Do you love animals? Do you love interacting with kids and the public? Do you think that animal and environmental conservation is an important issue to make the public aware of? If so, the ZooTeens program might be right for you! ZooTeens is a volunteer program at Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester that gives teens the opportunity to work with like-minded teens who have the same passion for animals as they do. Through public outreach the teens act as ambassadors of the zoo in order to educate the public about the animals at the zoo and animal conservation.
Through fun stations set up around the zoo, the teens help educate the public about the conservation care at Seneca Park Zoo and how they can play a part in helping save animals from extinction. At the education tables ZooTeens use different methods such as posters, interactive games, and animal artifacts to educate the public about animal endangerment and conservation. For example, at the frog station the Zooteens play a matching game with the kids to match the toy frog to its species. Similarly, at the polar bear station, the public can feel what polar bear fur feels like on a pelt. Isabel H., a current ZooTeen, said, “My favorite station is the polar bear station because I get to see one of my favorite animals, the polar bear, Anoki. I like using the pelt to teach the public about the polar bear’s fur, and I like learning new facts about polar bears!”
Anyone who loves animals, wants to educate the public about animal conservation, improve their public speaking skills, and is in grades 7-12 can apply to be a ZooTeen. The first step is to fill out the online application. In the application you will have to answer the question “Why do you want to be a ZooTeen?” After you fill out the application, you will have to go to an in-person group interview where you will interact with other potential ZooTeens in animal-related activities and have to give a quick presentation about an animal you are assigned. Then if you receive an email that you were selected to be a ZooTeen, you will have to attend a training session, where you learn about the stations that you will be working at and the information you will be presenting to the guests. The ZooTeen shifts are very flexible and made to work within your schedule. ZooTeens sign up for a minimum of 12 shifts over six weeks from July to August. Timeslots are generally available from 9:30am-1:30pm or 12:30pm-4:30pm and ZooTeens can select the slots that best fit their schedule.
There are several benefits of being a ZooTeen. No matter what you want your future job to be, public speaking skills are important, and ZooTeens helps teens gain confidence in themselves and practice their public speaking skills in a judgement-free environment. Also, you get to spend time with like-minded teens who have the same passion for animals, and little kids who are excited to learn new information about animals and play fun games while doing so.
Students who are interested in becoming a ZooTeen for summer 2025 are encouraged to apply anytime between now and May 1. If you’re not interested in public speaking but do want to learn more about animals and conservation, Seneca Park Zoo also offers a Wildlife Action Crew program. You can learn more about these both at the Teen Programs page.
