Zoo or aquarium volunteering
Houston Zoo First Year Zoo Crew Explorers
Houston Zoo First Year Zoo Crew Explorers is a volunteer program run by Houston Zoo in Houston, TX. Open to: ages 13 to 17.
- Who can join
- Ages 13 to 17
- minimum age posted
- Status
- Not stated
- Season
- Summer
- Cost
- $325 for summer
About the program
Zoo Crew is the Houston Zoo's teen volunteer program. First-year members join a four-week summer session and can continue year-round.
Teens learn about conservation careers, mentor younger campers as Camp Mentors, and engage zoo guests as naturalists.
Key facts
- Run by
- Houston Zoo
- Where
- Houston, TX
- Who can join
- Ages 13 to 17Teens ages 13-17 participating in Zoo Crew for the first time; must be 13 by June 1 and cannot turn 18 before their session ends.
- Commitment
- Four-week session, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (2026 sessions ran June 1 - August 7)
- Applications
- Applications for Summer 2026 are closed; applicants notified by April 28 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Cost
- $325 for summer; additional $275 for year-round
Making the most of it on a college application
- Stay long enough to take on more responsibility, such as a second year or training new volunteers.
- Keep a log of hours and a few specific moments. They become the activities list entry and, often, an essay.
- Pair it with something that shows the same interest from another side, such as a class, a competition, or a summer program.
Email me the First Year Zoo Crew Explorers details
A link to this page, with the age rule and application window, plus similar programs.
More in Houston
- Moody Gardens Society for the Advancement of Volunteer Youth (SAVY)
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- Who can join
- Ages 13 to 17
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Armand Bayou Nature Center Teen Volunteers
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- Harris County Public Library Book Buddies (Big Buddy volunteer)
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| Opportunity | Where | Who can join | Commitment | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moody Gardens Society for the Advancement of Volunteer Youth (SAVY)Volunteering · Zoo or aquarium | Galveston, TX | Ages 13 to 17 | Not posted | Not posted |
| Armand Bayou Nature Center Teen VolunteersVolunteering · Parks and environment | Pasadena, TX | Ages 14 to 17 | Not posted | Not posted |
| BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions (City of Houston) Volunteer Program (ages 13+)Volunteering · Animal shelter or rescue | Houston, TX | 13 and up | No minimum hours; volunteers become inactive without at least one shift every three months | Year-round |
| Children's Museum Houston Discovery SquadVolunteering · Museum or science center | Houston, TX | Ages 14 to 17 | Minimum 75 volunteer hours, during the summer or across the school year | Applications for 2026-2027 are closed; 2027-2028 applications open April 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Fort Bend County Libraries Youth Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteering · Library | TX | 12 and up | Not posted | Year-round |
| Harris County Public Library Book Buddies (Big Buddy volunteer)Volunteering · Library | Houston, TX | Not posted | 10 weeks, once a week for 45 minutes in the afternoon | Not posted |
Pre-Vet and Animal Science opportunitiesBiology and Environmental Science opportunitiesEvery opportunity
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to join Houston Zoo First Year Zoo Crew Explorers?
Ages 13 to 17. Teens ages 13-17 participating in Zoo Crew for the first time; must be 13 by June 1 and cannot turn 18 before their session ends.
How many hours does Houston Zoo First Year Zoo Crew Explorers require?
Four-week session, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (2026 sessions ran June 1 - August 7)
When does Houston Zoo First Year Zoo Crew Explorers take applications?
Applications for Summer 2026 are closed; applicants notified by April 28 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Sources and method
Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Houston Zoo First Year Zoo Crew Explorers”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/houston-zoo-first-year-zoo-crew-explorers.
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