Hi, everyone! Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a volunteer here at CSNW? More specifically- have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a level III volunteer who interacts and serves the chimps? Worry no more- today is the first in a series of Guest Blog Writers! We have some amazing Level III Volunteers who have volunteered (because they’re awesome) to write a post or two about their experiences here, so be on the lookout for them over the coming months.
First up to bat, we have Dusty- a level three volunteer in training! She has volunteered with us for about six years!! So, without further ado, check out Dusty’s blog below!
The New Kid in Town, by Volunteer Caregiver Dusty
As a volunteer, it’s a lengthy training process to learn how to serve the chimpanzees their meals. There are books to read, videos to watch, observations to be made, steps to take, lessons to learn. This intimate activity must be done with the utmost thought and care, after all I am entering their private home. Imagine someone new coming into your home to serve you
breakfast. Who would get the first apple? Maybe you like your smoothie before your chow. Maybe your sibling likes the pears you are served better and takes yours away. This experience is exciting and humbling and I’m constantly reminded by the sixteen – I’m the new kid in town – which transports me back to 1976 when The Eagles released “The New Kid in Town” song as part of the Hotel California album. If you’ve never heard this song (where have you been?) or to refresh your memory, take a listen to the song at the same time you read about my training experience below.
The New Kid in Town
There’s hoots in the hall, it sounds so familiar
Initiation time, all the chimps are watching you
Smoothies and plums, how do I serve them
Even though they know me they treat me like I’m someone new
Dusty come lately,
The new kid in town,
Better serve the food right,
or they won’t come ’round.
I look in Terry’s eyes, his Bronx cheers began to play
Gordo sprays me with water, here we go again
Rayne runs to hide, Lucky looks the other way
It’s those precious hearts I want to mend
Dusty come lately,
The new kid in town,
Better serve the food right,
or they won’t come ’round.
There’s so many things Jamie should have showed me
Serve her pears first, serve Neggie slowly, slowly
Jody got extra oranges, holy moly!
There’s hoots in the hall, it’s there to remind you
Doesn’t really matter which side of the caging you’re on
You’re walking away, they’re plotting behind you
Initiation will continue ’til somebody new comes along.
Dusty come lately,
There’s a new kid in town,
Better serve the food right,
or they won’t come ’round.
Just another new kid in town
Everybody’s gawking
There’s a new kid in town, I don’t want her apples
There’s a new kid in town, I don’t want her bananas
There’s a new kid in town
There’s a new kid in town
Everybody’s hooting
There’s a new kid…
Serving Jamie at breakfast:
Still in training, so Chad is close by!
Bonus Photo: Honey B being goofy while caregivers cleaned her front rooms.
