John Ball Zoo Park Reservations
Millennium Park Beach and Splashpad
Wabasis Park Campground and BeachEducation Programs
Traveling Zoo:
Let the Zoo come to you and learn about wildlife in a hands-on learning experience in the comfort of your own classroom or facility. Zoo Instructors and/or trained Docents visit classrooms, scout meetings, retirement communities, civic events, and more! These programs are available throughout the year.
Wild Encounters:
Let your students get a close encounter with animals while at the zoo. These animal encounter presentations give a classroom of students the chance to learn through a presentation of 3-4 program animals. Each 30-45 minute presentation is designed to teach about one of the core education topics listed. These are available when the zoo is open and include zoo admission with the program fee.
Programs are flexible and fun, and can be designed to meet your needs. Core Education Topics include: Animal Essentials, Michigan Wildlife, Animal Senses, Animal Classification, Growing up Wild, Animal Adaptation, Predator - Prey, Connections, Wildlife Conservation and more.
Zoo Explorer Tours:
Join us for a 2-hour guided tour of the zoo that includes a hands-on animal encounter, guided indoor exploration and outdoor tours. Each program is designed to teach students about one of the core education topics.
Core Education Topics include: Animal Essentials, Animal Classification, Animal Adaptation, Connections, and Wildlife Conservation.
Self-Guided Tours:
If you are interested in learning at your own pace, you can pre-register for a discounted school group admission and use online teaching resources.
Zoo Lab:
This immersion learning program allows teachers to use the zoo as their classroom for the week. Students spend Monday through Friday here using the animals as the basis for studying not only science but math, social studies, and language arts. Designed for upper elementary grades this program offers students the opportunity to engage in more in-depth learning about animals and their connections with humans.Overnight Adventures:
See the zoo in a new light and have a fun-filled, nocturnal learning adventure! Come to the zoo after hours and enjoy a v
ariety of activities – sneak a peak on a guided behind the scenes tour, get an up-close look at an animal demonstration, enjoy hands-on activities and even make a little something for the animals to eat the following morning. We offer a variety of Overnight Adventure programs for scout or community groups, individual youth and families.
Summer Discovery Program:
John Ball Zoo’s Summer Discovery Program is a unique, fun, hands-on learning experience for children, ages 3 years to those entering 9th grade! Each class follows its particular theme and uses a variety of methods to stimulate the learning process (role-playing, behind the scenes tours, games, stories, songs, and more). Special projects are often brought home throughout the week. Each class has their own room with a qualified instructor and educational aide, and will frequently spend time in the park and/or zoo setting. Class sizes are strictly limited to provide a high quality experience.
Twilight Sensory Tour:
Experience the zoo in a new 'light'. Bring your flashlight and a sense of adventure for this guided tour of the zoo as the sun goes down. Learn how to use your senses at night and how animals are adapted to life in the dark. The program includes an animal encounter, hands-on activities for children ages 5 years and above, and guided tour. These programs are available to families, scout groups and schools.
Zoo School
Zoo School is a permanent school on-site at the Zoo. Two classes of sixth graders take their entire school year at the Zoo. This program operated by the Grand Rapids Public School System, has been housed at the Zoo for over 20 years.
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You've had an ed-zoo-cational experience while visiting our web pages! What did you learn?
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