Upcoming Application Dates:
  • Spring Session 2024 Dates

    Applications will be open: January 1 – January 14, 2024
    Program runs: February 13 – May 20, 2024
    (New applicants are not accepted for Spring, they must be returners from a previous season.)

  • Fall 2024

    Applications will be open: July 1 – July 10, 2024
    Program Runs: August 10 – November 11, 2024
    (New applicants are not accepted for Spring, they must be returners from a previous season.)

  • Winter 2024-2025 Session Dates

    Applications will be open: September 1 – September 10, 2024
    Program runs: November 12, 2024 – February 12, 2025

Details & Activities:

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

Each Off-Season session offers two separate program tracks:

1. Loft/My Big Backyard track – Zoo Crew for 6th – 8th grade students – or – Junior Zoo Keepers for 9th – 12th grade students.
2. Teen Core track – everyone in the program participates in Teen Core.

– Once you have applied and are accepted into an Off-Season program, you can then do an in-person interview to work in The Loft and/or My Big Backyard for hands-on experiences with animal husbandry! Or, if you would prefer not work in those animal areas, you are automatically always apart of the Teen Core track.
– Pre-planned after school activities.
– Behind-the-Scenes animal area tours.
– Private keeper talks from staff around the Zoo and animal area enrichment help.
– Experiential education opportunities around the Zoo and Nature Trail.
– On days when it is warmer than 41 degrees, teens can help work in the Domestic Goat Playground.
– Leadership and interpretive training with Zoo staff.
– Pre-planned EdVenture trips (extra trip 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, plus 1-month of training

Junior Zoo Keeper and Teen Leader price per teen (High School, 9th – 12th grades):
$600.75 for our 3-month summer session, plus 1-month of training


OFF-SEASON TEEN PROGRAM FEES*

All Teens (Zoo Crew, Junior Zoo Keepers &/or 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

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.