For Schools

School Programs

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 would be pleased to accommodate any specific learning objectives you would like to have included in your program.

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 and mail or fax it back to the Edmonton Valley Zoo. Our mail and fax information is on the back page of the evaluation. We value customer comments and suggestions!

Information for Booking Your School Program

Booking Procedures

Bookings for the 2011/2012 school year will begin on Monday, August 22.

We require a minimum of 2 weeks advance notice for bookings. 

Booking Checklist

Please be prepared with the following information to make your booking:

  • name of the program you are interested in
  • a variety of dates you can come
  • 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 30 children must book an additional program.

Adults are admitted with the program in the following ratios:

  • Preschool: 1 adult per 3 children
  • K - Grade 6: 1 adult per 5 children
  • Grades 7 - 12: 1 adult per 10 children

Groups who arrive exceeding the maximum of 30 children or 40 people total will be charged additional fees after the program.

We encourage additional adults wanting to attend the program to pay regular admission and enjoy the zoo on their own. The additional adults can rejoin your group once the guided program is over.

How and Where To Book

Email: the bookings office at cmsschoolbookings@edmonton.ca

Online: submit your booking request online at www.edmonton.ca/edprogrambookings

Phone: 780-442-1442. The bookings office is open 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday.

Phone: 780-496-6955 for City Arts Centre. The bookings office is open 9am-9pm, Monday-Friday.

Our School Programs

Preschool, Kindergarten and Division 1 Programs
• Zoo Safari • Fur, Feathers & Scales • Nosy Noses • Tail Tails • Endangered Species • Old MacDonald's Farm • Night Creatures • WinterZoo • Zoo Immersion • Sleepover

Division 2 Programs
• Endangered Species • Zoo Safari • Night Creatures • WinterZoo • Zoo Immersion • Sleepover

Division 3 & 4 Programs
• Zookeeping as a Career • Endangered Species • Zoo Safari  • WinterZoo • Zoo Immersion • Sleepover

The Zoo in Your School — Outreach Programs for All Divisions
• Little Critters • Zoo Safari in your School • Raptors in Flight* • Animals Adapt to their Environment • Mini-Zoo

* The Raptors in Flight outreach program is currently unavailable for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year.

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.

Teacher Information Packages

Information packages for all our school programs (2011-12) are available online.

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 & Payment

Please refer to the 2011-12 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.

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 Community Services Payment Processing, PO Box 2359, 14th Floor CN, Edmonton AB, T5J 2R7

Cancellation Policy & Fees

You are required to provide written notice of cancellation of your programs via email at cmsschoolbookings@edmonton.ca OR fax at 780-577-3527.

No fee for cancellation will be charged if the program is rescheduled within the same school year.

A fee of $50 per class will be charged if less than 2 weeks notice of cancellation is given.

The full program fee will be charged if less than 48 hours notice is given.

Programs run rain or shine. In the event of poor weather, you must contact the booking office directly if you are not coming. If you cancel due to weather conditions:

  • you will not be charged for rescheduling in the same school year, OR
  • you will be charged $50/class if the program is not rescheduled.

 

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
City of Edmonton Logo

Copyright © 2012, City of Edmonton.