Registration for winter/spring Education Programs Open

Registration for Winter/Spring 2015-16 Education Programs begin on December 14 for Boise residents and December 16 For non-residents.

To register in person visit the Fort Boise Community Center (700 Robbins Road) or call (208) 608-7680.

PreSchool Zoo (Ages 3-5) with Adult

Get to know some of our Zoo Boise animals better in this series of programs designed for adults & preschoolers.  Each week features a different animal. Activities are designed to be multi-sensory and may include mini zoo tours, movement activities, listening to stories, crafts, touching artifacts, and meeting live animals.  Join us for this informal introduction to the wonderful world of animals! All children must be accompanied by an enrolled, paying adult and who is ready to take part in the activities!  Maximum of 2 children per enrolled adult.  For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, unregistered children (including siblings) may not attend.  All children must be at least 3 years old by the date of the first class to attend.  Minimum participants 10, maximum 20.
Cost per person per series: $20 for FoZB passholders and City of Boise residents, $24 for nonresidents.

Series 1 – January

Topics: Meerkat, Cricket, Elephant Shrew, Moon Jelly
01/05/2016 – 01/26/2016, Tuesdays, 9:30am – 10:30am & 11:00am – 12:00pm
01/09/2016 – 01/30/2016, Saturdays, 10:00 am – 11:00 am  NEW!

Series 2 – February

Topics:  Eagle, Spider Monkey, Frog, Hedgehog
02/02/2016 – 02/23/2016, Tuesdays, 9:30am – 10:30 am & 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
02/06/2016 – 02/27/2016, Saturdays, 10:00 am – 11:00 am  NEW!

Series 3 – March**

Topics: Parrot, Porcupine, Gila Monster, Lemur
03/01/2016 – 03/29/2016, Tuesdays, 9:30am – 10:30 am & 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
**No class on Mar 22 due to spring break.  Saturday sessions not available in March.

Series 4 – April

Topics: Russian Tortoise, Sloth, Warty Pig, Squirrel
04/05/2016 – 04/26/2016, Tuesdays, 9:30am – 10:30 am & 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
04/02/2016 – 04/23/2016, Saturdays, 10:00 am – 11:00 am  NEW!

Family & Friends' Wild Weekends at the Zoo (Ages 6+)

Zoo Cats

Explore the world of cats:  snow leopards, lions, tigers and servals!  Find out what makes cats the ultimate predator and how they are the same (or different) from house cats.  Test your “cat” skills and create a special treat for a Zoo Boise cat.  After the program, stay at the zoo to enjoy the rest of the animals. Minimum enrollment 10, maximum enrollment 25.  Cost is per person and includes admission to the Zoo.  Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; accompanying adult must register and pay program fee.
Cost per person:  FoZB passholder & City of Boise residents $12, nonresidents $16
03/05/2016, Saturday, 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Family Snooze at the Zoo Overnight (Adult + child ages 7+)

A memorable experience is sure to be had by those who experience Snooze at the Zoo!  Zoo guides will provide your family with evening and early morning treks through the zoo to investigate animals as well as their habitats, behavior, and care.  Activities, games, art projects, and up-close animal encounters are also part of the Snooze at the Zoo adventure.  Evening snack, continental breakfast, and indoor/outdoor sleeping area provided. One adult per five children.  Details regarding items to bring for the overnight will be sent to campers one week prior to the program. Minimum enrollment 15, maximum enrollment 32.
Cost per person:  $45 FoZB passholders and City of Boise residents, $50 nonresidents
05/06/2016 – 05/07/2016, Friday 6:30 pm – Saturday 9:00 am

Adult Programs (Ages 18+)

WOO AT THE ZOO – A Wild Valentine’s Celebration for Adults

Birds do it.  Bees do it.  Snow leopards do it.  Find out how animals at Zoo Boise woo each other and Woo at the Zoo.  Open to both singles and sweethearts, this memorable Valentine’s Day event will reveal the intimate secrets of exotic animal mating and dating – from the humorous and tawdry to passionate and subtle.  Enjoy a guided stroll through the zoo, presentations by zookeepers regarding animal breeding in zoos, up-close animal encounters and other animal-amore-related activities.  A pasta dinner, dessert, drinks, photos with your sweetheart and take-home chocolate are included.  Space is limited to 30 people.  Need someone to watch the little ones while parents enjoy an evening at the zoo?  Enroll your kiddos in the “I Love the Zoo” program!
Cost is per person: $40 for FoZB passholders and City of Boise residents, $45 nonresidents
02/13/2016, Saturday, 4:00pm – 7:00 pm

I LOVE THE ZOO – For Kids of “Woo at the Zoo” Parents

Need a place for the kids while you enjoy some time with your sweetheart during Zoo Boise’s Woo at the Zoo?  Look no further than Zoo Boise!  Kids will have an evening of animal-themed fun.  It all starts with a pizza dinner, followed by a guided zoo walk see what critters do at night, a sneak peak at the Zoo Kitchen.  They will also enjoy a fun game, craft, and an up-close animal encounter. Space is limited to 26 children. Note: This program is open only to kids whose parents/guardians are enrolled in Woo at the Zoo.
Cost is per person:  $20
02/13/2016, Saturday, 4:00pm – 7:00 pm

Lifetime & Leisure (Ages 62+)

One-day adult education, leisure and social programs offer a variety of opportunities to get out and enjoy Boise and the surrounding area. Transportation for programs will be provided from one or more of the Community Centers. If minimum enrollment is not met at one meeting site, you may be asked to meet at a different location for transportation. Return times for many programs are approximate as travel and question/answer time can vary. Seating on the shuttle will be based on registration.

ZOO CATS

Explore the world of cats at Zoo Boise. Find out what makes cats the ultimate predator and how they are the same (or different) from house cats. Find out the unique challenges of providing care for them in a zoo setting, wildlife conservation efforts for snow leopards in Asia and lions of Gorongosa National Park in Africa.
Cost is per person: $10 for FoZB passholders and City of Boise residents, $14.95 nonresidents
04/20/2016, Wednesday, 12:45pm – 4:30 pm

School Breaks: Mini-Camps & Spring Break

Zoo Boise Youth camps include:

• Zoo guided tours
• Classroom lessons, demonstrations, and experiments
• Exploration of animal biofacts
• Daily animal encounter or enrichment
• Arts & crafts projects
• Educational videos
• Zookeeper talks
• Ecology-focused games

Winter Wonder-ZOO-Land (Grades 1^st-6^th)

01/18/2016, Monday, 9am-4pm
Many of Zoo Boise’s animals love winter chilly days!  You will see how snow leopards frolic in their rocky habitat, why sloth bears do not hibernate and where penguins play during the colder months.  We will meet a mystery animal up-close that has no problem staying warm and cozy during January. Experiments and activities about animals staying warm, hot chocolate and a winter wildlife art creation are all part of a day that will bring warm memories.  Minimum enrollment 10, maximum enrollment 26.
Cost per person:  $45 for FoZB annual passholder and City of Boise residents, $50 for nonresidents

TIGERS  (Grades 1^st-6^th)

02/15/2016, Monday, 9am-4pm
Tigers are the largest cat in the world.  Explore what makes this animal such a great hunter and how it survives in its habitat.  Meet the zookeepers who care for tigers at the Zoo, check out what tigers eat at the Zoo, compare tigers to other cat species, create and give a toy to a cat, and create your own tiger art.  Minimum 10, maximum 26.
Cost per person:  $45 for FoZB annual passholder and City of Boise residents, $50 for nonresidents

Jr. Zoologist (Grades 2^nd-6^th)

03/21/2016-03/25/2016, Monday – Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm
Take on the challenge of being a zoologist! In this program, you will participate in the same activities of a zoologist including determining physical similarities and differences between animal groups using up-close biofact investigations, studying and creating animal diets, observing and recording animal behaviors and finding ways that humans can help animal wildlife.    Minimum enrollment 10, maximum enrollment 26.
Cost per person:  $165 FoZB annual passholders and City of Boise residents, $180 nonresidents

ZOO CAREERS (Grades 7^th-10^th)

03/21/2016-03/25/2016, Monday – Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm
Interested in working at a zoo or another career with animal wildlife? Depending on the career, you may need skills that include fundraising, art or graphic design, marketing & communications, architecture and construction, animal collection management, education, and wildlife conservation as well as animal care.  Join us to explore the many careers available at zoos and other animal-focused organizations.  Meet the people responsible for running the zoo, including members of the animal care team, and perform some of their daily responsibilities and chores.  We will meet the veterinarian & zookeepers, clean an exhibit, create animal diets, conduct DNA extraction and learn how genetics plays a role captive breeding, and explore wildlife conservation projects funded by the Zoo Boise community.  To assist your career planning, salaries, required education and experience, and resumé building will be explored. Minimum enrollment 10, maximum enrollment 16.
Cost per person:  $165 FoZB annual passholders and City of Boise residents, $180 nonresidents

Homeschool Zoo (Grades K-5)

The Homeschool Zoo program series provides a unique learning experience for students schooled at home. The course consists of classroom discussion, laboratory activities, animal encounters and specialized zoo tours. Starting Fall 2015, classes will align with State Science Standards and focus on topics and principles based on grade level. Themes will emphasize looking at animal groups and taxonomy, adaptations, habitats, and ecology. Each individual household must register their child for the class. Kids only! Please bring a small snack for a 15 minute break during class. Minimum students 10, maximum 25.
Cost per child per class: $5.75.
All classes are from 9:00am – 11:30am.

K & 1^st Grade (Ages 5-6)

01/06 – Swing & Swim
02/03 – Weathering Winter
03/02 – Little Scientists

2^nd & 3^rd Grade (Ages 7-8)

01/13 – What’s for Dinner?
02/10 – Wildlife Research
03/09 – HIPPO

4^th & 5^th Grade (Ages 9-10)

01/20 – Plant Play
02/17 – Junior Zoologists
03/16 – Endangered Species

Friends of Zoo Boise Annual Pass Holders receive discounts on some classes.  If you are a Friends of Zoo Boise pass holder, please be sure to enroll in the activity number listed under the Friends of Zoo Boise Rate to receive the discount. A current pass is required and must be available for proof upon registration and at program check-in.

Want to learn more about Zoo Boise Annual Passes? Click here.