Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s highly competitive Summer Teen Program application period opens on Sat., Feb. 1. The three-month program takes a unique approach to fostering nature stewardship and inspiring young people to take part in protecting the wild world. Soon, it will welcome new and returning participants for summer 2025.
Applications for the program for sixth through 12th graders open Sat., Feb. 1 at cmzoo.org/teenprograms. Applications will only be accepted for 10 days, so nature-loving teenagers should start considering the program now.
After orientation on May 17 and 18, the program runs from May 27 to Aug. 8, 2025. Summer Teen Program participants work alongside CMZoo staff to interact with animals, guests, keepers and each other. Lynn Joseph has been in the Teen Program since summer 2021, and in 2025 she intends to return as a Junior Zoo Keeper and a Teen Leader. She is also a member of the Zoo’s Youth Leadership Action Board, which serves the Teen Program similarly to how a student council would serve a school.
“I’ve been able to grow and learn social skills, gain confidence in public speaking and become a stronger leader,” Lynn says. “The Teen Program is an amazing space to be myself, learn how I operate and make mistakes. I’ve learned how to teach, how to be taught and how to connect with people. I’ve made really valuable friendships in this program, and nothing makes me happier.”
In addition to gaining valuable experience working at CMZoo, teen participants learn to be nature’s best stewards with life-changing experiences off Zoo grounds, in Colorado’s wild spaces. Teens can expect educational, inspirational experiences and mentorship that offer a platform to unearth their passions and discover more about their strengths. Teens are mentored by staff and peers as they learn to be leaders and advocates for wildlife and wild places.
“Ultimately, we hope these experiences connect the hands, the heart and the mind to the natural world, so these teens will defend and advocate for the wild places and wild animals of our world,” Austin Kennedy, CMZoo Extended Education Supervisor in the EdVenture department, says. “We focus on leadership training, animal husbandry, interpretation and public speaking, empowerment, life skills and so much more.”
EdVenture staff recommends purchasing an application as soon as possible when they open so teens have ample time to read through, draft, and submit applications. There is an application fee of $25 per applicant. Once that has been paid, a link will be automatically sent to the email used to submit during purchase. The applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. MST on Mon., Feb. 10, 2025. No late applications will be accepted.
After the application period, EdVenture staff conducts interviews with selected candidates. Around 100 applicants are accepted to the summer program. CMZoo’s Summer Teen Program is a tuition-based experience, and scholarships are available. Email [email protected] with any questions.