9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily; closed only Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Admission today is only $5; some animals may not be on exhibit due to weather conditions.
The Kansas City Zoo is located in Swope Park at 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Missouri.
Just off I-435 and US-71 highway, the Zoo is easily accessible from any part of the metropolitan area.
Click Tickets Above to Buy Online!
Inclement weather admission prices are only available at the Zoo and valid only Nov - Feb.
All volunteer positions require preregistration, and in some cases, an interview, new volunteer orientation, and program materials fee each calendar year you participate. Please note the time of year each program is offered.
Docent Program As a Zoo Docent, you will assist the Education Department with a variety of programs. Zoo Docents present tours, classroom presentations, animal demonstrations, off ground programs, and a variety of onsite, hands on activities. The Docent Program is intense and requires 60 hours of direct contact with our guests each year. A 12 week (1 class per week) training course is required. Training classes are offered on Sunday afternoons once a year in the spring. Dates for 2009 are Feb. 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22; April 19, 26; May 3, 31; and June 7, 14 & 21. The next docent training class will be offered on February 22, 2009. You must be 18 years old to participate. You must complete a background check. A training fee of $100 is required for the first year and then a materials fee of $35 is required each year in order to participate in the Docent Program.
Summer Docent Program As a Summer Docent, you will assist the Zoo with a variety of hands on activities in our high traffic guest locations, Memorial Day-Labor Day. The Summer Docent Program is perfect for those who cannot make a year round commitment and requires a minimum of one (1) 4 hour shift per month and 12 hours of service per summer. A 2 week (1 class per week) training course is required. Training sessions will be held twice a year, May and June. The next Summer Docent training class will be offered in 2009. Must be 18 years old to participate. A materials fee of $15 is required each year in order to participate in the Summer Docent Program.
Zoo Ambassadors Do you have a bright smile, an outgoing personality and a desire to help our guests have a great Zoo experience? Do you have 3 or more hours a week available from April-October? We need you! The Kansas City Zoo is looking for enthusiastic people to be Zoo Ambassadors. Zoo Ambassadors work 1 3-hour shift each week assisting as a member of the guest services team. Volunteer stations include admissions, gift shops, food and beverage locations and rides. Volunteers need to be able to stand the duration of their shift, be able to attend a two-week (one day per week) training and commit to 3 hours per week from April-October. Ages 18 and over. A materials fee of $20 is required to participate each year.
Team Habitat As a Team Habitat volunteer, you will assist with projects for the Animal Department. Projects range from light physical duty such as planting bulbs and painting doors, to more physically challenging projects such as moving deadfall and clearing brush. Team Habitat meets in the morning of the 1st Saturday of the month, March through November and requires at least 12 hours (3 work days) a year minimum to be considered for the next year’s program. Youth volunteers 14 years and older may participate but must be accompanied by a parent volunteer at all times. A materials fee of $15 is required each year in order to participate in the Team Habitat Program.
ZooScapers As a ZooScaper volunteer, you will assist with projects for the Horticultural Department. Projects range from light physical duty such as planting, weeding, mulching, and watering, to more physically challenging projects such as moving deadfall and clearing brush. The ZooScapers program requires 30 hours of volunteer work each year in order to participate in the next year’s program. Various time commitments are available, generally Monday-Friday, and require a half-day training session, plus additional training depending on the task. Opportunities are available March-October and Youth volunteers 14 years and older may participate but must be accompanied by a parent volunteer at all times. A materials fee of $15 is required each year in order to participate in the ZooScapers Program.
Zoo Aides As a Zoo Aide, you will assist the with the operations side of the Zoo. Projects range from data processing, stocking shelves in the gift shop, assisting with special mailings, and other support activities for various departments. Various needs and time commitments are available and requires a half-day training session, plus additional training depending on the task. Must be 18 years old to participate.
A materials fee of $15 is required each year in order to participate in the Zoo Aides Program.
Special Events Core Special Events Core members are a group of people who are available to help specifically with Special Events on a consistent basis. Core members are an integral part of the Special Events team by working as lead volunteers helping with things like crafts, crowd control, special events/characters, set-up/tear-down and others. Core members are required to work 1 Second Saturday event from April-September, 1 other special event and 2 shifts during Hoots ‘n Howl’s/Boo at the Zoo in October each year. This position requires a 1/2 day Orientation session. Must be 18 or 14 with a parent. A materials fee of $20 is required each year to participate in Special Events Core Program.
Special Events*perfect for families As a Special Event Volunteer, you will assist with various special events throughout the year. Projects range from 2nd Saturdays, the annual Zoo Run, Hoots & Howls and Boo at the Zoo. Various needs and time commitments are available and times, dates, and duties vary depending on the events. There is no minimum requirement to participate. Youth volunteers 10 years and older may participate but must be accompanied by a parent volunteer at all times. An application and materials fee are not required in order to be added to our special events mailing list.
To be added to our special events mailing list please email the volunteer coordinator at volunteer@fotzkc.org with "Special Events" in the subject line. Please include your full name, the names of all people in your group wishing to volunteer and your email address in the body of your message.
