Zoo Animal Presenters (ZAP)

What is ZAP?
ZAP is a paid, three-year internship program at the Oregon Zoo that currently employees 27 low income teenagers with diverse cultural and educational backgrounds from throughout the Portland Metropolitan region.

What do ZAP Members do?
ZAP team members – trained in natural science, animal handling, interpretation methods and public speaking – gain confidence and real world work experience by returning to the community to provide live animal-based outreach programming to children and families under served by conservation programs. These free outreaches are set up in cooperation with local Boys and Girls Clubs, Portland and Hillsboro Parks and Recreation and other organizations that serve low income children and families. Second year ZAP interns are counselors with the Urban Nature Overnight UNO program where they teach third to fifth grade children outdoor recreation skills and basic environmental concepts while camping overnight at the Oregon Zoo and local natural areas. Third year ZAP members form a Conservation Team performing hands-on conservation field work including native seed collection, removal of invasive plants, and animal surveys.

How are ZAP Members Selected?
ZAP member recruitment is conducted every fall in partnership with public and alternative schools and several area youth service agencies. Every year nearly 100 youth apply for 10 open positions and take part in an in-depth interview process lead by current ZAP members.

Contact Info:
Pam McElwee, ZAP Program Coordinator
503.220.2790
Pam.McElwee@oregonzoo.org
4001 SW Canyon Rd.
Portland, OR 97221