Applications for Summer 2026 will be open from February 1 - April 1. Check back after January 1 for the most updated information about the three roles for teens within ZooCamp!

About The Program

Love kids, nature, and ZooCamp? We want your help! Join Teen Programs and spend part of your summer working with ZooCampers, helping to lead activities, make crafts, dress up in costumes and, of course, have fun. Teen Assistants and Interns should be energetic and enjoy spending time with children. This program is designed for teens entering grades 9–12 in the Fall of 2026.

We have 3 different ZooCamp roles for high-school age youth, each with different responsibilities and requirements. Find the different job descriptions, applications and other information below.

All Teen Assistant applications must be submitted by April 1st at 5pm in order to be considered. Applicants that submit their application early may be prioritized.

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Summer ZooCamp is divided into 9 different 1-week sessions and different teen positions have different required time commitments. The sessions for summer 2026 are as follows:

June 1-5 | June 8-12 | June 15-19 | June 22-26 | July 6-10 | July 13-17 | July 20-24 | July 27-31 | August 3-7

*Note: Camp will not be held during the week of July 4th (June 29 - July 3)

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Info meetings to learn more about this program as well as our other summer teen opportunities will be held on both March 8 & 9 at 4:30pm over Microsoft Teams:

Topic: Teen Programs Info Meeting

Time: March 8 & 9, 2026 4:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Microsoft Teams (Need help?)

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID:276 795 065 500

Passcode:6aa65XN2

Additional Information

• Although we do our best to accommodate your preference for a specific age group, we cannot guarantee placement with any particular class. We also feel it is beneficial for TAs & Interns to experience a range of different age groups and teachers.
• The final number of TAs & Teacher Interns accepted is determined by the number of camp classes and enrollment. If you are not chosen, we recommend you try again next year and/or look into some of the other teen opportunities the Oakland Zoo has to offer.

Covid-19 Protocols

• Masks: We are no longer requiring masks at ZooCamp. Masking at the Zoo is always an option, especially as you may sometimes find yourself in indoor spaces where social distancing may not be possible. Masks may be required in some behind-the-scenes animal spaces.

ZooCamp Teen Assistant

Unpaid Volunteer Position — Hours volunteered count as community service hours

Overview

Teen Assistants are truly an integral part of the camp experience! This program is designed for teens entering grades 9–12 in the Fall of 2026.

Responsibilities

• Support ZooCamp Instructors in leading a group of no more than 20 campers
• Facilitate games and activities with campers
• Support Instructors and Teacher Interns in leading lessons
• Help ensure the well-being of campers and peers
• Act as a positive role model for campers
• Understand and follow all ZooCamp and Zoo safety protocols
• Attend check in meetings with Instructors 
• Attend weekly meetings with peers and Teen Program representatives
• Help with lunchtime set-up and activities with campers
• Assist with end of day tasks, including cleaning and materials gathering
• Create a kind, warm, fun environment for everyone and add your personality and voice to the ZooCamp community

Requirements

• No previous camp experience is needed, though it is always beneficial
• No prior childcare experience is needed, but applicants should enjoy being around children!
• Applicants should be responsible, eager to learn & good at following instruction
• Must volunteer for at least 3 sessions of camp, but the sessions do not need to be consecutive
• Shifts run Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm with a 45-minute lunch break and additional breaks during the day
• Must attend a training on Sunday, May 7, 2026 from 1-5pm

How to Apply

Complete the Teen Assistant Application by April 1st to be considered for the summer.

ZooCamp Teacher Intern

Paid Stipend Position — $400/week stipend, assuming full attendance — Hours volunteered count as community service hours

Overview

The ZooCamp Teacher Intern plays an integral part of the camp experience by supporting Instructors to create a kind, warm, and fun environment for all campers. The interns will spend their time helping to lead activities, learning leadership skills, and act as a peer mentor to the Teen Assistants. We are looking for teens (entering grades 11-12 in Fall 2026) who are energetic, responsible, creative, and interested in careers in education or childcare. In addition, the application requires ONE letter of recommendation to be uploaded in the application.

Responsibilities

• Support ZooCamp Instructors in leading a group of up to 20 campers 
• Act as a peer mentor for teen volunteers
• Lead group activities and assist with all-camp activities
• Teach conflict resolution skills to youth in K-5th grades, helping them to resolve their differences peacefully and effectively
• Participate in weekly staff meetings, including 1:1 meetings with Lead ZooCamp Instructors and Teen Program Staff
• Assist with ZooCamp prep, including end of day tasks such as cleaning, craft prep, and schedule planning with Instructors
• Help ensure the wellbeing of campers and peers 
• Understand and follow all ZooCamp and Zoo safety protocols
• Create a kind, warm, fun environment for everyone and add your personality and voice to the ZooCamp community
• Additional duties as assigned

Requirements

• Previous camp experience is required; the Oakland ZooCamp TA program is preferred, but any formalized camp counselor experience is acceptable
• Applicants should be confident, extremely responsible and comfortable leading youth younger than them as well as their peers
• Applicants must be flexible and able to adapt quickly to different tasks in order to help out where needed in a fast-paced environment
• Must sign up for at least three sessions of camp, but the sessions do not need to be consecutive (June 1 - August 7, no camp during July 4 week)
• Shifts run Monday-Friday, 8:15am-4:30pm
• Must attend ZooCamp Training Sunday 5/17 from 9am-5pm

How to Apply

Applications for the Teacher Internship will open from February 1 - April 1 and can be found here

ZooCamp Administrative Intern

Paid Stipend Position — $400/week stipend, assuming full attendance — Hours volunteered count as community service hours

Overview

The ZooCamp Administrative Interns provide back-of-house support for the ZooCamp program, and will spend the majority of their time helping ZooCamp Leadership prepare for the daily and weekly activities of camp and will be responsible for media and communication material and content. The Administrative Interns will gain valuable management experience, learning the behind the scenes skills to run an efficient and fun summer camp program. Additionally, the interns will be managing a substantial communications project that runs the length of camp.

We are looking for teens (entering grades 11-12 in Fall 2026) who are detail oriented, creative, and interested in pursuing careers in education. In addition, the application requires ONE letter of recommendation to be uploaded in the application.

Responsibilities

• Assist ZooCamp Directors with ‘back of house’ day-to-day camp activities (prepping for activities, organizing craft supplies, prepping camper name tags and shirts, setting up and taking down pick-up/drop-off stations)
• Assist with merchandise inventory and sales
• Assist camp teachers with group activities as needed
• Support ZooCamp Directors in the management of the lost and found inventory
• Create a kind, warm, fun environment for everyone and add your personality and voice to the ZooCamp community
• Additional duties as assigned

Requirements

• Previous camp experience is required; the Oakland ZooCamp TA program is preferred, but any formalized camp counselor experience is acceptable; Oakland Zoo Teen Wild Guide experience is acceptable if they have also volunteered for ZooCamp break camps
• Applicants should be focused, detail oriented and well-organized
• Applicants must be flexible and able to adapt quickly to different tasks in order to help out where needed in a fast-paced environment
• Must sign up for 3 consecutive sessions of camp 
  
  • June 1-19, 
  • June 22 - July 17 (no camp during July 4 week), 
  • July 20 - August 7
• Shifts run Monday-Friday, 8:15am-4:30pm
• Must attend ZooCamp Training Sunday 5/17 from 9am-5pm

How To Apply

Applications for the Administrative Internship are open from February 1 - April 1 and are found here.

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Contact Information

Still have questions? Please contact Teen Programs staff.

Email »