ZooCrew Needs You!
We are looking for an elite team of responsible and energetic teens to be a part of our ZooCrew program. If you love the outdoors, are wild about animals and enjoy helping others, we invite you to join our team. Our ZooCrew program provides valuable work experience for teens in a supportive and fun environment. You will build confidence, grow new relationships and develop real-world skills to help you prepare for college and beyond.
When you become part of the ZooCrew, you‘ll assist our experienced camp counselors in creating awesome experiences for the youth of Tyler. Crew members will play an active role in leading activities, guiding games, helping with crafts and generally making camp exciting and fun. ZooCrew volunteers may even get hands-on training to learn how the Caldwell Zoo shows off its ambassador animals. Plus, team members receive discounts in our café and gift shop.
This is a great opportunity to create a special summer for you and our campers. Expect every day to be both challenging and fun!
2026 Application
Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the summer. ZooCrew members must commit to work a minimum of 2 weeks during the summer. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We look forward to seeing you summer of 2026!
What is the Caldwell ZooCrew Program?
- This program is open to students ages 14-17 who like animals and love people.
- Ideal candidates have a positive attitude and good communication skills. Experience working with animals and/or children is preferred.
- Zoo Crew will:
- Interact and engage with campers throughout the day
- Learn and share fun facts about wildlife and conservation
- Lead educational games for campers
- Help and inspire campers in creative crafts
- Assist camp counselors with managing camp activities and keeping campers engaged
- Have the opportunity to handle and/or present Ambassador Animals
- All application materials (application form, resume, cover letter, and letters of reference) must be submitted by the Zoo Crew Applicant on or before 5pm on March 6th, 2026.
- Please submit all application materials together to JotForm here: https://form.jotform.com/253165206155149
- Applications will only be accepted through JotForm this year.
- Letters of Recommendation
- We would prefer letters of recommendation come from someone who has interacted with the applicant in a leadership role such as: teachers, coaches, youth group leaders, scout leaders, dance instructors, etc. Letters from family members will not be considered.
- If we have any questions about a Zoo Crew candidate, we may wish to follow up with a phone call to the reference. Please ask all contacts that supply letters of recommendation to include the best phone number to reach them during regular business hours.
- Resume
- We understand some applicants have limited experiences to detail on a resume. Building a resume is a useful skill that we want our applicants to practice. So, resumes are required for all applicants.
- Possible details to include: extra-curricular activities, job or volunteer experience, experience working with pets or farm animals, babysitting/caring for younger siblings, useful skills, classes or projects of interest, hobbies, etc.
- Cover Letter
- A cover letter gives an applicant the opportunity to explain why they are a great fit for the program. We want our Zoo Crew applicants to gain experience writing covers letters because it is a skill they will use again in their professional lives.
- There are plenty of resources to use when writing your first cover letter. Here is one we like: https://writersworkshop.illinois.edu/resources-2/writer-resources/job-search-application-writing/cover-letters/
