Teen Programs

The WNC Nature Center offers two different summer volunteer opportunities for teens to gain experience working at a zoo, educating visitors, participating in conservation action, and learning about the wildlife of the Southern Appalachians.

The Young Naturalist program is a large, long-standing teen program where teens learn and teach guests about native wildlife through a variety of dynamic nature-themed activities to promote a deeper connection to nature. The Shift Leader program is a smaller cohort of teens who assist Young Naturalists in their daily duties along with performing independent assignments to take the next step into leadership.

Young Naturalists

Make friends, make memories, and make a difference.

Summer Program
for teens ages 13-17 years old

Connect & Learn

Learn and educate others about the native plants and animals of the Southern Appalachians. Lead dynamic nature-themed activities for Nature Center guests to support the Nature Center’s mission and your own personal professional journey.

Earn Service Hours

Participate in on-going projects fueled by conservation action. Earn service hours for school or college applications and gain hands-on work experience for job applications.

Job Experience

Work together on a dynamic team of your peers to accomplish a shared goal: connecting people to native wildlife. Develop important job skills like teamwork, responsibility, communication, and adaptability.

Please read the following criteria carefully to find out if you are eligible for this program before filling out and submitting the application.

Qualifications to become a Young Naturalist for 2026:

Be between 13 and 17 years of age between June 16 and August 13, 2026.
Submit a completed application and a completed parent liability release form by Friday, April 17, 2026 at 5 pm.
Attend 1 of the 5 orientation sessions in May/June 2026.
Complete at least 20 hours of service throughout the 8 week program.
Be willing to follow the rules of the Nature Center and this program.
Have a desire to learn and teach about native wildlife.

How to become a Young Naturalist:

Young Naturalist applications will be available on this web page in March 2026. We look forward to reviewing your application!

QUESTIONS?
Curator of Education and Guest Experience
[email protected]

Shift Leaders

Take the next step into leadership.

Summer Program
for teens ages 15-17 years old

Connect & Learn

Learn and educate others about the native plants and animals of the Southern Appalachians. Participate in community science and lead dynamic nature-themed activities for Nature Center guests to support the Nature Center’s mission and your own personal professional journey.

Earn Service Hours

Participate in on-going projects fueled by conservation action. Earn service hours for school or college applications and gain hands-on work experience for job applications.

Leadership Experience

Get a deeper experience of what it is like to be in a leadership role. Shift Leaders lead Young Naturalists in their daily duties, perform millipede husbandry care, and develop an independent project to support future Young Naturalist seasons. Develop important leadership skills like teamwork, responsibility, communication, adaptability, and goal-setting.

Please read the following criteria carefully to find out if you are eligible for this program before filling out and submitting the application.

Qualifications to become a Shift Leader for 2026:

Be between 15 and 17 years of age between June 16 and August 13, 2026.
Submit a completed application and a completed parent liability release form by Friday, April 17, 2026 at 5 pm.
Attend 2 of the 5 orientation sessions in May/June 2026.
Be available on a weekly basis on the same day/time for the entirety of the program and complete at least 27 hours of service throughout the 8 week program.
Pay close attention to detail, follow directions, and work independently on assigned tasks.
Be willing to follow the rules of the Nature Center and this program.
Have a desire to learn and teach about native wildlife.

Previous experience in the Young Naturalist program is preferred, but applicants who are new to the program are eligible to apply. Applicants will be evaluated by their application answers, a letter of recommendation, and previous involvement in the Young Naturalist program, if applicable. Anyone who applies and is not accepted into the Shift Leader position will be eligible to join the 2026 Young Naturalist cohort.

How to become a Shift Leader:

Shift Leader applications will be available on this web page in March 2026. We look forward to reviewing your application!

QUESTIONS?
Curator of Education and Guest Experience
[email protected]