ZooTeen Volunteer Program
ZooTeens focus on education for Zoo Boise visitors and gain experience with teaching, leadership, and public speaking. They learn about animals and share our wildlife conservation mission.
ZooTeen applications are not being accepted at this time.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the ZooTeen Volunteer program.
What age do I have to be for the ZooTeen Volunteer program?
What do ZooTeen volunteers do?
What is the time commitment required for ZooTeens?
How do I apply?
What happens after I apply?
What happens if I am accepted into the ZooTeen program?
Return to ZooTeen page.
What age do I have to be for the ZooTeen Volunteer program?
Ages 13 (entering 8th grade) to 18 (entering 12th grade). Applicants must be at least 13 years of age by September 1 of the current year and have completed 7th grade.
What do ZooTeen volunteers do?
ZooTeens are responsible for assisting with summer camps for youth, providing educational experiences for Zoo Boise visitors, and help maintain the Simplot Education Center. ZooTeens also assist in the operation of seasonal exhibits.
For more information, please see the detailed descriptions below.
What is the time commitment required for ZooTeens?
Minimum 4 hrs per week, any day of the week, with a minimum of 40 hours throughout the summer.
- AM shifts: 9:15am-1:15pm
- PM shifts: 1pm-5pm
- Camps are from 8am-5pm
How do I apply?
- Completed applications must be received no later than March 15, 2013 at 5:00pm.
- You and a parent or guardian must attend a ZooTeen Preview Hour to learn more and ask questions about the ZooTeen Program.
- Please email zooteens@cityofboise.org to register for a date. Registration required at least one day prior to Preview Hour. Parents required to attend. ZooTeen Application Application process must be completed in one session. Please allow at least 30 minutes to complete process. Only one entry per applicant will be accepted.
Teens will not be accepted into the program if they
do not attend a preview hour.
Preview Dates :
March 7 - 6:00-7:00pm
March 9 - 9:00-10:00am
March 14 - 6:00-7:00pm
What happens after I apply?
- Applications will be reviewed for thoroughness and content.Upon completion of online portion,an email will be sent containing a reference letter to be completed and returned by March 15.
- Applications are not considered complete unless all online fields have been completed, and reference letter has been submitted.
- Based on quality of applications, applicants will be chosen for an interview. If applications do not meet standards for an interview, you will not be contacted. Interviews take place in March & April. All interviews must be in person. Requests for phone interviews will not be granted.
- After an interview, applicants will be contacted by email (on or before May 1) regarding acceptance into the ZooTeen Program.
- If accepted, you will be required to attend training sessions at Zoo Boise. Training dates will be Monday, June 3 & Tuesday June 4, from 9:00am - 4:30pm.
What happens if I am accepted into the ZooTeen program?
If accepted as a ZooTeen volunteer, you will be expected to:
- Participate in all aspects of the program.
- Attend all training sessions.
- Pay a $50.00 fee to cover costs of a volunteer manual and Zoo Boise Volunteer shirt.
- Wear the Zoo Boise Volunteer shirt (provided by the zoo through a program fee) and khaki pants or shorts (no shorter than mid- thigh) that is provided by you. Closed-toe and closed-heal shoes are required. No sandals or flip-flops.
- Submit waiver and medical form(this will be emailed in acceptance letter)
Return to
ZooTeen page.