| 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 | $500–$8,795 (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 scholarships up to fully funded tuition: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Awarded first-come, first-served by the scholarship committee. (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 | Nonrefundable deposit of 20% of full tuition, due with the application: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Balance due 30 days before the trek starts.; Need-based scholarships up to fully funded tuition: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Awarded first-come, first-served by the scholarship committee. (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 13–18; Requirement: Each trek has its own age band, e.g. Wild Country 13-15 and Mountain Desert 16-18; Requirement: Prairie Trek is for male-identifying trekkers and Turquoise Trail for female trekkers |
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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 20, 2027; Ends August 1, 2027; 2–6 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 | Thoreau, NM, AZ, UT, CO |
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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: Trek acceptance is based on the application and ability to participate fully; Pick Your Price selection does not affect admission. Capacity, fit, health and safety, and financial-aid availability can still limit placement. Application materials: For need-based aid: separate scholarship form, amount requested, household financial information, parent statement, and applicant written statement or video |
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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 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24Source 5 · checked 2026-10-24Source 6 · checked 2026-10-24Source 7 · checked 2026-10-24Source 8 · checked 2026-10-24Source 9 · checked 2026-08-20Source 10 · checked 2026-08-20Source 11 · checked 2026-08-20 |
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