Apply to Join the Conservation Youth Team!

The Virginia Zoo’s Conservation Youth Team (CYT) is a youth development program for high schoolers that provides important volunteer services to the Zoo, our guests and our communities. During a fun and intense one-week training at the beginning of summer, teens learn their way around the Zoo, the basics of conservation and ecology, and how to interpret to Zoo guests. For the rest of the summer CYT participants provide exhibit interpretation for Zoo guests or support summer Safari Camp programs. As a member of the Conservation Youth Team, students develop important job and life skills, build self-confidence, and earn community service hours. Regular conservation experiences connect students with opportunities to better understand science and conservation in the local community.

A simple description of a CYT’s role at the Zoo doesn’t do it justice! The Virginia Zoo sat down for a Q&A session with then-CYT Miah Domel earlier this year. Read her interview, which sheds light on her awesome experience on the Conservation Youth Team!

As if a one-on-one interview wasn’t convincing enough, here’s some other awesome blogs outlining weekly CYT experiences in 2016!

Conservation Youth Team | Week One 2016

Conservation Youth Team | Week Two 2016

Conservation Youth Team | Week Three 2016 | Part One and Part Two

Conservation Youth Team | Final Thoughts 2016

Since we know all of these blogs and descriptions sealed the deal, you can apply to become a 2017 Virginia Zoo CYT here!

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