Teen Opportunities

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to work at a zoo, this program is for you!

Junior Zookeepers (JZs) are young adults, 7^th through 12^th grade, that love animals and desire to learn more about careers in zoos and conservation. Cosley Zoo provides JZs with opportunities to experience a variety of zoo jobs, from animal care, education, research, and guest engagement!

This program offers teens the ability to focus on their interests and career goals, while developing and strengthening important life skills, including leadership, accountability, time management, empathy, and collaboration.

Each year, there are also social events for teens to get to know their peers and network with like-minded individuals, including a field trip to another Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facility.

All aspiring Junior Zookeepers must attend an information session with a parent/guardian in order to apply for the 2026/2027 season. (Applications will be provided at information sessions only).

Information Session Dates:

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 from 5:30P – 7:30P

Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 10:00A – 12:00P

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 from 5:30P – 7:30P

Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 10:00A – 12:00P

The Junior Zookeepers is a year-round program that runs from September through August and is broken into 4 quarters.

Each quarter has a goal number of hours. Junior Zookeepers earn hours each quarter by participating in meetings, assisting at zoo events, and leading guest engagement opportunities such as public duck feeding, education carts, and more.

• Quarter 1: September-November (goal: 14 hours)
• Quarter 2: December-February (goal: 12 hours)
• Quarter 3: March-May (goal: 10 hours)
• Quarter 4: June-August (goal: 24 hours)

The Junior Zookeepers program is developed so that teens can gain a broad perspective of the inner workings of a zoo in their first foundations year. However, in order to experience everything this program has to offer, teens should plan to attend for multiple years.

The Junior Zookeepers program is structured into two tiers; a Foundations Group and a Cohorts group.

Foundations group:

Includes 7^th grade, 8^th grade, and any 1^st year participant.

Participants attend monthly meetings designed to build knowledge of zoos and prepare for future participation in cohorts. Topics cover animal enrichment/training, guest engagement, building observation and inquiry skills and more.

JZs must meet each quarter goal and attend 5 out of 9 monthly meetings in order to advance into the cohorts group. Only JZs in the cohorts group will be trained in handling animal ambassadors.

Cohorts group:

Includes 9^th – 12^th grade participants who have completed a minimum of 1 year in the program and have achieved all requirements, which include meeting each quarter goal and attending 5 out of 9 monthly meetings.

JZs will have the opportunity to choose between three different cohorts; Animal Care, Education, and Research & Conservation. Each consecutive year that a JZ returns to the program they may choose to remain in the same cohort or experience a different cohort.

The cohorts will attend monthly meetings together designed to create group cohesion and community while offering opportunities for advance learning, building leadership, and working on group projects. Training in animal handling will be incorporated into monthly meetings.

At the end of the season JZs in the cohorts group will have the opportunity to present projects (highly encouraged, but not required).

The fee for the 2026/2027 year is $265. This includes a JZ T-shirt, name tag, program materials, meetings, and other special events, such as our end of the year JZ celebration. (Additional fees apply for the annual field trip to another zoo).

Please do not submit the fee with your application; all accepted JZs will be notified of the fee due date.

Selection is based on an application, an in-person interview, and any past involvement at Cosley Zoo.

Applications will be provided at information sessions only and are due Friday, July 31, 2026. Please submit completed applications via email, mail, or in person at Cosley Zoo’s Wild Side Gift Shop.

Mail:
Cosley Zoo
Attn: Sarah Tulicki
1356 N. Gary Ave.
Wheaton, IL 60187

Questions about the Junior Zookeepers program can be emailed to the Education Supervisor, [email protected].

Summer Teen Interpreters are young adults in grades 7 through 12 (in the 2026-2027 school year) who have a passion for animals, conservation, and public speaking. Summer Teen Interpreters learn about various topics including, but not limited to animal care, training, enrichment, conservation, public speaking, and zoo visitor engagement. Summer Teen Interpreters use the knowledge they gain in these topics to assist the education department by providing a range of interactive experiences for zoo guests. This program also allows teens to enhance their sense of responsibility, develop job skills, and grow in their conservation ethic.

Note: Participants do not handle animals or work in animal areas.

The Summer Teen Interpreters program is seasonal with interviews beginning in April. Once accepted into the program, training includes orientation and interpretation training in May/June. Interpretation is a form of education used in many AZA accredited zoos and aquariums as well as National Parks. Interpretation is thoughtful and purposeful communication that guides meaning and connection for guests. Learning these techniques helps young adults develop their communication skills.

Teens commit to a weekly 2-hour shift from mid-June through mid-August. Each shift teens are providing guest engagement to zoo visitors, engaging them on topics of animal natural history and conservation.

The fee for summer 2026 is $98.00. This will cover the cost of a Summer Teen Interpreter T-shirt, name tag and other program materials.

Selection is based on an application, group interview, and any past involvement at Cosley Zoo.

Applications for summer 2026 are currently being accepted! Applications are due by Monday, April 6, 2026 and are available HERE or in the zoo’s Wild Side Gift Shop. Please do not submit the program fee with the application; all accepted Summer Teen Interpreters will be notified of the fee due date.

Questions about the Summer Teen Interpreters program can be emailed to Audrey at [email protected].