Off-Season Teen Program (6th – 12th Grades)

Looking for something to do during the school year? – Why not hang at the Zoo and try something new!? Our Off-Season Teen Programs offer weekends, evenings, and after school teen opportunities. Teen participants are selected through an application and interview process. Off-Season sessions are offered in the Fall, Winter and Spring. New applicants may apply to the Winter session, returning applicants may apply to any of the sessions.

Want to Apply?
  • We accept new applications into our Summer and Winter seasons each year.
  • A $25 non-refundable application fee is required for all Summer/Winter applications.
  • No late applications will be reviewed.
  • Email [email protected] with any questions.
Upcoming Application Dates:

  • Spring 2026

    Applications open: December 10 – 20, 2025
    Program runs: February 14 – May 25, 2026
    (New applicants are not accepted for Fall, they must be returners from a previous season.)

  • Fall 2026

    Applications open: July 1 – July 10, 2026
    Program Runs: August 8 – November 13, 2026
    (New applicants are not accepted for Fall, they must be returners from a previous season.)

  • Winter 2026-2027 Session – Open to new applicants

    Applications open: September 1 – 10, 2026
    Program runs: November 14, 2026 – February 14, 2027

  • Spring 2027

    Applications open: December 1 – 10, 2026
    Program runs: February 15 – May 30, 2027
    (New applicants are not accepted for Spring, they must be returners from a previous season.)

Details & Activities:

Off-Season participants are selected through an application and interview process, just like our Summer Teen Program.

Off-Season Middle School Tracks:

  1. Teen Core – this track is open to all participating teenagers within the current season. Opportunities include but are not limited to:
    – Shifts in our Domestic Goat Yard
    – Experiential educational workshops
    – Training to enhance leadership, interpretation, and stewardship skills
    – Opportunities to see behind-the-scenes areas of the zoo and connect with zoo professionals
    – Pre-planned EdVenture trips (extra costs may apply)
  2. Loft & Big Backyard – Middle School teens have the opportunity to apply to these animal areas after completing one full season in the program. These areas offer opportunities to work closely with such animals as reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals, and birds.

Off-Season High School Tracks:

  1. Junior Zookeeper – this track is open to high school applicants only and offers an opportunity to work a full season in one of our animal areas. Animal areas include:
    – Giraffe Barn
    – African Rift Valley
    – Elephant/Rhino Barn
    – Australia/Scutes
    – Rocky Mountain Wild
    – Big Backyard
    – The Loft
    – Domestic Goat Yard
    – Water’s Edge Africa
    – Primate World
  2. Teen Core – this track is open to all participating teenagers within the current season. Opportunities include but are not limited to:
    – Shifts in our Domestic Goat Yard.
    – Experiential educational workshops
    – Training to enhance leadership, interpretation, and stewardship skills
    – Opportunities to see behind-the-scenes areas of the zoo and connect with zoo professionals
    – Pre-planned EdVenture trips (extra costs may apply)

Tuition Pricing

All fees for all sessions includes one t-shirt, name tag and reusable beverage cup, as well as daily supervision, program supplies and materials, keeper talks and tours, special afternoon workshops, orientation, end of season party and more!

Application fee: a $25 non-refundable fee for each applicant/application is required to begin the application process.

SUMMER TEEN PROGRAM FEES*

Zoo Crew price per teen (Middle School, 6th – 8th grades):
$700.75 for our 3-month summer session

Junior Zoo Keeper & Jr. Camp Educator price per teen (High School, 9th – 12th grades):
$600.75 for our 3-month summer session

OFF-SEASON TEEN PROGRAM FEES*

All Teens (Zoo Crew, Junior Zoo Keepers & Teen Core) price per teen:
$400.75 per session; Fall, Winter or Spring.

– *These program fees do not include EdVenture trip fees.
– Full payment of the program session is due 48 hours prior to the first day of the session.
– Note: 75¢ from each Teen Program Registration goes to Quarters for Conservation, which expands Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s regional and global conservation efforts.

EdVenture Refunds, Cancellations or Changes

View or download our 2026 Zoo Camp Policies & Procedures Manual PDF

Refund Policy
A refund request must be received no less than TWO WEEKS prior to the start of the program. If approved, the Zoo will refund the amount of the fee minus 25% of the program fee. No refunds will be given after two weeks prior to the start of the program.

*If you are participating in an extended EdVenture Program (Zoo Crew, Junior Zookeeper, etc.) please send an email to the program specific supervisor to discuss refund options and policies.

We do not issue refunds for parties that do not show for their reservation. If you need to cancel or reschedule your event, please refer to the confirmation email received upon registration. For further inquiry, please email [email protected].

If the Zoo is closed due to inclement weather or other unforeseen events, we will issue you a full refund (less the non-refundable deposit) or you may reschedule the event to the next available date and apply all payments already made toward your reservation to the new reservation.

Program Cancellation
The Zoo reserves the right to cancel a program due to lack of enrollment or unforeseen circumstances in which the Zoo is closed. If the Zoo is closed due to inclement weather or other unforeseen events, we will issue you a full refund (less the non-refundable deposit) or you may reschedule the event to the next available date and apply all payments already made toward your reservation to the new reservation.

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