Cincinnati Zoo ZooTeens

# Cincinnati Zoo ZooTeens ZooTeens is the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's summer teen volunteer program, putting 13- to 17-year-olds on the front lines of one of the nation's leading zoos. First- and second-year ZooTeens build public speaking skills, confidence, and animal knowledge by interpreting habitats around the zoo and supporting summer camp classes; returning teens take on leadership roles and can specialize in areas like animal care and handling, enrichment, conservation research, or the zoo's CREW conservation science center. ## What You'll Do - Interpret animal habitats for zoo visitors and answer guest questions - Assist summer camp classes (at least 40 hours) and staff visitor engagement stations - Complete a minimum of 100 volunteer hours in your first two years (70 for veterans) across the summer season - Advance into specialty and leadership tracks as a multi-year ZooTeen ## Who Should Apply Teens between 13 and 17 years of age (as of the program's May 1 cutoff) who can commit to the summer volunteer season, which begins May 31, 2027 for the next cohort. Applications for summer 2027 are open December 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027, with decisions emailed April 2, 2027; the program is popular and cannot accept all applicants. A $60 non-refundable fee covers materials and uniform shirts. ## Outcomes ZooTeens finish the summer with 70-100+ logged volunteer hours, real informal-education and conservation experience, and a multi-year pathway into animal care - one of the strongest zoo-career pipelines available to Ohio teens.