Camp Guide

Camp Guide (Seasonal)

The Houston Zoo Conservation Education department is seeking energetic and nature-loving individuals for our 2025 summer camp season. This position offers hands‑on experience for professionals looking to spend their summer outdoors working with children in an informal, educational environment. We spend most of our time exploring animal exhibits, storytelling, and playing in natural green spaces around the Zoo.

If you are a self‑starter, love to be silly and thrive in a high‑energy space – this is the summer job for you!

Camp Zoofari allows children ages 6–12 to explore the Zoo in‑depth. Each week, campers learn about animals and the role of zoos and communities in helping to save them. They also connect with other like‑minded campers and build new friendships.

• Ensure that the health and safety of all campers in the assigned group is maintained throughout the day.
• Learn and disseminate information about the zoo’s animals.
• Collaborate with Camp Guide peers, maintaining a respectful and inclusive workspace.
• Facilitate age‑appropriate hands‑on activities, games, and crafts that are directly connected to the theme of the assigned camp for the day or week.
• Independently supervise, guide, and teach children ages 6‑12 on a rotating schedule.
• Interact with caregivers, Zoo visitors and other staff in a professional manner.
• Mentor teen Zoo Crew program participants using constructive feedback and co‑teaching methods.
• Serve as a role model and leader for our campers, ensuring they have a safe and fun camp environment each day.
• Engage campers through educational, animal‑focused storytelling.
• Support the Zoo’s mission and conservation initiatives by sharing and modeling environmentally conscious behaviors.

• Interacting on a child’s level, chairs and tables are available.
• Maneuvering on uneven terrain.
• Spending up to two hours at a time outdoors.
• Navigating zoo‑grounds, which have varying light, noise, and temperature levels.

• Working toward or holding a degree in a science, education, or related field.
• Demonstrated affinity and skill for working with children, either in a formal or informal setting.
• Clear writing and communication skills, a positive attitude, and enjoyment of time spent in nature.
• Selected candidates must pass a background check and drug screening, provide documentation to work in the United States, and be able to attend all required training and scheduled shifts.

Attend mandatory training days:
June 1‑5.

Work four weeks of summer camp, scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:15 am – 4:30 pm.

* Ultimate Zoofari will be staffed by two returning camp guides and will not be part of the required time commitment.

Additional shifts beyond the four-week requirement may be available in single‑day shifts or a whole week.

Work at least 2 days of Fall or Winter Camp Zoofari programs during HISD school breaks.

$16.50 – $17.50 per hour, depending on experience.

We encourage applications from candidates who may not traditionally see themselves represented in the zoo or aquarium career fields and welcome applicants whose degrees may be outside of the traditional education tracks. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know by contacting Camp. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).