Talk On The Wild Side (TOWS)

Talk on the Wild Side Season: The Talk on the Wild Side Program runs from June 8th through Labor Day, September 2nd. Weekday volunteers stop when their school starts, weekend volunteering continues through Labor Day weekend. Students are assigned two days a week to volunteer and will work the same two days each week. The day begins at 9:30am and ends at 4:30pm.  Four vacation days will be excused if Zoo staff is notified ahead of time. Three unexcused absences, without prior notification, and the volunteer will be terminated from the program.

Scholarship Opportunity:  The scholarship covers all training materials and the TOWS uniform. Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for a scholarship:

• Be eligible for the free or reduced lunch program through your school and be able to provide proof (copy of eligibility form from your school) OR
• Provide proof of other federal/state need-based assistance

Application Process:

1. The application is to be completed by Wednesday, March 13^th .  The full application includes completed application and letter of recommendation.  NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  If the application is not completed by March 13^th, you will not be considered for this program.

2. Selection will be based on completed applications, personal interviews and recommendations. Students selected to participate will be notified in mid April. 

4.  If you are accepted, there is a one-time program fee of $150.00 which will be due by the first day of training. Each year you return to the program, there is a $35 renewal fee. If you are accepted into the scholarship program, your fees will be waived.

Program Requirements:

1.  Student must be between the ages of 14-17 by June 1^st, 2019. Turning 18 during the summer is fine.

2.  It is required that the student has a current tetanus immunization as prescribed by your physician.  Verification may be required. 

3.  Attendance at all training dates is mandatory.  There will not be any make-up training dates.

4.  Participants are required to follow the rules established in the “Policies and Contract” page in the application.

Please call the Education Department at (415) 753-8123 or email youth@sfzoo.org if you have any questions.

The Talk on the Wild Side (TOWS) program is designed for students ages 14-17. TOWS volunteers learn to work with livestock and insects while giving informational talks to visitors.  You also will use biofact carts to educate the public throughout the zoo.  The completed application, which includes a letter of recommendation, is due by March 13.  Please allow yourself 30-60 minutes to complete the application.