Bay Area

Zoo and Aquarium Volunteer Programs for Teens in the Bay Area

11 zoo and aquarium volunteer programs across San Francisco, the Peninsula, the South Bay, and the East Bay. 9 are not listed as paused or waitlisted; application availability varies. 5 list a minimum age under 16, excluding paused and waitlisted programs.

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Opportunities: 11
Not paused or waitlisted: 9; application availability varies
Minimum age under 16: 5; excludes paused and waitlisted
Summer only: 6; others run longer or do not say

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo ZooTeen
Volunteering · San Jose, CA
Who can join
Ages 14 to 17
When to apply
Applications accepted year-round; files reviewed mid-summer. 2027 season applicants contacted end of summer 2027. (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Monterey Bay Aquarium Teen Conservation Leaders
Volunteering · Monterey, CA
Who can join
14 and up
When to apply
Applications closed for 2026; interviews were in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Oakland Zoo Teen Summer Internships
Internship · Oakland, CA
Who can join
Grades 11 to 12
When to apply
Applications closed for Summer 2026; info meetings were held in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Oakland Zoo Teen Wild Guides
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
Who can join
13 and up
When to apply
Application open year-round; Fall 2026 applications were due September 1 (past window; confirm next cycle)
Oakland Zoo ZooCamp Teen Assistants and Interns
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
Who can join
Grades 9 to 12
When to apply
Summer 2026 applications were open February 1 to April 1; check back for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens ARC Junior Zoologist
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Ages 15 to 17
When to apply
Not posted
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens ARC Nature Trail Volunteer
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Ages 12 to 14
When to apply
Applications for 2027 open in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Leadership Fellows
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Grades 10 to 12
When to apply
Summer
The Marine Mammal Center Youth Crew
Volunteering · Sausalito, CA
Who can join
Not posted
When to apply
Online application is available for two months (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Aquarium of the Bay Education Summer Docent VolunteerPaused
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
16 and up
When to apply
Check back December 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Aquarium of the Bay Teen Volunteers (SEA Team)Paused
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Ages 14 to 15
When to apply
Check back December 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)

Opportunity	Where	Who can join	Commitment	When to apply
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo ZooTeenVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	San Jose, CA	Ages 14 to 17	Minimum 48 hours a year or 4 hours per month	Applications accepted year-round; files reviewed mid-summer. 2027 season applicants contacted end of summer 2027. (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Monterey Bay Aquarium Teen Conservation LeadersVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	Monterey, CA	14 and up	Volunteer 3 to 4 days per week; summer program June 8 to August 2, 2026 with mandatory training	Applications closed for 2026; interviews were in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Oakland Zoo Teen Summer InternshipsInternship · Zoo or aquarium	Oakland, CA	Grades 11 to 12	About 200 hours across 7 weeks, Sunday-Wednesday or Wednesday-Saturday, 9 am-4:30 pm; Summer 2026 ran June 10 to about August 1	Applications closed for Summer 2026; info meetings were held in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Oakland Zoo Teen Wild GuidesVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	Oakland, CA	13 and up	Every other weekend during the school year; once a week in summer	Application open year-round; Fall 2026 applications were due September 1 (past window; confirm next cycle)
Oakland Zoo ZooCamp Teen Assistants and InternsVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	Oakland, CA	Grades 9 to 12	Varies by role; camp runs in 1-week sessions, June 1 to August 7, 2026	Summer 2026 applications were open February 1 to April 1; check back for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens ARC Junior ZoologistVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	San Francisco, CA	Ages 15 to 17	Two days per month for six months	Not posted
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens ARC Nature Trail VolunteerVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	San Francisco, CA	Ages 12 to 14	Minimum seven days per month; seasonal, June to September	Applications for 2027 open in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Leadership FellowsVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	San Francisco, CA	Grades 10 to 12	June 15 to August 7, Monday-Friday, 8:15 am-4 pm, in one of three cohorts	Summer
The Marine Mammal Center Youth CrewVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	Sausalito, CA	Not posted	8-month service learning program; all posted dates are mandatory	Online application is available for two months (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Aquarium of the Bay Education Summer Docent VolunteerPausedVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	San Francisco, CA	16 and up	Minimum 6 months; volunteer orientation required	Check back December 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Aquarium of the Bay Teen Volunteers (SEA Team)PausedVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	San Francisco, CA	Ages 14 to 15	Minimum 6 months; volunteer orientation required	Check back December 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)

Email me this list

A link to this list, so you have the age rules and application windows when they open.

Frequently asked questions

How old does my teen need to be?

Each organization sets its own rule. The table shows the minimum age or grade each one posts, and says so when nothing is posted.

What does a teen volunteer actually do?

It varies by program. Each program page describes the work as the organization does, along with the hours it asks for.

Sources and method

Each opportunity was read from the organization's own page. A rule, date, or fee the page does not state is left blank. Last checked 2026-10-13. Programs change age rules, hours, and application windows, so confirm on the official page before applying. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with these organizations.

Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Zoo and Aquarium Volunteer Programs for Teens in the Bay Area”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/in/bay-area/zoos-and-aquariums.

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Zoo and Aquarium Volunteer Programs for Teens in the Bay Area

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