School Programs at the Zoo
Welcome to the wildest classroom in town
Visit the Edmonton Valley Zoo and go wild! Home to more than 300 animals, the zoo is a natural classroom filled with wonders. The school programs offered at the Edmonton Valley Zoo encourage students to question, explore and investigate by nurturing their natural sense of curiosity. Programs are cross-curricular in nature. We are pleased to accommodate any specific learning objectives you would like to have included in your program.
"There are not many field trips that I would say I want to go back to, but this was one of them. Great job! Very organized and obviously you are paying attention to what works with kids and schools and what fits with the curriculum. We could not recreate this experience in the classroom, so thank you for making it possible for the kids to experience this so close to home."
Teachers, please review these information packages prior to booking your session. Once you have made a selection, each package provides important information regarding the program you have booked, including program learning objectives that tie into curriculum goals, onsite experience details, and cancellation procedures.
Would you like to provide us with some feedback regarding your recent program experience? Please fill out a School Program Evaluation form. We value customer comments and suggestions!
Our School Programs
Preschool, Kindergarten and Division 1 (Grade 1-3) Programs
• Zoo Safari • Fur, Feathers & Scales • Nosy Noses • Tail Tails • Endangered Species • Old MacDonald's Farm • Night Creatures • WinterZoo • Zoo Immersion • Sleepover
Division 2 (Grade 4-6) Programs
• Endangered Species • Zoo Safari • Night Creatures • WinterZoo • Zoo Immersion • Sleepover
Division 3 & 4 (Grade 7-12) Programs
• Zookeeping as a Career • Endangered Species • Zoo Safari • WinterZoo • Zoo Immersion • Sleepover
The Zoo in Your School — Outreach Programs for All Divisions
• Animal Visit • Amazing Animals
Zoo School sponsored by Suncor Energy
Imagine going to school for a week at the zoo. This immersion into the zoo environment, funded by Suncor Energy, is available to 16 classes of students in all grade levels from Edmonton and the surrounding area.
Booking Procedures
Bookings are currently being accepted for the 2015/2016 school year.
We require a minimum of 1 month advance notice for bookings.
How to Book
Email: the bookings office
Online: submit your booking request online
Phone: 780-442-1442. The bookings office is open 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday.
Booking Checklist
Please be prepared with the following information to make your booking:
- name of the program
- potential dates for your program
- school mailing address including postal code
- telephone and fax numbers for your school
- contact name and names of teachers for all classes being booked
- email address(es) of teacher(s) booking/attending the program
- number of students attending
- number of supervisors (see Group Size section for information on permitted numbers of supervisors)
- special needs/accessibility arrangements
- location and address for travelling programs
- name and phone number or cell phone of on-site contact person for travelling programs
Group Size
- The maximum number of children permitted in a program is 30. Groups exceeding a total of 30 children must book an additional program.
- The maximum number of people permitted in a program is 40 (including adult supervisors). Groups exceeding 40 people must book an additional program.
- Adults are required to remain with their group and supervise participating children at all times during the program.
- Adult supervisors are admitted free of charge with the program in the following ratios:
- Preschool (3-4 years): 1 adult per 3 children
- K - Grade 6: 1 adult per 5 children
- Grade 7 - 12: 1 adult per 10 children
- Additional parents and children/siblings (exceeding a total of 30 children or 40 participants) will be asked to pay facility admission fees and tour the facility on their own. Additional participants can re-join the group after the registered program ends.
- To ensure a high quality program we recommend that all children participating in a program be within the age range advertised for the program.
Teacher Information Packages
Teacher packages contain important information regarding your program including:
- Details of the particular program
- Program learning objectives that tie into curriculum goals
- Program preparation and arrival/departure procedures
- Onsite experience details
- Payment and cancellation procedures
- FAQs
Program Fees and Payment
Please refer to the 2015-2016 School Program Guide for program fees. Fees vary by program and season. Fees include gate admission. We welcome and encourage school groups to plan time before and after the program to enjoy the zoo on their own.
| School Program Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Program Type | Program Date | Fee |
| 1.5 - 2hr On-site program | Jan 1 - May 8, 2016 | $152 |
| May 9 - Aug 31, 2016 | $187 | |
| Sep 1 - Oct 1, 2016 | $195 | |
| Oct 2 - Dec 31, 2016 | $165 | |
| 45min- 1hr Travelling program (outreach) | Jan 1 - Aug 31, 2016 | $158 |
| Sep 1 - Dec 31, 2016 | $165 | |
| 45min- 1hr Travelling program (outreach) - 2 classes* | Jan 1 - Aug 31, 2016 | $218 |
| Sep 1 - Dec 31, 2016 | $225 | |
| Overnights (sleepover) | Jan 1 - Aug 31, 2016 | $500 |
| Sep 1 - Dec 31, 2016 | $650 | |
Note *: 2 consecutive travelling programs with 30 min - 1 hour between the programs.
The amount owing is shown on your program confirmation. Payment is required prior to the program.
Invoices are mailed out by the City on the 1st of the month. As you are required to pay your invoice on the 1st day of the month before your program, you will be mailed your invoice before your program runs. For example, for a June booking, you will be mailed your invoice on May 1.
- Payment can be made by cash, cheque, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Please have cheques made payable to The City of Edmonton, and write your booking confirmation number(s) on your cheque(s).
- Payment can be made at the facility, by calling 311 or by mail to Citizen Services Payment Processing, PO Box 2359, 14th Floor CN, Edmonton AB, T5J 2R7
Cancellation Policy
- You are required to provide written notice of cancellation of programs via email at cmsschoolbookings@edmonton.ca.
- Cancellations with 4 – 30 days notice are subject to a fee of 50% of the program cost.
- Programs cancelled with less than 3 days (72 hours) notice will be charged the full program fee.
- Programs run rain or shine. In the event of poor weather, you must call 780-442-1442 or email cmsschoolbookings@edmonton.ca if you are not coming.
For More Information
Edmonton Valley Zoo School & Group Programs
13315 Buena Vista Road (87th Avenue)
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7
| Telephone | 780-442-1442 |
|---|---|
| cmsschoolbookings@edmonton.ca |
Program Guide
Attractions School Program Guide 2015-2016
Hands-on interactive programs for schools at City Attractions and cultural sites.
