Zoorific Opportunities for Girl Scouts
At Your Erie Zoo in 2010
                                                                      
Daisy through Ambassador Recognition Programs: General Information
          
Recognition Programs are available for all Girl Scout levels.  Programs may be scheduled weekdays or weekends between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm for groups of 30 or fewer.  A minimum program fee based on 10 participants will be charged.  Group admission of $4.00 per adult (ages 12 and older and $3.00 per child (ages 2- 11) may be charged in addition to the program fee for the groups staying beyond their program time.  Any child over age 2 who attends the program must be included in determining the program fee.  Parents bringing tag-along children should be aware that the program is aimed at the age level of the troop attending.  Children who are disruptive should be removed from the classroom by the parent or troop leader.  The troop leader is responsible for purchasing any badges their troop earns from the Girl Scout Council Office.  Call the Erie Zoological Society Education Department at (814) 864-4091 ext. 247 to schedule your program at least two weeks in advance.

Daisy Girl Scouts

Looking for a fun, age appropriate program for your troop of Daisies?  The Erie Zoo has one-hour programs to engage your girls in active learning.  All materials are provided.  Programs may be scheduled year-round during regular zoo hours. See additional information above.
Cost per child $5.00 (minimum fee is $50.00 based upon 10 participants).  No charge for adults for the program. Make a day of it at the zoo and stay after or come before your program to visit the zoo on your own.  Group admission is only $4.00 per adult (ages 12 & older) and $3.00 per child (ages 2 – 11).  Erie Zoo Members receive free admission to the zoo.  

Animal Coverings:  Meet a mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian up-close.  Learn about the special coverings they have and make a special animal coverings craft to take home.

Zoo Moves:  Learn to move like the animals move as we observe animals in motion, meet animals up-close and move to some “wild” rhythms. Craft a moveable animal project to take home.

Green and Growing:  What better topic could there be for
a group of “Daisies”?  The Erie Zoo is also a botanical garden
so let’s explore the greenhouses and grow our own plant-pal
to take home.   The girls will learn what plants need to survive
and will learn about the parts of a plant.

Need more information or want to schedule a program?  Call the Erie Zoo Education Department at (814) 864-4091 ext. 247. 

Brownie Try-it Programs

Looking for a different way to earn some try-its?  Need some expert assistance with animal and nature related try-its or just want to add a “wild” twist to your Brownie program?  The Erie Zoo offers six Brownie try-it programs.  Each of these programs requires two hours to complete.  At least four parts of the try-it will be met as well as providing the girls with exciting hands-on contact with topic-related education animals.  Leaders are provided with a list of ideas for extending the girl’s interests into other try-its and activities.  Please see "Daisy through Ambassador Recognition Programs General Information".

Cost per topic: $7.00 per child.  ($70.00 minimum fee).  No program charge for adults.  
Make a day of it at the zoo and stay after or come before your program to visit the zoo on your own.  Group admission is only $4.00 per adult (ages 12 & older) and $3.00 per child (ages 2 – 11).  Erie Zoo Members receive free admission to the zoo. 

Animals:  Discover the wonders of the Erie Zoo as we observe at some of the exhibits and meet several animals up-close.  Emphasis is on animal adaptations, safe handling of animals, which animals make the best pets, animal locomotion and sounds.   Girls make an “animal manners” sign to take home.

Earth and Sky:  Explore life up high and down low as we search
for life in the sky and in the soil.  Learn how the sun affects water
and ways living things protect themselves from too much sun.
Girls conduct experiments, meet animals and make a “sunwise” craft.
This program may be conducted April through October. 

Eco-Explorer:  Learn about habitats and animal and plant interactions through songs, games and craft projects.  A scavenger hunt takes us through the zoo to find living and non-living things.  Service project helpful hints are provided to leaders.
 

Watching Wildlife:  Visit the zoo to learn to “talk” to some of our animals in their special ways.  See what changes animals go through with the seasons.   Examine the work of several animal architects and make a “nest warming” gift for the birds in your neighborhood. 

Water Everywhere:  Learn about the importance of water to living
things everywhere through animal visitors, experiments and observations. This program utilizes the pond and aquatic exhibits in the zoo for observations.  No wading is involved so we can explore water year round.

Need more information or want to schedule a program?  Call the Erie Zoo Education Department at (814) 864-4091 ext. 247. 

Junior Badge Programs

These programs require a minimum of 2 ½ hours to complete and may require leader follow-up on activities at a troop meeting after the zoo visit.  Cost: $8 per child.  ($80.00 minimum fee).   No program charge for adults.  All materials are included in the program fee.  Every program involves animal visitors.  Make a day of it at the zoo and stay after or come before your program to visit the zoo on your own.  Group admission is only $4.00 per adult (ages 12 & older) and $3.00 per child (ages 2 – 11).  Erie Zoo Members receive free admission to the zoo. 
Please see "Daisy through Ambassador Recognition Programs General Information" above.
 

Plants and Animals:  This program makes learning about animals and plants hands-on and fun. Girls start their own plant-pal, meet animals up-close, learn how we train animals at the zoo and look for wild relatives of their favorite pets.

Pet Care:  What makes an animal a good pet?  How do responsible pet owners choose pets wisely?  Discover the ways the Erie Zoo keeps their wild and domestic animals happy and healthy as you learn to understand your pet's needs.  Learn what Zoonosis means and how pet owners can prevent the spread of pet borne diseases.
 

Earth Connections:  (available June through October only.) Dress for the weather as we explore plants and animals found in a natural area in the zoo.  Learn to understand some adaptations of animals and plants and recognize the ways people affect the environment.

Wildlife:  Your troop may choose to become experts on mammals, birds, reptiles/amphibians or insects/arthropods for this exploration of wildlife.  Meet animals from your group up-close, conduct animal observations and learn how naturalists use field markings to identify the wildlife they encounter.

Your Outdoor Surroundings:  Learn the art of nature journaling as we explore and observe animals, plants and natural treasures.  Leaders are encouraged to complete #3. What Does Minimal Impact Mean? as they prepare for their zoo visit. 

Water Wonders:  Water is vital to all life on earth.  Discover aquatic animals and plants.  Explore the ways that the Erie Zoo utilizes water and learn where the water you use comes from through fun activities and animal visitors.
 

Need more information or want to schedule a program?  Call the Erie Zoo Education Department at (814) 864-4091 ext. 247. 

Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Interest Project Programs

These programs require approximately 3 hours to complete and generally will require follow-up at a troop meeting after the zoo visit.  Cost per child:  $9.00 ($90.00 minimum fee.)  No program charge for adults.   Make a day of it - Group admission is only $4.00 per adult (ages 12 & older) and $3.00 per child (ages 2 – 11).  Erie Zoo Members receive free admission to the zoo. 

Museum Discovery: Tour the zoo and even get a peek behind the scenes to see how the zoo operates.   Create a plan to exhibit the animal of your choice.  Finish your service project here by creating a conservation poster to be displayed at the zoo.  

Wildlife:  Explore a natural area in the zoo to identify plants and animals, look for animal signs and document your discoveries.  Learn to conduct behavioral observations while observing one of your favorite zoo animals.  Explore wildlife-oriented careers and create a game to play with younger girls. 

Plant Life:  Did you know that the Erie Zoo is also a botanical garden?  What a great place to learn about plants, their care and plant related careers.  Materials are provided to assist you in planning and implementing a service project, or ask us if there is a current gardening project you can participate in following your program.

All about Birds:  Build your knowledge and understanding of birds’ anatomy, identification, migratory patterns and more.  Learn what zoos are doing to protect and preserve endangered bird species.  Meet some of our birds up-close as we create a bird work of art.  You can chose to stay beyond your program time to implement an education or craft table for our zoo visitors to finish your service project.  Just ask when scheduling your program.
 
Architecture and Environmental Design:  Explore the zoo's exhibits and learn what it takes to create a facility that meets the needs of the animals, visitors and staff.  Try your hand at designing a model and creating architectural drawings. 

More for Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors:

Interested in Career Exploration?  One hour long Zoo Career tour/talks are available at a flat group rate of $75.00 for up to 15 participants for a behind the scenes tour. Make a day of it by adding on group admission of only $4.00 per adult (ages 12 & older) and $3.00 per child (ages 2 – 11).  Erie Zoo Members receive free admission to the zoo.

Volunteer Opportunities for Troops and Individuals:  We have a variety of volunteer opportunities that could assist with fulfillment of a wide range of Interest Project requirements.  

Need more information or want to schedule a program?  Call the Erie Zoo Education Department at (814) 864-4091 ext. 247. 

Cadettes and Seniors-
Are You Looking for Something Wild
As a Service Project or are You Interested in a Wildlife Related Career?

Then you belong in the Zoo!
Talk with your troop and leaders to determine where your interests lie.
Call the Erie Zoo Education Department at (814) 864-4091 ext. 247 for information on our many opportunities for individual teens or for
Scout troops.

Special Event Volunteer Opportunities
ZooBoo (Must be 14 years old)
Special events (Must be 14 years old)
(We have costumed roles, crafts tables, treat booths, concessions and more to staff with teen volunteers)
Why not help us out while you complete service hours and service projects for your Interest Projects?

EdZooCrew Teen Volunteers
Help with camps in the summer or staff a discovery or activity table.
Must be 14 years old.  Earn your community service bar.

Career Related Programs
1 hour tours and programs on Zoo Careers are available to groups.
One day to one week long Career Exploration Workshops and Classes
are available to individuals.

Shadowing Opportunities
For individuals seriously considering a career in the following fields, limited Shadowing Opportunities are available:
Animal Care
Education
Horticulture (Plants)
Maintenance
Public Relations