Investigate Zoo careers with our many teen programs. We offer seasonal as well as year long programs
including internships, our popular Conservation Discovery Corps and our Explorer Post. Our programs will inspire and motivate teens looking for hands-on Zoo life experience.

Zoo 4-H Club:
This is a coed club for youth between the ages of 7 and 18 who are interested in learning more about the animals at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. Meetings are held in the mornings at the Zoo on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from September to the end of June. The first meeting is a business meeting run by
Club members with the guidance of the Club Leaders. Future activities such as public speaking, Zoo events, Club trips and animal facts are discussed and planned. The second meeting takes place in the Zoo's New England Farmyard. This is a working meeting where the members work alongside Animal Care staff cleaning and maintaining the Farmyard animals. Due to the age of the members, their activities are centered around the Farmyard. All new members must be signed up by the end of May. Call (203) 332-4249 Sunday -
Thursday for more information.

Explorers:
Investigate Zoo careers from animal care to development and marketing, to visitor services and maintenance to Zoo director. Teens interested in learning more about Zoos and Zoo careers are welcome to join our Explorer Post. Explorers, a coed division of Boy Scouts, are young men and women 14-21 years old that are exploring career options. Zoo Explorer Post members attend career workshops with hands-on activities. Explorers also take part in job shadows, develop a public presentaiton and create a year-end project.
* For young men and women 14 years of age through Grade 12
* Learn about Animal Care, Horticulture, Research and Conservation, Education, Visitor Services and More!
* Meetings are once a month from January – December
* $85 includes membership in CT Yankee Council

Conservation Discovery Corps:
Get involved with local conservation education and field work. Qualified high school students will have the opportunity to work side by side with field biologists, study the role of zoos in conservation and help educate the zoo’s visitors. This is a year long program with the opportunity for greatest involvement during the summer months. Applications are due in January with classes starting in February. 
CDC application

Internships:
Find out what it takes to be a Zookeeper and more. Internships are available for active students entering or in college. This volunteer opportunity requires a high level of commitment for an experience of a life time. Summer internships are fairly competitive; additional opportunities are available in the fall and spring. Internships are available in Animal Care, Education, Horticulture, Veterinary Care and Entomology Research.