Field Trip Resources
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| Name |
For: |
Cost: |
Details: |
Yellow Bus Fund
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Schools seeking funding for field trip transportation.
This program is made possible thanks to the Donald Weesner Foundation.
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Transportation grants of up to $200 will be given to schools that meet eligibility requirements.
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- Download and complete a Yellow Bus Fund Application
- Email completed application to Jessamy Schwartz, Education Program Coordinator (jschwartz@lszoo.org)
- Applications must be received at least 2 weeks prior to field trip.
- Once the application is received, a confirmation will be sent to recipients.
- The school district or bus company must submit an invoice within 30 days after their trip to the zoo to receive reimbursement.
Funds are allocated on a first come, first serve basis. You will need to contact the bus company for an estimate of the total cost of transportation. |
Group Admission Rate
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Groups of 10 or more |
$4 for children ages 3-12
$9 for ages 13 and over
1 free teacher/chaperone for every 20 students
Free admission for bus drivers
Free parking |
You must register in advance to get the group admission rate. Please call the zoo's main line at 218-730-4500 ext. 200 and ask to make a group reservation. If you are enhancing your visit with an education program, make your group reservation through the Education Department, ext. 205 or jschwartz@lszoo.org. |
Education Programs - NEW programs in 2013!
All of our programs include live animal encounters! |
| Name |
Grades & Time: |
Cost: |
Description: |
| Guided Zoo Tour |
Appropriate for all ages
1.5 - 2 hours
|
$30 per group of 15 or fewer
(Does not include admission)
Groups larger than 15 people will be split into multiple groups |
An experienced tour guide will take your group on a tour around the zoo while sharing stories and "behind the scenes" information about our animals. You will get to handle artifacts from our tour bag and meet some of our outreach animals. |
Colorful Creatures, Super Senses, or
Animal Tales |
Preschool (3-5 yrs old)
30 min. |
$25 for up to 30 students
(Does not include admission)
|
Complete descriptions of our Preschool Programs
These programs are also available as Zoomobiles. |
| Critter Care |
Grades K-2
1 hour |
$45 for up to 30 students
(Does not include admission)
|
Students will explore animals' basic needs by learning about how the zoo cares for some of its smaller critters. Activities include preparing diets for our small mammals, making toys for the animals, and a unique animal encounter only available during this class.
Click here to see how this program supports MN State Science Standards. |
| Animal Habitats, Animal Life Cycles, Bats in Our Backyard, Creature Categories, or Nocturnal Animals |
Grades K-3
1 hour |
$35 for up to 30 students
(Does not include admission) |
Complete descriptions of our Grades K-3 Programs
These programs are also available as Zoomobiles. |
| Animal Care |
Grades 3-5
1.5 hours |
$50 for up to 30 students
(Does not include admission) |
Students will learn how zookeepers care for the animals in the education collection and what it takes to keep them healthy. Activities include caring for barn animals, taking a peak behind-the-scenes, and preparing diets for our Reeve's Muntjac Deer. |
| Animal Detectives, Endangered Species, or Rainforest Rescue |
Grades 3-5
1 hour |
$35 for up to 30 students
(Does not include admission)
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Complete descriptions of our Grades 3-5 Programs
These programs (except Animal Detectives) are also available as Zoomobiles. |
| Animal Classification |
Grades 4-12
1 hour |
$35 for up to 30 students
(Does not include admission) |
Live animals help students test their animal classification skills. This program is also available as a Zoomobile. |
| Animal Behavior Studies |
Grades 6-12
1 hour |
$35 for up to 30 students
(Does not include admission)
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Learn what it's like to be a field biologist as we uncover the mysterious lives of animals through observation and data recording. |
| Zookeeper for a Day |
Grades 6-12
2 hours
This program is only available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays due to the behind-the-scenes experiences. |
$60 for up to 20 participants, this includes chaperones
$5 per additional person*
(Does not include admission)
*Maximum of 40 people |
Experience what it's like to be a zookeeper! Students have the opportunity to prepare brown bear diets, tour behind-the-scenes, examine x-rays, and more!
Only have a couple of students interested? Ask about our Zookeeper Job Shadowing Program (more info. also available here). |
| Zoo Snooze Overnight Program |
Groups that want to spend the night at the zoo (Boy & Girl Scouts, 4-H, youth groups). Minimum of 15 participants and a maximum of 30 people total (1:8 ratio of adults to children required). Girl Scouts of MN & WI Lakes & Pines troops with less than 15 girls can register through their council. |
$35 per participant (includes admission). No charge for required chaperones. Additional adults are $15 per person. Participant fee includes a "Zoo Snooze" t-shirt, pizza party, all activities, snacks and a continental breakfast. More information about what to bring will be provided upon registering. |
Spend the night at the zoo! Groups choose a favorite theme for the night: Big Cats, Bears, or Nocturnal Animals. We'll begin our overnight experience with a pizza party at 7 pm. The evening will be filled with activities such as hands-on animal presentations, games, a night-time zoo tour, late-night snacks, and coloring your own "Zoo Snooze" t-shirt. After a continental breakfast the next morning, tour the zoo before it opens to the public. |
| Scout Workshops |
Boy/Girl Scout Groups
Cub Scout Brochure |
$40 per troop
(Does not include admission) |
Earn your badge through a guided, fun-filled adventure at the zoo. We have designed new Cub Scout programs that help boys meet scouting requirements. Girl Scouts: We are happy to work with your troop to meet your needs. Scout groups are also welcome to choose from any of the programs listed above. |
| Family Animal Encounter |
For families or small groups of people (less than 10) |
$25 for a group of 2-9 people
(Does not include admission) |
Want to make your trip to the zoo something extra special for your loved ones? Small groups and families are invited to book a 30-minute private animal encounter -- a close-up, hands-on experience with a few of our friendly outreach animals! Let us know which animals interest you most!
Also check out behind-the-scenes tours offered by AAZK!
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| Zoomobile *Note: Programs in Wisconsin must be booked at least 30 days in advance. Read more here. |
| Name |
For: |
Cost: |
Description: |
Zoomobile Outreach Program
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Nursing Homes, Day Care Centers, Libraries, Festivals, Special Events |
Fees begin at $75 for a 45-minute visit and are based on your distance from the zoo. |
Meet some of our outreach animals: from chinchillas and hedgehogs, to tortoises and snakes, to bugs and birds. Learn about the visiting animals, how the zoo cares for the animals, enjoy a hands-on opportunity and a conservation message. |
Zoomobile Classroom Program
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Classrooms of various grade levels
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Fees begin at $75 for a 45-minute presentation and are based on your distance from the zoo. A consecutive presentation of the same program is $45. |
Bring life to your lesson plan with a visit from the Zoomobile! These presentations offer your class up-close animal interactions and special insight into how animals live, where they come from, and what their behaviors mean. You may choose from the education programs listed above, or we can customize a program to meet your needs. |
2013 Featured Zoomobile Program:
Bats in Our Backyard
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Classrooms grades K-5 or Libraries
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Fees begin at $50 for a 45-minute presentation and are based on your distance from the zoo. A consecutive presentation is $30. |
This year we are promoting bat conservation by offering this program at a discounted rate!
Stay up all night, sleep all winter, eat insects -- learn what it's like to be a bat! We'll visit bats from around the world while learning about how important bats are in our own backyard. This program features a visit from a real, live bat and each student will receive a free activity book and pencil!
Teachers -- Ask about our free CD of bat activities to use in your classroom! |
| Teacher Resources |
| Name |
For: |
Cost: |
Description: |
| Minnesota Bats Activity Guide (CD) |
Teachers and informal educators who teach grades K-5 |
Free |
CD contains printable pages of Teacher Activity Guide and Student Activity Book as well as a PowerPoint to assist with instruction. Although the content is geared towards MN bat species, it can be easily adapted to other states. Send your name and address to Sarah at swilcox@lszoo.org and it will be mailed promptly. |
| Animal Kits |
Teachers of various grade levels |
Rent a complete teaching kit for $10/week with a $50 deposit which is refundable. |
Kit includes lesson plans, activities, supplies, artifacts, videos and more. Call for more information, we may be able to customize a kit for you! |
