We rely on Junior Zookeepers all over the Zoo! All Jr. Zookeepers have the opportunity to participate in the General Areas listed below. In addition, applicants are matched to animal areas based upon seniority, skill level, schedule availability, and interview. Teens will be placed in the area in which they best meet those criteria.

GENERAL AREAS - ALL LEVELS

Special Events

Become an integral part of special events such as Teddy Bear Days, Boo at the Zoo, Electric Safari and other fun days at the Zoo. Duties may include setup, crafts, storytelling, staffing, registration and cleanup.

Zoo Projects

Help the Zoo enhance each visitor's experience by joining in horticulture projects, maintaining Zoo grounds and more.

Summer Camp

Do you enjoy volunteering with animals AND kids? Then this is for you! You will have a chance to take a break from the keeper side of things and help with our Cheyenne Mountain Zoo summer camps. ** New for 2012 – Select teens will be chosen to help assist our camps as “counselors in training!”

BEGINNER ANIMAL AREAS

My Big Backyard

Help the Zookeeper feed the animals, monitor the animals' behavior around Zoo visitors and answer visitors' questions.

Australia

Head down under, mates. You will help take care of our budgie birds, emus, wallabys and a few other Australian friends.

Commissary

Have you ever wondered where we keep all of the food for the animals?  Come explore where we get all of our food, where it is stored and how to ensure all the animals get the appropriate amounts of nutrients in their diet. 

Pony Rides

Learn the day to day workings of the pony wranglers of the Zoo.  Spend time with our ponies and learn about saddling, anatomy, grooming and even help the wranglers give pony rides for our Zoo guests.

 

INTERMEDIATE ANIMAL AREAS

Loft

Get guests involved as you help clean and feed the residents in the Education building.  From tortoises to geckos to snakes the Loft is an exciting place to volunteer!

African Rift Valley

Help care for our African animals, including meerkats, zebra, vultures, Red River hogs and many more.

Aquatics

Learn about the hippos, penguins and of course the beaver as you help the keeper in the aquatics building.

Primate World

Visit the gorillas, orangutans and siamangs as you learn how the keepers take care of these special animals.

ADVANCED ANIMAL AREAS

Monkey Pavilion/Lions/Bears

In this busy area see what a normal day is like working with a variety of monkeys and lesser apes as well as our bears and African lions.

Asian Highlands

With tigers, snow leopards and Amur leopards, it’s a wild place to volunteer! See what it would be like to work with these fascinating endangered species!

Rocky Mountain Wild

Moose, mountain lions, wolves as well as grizzly bears and river otters make up this exciting area.

** Please note: Applicants will be matched to animal areas based on seniority, skill level, schedule availability, and interview. Teens will be placed in the area in which they best meet those criteria. **

Dates & Times

Create your summer schedule following a few guidelines.

• Jr. Zookeepers volunteer between 14-21 hours a week from the end of May through the beginning of August.
• We prefer that you work the same days and shifts throughout the summer.
• Variations to this schedule for family vacations or other camps must be arranged with the Volunteer Services Manager at least two weeks in advance, and we prefer that you make up any missed time.

Tentative dates to mark on your calendar for 2012!
  (These dates are subject to change)

Teen Interviews:
(In April, we will email you to set up a specific time for your interview.)

• Tuesday, April 10th
• Wednesday, April 11th
• Thursday, April 12th
• Saturday, April 14th

Jr. Zookeeper Orientation:
(Attending this orientation is mandatory for both the teen and one parent/guardian)

Thursday, May 17th, 6pm-8pm.

Jr. Zookeeper Training:
(This training is mandatory for the teens)

Tuesday, May 22nd, 5pm-8pm.

Jr. Zookeepers will begin the week of:
(Schedules will be modified to accommodate school dismissal dates.)

Tuesday, May 29th

SECOND session Jr. Zookeepers will begin the week of:

Tuesday, July 10th

Jr. Zookeeper Program Fees

2012 Full Session (12 weeks): $352.50

(includes quarters for conservation)

2012 Half Session (6 weeks): $201.50

(includes quarters for conservation)

2012 Weekends Only Session (15 days): $151.50

(includes quarters for conservation)

This fee includes a Jr. Zookeeper t-shirt, nametag and beverage cup, as well as daily supervision, program supplies and materials, Zookeeper talks and tours, special guests and more.

Teens also have the opportunity to be a Jr. Zookeeper throughout the year at no additional charge.

Note: $2.50 from the full session and $1.50 from the half session goes to Quarters for Conservation, which expands Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's regional and global conservation efforts.

Scholarships

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has a scholarship fund for its educational programs. Scholarships can be either full or partial. Criteria for selecting children for the program is based upon need. A $25 deposit is required for all scholarship registrations. Application deadline for Summer Scholarship Form - TEENS submission is April 1, 2012.

Junior Zookeeper Application Process:

1. Complete the Jr. Zookeeper Application online linked here during application process, please check back Spring 2013.
2. Write an essay to submit as part of your online application. Or, if you need more space, type your essay and mail it with your waiver form and reference letters to the address below.   Essays are due by April 1, 2012.  Applications are not considered complete until essay is received. 

   Questions to address in your essay:

   • a) Why do you want to be a part of the Jr. Zookeeper program?
   • b) What are your future career plans, goals and ambitions>
   • c) What do you hope to gain from this experience?
   
   
3. Download and complete the Release and Waiver of Claims form. (After you submit your application online, return to our Website, using the link provided so you can complete this step.)   
4. Have two references print and complete the online recommendation Reference Form and submit via mail.  References are due by April 1, 2012.  Applications are not considered complete until we receive both Recommendation Forms.    
5. All volunteers are required to have written record of a NEGATIVE TB test.  TB tests need to be updated every year. Thank you for your help with this critical part of the Zoo’s Preventative Health Program.
6. Mail the two completed Recommendation forms and signed waiver form (along with the completed essay if you were unable to submit these online) to:

Volunteer Services Manager
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd
Colorado Springs, CO  80906

7. Practice your interviewing skills. After the application deadline, we will contact you to set up an interview. Interviews will take place in early April. 
8. Attend your scheduled interview.
9. Soon after your interview, we will notify you about acceptance. If accepted, you will receive the orientation and training schedule.
   *Please note that the Jr. Zookeeper program is a highly competitive program and not all applicants will be selected. The application, essay, recommendation forms, interview skills, summer availability and prior experience will all contribute to the decision. Again, not everyone will be selected for the summer 2012 program. *
10. Attend the mandatory orientation. It will provide all of the information and tools you'll need to serve the Zoo, and will ensure that your volunteer experience is rewarding.