| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | January 31, 2027 (2027 cycle) | May 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Cost | Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | $3,975 (2027 cycle) |
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| Financial aid | Need-based travel assistance: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Funds are limited. (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | ASC financial aid funds (general fund, Sydney Stark Jr. Memorial fund, Military Family fund): Up to $3,975. General fund up to half of tuition; Stark fund up to full tuition; Military Family fund at least half. (2027 cycle) |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Need-based travel assistance: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Funds are limited. (2027 cycle) | Catalog terms: Non-refundable program fee, due upon acceptance: $60. Covers all materials, a camp T-shirt to keep and the loan of a Zoo uniform shirt.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Nonrefundable tuition deposit at registration: $150. Part of tuition; secures an accepted camper's spot.; ASC financial aid funds (general fund, Sydney Stark Jr. Memorial fund, Military Family fund): Up to $3,975. General fund up to half of tuition; Stark fund up to full tuition; Military Family fund at least half. (2027 cycle) |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Grades 8–12 and first-year college (provider uses rising grades) |
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| Additional eligibility | Ages 15–16; Requirement: For 2027, birthday between August 26, 2010 and June 26, 2012 (at least 15 when the session starts and not yet 17 by its end); Requirement: Available for the whole four-week in-person session; Requirement: Able to speak English; Requirement: International campers need a valid passport and visa (if applicable) | Ages 13–17; Requirement: Must be between 13 and 17 years old on May 1, 2027; Requirement: First- and second-year ZooTeens commit to at least 100 hours (including one 40-hour week of camp); third-year and returning ZooTeens commit to at least 70 hours; Requirement: Must be able to receive program information by email and keep an online ZooTeen profile to log service hours | Ages 13–19; Requirement: Open to rising grades 8–13; Requirement: Must be 13 to 19 at the start of camp (homeschool grade equivalents accepted) |
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| Session dates or duration | Starts June 26, 2027; Ends August 26, 2027; 4 weeks (2027 cycle) | Starts May 31, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Starts June 23, 2027; Ends July 15, 2027; 3 weeks (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | In person | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | Rhinebeck, NY | Cincinnati, OH | Staunton, VA |
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| Selection and application | Selection: Regional/global selection committees review applications for cohort fit and invite some applicants to interview. LAJF seeks diverse strengths, backgrounds, interests, and commitment to change, but does not publish current applicant totals, cohort size, or acceptance rate. Application materials: Interview with your regional selection committee (if selected for the interview phase) | Selection: The Zoo says the program is very popular and cannot accept all applicants; it publishes no applicant count, cohort size, or acceptance rate. Application materials: Online application (separate forms for new and returning ZooTeens) with short essay questions; One in-person group interview | Selection: Attendance was by acceptance, applications were reviewed monthly, and accepted-student registration was first-come, first-served. ASC did not publish applicant count, acceptance rate, or detailed judging rubric. |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-12Source 4 · checked 2026-08-20Source 5 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-08-20Source 4 · checked 2026-08-20 |
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