Teen Opportunities

The Junior Zookeepers (JZ) program is for young adults in grades 7 through 12 that have a strong interest in animals, conservation, and the environment. Cosley Zoo provides JZs with comprehensive training in various topics including, but not limited to, animal care, informal education, and visitor services. After being trained, JZs have many opportunities to put their new skills to use by participating in diverse activities. Each summer, the group takes a day trip to another Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facility. The JZs also help support the zoo’s mission by assisting with special events, animal care, and educational programs. Through the program, Junior Zookeepers also develop and strengthen important life skills, including leadership, responsibility, time management, and teamwork.

The Junior Zookeepers program is a year-round commitment that runs from September through August. Junior Zookeepers can expect to meet for a couple of hours each month. There may be additional opportunities beyond that; however, all activities are optional. The program is broken into quarters:

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

How do I earn hours?
When Junior Zookeepers participate in program activities, their time is recorded on a timesheet. Hours can be earned by attending monthly meetings, attending animal observation training and collecting observation data throughout the year, completing interpretation training and signing up for casual interpretation shifts, assisting with zoo events and programs, and more! Once a certain number of hours have been accumulated, higher responsibility activities may become available such as participating in the Summer Incentives program, animal handling and encounter training, and shadowing a zookeeper. During the school year, most activities take place on the weekends.

The fee for the 2023/2024 year was $242. This included a JZ T-shirt, name tag, and program materials. Additional fees may apply.

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

Currently, we are not accepting applications for the Junior Zookeepers program. Applications for the 2024/2025 program will be available in June of 2024.

Questions about the Junior Zookeepers program can be emailed to Jackie at jkarnstedt@wheatonparks.org.

Summer Teen Interpreters are young adults in grades 7 through 12 (in the 2022-2023 school year) who have an exceptional interest in 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 beginning with orientation and training sessions in May/June. Weekly visitor engagement shifts at the zoo, 2 hours in length, will begin mid-June and run through mid-August. This program also offers the opportunity for participants to attend virtual workshops where they will learn more about zoo and conservation-related topics. Attendance to these virtual workshops is an optional component of the program.

The fee for the summer of 2023 was $79. This covered 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.

We are not accepting applications for the Summer Teen Interpreters program at this time. Applications for 2024 will be available in February of 2024.

Questions about the Summer Teen Interpreters program can be emailed to Jackie at jkarnstedt@wheatonparks.org.