Lincoln Park Zoo

The Zoo Intern Program, generously endowed by the Malott Family Foundation, is a six-week summer internship program for underserved high school students ages 16–18. Each spring, 20–25 first-year interns and 5-10 second-year interns are selected from a field of more than 100 applicants. Interns are trained by zoo staff and scientists for eight days and then serve six weeks as paid zoo interpreters.

Since its inception, the program has had more than 350 participants. Students identify conservation and environmental issues and develop interpretive stations on these topics for more than 50,000 summer visitors. Interns also meet animal-care staff and researchers and take part in behind-the-scenes tours of several animal buildings.

In addition to support from the Malott Family Foundation, major grants have also been provided by the American Express Company, the Helen Brach Foundation, the Hearst Foundation Inc., the Oscar G. & Elsa S. Mayer Foundation and UBS Warburg.

For more information about the Zoo Intern Program, contact Chrissy Graszer at 312-742-7806.