Year-Round Programs

The following  programs are offered throughout the year at the Edmonton Valley Zoo.

Call our School and Group Programs Bookings Office at:
780-442-1442 or email cmsschoolbookings@edmonton.ca to book your group's next visit to the zoo.

Year Round Programs for Groups

Please refer to the following table 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.

Group 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
Overnights (sleepover)	Jan 1 - Aug 31, 2016	$500
	Sep 1 - Dec 31, 2016	$650

Zoo Safari Tours

Ages 3 and up

Get closer to the animals on your day at the zoo with the assistance of an interpreter. Tour the zoo, meet some critters, and have a howlin’ good time! Our themed tours will emphasize certain animal groups, continents, or animal adaptations, and can easily be adapted to various age groups.  Select your tour from the options below.

Program Length: 1.5 hours (Ages 3-4), 2 hours (Ages 5 and up)

Option 1 - Animal Senses Tour
Have you ever wondered how animals use their senses to find lunch, or warn others about a predator? Bring your group for a “sense-sational” safari tour to learn about how some animals use their five senses in the way they live.

*Emphasis will be placed on animals that fit in the theme, but other animals may also be included in the program.

Option 2 - Northern Adventure Tour
Discover some of the animals that call the northern hemisphere home! An interpreter will guide your group around the zoo to meet some our native animals that call the zoo home. Learn about some of the diverse ecosystems found in the northern parts of the world and how animals adapt to living in them.

*Emphasis will be placed on animals that fit in the theme, but other animals may also be included in the program.

Option 3 - Animals of the World Tour
Let’s explore animals around the world! from the tigers of Siberia to the lemurs of Madagascar, students will discover some of the exotic animals at the zoo and all the various shapes, sizes, textures, colours and patterns they have.

*Emphasis will be placed on animals that fit in the theme, but other animals may also be included in the program.

Fur, Feathers, and Scales

Ages 4–6

Do all birds have feathers? Do all mammals have fur? Do amphibians and reptiles share some of the same features? Students will get a chance to feel the difference in textures between fur, feathers, and scales. We'll tour the zoo to see and meet a variety of animals that represent each major group — birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Program Length: 1.5 hours (Ages 3-4), 2 hours (Ages 5-6)

Nosy Noses

Preschool - Kindergarten

Be a little nosy around the zoo! Discover some of the amazing noses that belong to our zoo animals, and learn how each nose has a special use: elephants use them for work, seals have noses to keep out water, and snakes hide their ‘smellers’ inside their mouth. Have nosy encounters with some animals, play a nose matching bingo game, and test your own sense of smell by playing our mystery scent game.

Program Length: 1.5 or 2 hours

Tail Tales

Preschool - Kindergarten

Discover the tale behind those tails! With an interpreter as your guide, you’ll find tails of all shapes and sizes and discover how different animals use their tails to move, show off, communicate, and defend themselves. As we tour the zoo, try to guess the mystery tails shown in our tail tales cards, and keep your eye out for the only animal at the zoo that doesn’t have a tail! Through encounters and artifacts, your students will learn all about animals -- from behind.

Program Length: 1.5 or 2 hours

Endangered Species

Ages 6 and up

Your group will become aware of what animals are endangered and the reasons behind each species decline. You'll get a chance to examine artifacts from endangered species, and will also learn about the role zoos play in the conservation of a number of species. The Edmonton Valley Zoo offers you the opportunity to meet some of the more endangered species up close.

Program Length: 2 hours

Be a Zookeeper

Ages 7 and up

Zookeepers are always busy — making meals, creating enrichments, caring for sick animals and cleaning animal enclosures. Your group will take part in at least one zoo keeping activity that needs to be done that day. You'll find out what it's like to be a zookeeper, why zookeepers make enrichments for our animals, and why zookeepers provide these to our animals, and what some of our animals eat every day. Your group will also get a chance to meet and touch a few of our smaller animals.

Program Length: 2 hours

Zoo Sleepover

Ages 5 and up

Wake up to the sounds of gibbons whooping and kookaburras laughing! This exciting overnight at the zoo will include an evening tour to see which animals are just waking up, behind-the-scenes experiences, and animal encounters.

Your group will help make and deliver animal enrichments, and experience a night to remember. Program can also include an evening campfire (depending on weather conditions). Please inquire at time of booking. You can customize your group experience with themed activity options by:

1. Choosing any 2 of the listed Edmonton Valley Zoo group programs at time of booking, OR
2. Inquire about other program themes that may be of interest to your group! Some suggested themes include:

Option 1 - Nocturnal Animal
Tour the zoo and discover which animals are most active as the sun goes down. Themed activities, games, encounters, artifacts, and enrichments will enhance your students’ appreciation for the wide variety of animals that are capable of surviving at night, and the unique adaptations of nocturnal animals.

Option 2 – Endangered Species
Explore the zoo after-hours and meet some of our threatened and endangered animals. Hands-on activities, games, encounters, artifacts, and enrichments will focus on some of the endangered animals that live at the zoo, and reasons for their endangerment. Go behind-the-scenes, and discover how zoos and zookeepers care for many of our endangered species.

Option 3 – Be a Zookeeper
What is it like to be a zookeeper? Tour the zoo behind-the-scenes and learn how zookeepers care for the many animals that live at the zoo. Students will participate in various zookeeping activities* including cleaning an animal enclosure, and preparing an enrichment and a diet for a couple of our zoo residents. Animal encounters and hands-on animal-themed games and activities round out the evening.

*Specific activities selected for your program are dependent on animal health and zookeeper availability.

Sleepover Guidelines & Itinerary

Meals
You plan and supply your snack and breakfast menus. Adult supervisors will be responsible for preparing meals, and cleaning up, with some staff guidance.

Sleeping Arrangements
The group will sleep in one of the classrooms located in the Edventure Lodge. Groups can be separated into two separate rooms if a request is made during the booking process. Participants must supply their own sleeping bags, ground mat, cutlery, mess kits, and personal items. Groups are responsible for food and clean up.

Staff and Parent Volunteers
A minimum of 4 adult supervisors are required. You can choose to bring your own adult volunteer supervisors or pay an additional charge of $125/staff to meet the required number of supervisors.

Program Length

Arrive at 6pm and depart at 11am the following day. Groups staying later than departure time will be charged an additional $30/hour or part thereof.

Available

Fridays and Saturdays, September to June

 

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
Email	cmsschoolbookings@edmonton.ca