Scheduling Your Field Trip

Please review and complete the Field Trip Registration Packet below. 

Once your field trip registration has been received, the Zoo will send you a confirmation. At the bottom of the confirmation is a section you can fill out on the day of your field trip with the number of students and adults in your party, which should be given to the Admissions Cashier upon entering the Zoo at the Field Trip Entrance.

You can pay for your Potawatomi Zoo Field trip using cash, check, or credit card. Potawatomi Zoo memberships may be used. For adults, the Admissions staff will need to see the membership cards and identification. For students using their family’s membership, we require them to submit a copy of the membership card and cardholder photo ID when they enter the Zoo.

If you have questions prior to your field trip, you can contact the Zoo’s Guest Services Manager by phone at (574) 235-7620 or email at kdepaepe@potawatomizoo.org.

If you would like your group to attend an educational program during the field trip, the program must be scheduled with the Education Department at (574) 235-7621 or education@potawatomizoo.org. Educational programs are appropriate for audience of all ages. More information is available below.

Download Registration Packet Here

Scheduling Your Field Trip

Please review and complete the Field Trip Registration Packet below. 

Once your field trip registration has been received, the Zoo will send you a confirmation. At the bottom of the confirmation is a section you can fill out on the day of your field trip with the number of students and adults in your party, which should be given to the Admissions Cashier upon entering the Zoo at the Field Trip Entrance.

You can pay for your Potawatomi Zoo Field trip using cash, check, or credit card. Potawatomi Zoo memberships may be used. For adults, the Admissions staff will need to see the membership cards and identification. For students using their family’s membership, we require them to submit a copy of the membership card and cardholder photo ID when they enter the Zoo.

If you have questions prior to your field trip, you can contact the Zoo’s Guest Services Manager by phone at (574) 235-7620 or email at kdepaepe@potawatomizoo.org.

If you would like your group to attend an educational program during the field trip, the program must be scheduled with the Education Department at (574) 235-7621 or education@potawatomizoo.org. Educational programs are appropriate for audience of all ages. More information is available below.

Download Registration Packet Here
green lion silhouette
For Your Trip

School groups of 20 or more paid visitors on weekdays (30 or more paid visitors on weekends) are eligible for the Zoo’s group rate.

Students (ages 3-14): $5.50 per person

Adults: $6.50 per person

Train: $2 per ticket (when purchased as a group)

Carousel: $2 per ticket (when purchased as a group)

Picnic Grove: $40 for 2 hours (must be reserved in advance on the registration form)

*In order for chaperones to receive the group rate, payment must be submitted to the teachers. The Zoo will no longer allow additional adults to pay the group rate separately at the entrance. 

  • Remember to fill out and bring the bottom portion of your confirmation form.
  • Go over the zoo rules with your students and chaperones prior to arriving at the zoo.
  • Students may be unloaded at the zoo entrance curb, but please be respectful of other buses behind you waiting to unload.
  • Due to construction, bus parking is no longer available in the main zoo parking lot.
  • Have fun!

All Zoo Rules can be found here. During your field trip at Potawatomi Zoo, you are visiting the animals’ homes, so please be respectful and abide by the following rules:

  • Students must be with a chaperone at all times.
  • Stay on public pathways.
  • No tapping or banging on exhibit glass as this can frighten the animals.
  • Do not throw food or other objects into exhibits.
  • Please do not yell or run inside the Zoo.

Potawatomi Zoo’s Education Department has created the following activities that teachers can download and use with their students while visiting the Zoo. Feel free to modify activities to better fit your lessons and needs. Current activities include:

Schedule a 30-minute animal program where students can meet and learn about 3 different animals during your field trip. Programs start at $60. To schedule contact 574-235-9070 or education@potawatomizoo.org.

Program Topics: Looking for animal programs to support your classroom lessons? Select from our available topics to enhance your students’ experience with interactive biofacts (shells, feathers, scales, skulls, fur, and more!) and activities before learning about animals’ adaptations, habitat, or classification.  

  • Adaptations: Each animal has physical and behavioral adaptations that help them survive. Utilizing touchable biofacts and animal presentations, this  program will get students critically thinking about the adaptations that allow animals to move, find food, and defend themselves in the wild!
  • Classification: What makes an owl a bird? Or a lizard a reptile? Or an armadillo a mammal? Find out in this immersive program about animal classifications!
  • Habitats: From the tundra to the rainforest, from the desert to the wetlands, all animals need the same resources to survive. Learn how animals in different habitats find these resources in this hands-on educational program.

Not seeing a topic that fits your classroom’s needs? Let us know! We can adapt a program to focus on many other topics that you may be discussing in class.

For Your Trip

School groups of 20 or more on weekdays (30 or more on weekends) are eligible for the Zoo’s group rate.

Students (ages 3-14): $5.50 per person

Adults: $6.50 per person

Train: $2 per ticket (when purchased as a group)

Carousel: $2 per ticket (when purchased as a group)

Picnic Grove: $40 for 2 hours (must be reserved in advance on the registration form)

*In order for chaperones to receive the group rate, payment must be submitted to the teachers. The Zoo will no longer allow additional adults to pay the group rate separately at the entrance. 

  • Remember to fill out and bring the bottom portion of your confirmation form.
  • Go over the Zoo Rules with your students and chaperones prior to arriving at the zoo.
  • Students may be unloaded at the Zoo entrance curb, but please be respectful of other buses behind you waiting to unload.
  • Bus parking is no longer available in the main zoo parking lot. Buses may park on Greenlawn Avenue, on Wall Street, or in the Kid’s Kingdom parking lot off of Wall Street.
  • Have fun!

All Zoo Rules can be found here. During your field trip at Potawatomi Zoo, you are visiting the animals’ homes, so please be respectful and abide by the following rules:

  • Students must be with a chaperone at all times.
  • Stay on public pathways.
  • No tapping or banging on exhibit glass as this can frighten the animals.
  • Do not throw food or other objects into exhibits.
  • Please do not yell or run inside the Zoo.
  • There is no smoking allowed inside Zoo grounds.

Potawatomi Zoo’s Education Department has created the following activities that teachers can download and use with their students while visiting the Zoo. Feel free to modify activities to better fit your lessons and needs. Current activities include:

Schedule a 30-minute animal program where students can meet and learn about 3 different animals during your field trip. Programs start at $60. To schedule contact 574-235-9070 or education@potawatomizoo.org.

Program Topics: Looking for animal programs to support your classroom lessons? Select from our available topics to enhance your students’ experience with interactive biofacts (shells, feathers, scales, skulls, fur, and more!) and activities before learning about animals’ adaptations, habitat, or classification.  

  • Adaptations: Each animal has physical and behavioral adaptations that help them survive. Utilizing touchable biofacts and animal presentations, this  program will get students critically thinking about the adaptations that allow animals to move, find food, and defend themselves in the wild!
  • Classification: What makes an owl a bird? Or a lizard a reptile? Or an armadillo a mammal? Find out in this immersive program about animal classifications!
  • Habitats: From the tundra to the rainforest, from the desert to the wetlands, all animals need the same resources to survive. Learn how animals in different habitats find these resources in this hands-on educational program.

Not seeing a topic that fits your classroom’s needs? Let us know! We can adapt a program to focus on many other topics that you may be discussing in class.

educator joyce with three banded armadillo

Field Trip Scholarships

The 2022 Field Trip Scholarships application process is CLOSED for the season. 

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are vital partners with formal school programs and organizations. At the Zoo, children can make discoveries, deepen interests, and connect their natural curiosity to the wider world.

The Potawatomi Zoo is committed to developing the skills needed for a lifetime of learning. Through our Educational Assistance Program, we aim to make that goal more accessible for more children. Thanks to the donors who contribute to the EAP, admission costs for children and chaperones are covered for approved applicants to the program.*

If you’re interested in contributing to the EAP, please contact Shelby at info@potawatomizoo.org.

*Program requirements must be met for approval of funds.

Schools, early childhood education, and youth programs serving children ages 3 – 14 are eligible.

Educational organizations interested in taking advantage of the program will complete and submit a two-page application. Applications will be reviewed as received and accepted until all available funds are allocated. Program requirements must be met for the approval of funds. The program will close upon funding depletion.

The Field Trip Scholarship Form (Required) 

The application process is now closed for the 2022 season. Forms may be completed and returned via email, fax or post. You will receive a confirmation email of receipt of your application. Please allow 10 business days to receive a funding decision. We can't wait to schedule your WILD trips!

Thanks to some of our past and current EAP contributors!

The Bontrager Family Foundation

Anonymous Private Donor


Field Trip Scholarships

The 2022 Field Trip Scholarships application process is CLOSED for the season. 

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are vital partners with formal school programs and organizations. At the Zoo, children can make discoveries, deepen interests, and connect their natural curiosity to the wider world.

The Potawatomi Zoo is committed to developing the skills needed for a lifetime of learning. Through our Educational Assistance Program, we aim to make that goal more accessible for more children. Thanks to the donors who contribute to the EAP, admission costs for children and chaperones are covered for approved applicants to the program.*

If you’re interested in contributing to the EAP, please contact Shelby at info@potawatomizoo.org.

*Program requirements must be met for approval of funds.

Schools, early childhood education, and youth programs serving children ages 3 – 14 are eligible.

Educational organizations interested in taking advantage of the program will complete and submit a two-page application. Applications will be reviewed as received and accepted until all available funds are allocated. Program requirements must be met for the approval of funds. The program will close upon funding depletion.

The Field Trip Scholarship Form (Required) 

The application process is now closed for the 2022 season. Forms may be completed and returned via email, fax or post. You will receive a confirmation email of receipt of your application. Please allow 10 business days to receive a funding decision. We can't wait to schedule your WILD trips!

Thanks to some of our past and current EAP contributors!

The Bontrager Family Foundation

Anonymous Private Donor


Download Registration Packet Here