| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Cost | Last year's cycle (2026): $2,400–$5,200; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Financial aid | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based scholarship: Up to $40. Available but not guaranteed; application process and coverage level were not published.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Last year's cycle (2026): Deposit to secure a spot after acceptance: $1,000. Waived or adjusted when alternative arrangements or financial aid are awarded.; Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): 2026 accepted-participant registration and materials fee: $40. Charged only if accepted.; Need-based scholarship: Up to $40. Available but not guaranteed; application process and coverage level were not published.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 (provider uses rising grades) | Up to grade 12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site | Grades 10–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to rising grades 9–12; Requirement: No prior engineering experience or STEM classes required | Ages 13–17; Requirement: Be age 13-17 for the ZooTeen program; Requirement: Be able to support summer Zoo Camp participants in person; Requirement: Have interest in animals, environment, conservation and working with people; Requirement: Complete any application and training requirements published for the active cycle; Exclusion: Applicants age 18 or older, who use the separate Zoo Ambassador pathway; Exclusion: Animal handling, animal-care, zookeeping or direct behind-the-scenes animal-contact expectations; Exclusion: Applicants unable to attend required training or assigned camp-support shifts | Residency: Local high-school student able to commute to Baltimore; exact radius not published; Requirement: Successfully complete ninth grade before the summer program; Requirement: Demonstrate environmental awareness and strong interest in marine biology, environmental science or related fields; Requirement: Enjoy interacting with and assisting guests of all ages; Requirement: Attend orientation, all training and the complete first shift week; Requirement: Complete at least 10 scheduled four-hour shifts across five weeks without stacking; Exclusion: Applicants unable to commute to mandatory in-person interviews, training or shifts; Exclusion: Applicants seeking routine direct animal-care or animal-handling work; Exclusion: Applicants unable to complete the full summer commitment |
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| Session dates or duration | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 8, 2026; Ends August 7, 2026; 3–6 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts May 17, 2026; Ends August 9, 2026; 6–12 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Format | In person / Online | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | San Jose, CA | Apple Valley, Minnesota Zoo, Minnesota | Baltimore, National Aquarium main campus; local high-school student program |
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| Selection and application | Selection: Application and interview review occur in receipt order while seats remain. BlueStamp does not publish applicant counts, acceptance rates, aid rates, cohort size for the next cycle, or a guaranteed decision. Application materials: Student interview with a parent or guardian present | Selection: The zoo closes applications when the summer cohort is filled, but it does not publish applicant counts, cohort size, interview process or selection rate. | Selection: Qualified applicants receive required peer-and-staff interviews, with some placed on a waitlist. The Aquarium does not publish application totals, cohort size or acceptance rate. Application materials: In-person interview on an assigned date |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-08-22 | Source 1 · checked 2026-08-22 |
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