Single Day of Service Interest Form

Please note: Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult, with a required ratio of one adult for every ten students. Adult chaperones should be included in the total number of participants in the next question.

The Single Day of Service program is intended for organized groups (such as Beta Club, Key Club, or similar groups) and is not available for school classes. If you are a teacher interested in visiting the zoo with a class or participating in a zoo-led educational program, please visit www.nczoo.org/visit/school-trips or www.nczoo.org/education/schools for more information.

Please note: All projects at the North Carolina Zoo are best suited for groups of 25 or fewer. While we occasionally have projects that can accommodate larger groups, these opportunities are rare. A Volunteer Services Coordinator will be in touch soon to let you know if any suitable projects are currently available for your group size.

Current Project Descriptions

Service projects are posted as they become available, and the list below is updated regularly. If there isn’t a project that meets your group’s needs at this time, you are welcome to revisit this form at a later date to see newly added opportunities. A question later in the form will also allow you to sign up to receive notifications about future service projects.

AVIAN HABITAT REFRESH (3-7 Participants)

Project date available: Wednesday, February 25

Go behind the scenes and help give our birds a fresh start! You’ll work alongside our Avian team removing old gravel and spreading new gravel in outdoor habitats to create a clean, safe, and comfortable space for the birds. This hands-on, outdoor project is perfect for smaller groups who enjoy physical work and making a visible difference. Expect shoveling, lifting, and teamwork as you help tackle a big job that our small Avian team truly appreciates. Enjoy the rare opportunity to peek behind the scenes, support animal care in a meaningful way, and experience the satisfaction of transforming a habitat right before your eyes.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES ROCKY COAST CLEANUP (3-7 Participants)

Project date available: Selected dates, February - March

Step behind the scenes and help refresh Rocky Coast, home to our polar bear, puffins, and other fascinating northern animals! You’ll work alongside staff in an off-exhibit area guests rarely get to see, helping clean, clear debris, and maintain the spaces that support these incredible species. This hands-on, indoor/outdoor project is perfect for small groups who enjoy meaningful, physical work and being part of what it takes to care for animals behind the scenes. Expect bending, lifting, and teamwork as you help staff organize and clean the backup areas. It’s a rewarding opportunity to support animal care, explore a hidden side of the Zoo, and see the direct impact of your efforts.

AQUATICS BEHIND-THE-SCENES CLEANUP (4-10 Participants)

Project date available: February - May, Tuesdays and Thursdays

Step behind the scenes at Rocky Coast and help refresh the spaces that support our aquatic habitats! You’ll work alongside our Aquatics team to clean and organize the indoor and outdoor work areas where life support systems are housed, spaces guests never get to see but that play a vital role in animal care! Tasks may include sweeping, wiping down surfaces, organizing supplies, and helping create clean, functional workspaces. Our Aquatics team is small, and extra hands make a big impact. This is a meaningful opportunity to explore a hidden side of the Zoo, support the people who care for our animals, and see how even behind-the-scenes spaces contribute to keeping the Zoo running strong.

ZOO VEHICLE CAR WASH (20-50 Participants)

Project dates available: May 18, 19, June 1, 2 

Ready to make a splash? Help our Zoo shine by scrubbing down the hardworking vehicles that support animal care, grounds, and daily operations - and help us look polished and professional for the guests who see them every day! This high-energy, outdoor project is perfect for larger groups and includes lathering, scrubbing, rinsing, and drying trucks and utility vehicles, so expect plenty of movement, standing, bending, reaching, and getting a little wet. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting damp, bring your team spirit, and enjoy the instant satisfaction of turning muddy vehicles into sparkling rides that keep the Zoo running strong.

HIKING TRAIL MAINTENANCE (5-15 Participants)

Project dates available: January-May, Wednesdays and Fridays only

Get your hands dirty and help keep our trails adventure-ready! You’ll clear brush, haul debris, and tackle erosion alongside your team. This is an energetic, outdoorsy project best for groups of 5–15 who enjoy moving, sweating, and working together. Expect uneven terrain, all kinds of weather, and lots of satisfying, hands-on fun.

ANIMAL ENRICHMENT (3-25 Participants)

Project dates available: Year-round, dates vary 

Get crafty for the animals! You’ll make papier-mâché “eggs” (just like the ones in this video) that our animals love to investigate, toss, and explore. This hands-on, creative project is great for groups of 3–25 and takes place indoors in a comfy, climate-controlled space. Sit or stand, chat and create, and enjoy a laid-back activity that directly supports animal enrichment.

Avian Gravel Refresh on February 25, 2026.

All projects occur from 9 am to noon.

Behind-the-Scenes Rocky Coast Cleanup dates available February through March.

All projects occur from 9 am to noon.

How to Select a Date:

On the calendar, unavailable dates will appear in light gray. Available dates are shown in black. When you move your mouse over an available date, it will be highlighted with a blue box. Simply click on the highlighted date to select it.

Opportunity dates are based on project availability. If you do not see a day that fits your schedule, please check back as these dates often change!

Aquatics Behind-the-Scenes Cleanup dates available February through May.

All projects occur from 9 am to noon.

How to Select a Date:

On the calendar, unavailable dates will appear in light gray. Available dates are shown in black. When you move your mouse over an available date, it will be highlighted with a blue box. Simply click on the highlighted date to select it.

Opportunity dates are based on project availability. If you do not see a day that fits your schedule, please check back as these dates often change!

Animal Enrichment dates available January through May.

All projects occur from 9 am to noon.

How to Select a Date:

On the calendar, unavailable dates will appear in light gray. Available dates are shown in black. When you move your mouse over an available date, it will be highlighted with a blue box. Simply click on the highlighted date to select it.

Opportunity dates are based on project availability. If you do not see a day that fits your schedule, please check back as these dates often change!

Zoo Vehicle Car Wash dates available May 18, 19, June 1, 2.

All projects occur from 9 am to noon.

How to Select a Date:

On the calendar, unavailable dates will appear in light gray. Available dates are shown in black. When you move your mouse over an available date, it will be highlighted with a blue box. Simply click on the highlighted date to select it.

Opportunity dates are based on project availability. If you do not see a day that fits your schedule, please check back as these dates often change!

Trail Maintenance dates available January through May.

All projects occur on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 am to noon.

How to Select a Date:
On the calendar, unavailable dates will appear in light gray. Available dates are shown in black. When you move your mouse over an available date, it will be highlighted with a blue box. Simply click on the highlighted date to select it.

Opportunity dates are based on project availability. If you do not see a day that fits your schedule, please check back as these dates often change!