Our Zoo Teen Program

Do you belong in a zoo?

If you love animals and want to learn more about the zoo...this is the program for you!

We are 300 teens, ages 13 to 17, who contribute a total of 25,000 hours to the zoo during the summer. Some of us stay on to volunteer during the school year. Most of us are from the Portland Metropolitan area, but others of us are from out of state, visiting our relatives for the summer.

To be a ZooTeen
You must be entering the 9th grade after the summer. Applications will be accepted until March 2, 2001.  All applicants and their parents are welcome to attend the Parent Introduction Night on March 18, 2001 or March 20, 2001. For an application, please e-mail your mailing address to Mia at or call the Youth Volunteer Office at 503-220-2449.  NOTIFICATION of acceptance will be mailed in late April.

To be a Junior ZooTeen

You must be a student entering the 8th grade after the summer.  Registrations for Jr ZooTeens will be available in March 2001.  Registration is done by lottery and all registrations will be considered equally.  For an application please e-mail your mailing address to Mia at or call the Youth volunteer Office at (503)220-2449. NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE will be mailed.

Join us....
Call in September & January for school year program. You will be asked to fill out an application and come for an interview, and if accepted, go through 30 hours of training.

The commitment youll make
During the summer, youll work two 5.5 hour shifts each week. You can take two weeks off for vacation each summer, but you are responsible for finding your own substitute if you are ill or unable to work.

What Zoo Teens do

• assist visitors with research at ZooScope Stations
• present animals to visitors
• operate the pygmy goat kraal
• assist with the reptile show
• assist with the living history program in the Kongo Ranger Station
• help keepers with the care and feeding of pettable animals
• participate in a study program
• go on behind-the-scenes tours with keepers

With additional training you can:

• provide animal presentations for Zoo Camp
• serve as Zoo Camp Junior Camp Counselors
• work in the Insect Zoo

Are you a natural leader?
35 returning ZooTeens are selected to be "team leaders". They assist supervisors with the daily operation of the program. The Team Leader program has been recognized nationally three times for involving youth in leadership.

Program Staff
We are supervised by three full-time and one half-time Zoo staff members. One full-time employee is the Youth Volunteer Program Coordinator. The ZooTeen staff is part of the Volunteer Section of the Education Division.

Benefits of being a ZooTeen

• gain an insider's view of the Zoo and its animals
• developing friendships
• great work experience
• potential for school credit
• developing leadership skills
• developing public speaking skills
• career exploration opportunities
• learning about and handling animals

For more information about youth volunteer opportunities e-mail Mia at , or call the ZooTeen Office at (503) 220-2449.