Camp Teen Volunteer Program

Camp Teen Volunteer Program

Session A: June 16–27 and July 7–25

Session B: July 14–August 15

Camp Teen Volunteers inspire children to learn about, love, and protect animals and the environment while assisting with Conservation Camp, open to grades PreK–5. Through observation, training, professional development, and guidance from counselor mentors, teens will gain valuable skills as they feed their own love for animals and work with young learners.

Camp Teen Volunteers assist counselors with the setup and takedown of activities, participate fully in activities and exploration, and create moments of fun for campers. Teens in this position can expect a dynamic day full of movement in a variety of weather conditions.

This program is looking for teens with a positive attitude who enjoy working with elementary-aged children and are flexible to the ever-changing environment a zoo camp has to offer.

This video was created by Camp Teen Volunteers during the summer of 2019.

New: Wild Character Project

Teens who become Camp Teen Volunteers will participate in Lincoln Park Zoo’s pilot Wild Character Project. This offers them a unique opportunity to develop personal leadership skills while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world through finding their nature identity. At the end of the program, teens will be certified as EcoLeaders and should be ready to work directly with campers.

Participants will also receive a copy of the book Wisdom From the Wild for Youth: Leadership Tales With Tales by Julie C. Henry. They will be invited to three one-hour online sessions to discuss the book and share about their leadership journey. Camp Teen Volunteers for each session will also attend two full days of camp-related training.

See the online book discussions days and times.

Session Dates and Times

Teens who become Camp Teen Volunteers, will have many exciting opportunities to connect, learn and grow throughout their summer session. They will be invited to Teen Bonding Nights and have an end-of-session Recognition Night to celebrate their work with their families. For all mandatory dates, please look below.

Online Book Discussion Date & Time:

  • Thursday, April 23, from 5–6 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 7, from 5–6 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 2, from 5–6 p.m.

Learn more about Wild Character Project.

Session A

  • June 8–26 and July 6–17 (the program will not run June 29–July 3)
  • Last day of school will determine the first day of volunteer service
  • Zoo summer camp programs run Mondays–Fridays from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Mandatory Training Days:

  • Sunday, April 19, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 3, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 24, from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 30, from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Session B

  • July 13–August 14
  • First day of school will determine last day of volunteer service
  • Zoo summer camp programs run Mondays–Fridays from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Mandatory Training Days:

  • Sunday, April 19, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 3, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Monday, June 29, from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.)
  • Tuesday, June 30, from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.)

More Information

 

Eligibility

To qualify, an applicant must:

  • Be entering grades 9–13.
  • Be 13-18 years old by June 8, 2026.

Absences

Camp Teen Volunteers must be available for all days of training for their session. Training days are mandatory and makeup days are not offered due to staffing needs. Planned absences that do not occur during training and which have been discussed with a supervisor are possible. However, long absences (such as a week-long family vacation) may disqualify a candidate from the program, as a volunteer would miss too many events and activities.

Application

The application for summer 2026 opens Sunday, February 1, and closes Monday, March 9. No applications will be accepted after the March 9 deadline.

Info Session

If you are planning to apply and have questions about how to submit a high-quality application, drop by a virtua information session on Zoom to chat directly with Teen Programs staff:

  • Thursday, February 26, 5–6:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 5, 5–6:30 p.m.

Click here to RSVP in advance and to receive the Zoom link and password.

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Will there be an interview?

Yes. All applicants will be asked to interview at the zoo with members of the Camp Leadership Team. Interviews will be held in April. Interview times will be released after an applicant has been invited for an interview.

Can I volunteer for both sessions?

No. A substantial number of qualified teens apply for this program, and we want to offer the opportunity to as many as possible.

Is this a paid position?

No. Participants are volunteers and are donating their time to the zoo. They will receive other non-monetary benefits during the program, such as service hours, up to 15 Professional Development Sessions, zoo-sponsored Teen Bonding Nights, a zoo-sponsored Camp Teen Volunteer Dinner and Recognition Night for teens and their families, and professional education experience.

Will I be responsible for campers?

No. Camp Teen Volunteers play a supporting role to the camp instructors and will never be solely responsible for campers. They may have the opportunity to lead an activity, organize the group, and manage behavior, but they will never be left alone with a group of campers without additional support.

How will I know if I’ve been accepted?

We will contact all applicants via email by Friday, April 24, whether or not they have been selected for an interview.

Can I apply for multiple teen programs?

Yes! Applicants can apply to every program simultaneously. Please note: Eligibility requirements vary between programs.

Do I have to attend all training days?

Yes. Training days are mandatory, and there are no makeup days. The only exception is that teens who are accepted in Session B can participate in the Session A trainings on May 24 and 30, if Session B Training dates in June do not work with their schedule.

Do I have to attend all the book clubs?

No. Ideally, Camp Teen Volunteers will attend all book club dates, but zoo staff understand that schedules during the school week are hectic and can be flexible here.

 

Will I interact with animals?

No. We leave animal interactions up to the professionals. Camp Teen Volunteers will attend special experiences with their campers, which may include keeper, scientist, and zoo expert Chats, behind-the-scenes experiences, or keeper-administered animal feedings.

Can I choose which age group I work with?

No. Camp Teen Volunteers will rotate weekly between age groups.

 

I have a question that wasn't answered here. Who should I ask?

To learn more about the Camp Teen Volunteer Program, please email zooteens@lpzoo.org.

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