Just about every local zoo offers some sort of zoo education program for students, parents, teachers and individuals who are interested in animals, conservation efforts or the zoo keeper’s daily tasks. Sometimes you can get a glimpse of animals moving about at night, while other times you can try your hand at creating your own zoo animal exhibit. There are activities, tours and special lectures for visitors of all ages. Read on about some of the best animal education programs.

A London Zoo has recently received two awards for its zoo education programs. In 2004, the United Kingdom’s Chester Zoo won the Sandford Award (run by The Council for Environmental Education). Judges called the Chester zoological park “an excellent resource” and said that “nothing could compare to seeing live, wild animals at close quarters.” In 2009, the zoo won this same award again. Zoo head of Discovery and Learning, Stephen McKeown, explained: “The awards take into account our whole approach to conservation education, including taught educational discovery programs for schools, interactive materials, award-winning signage at animal enclosures around the zoo and extensive library facilities. What makes us different from a normal classroom is the environment we occupy and the 7,000 animals within it. Seeing and handling things from live snakes to snake skins and exploring the x-rays of animals opens up a whole new world that more and more students are now taking advantage of.” The Chester Zoo is just one of many parks offering unprecedented access to exotic animals.

The Oregon Zoo hosts a number of special zoo education programs for children and families. For instance, “Messy Animal Art” is a $22 two-hour program for pre-school kids (ages 3-5), which gives them a tour of the animal exhibits, sing songs, participation in art activities and eating snacks. Similarly, the $22 “Zoo Experiences” program involves a zoo tour, reading a story, having a snack and taking home a special memento. The “Family Camperoo” is a popular program ($45 adults, $30 kids) that lasts from 4pm until 9am and lets families see what the animals are up to at night; breakfast, dinner and campfire stories are also included. Day Camp experiences involve petting zoos, crafts, snacks and special tours. Special zoo events revolving around endangered species conservation are also available each month. To register for some of Oregon’s programs, visit www.oregonzoo.org.

Zoo education programs are ideal for regular visitors who are looking for a special tour or activity that goes over-and-beyond the typical tour. Whether it’s dining at the zoo or staying the night, these programs are designed to captivate anyone’s attention, no matter if you’re 30 or 3. More often than not, you can register for these special zoo activities online at the zoo’s website, which is a convenient way to secure your position and avoid disappointment. Special discounts are available for zoo members.

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