Summer Junior Zoo Keepers (9th-12th Grades)

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Teen Programs provide meaningful life experiences that inspire teens to take conservation action both on and off Zoo grounds through education, leadership, stewardship and environmental exploration. Included with all of our summer teen programs are options to participate in our outdoor adventure programming occurring throughout the summer.

Upcoming Dates:

  • Summer Session 2024 Dates – Open to New Teen Applicants

    Applications will be open: February 1 – February 14, 2024
    Program runs: May 27 – August 9, 2024 (Orientation runs 5/27-5/31, teens must attend ONE full day.)

  • Summer Session 2025 Dates – Open to New Teen Applicants

    Applications will be open: February 1 – February 14, 2025
    Program runs: May 27, 2025 – August 8, 2025

For additional opportunities throughout the year, visit our Off-Season Teen Programs.

Animal Areas of Opportunity for Junior Zoo Keepers

Responsibilities include helping clean exhibits, prepare animal food diets, creating enrichment and assist with keeper talks when needed. Junior Zoo Keepers work hand in hand with Zoo staff and help with the jobs that are a daily part of a zoo keepers career. It’s a robust position that requires hard work, dedication, attention to detail and self motivation. This position can also be a Teen Leader and/or on the Youth Leadership Advisory Council (YLAC).

African Rift Valley 1: Meerkats, vultures, Red River hogs, African birds and tortoises. (Must have one year of prior Junior Zoo Keeper experience.)

African Rift Valley 2: Giraffe, African lions

Australia/Scutes Family Gallery: Wallabies, budgies, alligators, tree kangaroo, reptiles, emus

Commissary: Animal Diet Kitchen

Encounter Africa: Elephants and rhino.

Goat Yard: Domestic goats. This area focuses on hands-on education and guest engagement.

Loft: Small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. This area focuses on education and guest engagement.

My Big Back Yard: Rabbits, turkeys, chickens, invertebrates, reptiles & amphibians. This area focuses on hands-on education and guest engagement.

Primate World: Gorillas, orangutans, siamangs, golden lion tamarins and naked mole rats.

Rocky Mountain Highlands: Moose, Mexican wolves, mountain lions, otter, grizzly bears, Amur tigers and Amur leopards.

Water’s Edge: Africa: Hippos, penguins, warthog, ring-tailed lemurs, guinea pigs & pink-backed pelicans

All summer Teen Programs combine hands-on:

– conservation, wildlife biology and outdoor adventure
– international travel opportunities and community service
– job skills, education, leadership and FUN!

Program Details

This program offers opportunities 7 days a week for Junior Zoo Keepers, with an online sign-up process so families can look through their schedule together and sign-up accordingly.

  • Experience what it takes to be a zoo keeper, with real-world experience in our education, animal, and commissary departments.
  • Minimum amount of participation hours per teen required depends upon the animal area the teen works in.
  • Gain personal Zoo experience so you can make informed career decisions.
  • Develop a strong work ethic and problem solving skills.
  • Acquire knowledge and skills surrounding animal care procedures alongside experienced animal keepers.

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.

Summer Scholarship Information

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has a scholarship fund for its Summer Teen Program and is committed to working with families to make sure price is not a limiting factor in their child’s experience.

  • Due to limited funding, only partial scholarships will be awarded.
  • Scholarships apply to the Zoo’s Summer Teen Program.
  • Criteria for selecting children for the program is based upon a first come, first served and need basis.
  • Once accepted into a season Teen Program, you will receive information about scholarships available through our Teen Program Portal.

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.

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