Idaho Falls Zoo Extends Junior Zoo Crew Application Deadline, Giving Local Teens More Time to Apply
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The Idaho Falls Zoo has extended the application deadline for its popular Junior Zoo Crew summer program, giving local teens additional time to apply for one of the region’s most distinctive youth volunteer opportunities. The new deadline is noon on Friday, May 1, according to the city of Idaho Falls.
The program, designed for teens between the ages of 14 and 17, offers a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at zoo operations in Bonneville County. Junior Zoo Crew participants work alongside zoo professionals, assist in the Children’s Zoo, engage with guests, and take part in field studies focused on animal care and conservation.
What the Program Offers Idaho Falls Youth
Junior Zoo Crew is structured as a three-week commitment, with participants spending three days per week at the zoo during their assigned session. The program emphasizes practical experience, public engagement, and animal care — skills that organizers say translate well beyond the zoo itself.
Participants earn volunteer hours that can be applied toward school requirements, resumes, and future opportunities in animal science, veterinary medicine, biology, or conservation. The program also connects teens with peers who share a passion for wildlife, fostering relationships built around a common interest.
For families considering the program, the cost is $90 per session, with a discounted rate of $72 for Tautphaus Park Zoological Society members. All participants are required to complete mandatory trainings and attend their full assigned session. Evening policy trainings for participants and a parent or guardian are scheduled for May 14 through May 16.
The Idaho Falls Zoo is located within Tautphaus Park, one of the community’s most visited family destinations in East Idaho. Programs like Junior Zoo Crew reflect the city’s ongoing effort to provide structured, educational summer experiences for young residents that go beyond traditional classroom settings.
Additional Opportunities for Younger Children
For children who are not yet old enough to qualify for Junior Zoo Crew, the zoo offers a variety of camps, classes, and educational programs for kids of all ages. Those programs are available through the city of Idaho Falls and are designed to spark curiosity about the natural world while creating lasting memories for Bonneville County families.
Families interested in other community events this season may also want to check out upcoming activities, including a swimming pool re-opening and Arbor Day celebration open to Idaho Falls residents of all ages.
The Junior Zoo Crew program is part of a broader pattern of summer youth programming across the region. East Idaho communities have increasingly invested in structured volunteer and educational programs that give teenagers real-world experience while reinforcing responsibility, teamwork, and community involvement — values long considered central to life in Bonneville County.
Applications are available online through the city of Idaho Falls. Interested teens and their families can find the application and additional program details at the city’s official website. Families seeking information about camps and classes for younger children can access that information through a separate section of the city’s online portal.
With summer approaching and calendars filling quickly, zoo officials are encouraging interested families to act before the extended May 1 deadline passes. Whether a teen is considering a future in animal science or simply wants a meaningful summer experience in Idaho Falls, Junior Zoo Crew represents one of the more distinctive opportunities available in the region this year. For more on community events and family activities across East Idaho, visit Idaho News for statewide coverage.
What Comes Next
The application window for the Junior Zoo Crew closes at noon on Friday, May 1. Mandatory evening policy trainings for accepted participants and a parent or guardian are scheduled for May 14 through May 16. The program itself runs over three weeks, with participants attending three days per week. Families not yet ready for Junior Zoo Crew are encouraged to explore the zoo’s camps and classes programming for younger children. Additional details are available at idahofallsidaho.gov.