Volunteers: Join ZooTeens

Are you a high schooler passionate about biology, animals, conservation and environmental issues? If so, consider applying for our ZooTeens! Program. In addition to furthering your knowledge on these topics, ZooTeens! is a great opportunity for teens to gain leadership experience, over 100 hours of volunteer service, public speaking confidence and memories to last a lifetime.

Students often join ZooTeens! and continue their involvement with the Zoo for many years to come. Many find part-time jobs, internships and careers here using their experience and interest to further their commitment. Just as the Zoo grows in size, experiences and scope, many ZooTeens! are personally growing alongside it. One of our long-standing ZooTeens! has some thoughts below. He briefly shares the growth he has witnessed during his childhood and young adult life.

I would not be where I am today without Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. If you count all the different things I have been involved with at the Zoo, I probably have seen more changes and experinced more growth than many staff members. I started zoo camp in the 1st grade and attended every consecutive year, joined the ZooTeens! program for four years and now am an employee. Of all my time here, I have witnessed so many exciting changes from brand new exhibits, renovations and even a pandemic. I still have fond memories of animals that are no longer here at the Zoo like sea lions, falcons, kangaroos and more. I am very excited to witness all the new additions and plan to create fond memories with them as well. Throughout my many years, I have formed bonds with numerous staff members, which I am proud to call my Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens-Family. All the staff and volunteers, both present and past, work so hard to create these memories for myself and others. The Zoo has accomplished so many amazing things and we will do great work in conservation and animal wellness far past my time. — Jacob Darr

If you want to see our organization continue to grow over the years and create these experiences for yourself, join the ZooTeens! Program in 2022.

More information can be found on our website and applications will be posted in February of this year. For questions, please email zooteen@jacksonvillezoo.org. We look forward to spending the summer with you!