• Are you 14-18 years old interested in a conservation career?
• Do you love being outdoors, learning about animals, and protecting the environment?

Join the San Antonio Zoo and make a difference in the world by participating in the Summer Naturalist program!

As a Summer Naturalist volunteer, you will team up with like-minded teens that are passionate about conservation. College interns will act as mentors and guide you in teaching guest about how to conserve wildlife to zoo guests. Teens will have the opportunity to interact directly with guests as they introduce topics about endangered species, conservation efforts, and more!

This position is modeled after a traditional job setting, and applicants should be prepared to be treated as an employee. Successful applicants should have a desire to gain experience working in a zoo environment, speak directly with the public, be interested in learning about conservation efforts, and attend all training and orientation sessions. Summer Naturalists agree to work 60 cumulative hours during the summer, on Wednesday – Saturday from 10am-3:30 pm. Applicants must apply between April 1 and May 1.

Summer Camp volunteers assist the Education Department with the summer camp programs for children 4-13 years of age. Camp volunteers help by facilitating crafts, preparing and cleaning up classrooms, leading activities and games, and assisting the Summer Camp instructors during tours with the campers in the zoo and behind the scenes. Summer Camp Volunteers must be 15 -18 years of age.

This position is modeled after a traditional job setting, and applicants should be prepared to be treated as an employee. Successful applicants should have a desire to gain experience working in a zoo environment, model strong personal maturity, be prepared to interact with children of all ages, be interested in learning about conservation efforts, and attend all training and orientation sessions. Volunteers must commit to volunteer for at least two whole weeks every day, Monday-Friday from 8 am to 3:30 pm. Applicants must apply between April 1 and May 1.

ZooTEAM is a year-round youth volunteer program. Applicants must have volunteered for the Summer Naturalist Volunteer Program and/or the Summer Camp Volunteer Program to be considered for ZooTEAM. ZooTEAM is for current youth volunteers that are interested in increasing their knowledge of zoo animals and conservation, have a desire to share information on the plants and animals with the public, be comfortable working as a team, and be looking for an opportunity to display leadership. Volunteer opportunities are scheduled on weekends and ZooTEAM volunteers pick from a list of scheduled opportunities. Throughout the year, ZooTEAM volunteers help out with special events such as Zoo Run, Zoo Boo! and Zoo Lights. ZooTEAM volunteers work with the Education Department to: educate zoo visitors about conservation and wildlife, help answer guest questions in our butterfly house and giraffe exhibit, assist with citizen science research, participate in offsite conservation programs, assist with craft and activity tables at zoo events, assist with office work, help direct and answer general guest questions, and assist the zoo with service projects that become available.

All ZooTEAM volunteers must commit to one year of service and volunteer at least 12 hours per month. ZooTEAM are eligible to work as either Summer Naturalist or Summer Camp Volunteer during the summer. First-year ZooTEAM do not handle or work with animals directly.