Helping the Animals is this Family's Goal

Debbie, Lynn, and Anna Kirkpatrick (holding Sophie the chicken) organize the zoo's monthly Enrichment Workshop.

When he joined the Zoo Volunteer Program in 2001, Lynn Kirkpatrick had no idea that he would one day be building puzzle feeders, making piñatas, and freezing "fruit-sicles."  But the Columbia City resident has found his niche as the leader, along with his wife and daughter, of the zoo's monthly Enrichment Workshops.

At the Enrichment Workshop, families, scout troops, and community volunteers work together to create "enrichment" items to provide physical and mental stimulation for the zoo animals.  Carnivores might get a piñata filled with tasty meat.  Monkeys get complex puzzles with food tucked inside.  Other animals receive fruit-juice popsicles.

Organizing the Enrichment Workshop is a perfect fit for Lynn, his wife Debbie, and their daughter Anna, 18.  "We enjoy it, because we're helping the animals," Lynn says.  Lynn's talent for woodworking and his wife's love of crafting are a plus, while Anna just enjoys being around the zoo animals.

Lynn estimates that his family spends 20-30 hours each month on the Enrichment Workshops, which he has been leading since 2003.  He speaks with zoo keepers in advance to learn their needs, collects materials, oversees the volunteers, and serves on the zoo's Enrichment Committee.

"Lynn and his family are amazing," says Zoo Volunteer Coordinator Molly Andres.  "They are so dedicated to this project.  We couldn't do it without them!"

The Enrichment Workshop meets from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the fourth Saturday of each month in the Diehm Museum classroom.  Volunteers create materials for the first half of the workshop then deliver items to zoo keepers the remainder of the morning.  Anna also brings a friendly zoo animal to the workshop for participants to interact with.

You can help!
Upcoming Enrichment Workshops
Saturday, February 28
Saturday, March 28
Saturday, April 25

To register yourself, your family, or your youth group for an Enrichment Workshop, contact the Zoo Volunteer Office at 260-427-6828 or volunteer@kidszoo.org.  Click here to learn more about the zoo's other volunteer programs for teens and adults.

It's almost time to come out of hibernation and visit the zoo.

Coming Up…

Zoo Closed for the Season

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is currently closed for the season.  Plan to visit when we reopen on April 18, 2009.

For more information visit our web site.

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The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
3411 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808 phone:(260) 427-6800
visit our web site at www.kidszoo.org

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