonaria

Range: Central and Length: More than 1 ft Lifespan: Up to 50 yrs Habitat: Forest and grassland Diet: Fruit, flowers, grass, mushrooms, and carrion

Gopher Tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus

Range: Southeastern Length: 1 to 1.5 ft Weight: Up to 30 lbs Lifespan: 40 to 60 yrs Habitat: Forest, grassland, and scrubland Diet: Grass, fruit, mushrooms, and carrion 3/22/11 12

Penguins

Penguins can’t fly in the air. Underwater, it’s a different story. With a rocket-shaped body and paddle-like wings, penguins fly through the water with ease as they snap up fish, squid, and crustaceans to eat.

Wearing its tuxedo pattern, a swimming penguin is hard to spot. The white belly blends in with the sunlight above while the black back blends in with the dark sea below.

Penguins live in large groups called colonies and communicate with each other through a variety of brays, honks, trills, and other calls. A penguin can live 20 years or more.

I wonder… Do penguins spend more time on land or in the water?

Little Penguin, Eudyptula minor

Range: Southern Australia and New Zealand Height: Up to 1.5 ft Weight: 2.2 lbs

African Penguin, Spheniscus demersus

Range: Southern Africa Height: 2 to 2.5 ft Weight: 6 to 7 lbs Status: Species at Risk (IUCN—Vulnerable)

King Penguin, Aptenodytes patagoinias

Range: Sub-Antarctic islands Height: Up to 3 ft Weight: 20 to 45 lbs

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