College Keepers (Year)

College Keepers (Year)
From AUD $575.00
  • Duration: 9 Days (approx.)
  • Location: Canberra, ACT
  • Product code: CKY
Building on the knowledge gained from our JZK programs, College Keepers is the best mix of JZK and Volunteering. 


College Keepers will focus on building independence, initiative, responsibility and accountability to prepare participants for the Zoo Volunteer program. The College Keeper program asks former JZKs to put their knowledge to use and entrusts them with key components of animal husbandry and exhibit maintenance, while still providing supervision and guidance. 


Working in smaller groups of 3-10 participants, College Keepers will complete activities such as:

  • Food Preparation, including handling meat products and the use of knives
  • Substrate changes, such as mulching the otter enclosure, or changing the meerkat leaf pit
  • Animal training and desensitisation
  • Cleaning animal enclosures, signs & windows
  • Reptile cleaning & handling
  • Creating enrichment for animals, which may include the use of various tools
  • Animal observations and behaviour studies
College Keeper sessions are extended to run 4hrs from 8am-12pm to cover the morning animal husbandry routines. This also allows times for College Keepers to explore the zoo independently between activities and learn to manage their time around assigned tasks. 
 

As part of their program enrollment, College Keepers will receive:

  • JZK branded Name Badge, Hat & T-shirt.

  • 8 x 4hr sessions throughout the year.

  • Free entry for an extra adult (or child) on our Conservation Celebration day. Held in July, our Conservation Celebration day invites family and friends to the zoo to share in their children's’ newfound knowledge. College Keepers will assist the Junior Zoo Keepers to run stalls, present talks or create enrichment for their family & friends to enjoy with the animals.

  • Unlimited entry to the zoo on presentation of their College Keeper membership card.

  • Junior Zoo Keeper Night Out. Held at the end of the year, we celebrate with an evening of games before gathering to watch the zoo transformed by night. College Keepers will join the High School Junior Zoo Keepers for a spotlighting tour before camping out and falling asleep to the sounds of frogs calling and wake to lions roaring.


Important Booking Notes: When booking your start date please keep in mind that will become your regular session time and day for the duration of the year. For example, if you book Saturday 8am-12pm, you will be in the Saturday morning session for the rest of the year. Due to smaller group sizes and interactions with Keepers, College Keepers will not have access to make up sessions or session swaps. Time changes apply for the Conservation Celebration Day and the Night Out and are listed on the itinerary.