For those extra enthusiastic animal lovers, there’s even a unique summer camp program for middle school students. Here, children will get a first-hand experience of what it’s like working at a zoo.
Any one of these exciting workshops will encourage kids to relate to wildlife on a genuine level. For more information, or to register for the following workshops, email cpzregistration@wcs.org.
Junior Zookeepers: Polar BearKids will learn about the Arctic’s wildest creature in this new program. They’ll make delicious treats for the zoo’s polar bears Gus and Ida, and enjoy a chat with the keepers who care for them.Ages: 6–10Saturday, March 13; 9:30 a.m.–11 a.m. Fee: $40 members; $45 non-members
Tricks of Animal Training Ever wonder how the keepers train the sea lions? Want to learn how to teach your pet to do a cool trick? Participants in this program will learn the answers to these and other questions from a profession animal trainer. Kids will learn what it means to target train a sea lion and end the program by watching keepers interact with the animals during a live training demonstration. Ages: 7–12 Date & Time: Saturday, April 10; 10 –11:30 a.m. Fee: $40 members; $45 non-members
Junior Keepers: Snow Leopard Kids will be in for a treat when they get a chance to make delicious snacks for big cats Zoe and Chocolate. They’ll also get to meet their keeper and participate in a snow leopard tracking activity. Ages: 6–10 Date & Time: Saturday, April 24 9:30–11 a.m. Fee: $40 members; $45 non-members
Junior Keepers: Tropic Zone Many animals live in the zoo’s Tropic Zone. Here, kids will participate in the early morning bird census and watch the animals eat their breakfast. Afterward, they’ll head behind the scenes for a tour of the zoo’s kitchen. Ages: 6–10 Date & Time: Saturday, May 8; 9 a.m.–10:30 a.m. Fee: $40 members; $45 non-members
Junior Keepers Calling all aspiring zookeepers! This five-day program will show kids what it’s like to work with animals as a career. They’ll meet keepers, go behind the scenes, and help prepare special treats for several zoo critters. These junior keepers will even get to design their own animal exhibit for the end-of-week “Exhibit Fair.” Ages: 10–12 years old Dates: Session A: July 26–30 Session B: August 16–20 Time: 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Fee: $350 members; $375 non-members
Contact: Barbara Russo, 212-439-6527, brusso@wcs.org
The Central Park Zoo, a Wildlife Conservation Society park, is located at 64th Street and Fifth Avenue. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, $5 for children 3 to 12, and free for children under 3. Admission includes entry into the main Zoo and the Tisch Children’s Zoo. Zoo spring/summer hours are 10am to 5pm weekdays; 10am to 5:30pm weekends. Fall/winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Tickets are sold until one half-hour before closing. For further information, please call 212-439-6500 or visit www.centralparkzoo.com
The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.
Special Note to the Media: If you would like to guide your readers or viewers to a web link where they can make donations in support of helping save wildlife and wild places, please direct them to: www.wcs.org/donation
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