Cincinnati Zoo Field Trip: A Comprehensive Guide

Planning a field trip to the Cincinnati Zoo can be a fun and educational experience for students. The Cincinnati Zoo offers a variety of pre-registered programs, field trip guidelines, educator resources, and financial aid opportunities to ensure a successful and engaging visit.

Pre-Registered Programs

The Cincinnati Zoo offers several pre-registered programs designed for school groups, including:

1. Close Encounters: Interactive programs focusing on animal adaptations, suitable for preschool to 8th-grade students. Cost: $25 per program.
2. Sustainability Tours: Guided tours highlighting the Zoo’s green practices, suitable for 6th-12th-grade students. Cost: Free.
3. CREW Tours: Guided tours of the CREW building, focusing on animal and plant research, suitable for 7th-grade to college students. Cost: Free.

Field Trip Overview

• Chaperone Requirements: One free adult chaperone for every 7 students, with additional chaperones encouraged to enjoy the Zoo during the encounter and reunite with the group upon its completion.
• Parking: Bus parking passes are required, and carpooling is encouraged. Parking locations vary by season.
• Field Trip Rules: Students must be accompanied and actively supervised by a chaperone in all animal contact areas, Zoo Gift Shops, and Zoo Rides.

Educator Resources

• Teacher Newsletter: Sign up for the monthly newsletter for up-to-date information on wildlife education.
• Teacher Facebook Group: Join the group for information on educational programs and resources.
• Lesson Plans: The Zoo provides self-guided activities or teachers can create their own lesson plans.

Virtual Field Trips

• Wild Chats: 45-minute interactive virtual programs available year-round, suitable for schools, preschools, scout groups, libraries, and adult organizations. Cost: $150 (schools during school hours: $100).
• Wild Wednesday: Live 15-minute programs on the Teacher Connections Facebook page, focusing on resident animals and their caretakers.

Financial Aid

The Living Classroom Education Access Fund provides financial assistance for qualified schools. Eligible schools can apply for free field trips, day programs, camps, and family programs. Applications are closed for the 2023-24 school year and will reopen on August 1, 2024, for the 2024-25 school year.

Field Trip Map

The Zoo provides a detailed field trip map to help plan your visit. Check out locations 8, 9, and 10 for program locations.

Scavenger Hunt

Create a scavenger hunt to engage students during the field trip. The Zoo’s diverse animal collection and interactive programs provide ample opportunities for exploration and learning.

Grant Opportunities

The Cincinnati Zoo offers grants for qualified schools through the Living Classroom Education Access Fund. Applications are available on the Zoo’s website.

Virtual Field Trip Video

Watch the virtual field trip video, “Virtual Field Trip #3 – The Cincinnati Zoo,” which took over 1,000 students on a tour of the Roo Valley, featuring kangaroos, wallabies, and other animals.

Reference Links

1. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Field Trip Guide. Retrieved from https://cincinnatizoo.org/fieldtripguide/
2. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Field Trips. Retrieved from https://cincinnatizoo.org/education/school-programs/field-trips/
3. YouTube. (2020). Virtual Field Trip #3 – The Cincinnati Zoo. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBgQIPBy1_8
4. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Living Classroom Education Access Fund. Retrieved from https://cincinnatizoo.org/education/school-programs/living-classroom-education-access-fund/
5. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. (n.d.). School & Group Programs. Retrieved from https://cincinnatizoo.org/education/school-programs/.