Volunteer Opportunities

Posted: 9/16/2025

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is currently seeking 500 volunteers for our annual Boo at the Zoo signature event! Boo at the Zoo is a safe and not-so-scary pre-Halloween festival that attracts thousands of guests and little goblins for 14 nights in October.

Volunteer Information:

• Volunteer Sign in is at 4:30pm.
• We still have the following nights available to volunteer! 
  • For Individuals, October 19th-30th. 
  • For, groups, October 19th, 20th, 22nd, 27th, 29th, and 30th.  
• Volunteers for this event must be at least 16 years old to volunteer. Children under 16 may volunteer if accompanied by an adult.
• Boo Crew members work at trick-or-treat stations throughout the zoo, handing out candy or treats to kids along our Trick or Treat Trail.  Some volunteers may work in other capacities such as assisting guests attending the magic show.
• We need approximately 40 volunteers per night, so we can accommodate small groups or individuals that want to join in on the fun! Volunteers who work the event will receive 4 hours of community service credit for each night of volunteering and 1 complimentary ticket to Riverbanks Zoo & Garden.
• All volunteers will be required to complete a waiver prior to their volunteer date.

If you would like to volunteer, please email me at ryhatcher@riverbanks.org, with the date you are interested in and how many people will be participating. Once I ensure your date is available, I will respond back with the 2025 Boo Application and Instructions. Space is limited and this signature event fills up fast!  Volunteer requests will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could help me spread the word about this exciting volunteer opportunity! I look forward to working with you!

Thank you for making this one of the best holiday attractions in the Midlands!!!

Posted: 8/15/2025

We are currently seeking Nature Preschool Volunteers to join our team! The Riverbanks’ Nature Preschool runs from September through May in our outdoor classrooms.

Essential Functions:

• Working with the Nature Preschool team to create child-emergent curriculum and engaging lessons for all the preschool participants, using nature as the catalyst and reflecting the changing environment through the seasons.
• Assisting with implementation of activities and engaging the students on their learning adventure. Ensuring child safety as they play and explore their learning environment.
• Assist with bathroom breaks when needed. 
• Help with prepping and distributing snack each day and basic snack clean up.
• Helping with academic assessments on each child to ensure we are providing the activities needed to foster growth in various developmental areas.
• Communication of challenges and opportunities identified in programming. 
• Must be willing to work outdoors in all types of weather. 

Education & Experience: The ideal candidate will possess knowledge and interest in nature and science. Must demonstrate enthusiasm for working with diverse learners and early childhood education.  Must possess or be eligible for a valid SC driver's license.

We’re not just looking for someone to fill a role. We’re looking for someone who wants to grow with us, be challenged, and take pride in the work they do. If you're passionate about creating memorable experiences, eager to contribute, and excited about becoming part of a team that values creating connections and inspiring action to positively impact wildlife and wild places, we’d love to hear from you.