TEEN WILD GUIDE

Next Orientation:
Please check the calendar for the date of our next upcoming orientations. We recruit 3 tiems a year. In general, orientations are held in:

• April, for Summer Sesion
• August, for Fall Session
• December, for Winter Session

Orientations will be held in Classroom #1 of the Maddie’s Center for Science and Environmental Education. You need only attend one of these orientations.

Click here for a Teen Wild Guide Application

Click here for a Teen Wild Guide Letter of Recommendation Form

WHAT IS A TEEN WILD GUIDE?
Teen Wild Guides are young people interested in animals, plants, conservation and children. Teen Wild Guides are trained to be animal interpreters and conservation leaders. They are an important part of our zoo and our volunteer core, working with children, keepers and teachers. They are motivated, friendly and have a lot of fun!

WHAT DO TEEN WILD GUIDES DO?
The Teen Wild Guide is an adaptable and varied species. They have the opportunity to provide a variety of tasks, and in the process. Learn a lot about animals, children, and the way a zoo functions. The teens’ core schedule consists of working in the Valley Children’s Zoo at a variety of stations designed to get kids to learn about and experience our animals, including:

• Working in the contact yard, monitoring the animals and teaching children about animal care.
• Painting faces while teaching about animals including, bats, lemurs, and bugs.
• Providing animal interpretive information for the public using a variety of biofacts and interactive stations.

In addition, Teen Wild Guides are all members of and affiliated with Roots & Shoots, an international organization founded by Dr. Jane Goodall to promote conservation leadership and action among young people. Each semester, teens will have the opportunity to earn their hours by participating in 3-4 Roots & Shoots activities. In the past, In the past, we have raised money for refugees in Tanzania, created pollinator habitats, participated in beach clean-ups, and assisted in sending thousands of pencils to students in Africa for environmental education.

WHY BECOME A TEEN WILD GUIDE?
There are many reasons to consider joining this exciting program. Some of these reasons include:

• To gain knowledge and zoo work experience, for those interested in a future career with animals.
• To gain experience working with children.
• To build community service hours.
• To gain valuable public speaking skills.
• To meet other teens with similar interests.
• To do something new and fun!

HOW DO I BECOME A TEEN WILD GUIDE?

• Attend an orientation with a parent or guardian. Orientations are not mandatory but are HIGHLY recommended. Attending an orientation may give you a better insight into the details and structure of the program, give you an opportunity to meet zoo staff and ask questions, and make you more comfortable with the application process. Please check the Zoo's Calendar of Events for the date of our next orientation. Orientations are held 3 times a year in April, August, and December. In general, orientations for the Summer Session typically take place in April, and orientations for the School Year Session take place in August.
• If you are unable to attend an orientation, a downloadable application is available on the website. Additionally, you may contact Melinda at (510)632-9525 x201, or melinda@oaklandzoo.org.
• Return your application, along with your essay and letters of recommendation, by the deadline.
• Go through an interview.
• Attend 10 hours of training.
• Pay the one-time, $80 Teen Wild Guide fee.

For additional information, contact Melinda Sievert at
(510)632-9525 x201, or melinda@oaklandzoo.org.