Youth Conservation Leadership Conference (6th-12th Grades)

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs, CO
July 25 – 27, 2025

Friday & Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Optional evening program, Thursday, July 24, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

CMZoo’s Youth Leadership Action Board invites you to the 7th Annual Youth Conservation Leadership Conference, right here on the mountainside. This conference is hosted by your teenage peers as a common ground conference to work towards worldwide conservation education efforts.

Workshop Schedule

Thursday, July 24 – Optional Evening Mixer & Program
Friday, July 25 – Full day of workshops
Saturday, July 26 – Full day of workshops
Sunday, July 27 – Half-day of workshops

Conference Registration

- Registration is required and sells out quickly.
- Program capacity - 30 teens
- Chaperones can purchase timed admission tickets online if they chose to visit the Zoo on their own.
- 2025 Early Bird Registration is open now through February 28.
- Regular pricing begins March 1, through July 1.

Please Select A Valid Option

Please Read and Agree

I understand that by purchasing a CMZoo membership, advance ticket reservations are required to visit the Zoo for Individual, Family, Grandparent and Family Plus members, and my preferred ticket date or time may not always be available. I also understand that memberships are non-refundable after purchase.

If free member tickets for my chosen day/time are not available, and I choose to purchase non-member tickets, they will not be refundable/reimbursable and cannot be applied to my membership renewal.

I also understand that the Zoo cannot accommodate an earlier entry time than my ticket start time. (For example, a 10:30-11 a.m. ticket cannot be scanned in earlier than 10:30 a.m.)

Please be courteous to your fellow members by not over-reserving tickets and returning tickets you can’t use. To release your tickets, email [email protected] prior to your ticketed date.

MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT

We believe we can create a feeling of family by treating each employee, guest, member and donor with the respect they deserve. Treating each other like we would want to be treated is just the right thing to do. There is no room at the Zoo for profanity, harassment or threatening behavior.

Our animals are family and we love and respect them not only for their beauty, but for all the joy they bring so many guests every year. We believe our animals deserve the best homes and care we can provide. Please join us in treating our animals like you would treat your own family members. Crossing barriers is dangerous, as they are in place to keep both you and our animals safe. Like your friends and family, our animals do not like to be harassed in any way.

We believe we should never take our site’s beauty for granted. Our mountain is something we hope you will enjoy and actively admire. Join us in preserving our amazing site by feeling at home while you are here and leaving our grounds “without a trace.”

Our staff strives to make the world a better place every day. We will always work hard to make your experience the best it can be as well as assist you when things might not go as planned. When having difficult discussions, mutual respect is always expected and appreciated.

“If you are unable to comply with this Code of Conduct, we reserve the right to revoke your membership and/or ask you to leave the Zoo. Thank you for understanding.

I agree to the information above.

Continue

Registration may include:

– All sessions/speakers
– Animal Behind-the-Scenes experiences
– Animal meet and greets
– Gift bag, reusable cups & conference t-shirt
– Lunches

*Transportation and lodging are not provided.
Note: Chaperones can purchase timed admission tickets online if they chose to visit the Zoo.

Eligibility Requirements

Any middle and high school students from around the world!

Conference Highlights

Hear from speakers about conservation, networking, animal training and practice and so much more.
Work with your peers to approach conservation with a more critical eye.
Become an active steward of the environment by learning how to work with animals, people and peers.
Gain leadership, interpretation and public speaking skills.
Strengthen your connection to the wild world and the animals that call it home.

Download the 2025 YCLC Conference Flyer

Optional evening Starlight Safari Tour – Wednesday, July 24

We will provide dinner, animal meet and greets, a private tour, and giraffe feeding. Families welcome to join their teens this evening. Program runs Wednesday, July 24, 2025, from 5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Families are welcome to pay to join their teens this evening. Starlight Safari Tour Price: $45 per person. More information and a sign-up link for this optional evening program will be included in your registration acknowledgement email.