| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | January 31, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Cost | Last year's cycle (2026): $7,113; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle) |
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| Financial aid | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based tuition scholarship: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Limited and competitive; admitted students apply separately with essay responses.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Need-based travel assistance: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Funds are limited. (2027 cycle) |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Last year's cycle (2026): Pre-college fee: $780; Optional housing per session: $2,542; Application fee: $50. Non-refundable; waived for applications submitted before the early-bird deadline.; Health insurance fee per session (international students only): $225; Need-based tuition scholarship: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Limited and competitive; admitted students apply separately with essay responses.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | 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 | Need-based travel assistance: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Funds are limited. (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 | Grades 10–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–12 when applying; Requirement: Good academic standing with at least a 3.0 GPA; Requirement: Minimum TOEFL 90, IELTS 7.0 or Duolingo 115 when English is not the main language of instruction at the student's high school; Requirement: International students in on-campus classes need an F-1 visa and at least 6 credits | 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 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) |
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| Session dates or duration | Catalog terms: 5–8 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts May 31, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Starts June 26, 2027; Ends August 26, 2027; 4 weeks (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | In person / Online | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | 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 | Washington, DC | Cincinnati, OH | Rhinebeck, NY |
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| Selection and application | Application materials: 300- to 500-word personal statement; One letter of recommendation | 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: 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) |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-09Source 5 · checked 2026-10-09 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24 | 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 |
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