Teen Conservation Leaders

# Teen Conservation Leaders Teen Conservation Leaders (TCL) is Monterey Bay Aquarium's summer service-learning program for high school students. Participants develop career and life skills, build confidence, and earn community service hours while supporting the Aquarium's ocean conservation mission on Cannery Row. The summer opens with a week-long training in which new and returning students build community and dig into basic marine biology and ocean conservation topics. ## What You'll Do - Choose one of three tracks: Guest, Animal Care & Engineering, or Science Communication - On the Guest track, interpret exhibits and animals for visitors of all ages and backgrounds - On the Animal Care & Engineering track, help care for near-shore invertebrates and engineer solutions for the animals and the staff who care for them - On the Science Communication track, run social media accounts for teens worldwide and produce photo and video stories about conservation - Volunteer three to four days per week across the summer season ## Who Should Apply Students entering 9th through 12th grade in the fall who are at least 14 years old by the start of training, are eager to learn, and can commit to the full summer schedule including mandatory June training weeks. Selected applicants are invited to in-person interviews in March. ## Outcomes TCL students finish the summer with documented community-service hours, hands-on experience in aquarium interpretation, husbandry, or science communication, and a place in the Aquarium's teen alumni network, which shares scholarship and career opportunities.