Junior Zoo Crew


Junior Zoo Crew is an education program where selected members spend the summer interacting with the public, helping with special events, and assisting in the Children's Zoo by feeding and cleaning animals. Participants must be 14-17 years old. 

Manual


Check out the 2018 Junior Zoo Crew Manual. 

Apply

Application period is closed for the 2019 season. Applications for 2020 will be available early February. 
Each year, applicants must submit an application, and references by or around April 1, pass a city background check, and attend an interview with zoo staff. Acceptance is contingent on a completed medical form to be submitted before training.
Junior Zoo Crew
Photo: Megan Donovan

Train

Only a select number of applicants are chosen (this is a very competitive program). Those selected teens must attend a mandatory training session and a parent or guardian is also required to attend. Throughout the summer, participants are required to attend continuing education classes about animal handling and conservation and complete a project which they will present to the public in August.


Let's Get to Work


Once you've completed general training, you'll be ready to spend your summer helping the zoo. Junior Zoo Crew work an average of two to three shifts per week, each shift is 3-5 hours long depending on the type of work (typically 8-15 hours per week).

Costs & Benefits


  • The cost of the Junior Zoo Crew program is $85 for Tautphaus Park Zoological Society (TPZS) members and $105 for nonmembers.
  • Price includes one T-shirt, all the training you'll receive, and access to a program manual.
  • All fees are nonrefundable.
  • Admission to the zoo for you (not for your family unless you have a family TPZS membership) is included only during your time as a Junior Zoo Crew member.

Questions? 


Contact the volunteer department at 208-612-8453 or email [email protected]