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Oakland Zoo Teen Programs: ZooCamp Teen Assistants (T.A.)
Overview
A summer leadership and zoo education program offering three positions—Teen Assistant (unpaid volunteer), Teacher Intern (paid), and Administrative Intern (paid)—for high school students. Participants work Monday–Friday during nine one-week sessions from June through early August, supporting youth camp activities and gaining experience in animal education and youth leadership.
At a glance
Deadline
Apr 1140 days
Sessions
Jun–Aug1 wk sessions
Formats
Commuter
Location
Oakland, CA
Cost
Freefrom $0
Entering grades
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Acceptance
Application-based; final number of positions determined by camp enrollment and number of classes
Application requirements
Grades
Grades 9–12 for Teen Assistant; Grades 11–12 for Teacher Intern and Administrative Intern
Teen Assistant Requirements
No previous camp experience required; must be responsible, eager to learn, good at following instructions; must enjoy being around children
Teacher Intern Requirements
Previous camp experience required (Oakland ZooCamp TA preferred or other formalized camp counselor experience); must be confident, extremely responsible, comfortable leading youth; flexible and adaptable; one letter of recommendation required
Administrative Intern Requirements
Previous camp experience required (Oakland ZooCamp TA preferred; Oakland Zoo Teen Wild Guide experience acceptable if combined with ZooCamp break camp volunteering); must be detail-oriented, focused, well-organized, flexible; one letter of recommendation required
Training
Mandatory training Sunday, May 17, 2026 (TA: 1–5 p.m.; Interns: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Time Commitment
Minimum 3 sessions, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (TA) or 8:15 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Interns); sessions do not need to be consecutive for TA and Teacher Intern; must be consecutive for Administrative Intern
Cost & sessions
Teen Assistant position is unpaid volunteer; Teacher Intern and Administrative Intern positions offer $400/week stipend. Minimum 3 sessions required (non-consecutive for TA and Teacher Intern; consecutive for Administrative Intern).
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