As you move amongst Zoo Boise’s penguins, lions, and giraffes, keep your eyes out for the zoo’s newest summer residents: the ZooTeens.
The annual summer volunteer program offers teens aged 13-17 the chance to further their interests in zoology, conservation, and the environment while helping out in the community.
Zoo Boise Director of Education Tierney Ball knows the impact of the program firsthand. Not only does her team lead the program now, Ball was once a ZooTeen herself.
“I found out about the teen program from a friend and was quickly hooked,” she said. “I spent my final three high school summers as a ZooTeen and then transitioned to adult volunteering. I was fortunate to land internships both with the Animal Care department and with the Development team. While I enjoyed my work with both teams, I found I really enjoyed education and have built my career within that team.”
Clad in sky-blue shirts, ZooTeens offer their assistance to patrons throughout Zoo Boise.
“They host our Butterfly in Bloom exhibit, educate with artifact carts, raise money for the teen program through face painting, greet guests as they enter the zoo, and raise money for conservation projects,” Ball said. “This year, they are fundraising for African hornbills. Throughout the summer, ZooTeens are given opportunities to engage with staff to further their own learnings and gain skills they can transfer to any future careers – like time management, peer-to-peer relationship building, and public speaking experience.”
The program is incredibly popular, with a competitive selection process that starts in December each year. Come February, applicants participate in an open house, a group interview, and a team-building activity. Education team members then make their final selections. Orientation and practice days occur in spring, with the first day of official volunteering on June 1.
“For me, I made so many lasting memories and friendships in the program,” Ball said.
She offered a testimonial from a graduating participant that said, “I really appreciate all the attention that goes into each ZooTeen. I’m going off to college next year and I feel like my experience with the program equipped me with skills I can use later.”
One five-year program participant said, “This program meant the world to me as it watched me grow up and guided me through my teen years.”
Ball and her team mentor the teens in job skills, while also covering animal biology, wildlife habitats, ecology, and wildlife conservation.
“What I most enjoy, being on this side of the program, is watching the growth the participants experience throughout their time,” Ball said. “We had one ZooTeen who was incredibly shy when they first started. A few years later, they were helping lead an orientation day and stood up in front of the entire group, about 70 individuals, and shared their story about how the program helped them overcome their fears. That was such a win!”
While Zoo Boise benefits from the volunteers’ help with zoo programming, the program’s impact on the teen themselves is the main focus.
“This program is incredibly important because it gives a space for teens of all backgrounds, interest levels, and experiences to gather, learn, and share what they are passionate about,” Ball said. “We have teens who want to be zookeepers, veterinarians, published authors, chefs, athletes, or even aren't sure yet, which is incredibly fair! Everyone can find a place here.”
If you’re interested in the program, other volunteer opportunities, or just checking out Zoo Boise, visit zooboise.org.