2021 ZooTeen! Application - First Year

The ZooTeen! Program is a year-round program with a summer focus on two tracks: Summer Camp Counselors and Conservation Specialists. ZooTeens! have the opportunity to earn community service hours for school, make friends, and have fun while helping educate guests about wildlife and conservation efforts, assisting with summer camp, and participating in various service projects.

The ZooTeen! Program is competitive and elite, so please be thorough in your responses. Not all applicants will be accepted into the program. Applications are due by Monday, March 15, 2021. No exceptions. After applications have been received, the Volunteer Department will contact you if you have been selected for an individual interview. You must be available for all dates and times. No exceptions.

This application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save and return to complete the application at another time. Please be prepared with all required information prior to beginning the application. If you have any questions, please email zooteen@jacksonvillezoo.org.

Please read the directions throughout carefully. Applications with missing or incomplete sections WILL NOT be considered for acceptance.

Applicants Must:

Submit this online application.
Submit one evaluation form from a school teacher/accredited individual - please see instructions below.
Be between the ages of 13 and 17 and have completed the 8th grade by June 3, 2021.
Be available for all interview and training dates.

If Selected, ZooTeens! Must:

Attend all mandatory training dates. No exceptions.
Pay non-refundable tuition fee of $150.00.
Complete all necessary paperwork.
Read the ZooTeen! Handbook and sign an acknowledgement form.
Adhere to behavioral standards set forth in the ZooTeen! Handbook.
Pass the ZooTeen! Training Final Exam with with a score of 80% or higher.
Commit to at least 100 hours of volunteer service between June 8, 2021 and August 7, 2021.
Commit to at least 4 hours of volunteer service each month between August 2021 and May 2022.
Have access to reliable transportation and the ability to arrive on time and be picked up on time.

Important Dates

All dates listed below are mandatory. One parent or guardian is required to attend the Parent Orientation with you. You will be required to makeup the exam if you do not pass the exam.

Applications Due - Monday, March 15, 11:59PM

Teacher Evaluations Due - Friday, March 19, 11:59PM

Individual Interviews
Pick one

Saturday, April 10
10:00AM - 4:00PM

Saturday, April 17
10:00AM - 4:00PM

*Make-up*
Saturday, April 24
10:00AM - 4:00PM

Individual interviews are approximately 20 minutes long. If selected, you will be given a choice between several time slots.

Parent Orientation
Pick one

Saturday, May 15
9:00AM - 12:00PM
OR
1:00PM - 4:00PM

*Make-up*
Saturday, May 22
9:00AM - 12:00PM
OR
1:00PM - 4:00PM

Kick-Off Picnic - Saturday, June 5, 11:00AM - 1:00PM

Training Dates
Pick one time slot each day
*Each day will be a new day of training*

Tuesday, June 8 - Saturday, June 12
8:00AM - 12:00PM
OR
1:00PM - 5:00PM

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* 1. First Name

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* 2. Last Name

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* 3. Nickname

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* 4. Phone Number

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* 5. Address

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* 6. City, State, and Zip Code

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* 7. Personal Email Address

Please note that all email correspondence must be between the ZooTeen! and the Volunteer Department. You must check your email regularly as this is our primary form of communication.

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* 8. Date of Birth (ie: 01/01/1999)

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* 9. Current Age

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* 10. School

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* 11. Current Grade in School

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* 12. Parent/Guardian Name

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* 13. Parent/Guardian Email

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* 14. Parent/Guardian Phone Number

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* 15. Have you attended any of our educational programs? Such as Zoo Camp, Home School, etc.

Yes

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* 16. If yes, which one(s)?

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* 17. How did you hear about this the ZooTeen! Program?

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* 18. Have you applied to ZooTeens! before?

Yes

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* 19. If yes, when?

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* 20. All ZooTeens! will be cross trained as both Conservation Specialists and Summer Camp Counselors, but which area do you prefer to be your specialization?

Conservation Specialist

Summer Camp Counselor

No Preference

Conservation Specialist

Summer Camp Counselor

No Preference

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* 21. Are you able to commit to volunteering a minimum of 100 hours between June 8, 2021 and August 7, 2021?

Yes

Not Sure

Yes

Not Sure

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* 22. If no, or if you're not sure, please explain.

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* 23. Are you able to commit to volunteering a minimum of 4 hours each month between August 2021 and May 2022?

Yes

Not Sure

Yes

Not Sure

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* 24. If no, or if you're not sure, please explain.

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* 25. These are the available shift times for each specialization. All Conservation Specialist shifts are available Tuesday through Saturday, while all Summer Camp Counselor shifts are available Monday through Friday. Please select if you are available or unavailable during these shift times.

	Available	Unavailable
Conservation Specialist - 9:00AM - 12:00PM	Conservation Specialist - 9:00AM - 12:00PM Available	Conservation Specialist - 9:00AM - 12:00PM Unavailable
Conservation Specialist - 1:00PM - 4:00PM	Conservation Specialist - 1:00PM - 4:00PM Available	Conservation Specialist - 1:00PM - 4:00PM Unavailable
Summer Camp Counselor - 8:30AM - 4:30PM	Summer Camp Counselor - 8:30AM - 4:30PM Available	Summer Camp Counselor - 8:30AM - 4:30PM Unavailable

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* 26. ZooTeens! that would like to specialize as a Summer Camp Counselor must commit to one full week of summer camp at a time, Monday through Friday. Are you able to make that commitment?

Yes

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* 27. In a short paragraph, please explain why you want to become a ZooTeen!

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* 28. In a short paragraph, please explain one conservation message you are passionate about or want to learn more about.

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* 29. In a short paragraph, please explain what you think is the most interesting and unique thing about you.

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* 30. What activities or hobbies are you involved in outside of school?

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* 31. What activities or clubs are you involved in at school?

Essay Questions

Please answer these questions to the best of your ability. You may either type your responses into the text boxes provided, or you may upload saved documents.

If uploading saved documents, type "Please see attached document" in the text box.

Each question has a 200 minimum word count. For an accurate word count, please copy and paste from a Word document or you may upload a saved file below. Responses with LESS THAN the minimum word count will not be considered for acceptance.

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* 32. Zoos and aquariums are important for many reasons, including education about wildlife and the survival of some species. In your own words, discuss the role of zoos and aquariums in the preservation and conservation of many species, both in their facilities and abroad.

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* 33. If you wish to upload a saved file to answer Question 32, please do so here.

PDF, DOCX, DOC file types only.

Choose File

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* 34. How would you take a difficult subject matter - such as poaching, deforestation, or climate change - and communicate it in a kid-friendly way?

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* 35. If you wish to upload a saved file to answer Question 34, please do so here.

PDF, DOCX, DOC file types only.

Choose File

Teacher Evaluation

One teacher evaluation is required for a completed application. We highly recommend these teachers be in the science field, however, that is not a requirement. Teachers cannot be related to applicants. If you are home schooled, you may have a coach, community leader, work supervisor, etc. fill out the form.

Applicants must email the link below to the teacher/individual they want to complete the evaluation. Once the individual receives the link, they must follow the instructions listed to get the password for the evaluation. Passwords will only be handed out to individuals completing the evaluation.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NZ6G7N2

It is the applicants' responsibility to ensure the teacher/individual is completing the form in a timely manner.

All evaluations must be submitted by Friday, March 19, 2021. No exceptions. Applications without a completed evaluation form will not be considered for acceptance.

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* 36. The name of the individual who will be completing your Teacher Evaluation:

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* 37. Signature of Acknowledgement

I agree to adhere to the requirements of the 2021 ZooTeen! Program. I will be available for all listed interview and training dates. I will maintain communication with the Volunteer Department by checking my email and responding in a timely manner. I agree to meet the minimum hour requirements.

By typing your full name below, you are acknowledging that you have read and understand the information included in this application:

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* 1. First Name

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* 2. Last Name

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* 3. Nickname

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* 4. Phone Number

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* 5. Address

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* 6. City, State, and Zip Code

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* 7. Personal Email AddressPlease note that all email correspondence must be between the ZooTeen! and the Volunteer Department. You must check your email regularly as this is our primary form of communication.

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* 8. Date of Birth (ie: 01/01/1999)

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* 9. Current Age

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* 10. School

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* 11. Current Grade in School

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* 12. Parent/Guardian Name

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* 13. Parent/Guardian Email

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* 14. Parent/Guardian Phone Number

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* 15. Have you attended any of our educational programs? Such as Zoo Camp, Home School, etc.

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* 16. If yes, which one(s)?

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* 17. How did you hear about this the ZooTeen! Program?

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* 18. Have you applied to ZooTeens! before?

Question Title

* 19. If yes, when?

Question Title

* 20. All ZooTeens! will be cross trained as both Conservation Specialists and Summer Camp Counselors, but which area do you prefer to be your specialization?

Question Title

* 21. Are you able to commit to volunteering a minimum of 100 hours between June 8, 2021 and August 7, 2021?

Question Title

* 22. If no, or if you're not sure, please explain.

Question Title

* 23. Are you able to commit to volunteering a minimum of 4 hours each month between August 2021 and May 2022?

Question Title

* 24. If no, or if you're not sure, please explain.

Question Title

* 25. These are the available shift times for each specialization. All Conservation Specialist shifts are available Tuesday through Saturday, while all Summer Camp Counselor shifts are available Monday through Friday. Please select if you are available or unavailable during these shift times.

Question Title

* 26. ZooTeens! that would like to specialize as a Summer Camp Counselor must commit to one full week of summer camp at a time, Monday through Friday. Are you able to make that commitment?

Question Title

* 27. In a short paragraph, please explain why you want to become a ZooTeen!

Question Title

* 28. In a short paragraph, please explain one conservation message you are passionate about or want to learn more about.

Question Title

* 29. In a short paragraph, please explain what you think is the most interesting and unique thing about you.

Question Title

* 30. What activities or hobbies are you involved in outside of school?

Question Title

* 31. What activities or clubs are you involved in at school?

Question Title

* 32. Zoos and aquariums are important for many reasons, including education about wildlife and the survival of some species. In your own words, discuss the role of zoos and aquariums in the preservation and conservation of many species, both in their facilities and abroad.

Question Title

* 33. If you wish to upload a saved file to answer Question 32, please do so here.

Question Title

* 34. How would you take a difficult subject matter - such as poaching, deforestation, or climate change - and communicate it in a kid-friendly way?

Question Title

* 35. If you wish to upload a saved file to answer Question 34, please do so here.

Question Title

* 36. The name of the individual who will be completing your Teacher Evaluation:

Question Title

* 7. Personal Email Address

Please note that all email correspondence must be between the ZooTeen! and the Volunteer Department. You must check your email regularly as this is our primary form of communication.