Zoo Crew
Zoo Crew is a group of dedicated youth volunteers, grades 7-12, who support the Zoo’s mission to enrich lives through firsthand interaction with living things. Students will increase their knowledge of the natural world, develop a sense of environmental stewardship, and increase their job readiness and communication skills.
Zoo Crew volunteers will:
- Learn from animal care and education professionals
- Perform beginner’s animal husbandry
- Engage with zoo guests and summer campers
- Develop life and job skills
2026 Zoo Crew Sessions!
Zoo Crew volunteers will choose from two pathways within the program: the animal care track, or the education track.
Applications will open:
Tuesday, December 9th at 10 A.M.
Applications will close:
At 5:00pm on Friday, February 13, 2026.
Acceptance emails will be sent by Friday, March 13. Previous participation in Zoo Crew does not guarantee a returning spot in the 2026 season.
Animal Care Track
Animal care volunteers will work with our keeper staff to learn basic animal husbandry and the skills necessary to work in the zookeeping industry.
Education Track
Education volunteers will work with our summer camp program, learning about environmental education from our staff and working directly with campers.
The 2026 Program!
In previous years, Zoo Crew was run on an open registration basis. Last year, we implemented an application system in which candidates for the program must apply for a position and will be accepted based on the strength of their application. This model will continue in 2026. Previous participation in Zoo Crew does not guarantee a returning spot in the 2026 season. Applications will be accepted until 5:00pm on Friday, February 13, 2026.
Zoo Crew volunteers will choose from two pathways within the program: the animal care track, or the education track. Animal care volunteers will work with our keeper staff to learn basic animal husbandry and the skills necessary to work in the zookeeping industry. Education volunteers will work with our summer camp program, learning about environmental education from our staff and working directly with campers. (All Zoo Crew in both tracks will help with camp check-in on weekday mornings throughout the summer.)
For our volunteers on the animal care pathway, there are volunteer “levels” based on age and experience. This ensures developmentally appropriate tasks for each age group and allows Zoo Crew members who have dedicated multiple summers to the zoo to earn more hands-on training with our animal care team. While all levels will attend life skills and job readiness training classes with the Zoo Crew manager, the different levels of Zoo Crew are described below.
Level One: "Zoo Crew Explorer" - 7th and 8th grade, or first year in Zoo Crew
Designed for students new to the world of volunteering who are interested in learning more about animals and what it is like to work at a zoo. Zoo Crew Explorers will broaden their knowledge of zoo operations through daily chores, gain training in beginner's animal husbandry with ambassador species at our two animal Outposts and assist the Education department with guest engagement and interpretation.
Level Two: "Junior Zoo Ambassador" - 9th and 10th grade AND second to third year in Zoo Crew
Designed to challenge students beginning high school who find themselves interested in environmental and life sciences. Junior Ambassadors will enhance their knowledge of animal husbandry by graduating to stations such as The Hive, as well as an interpretative station at the Giraffe Deck. Junior Ambassadors will begin to explore what it is like to be a zookeeper by completing chores in the keeper kitchen.
Level Three: "Zoo Ambassador" - 11th and 12th grade AND third year or more in Zoo Crew
Designed for students who are familiar with volunteering and are dedicated to the zoo's mission. Ambassadors will have the opportunity to showcase what they have learned in the program by shadowing a keeper for the day and assisting with daily animal husbandry and care tasks. Ambassadors must understand that much of their day will involve cleaning up after animals, and that this level is for those who have determined this is clearly the career path they want to pursue.
Junior Counselors – any grade, any year of Zoo Crew
Designed for students with a passion for conservation education and guest engagement. Junior Counselors will assist instructors with our summer camp program, working directly with children ages five to eight years old as they explore the zoo and learn more about environmental and life sciences. These Zoo Crew will not work weekend shifts but will choose ONE weekday to work each week through the ten weeks of summer while camp is in session.
Zoo Crew Dates & Cost
Session Dates
Session 1: April 18 - June 26 • Training date: April 1, 1-4pm
Session 2: June 27 - August 30 • Training date: June 21, 1-4pm
*** Because Junior Counselors do not work weekends when camp is not in session, they will work both Session 1 and Session 2 for the duration of camp (May 26 – July 31) • Training dates: May 9, 9am-4pm and May 16, 9am-12pm
Volunteers will initially choose ONE session to apply for and will work ONE weekday per session. On your application, you will indicate interest in Session 1, Session 2, or both. If you select both, you may be assigned to one or the other based upon demand and availability. It is also possible that you could be accepted to work both sessions consecutively, depending on quality of application and availability. Please keep in mind that job training and life skills class curriculum is the same in both sessions.
Cost
$250 per session
Fees cover orientation, T-shirt, name tag, daily supervision by keepers and Zoo Crew manager, and program supplies and materials. Benefits include a 10% discount in the cafe and gift shop as well as exclusive Zoo Crew social activities throughout the season!
Zoo Crew Hours
- Each Zoo Crew member will sign up for ONE weekday to work and will work only that day of the week throughout the session.
- Weekday shifts will only be worked during LPS summer break.
- In addition to your chosen day of the week, you will also be assigned a Wild Wednesday night as well as weekend and Boo at the Zoo shifts.
- Each weekday is limited to 26 Zoo Crew – five Junior Counselors, nine Level Ones, nine Level Twos, and three Level Threes. Junior Counselors will not work on the weekends.
- Each animal care volunteer will be partnered with a similarly-aged peer every day for their station rotations throughout the zoo.
Weekday Work Hours (LPS Summer Break)
*7:45am – 4:45pm, with a half-hour lunch break and a fifteen-minute afternoon break.
Wild Wednesday nights in June, July, and August: 4:45-8pm
*Zoo Crew will only work their weekday shifts over LPS summer break!
Weekday Assigned Days
Session One
Monday Crew – May 25, June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22
Tuesday Crew – May 26, June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23
Wednesday Crew – May 27, June 3, June 10, June 17, June 24
Thursday Crew – May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25
Friday Crew – May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26
Session Two
Monday Crew – June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27
Tuesday Crew – June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28
Wednesday Crew – July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29
Thursday Crew – July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30
Friday Crew – July 3, July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31
Weekend Work Hours
9:30am – 4:45pm, with a half-hour lunch break and a fifteen-minute afternoon break.
Other Assigned Days
In addition to your chosen weekday, Zoo Crew will also work the following assigned weekend, Wild Wednesday, and Boo at the Zoo shifts:
Weekend Assigned Days
Session One
Monday Crew – April 18, May 3, May 23, June 7
Tuesday Crew – April 19, May 9, May 24, June 13
Wednesday Crew – April 25, May 10, May 30, June 14
Thursday Crew – April 26, May 16, May 31, June 20
Friday Crew – May 2, May 17, June 6, June 21
Session Two
Mondays – June 27, July 12, August 1, August 16
Tuesdays – June 28, July 18, August 2, August 22
Wednesdays – July 4, July 19, August 8, August 23
Thursdays – July 5, July 25, August 9, August 29
Fridays – July 11, July 26, August 15, August 30
Wild Wednesdays
Session One
Monday Zoo Crew will work the evening of June 3
Tuesday Zoo Crew will work the evening of June 10
Wednesday Zoo Crew will work the evening of July 1
Thursday Zoo Crew will work the evening of June 17
Friday Zoo Crew will work the evening of June 24
Session Two
Monday Zoo Crew will work the evenings of July 8 and August 5
Tuesday Zoo Crew will work the evenings of July 15 and August 19
Wednesday Zoo Crew will work the evening of August 12
Thursday Zoo Crew will work the evenings of July 22 and August 26
Friday Zoo Crew will work the evening of July 2
Boo at the Zoo
Each weekday crew will be assigned one night of Boo at the Zoo. These assignments will be determined at a later date.
Zoo Crew Social Events
Pool Party • TBD
Movie Night • October 9, 6:00-8:30pm.
Questions?
Contact the Education Team by emailing jchestnut@lincolnzoo.org or calling 402.475.6741 ext. 137
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my Zoo Crew can’t attend one of their scheduled dates?
When registering, you should choose a day of the week with the least number of conflicts for your Zoo Crew. If a participant can’t make a scheduled shift, they should alert the Education team with at least 24 hours' notice. We understand this isn’t always possible in the event of illness, but please try to report all pre-planned absences in advance by emailing jchestnut@lincolnzoo.org or calling 402-475-6741 ext. 137
Can my Zoo Crew pick up additional dates or find a sub?
Due to the limited number of spots available every day, we are not able to accommodate additional Zoo Crew or subs unless requested by the Education team. This is to help keep Zoo Crew running smoothly and not overwhelm the zoo’s animal care team.
What kind of classes will Zoo Crew attend during their session?
Classes will be led by the Zoo Crew manager and will educate students on topics such as job skills, career readiness, college options, public speaking, animal research, and more!
What is the age requirement to register for Zoo Crew?
Zoo Crew is for students who will be entering 7th grade through 12th grade in the fall.
What does the acceptance process look like?
Applications close at 5:00pm on Friday, February 13, 2026. Acceptance emails will be sent by Friday, March 13. Previous participation in Zoo Crew does not guarantee a returning spot in the 2026 season.
Other questions?
Contact the Education team by emailing jchestnut@lincolnzoo.org or call 402.475.6741 ext. 137
