About Our Teen Volunteer Programs

Investigate Zoo life with our many teen programs.  We offer seasonal as well as year-long programs including our popular Conservation Discovery Corps and our Explorer Post.  Our programs will inspire and motivate teens looking for hands-on Zoo life experience.
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Explorers
Investigate Zoo Careers from animal care to development and marketing, from visitor services and maintenance to Zoo director. Teens, 14 – 18 interested in learning more about Zoos and Zoo careers are welcome to join Zoo Career Explorers.  Explorer members attend career workshops with hands-on activities, take part in job shadows, develop a public presentation and create a year-end project. This program is a hybrid of on-line and in person fun and learning. Program fee of $120 covers all project materials, t-shirt and other costs.  Please click here to read more about the program before applying. Registration closes on March 31st of each calendar year. 

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 accepted through January 22nd each calendar year – Training starts in April. Please click here to read more about the program.

The CDC & Explorers programs are made possible by our generous Education Programming sponsors:
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Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, Inc.
Environmental Professionals’ Organization of Connecticut
First Niagara Bank
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
Newman’s Own Foundation
People’s United Community Foundation
PSEG Foundation