Teen Opportunities – Cosley Zoo (Junior Zookeepers & Summer Teen Interpreters)
Cosley Zoo
Program overview
Teens in grades 7-12 interested in zoo careers, animal care, conservation, environmental education, research, and public engagement with animals.
Eligibility
To apply for Junior Zookeepers, teen and parent/guardian must attend an information session. Summer Teen Interpreters must have a passion for animals, conservation, and public speaking; no set prerequisites stated.
Key details
- Organization
- Cosley Zoo
- Type
- Teen volunteer/education program
- Location
- Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187
- Format
- in-person
- Eligible grades
- 7th grade, 8th grade, 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, 12th grade
- Application deadline
- Junior Zookeepers: July 31, 2026. Summer Teen Interpreters: no current deadline; 2026 applications closed.
- Cost
- Junior Zookeepers: $265 for 2026/2027 year (additional fee applies for annual field trip); Summer Teen Interpreters: $95 for summer 2026
- Time commitment
- Junior Zookeepers: year-round from September through August; quarterly hour goals are Quarter 1 (Sep-Nov) 14 hours, Quarter 2 (Dec-Feb) 12 hours, Quarter 3 (Mar-May) 10 hours, Quarter 4 (Jun-Aug) 24 hours; attend 5 of 9 monthly meetings. Summer Teen Interpreters: weekly 2-hour shift from mid-June through mid-August plus training/orientation in May/June.
- Application status
- Junior Zookeepers: applications are provided only at mandatory information sessions (June 3, June 27, July 15, July 18, 2026) and due July 31, 2026. Summer Teen Interpreters: applications for summer 2026 are currently closed; applications for 2027 will be available in early February 2027.
How to apply
Apply on the program's own site. Details here were read from that page and can change — confirm them there before applying.