Enhance your lesson plans by visiting Potawatomi Zoo or inviting the Zoo into your classroom.

Potawatomi Zoo is observing Endangered Species Day in a weeklong event from May 12-16, 2008.  Teachers, visit the zoo with your students to learn about endangered species, discover how Potawatomi Zoo is helping to save animals, and find out what you can do to help too!   

During the week, zoo educators and volunteers will be on grounds with endangered species stations and special Year of the Frog activities and keepers will be talking about the endangered species that they help care for every day.  Potawatomi Zoo’s Education Department is also offering information and activities for teachers to use in their classrooms!  Download the teacher packet below.  

Make sure to register your field trip during Potawatomi Zoo’s Endangered Species Week, May 12-16^th and while supplies last, you can receive a Wildlife in Danger playing card for each of your students.*  

*This offer is reserved for primary and secondary students and is good while supplies last.  Cards will be reserved as field trip reservations are received.  For more information, see the teacher packet.

Planning Your Field Trip:

Cost:

1. Schools and educational facilities visiting Potawatomi Zoo with at least 10 paying students qualify to receive a discounted group rate.
2. This group rate is not available on weekends or holiday and is subject to change. Teachers and chaperones must pay admission; only bus drivers are exempt.
3. Group Rate: Students = $4.00, Adults = $5.00
4. Using Memberships: If anyone in your group is using a Zoological Society Membership, the admissions staff will need to see membership cards and identification at the entrance. If a student is using the family’s membership without their parent or guardian in attendance, we recommend that you copy the card and submit the copy with your payment.

Payment:

1. Potawatomi Zoo accepts cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, and purchase orders.

Education Programs:

1. If you want a little more from your field trip experience, you can schedule a 30-minute classroom animal presentation with the Education Department.
• During the program, you will meet and learn about three different animals. The Education Department can also try to incorporate a specific theme that would coordinate with your curriculum.
• Classroom presentations are limited to 30 participants and cost $35.00 per program.
2. To schedule a classroom animal presentation, contact the Education Department at 574-235-7621. Dates and times are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Rules:

1. During your field trip at Potawatomi Zoo, you are visiting the animals’ homes, so please be respectful and abide by the following rules.
• Stay on public pathways.
• Please do not run or yell inside the zoo.
• Students must remain with chaperones at all times. This rule applies to all ages and grade levels.
• Do not tap or bang on exhibit glass as this can frighten the animals.
• Do not throw anything into exhibits. The animals are on strict diets and ingestion of other objects can be harmful or even fatal.
2. Try to insure a chaperone-student ratio that will help insure the zoo rules are followed and that everyone has an ed-zoo-cational and fun field trip.

Registering Your Field Trip:

• Download a field trip registration form.
• Fax the completed form to 574-235-9080.
• You will then receive a confirmation form from the zoo in return.

The Day of Your Field Trip:

• Bring the bottom portion of your confirmation form with you to the zoo. Fill in the number of students and adults included with your group.
• Go over the zoo rules with your students prior to arriving at the zoo.
• Bus parking is available along the zoo’s perimeter fence. Students may be unloaded at the zoo entrance curb, but please be respectful of other buses behind you waiting to unload.
• One representative should present the total number of students and adults in your group with payment. Exact payment is appreciated and will expedite your entrance to the zoo.

1. If you have registered for an education program, remember to submit your statement stub with your payment.

2. Tell the cashier know if you will be using a purchase order at the beginning of your transaction, so that any corrections can be made and signed

Have Fun!

Bring the zoo to you by scheduling an animal outreach program!
A presenter from the zoo will come to your location and bring several different animals.

Pre-School Programs: During these 30-minute programs, you will meet 3 animals. Maximum group size for pre-school programs is 20 children. If you have more than 20 children, you will have to schedule multiple programs.

Cost:

• 0-30 miles = $100.00
• 31-60 miles = $130.00
• 61-90 miles = $160.00
• 91-120 miles = $190.00
• Additional programs = $60.00 each

School Programs: During these 45-minute programs, you will meet 4 animals. School programs may be scheduled for a single classroom, multiple classes, or school assembly.

Cost:

• 0-30 miles = $60.00
• 31-60 miles = $90.00
• 61-90 miles = $120.00
• 91-120 miles = $150.00
• Additional programs = $25.00 each

Animal Therapy Programs: Potawatomi Zoo’s Education Department offers wild animal therapy for nursing facilities. We will bring 2 animals to your facility and visit with your residents. These programs will last approximately 30 minutes.

Cost:

• 0-30 miles = $30.00
• 31-60 miles = $60.00

Company or Group Event Programs: If your company or group is hosting an event, you could include an Animal Outreach Program as part of your function. These programs last approximately 45 minutes and include 4 animals.

Cost:

• 0-30 miles = $50.00
• 31-60 miles = $80.00
• 61-90 miles = $110.00
• 91-120 miles = $140.00
• Additional programs = $15.00 each

When scheduling an outreach program, you may request a theme/topic that coordinates with a current lesson or season. The Education Department will make every effort to facilitate special requests, but may not be able to fulfill every one. Animals used during outreach programs are not part of the zoo’s exhibit collection.

Potawatomi Zoo does not offer Outreach Programs at private homes. The Education Department will schedule programs at outdoor locations but reserves the right to cancel the programs due to extremely high or low temperatures or inclement weather that poses a health risk to our animals. To schedule an animal outreach program or for more information, contact the Education Department at 574-235-7621.

Know a student interested in pursuing a career working with animals or in a zoo setting? Then recommend them for a Potawatomi Zoo Job Shadow!

Potawatomi Zoo offers 2-hour job shadow experiences that allow students insight into a zookeeper’s daily routine and provide students with the opportunity to ask the keepers questions about their job and the animals they care for. Job shadows do not include direct animal contact.

Students are not able to choose the animal area in which they will shadow as these experiences are arranged at the convenience of the zookeepers.

Job Shadow students are required to submit a letter from their schools along with a signed job shadow contract. Contracts are to be signed by the student and a legal guardian. To schedule a job shadow or for more information, contact the Education Department at 574-235-7621.