Dickerson Park Zoo is a division of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and an accredited member institution of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
417-833-1570
Email: info@dickersonparkzoo.org
Dickerson Park Zoo
3043 North Fort Springfield, MO 65803
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Classes Booking Cart
Zoo Education Programs
Z.E.B.R.A. Classes at Dickerson Park Zoo open the amazing world of animals to children from tots to teens. Encourage curiosity, appreciation and wonder with up-close animal encounters where students learn through hands-on activities and experiences, crafts, stories and games, all designed to instill a lifelong love of learning and animal conservation and care. All education classes take place in the Gaska Family Education Wing building located a short drive from the front gate. See map for details. Registration for classes closes at noon one day prior to date of the class to allow teachers time to prepare.
Before registering for a class you must register for our website. It's free and easy. Just use the link below and then you can sign-up for classes once you are logged in. When you add classes to your cart they are not added to the cart in the main menu My Cart. They are added to Classes Booking Cart at the very top. Use that to see your cart. Additionally, during the booking process, you are presented with buttons to the cart in page.
Fall 2020 Z.E.B.R.A Classes
Strollers on Safari!
Put on your walking shoes and bring your stroller on safari! Each month we will travel with an educator to explore a continent, meet native animal ambassadors, and have an engaging zoo insider lead tour. For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, unregistered children (including siblings) may not attend. We will reschedule due to inclement weather. Where to meet: Join us at the entry of the Gaska Family Education Wing building located a short drive from the front gate. Strollers on Safari takes place outside, so dress for the weather. Come explore with DPZ!
Ages: 0-4, with an adult
Cost: FOZ members $15 for one child with an adult, each add’l child $2.50
Non-FOZ $20 for one child with an adult, each add’l child $5.00
Times and dates: Mornings from 9:30-10:30
***TO REGISTER, PLEASE CALL THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT (417)833-1570 OR CHECK BACK SOON FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION ***
September: Africa
#400 Friday, September 11th
#401 Friday, September 18th
#402 Friday, September 25th
October: Australia
#403 Friday, October 2nd
#404 Friday, October 9th
#405 Friday, October 16th
#406 Friday, October 23rd
#407 Friday, October 30th
November: South America
#408 Friday, November 6th
#409 Friday, November 13th
#410 Friday, November 20th
Zoo Tots classes are designed to spark curiosity and encourage discovery in young children. Classes include a craft, meeting animal friends and forming a connection with the natural world.
Age: Children ages 2-5 (students who have not yet started kindergarten) with one adult
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Fee: $10/FOZ members, $15/Non-members
September: Rivers and Streams
#380 Wednesday, September 23
#381 Friday, September 25
#382 Saturday, September 26
October: Going Batty!
#383 Wednesday, October 28
#384 Friday, October 30
#385 Saturday, October 31
November: Backyard Birds
#386 Wednesday, November 25
#387 Friday, November 27
#388 Saturday, November 28
December: Eco-Friendly Holiday Party
#389 Wednesday, December 23
A 45-minute program with story time, animal encounter, and crafts. Kids learn fun facts about the month's featured creature.
Age: Children 2 to 6 years of age, with an adult
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Fee: $10/FOZ members, $15/Non-members
September: King Vultures
#360 Thursday, September 10
#361 Friday, September 11
#362 Saturday, September 12
October: Tarantulas
#363 Thursday, October 15
#364 Friday, October 16
#365 Saturday, October 17
November: Red Kangaroos
#366 Thursday, November 12
#367 Friday, November 13
#368 Saturday, November 14
December: Gila Monsters
#369 Thursday, December 10
#370 Friday, December 11
#371 Saturday, December 12
Each three-hour class includes a myriad of activities including: zoo tours, crafts, animal visits, stories, snacks and more. Please wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. Zoo tours are weather dependent.
Age: Students enrolled in kindergarten or 1st grade; adults do not stay with child.
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $20/FOZ members, $30/Non-members
September: Goat Appreciation
#372 Saturday, September 26
October: National Fossil Day
#373 Saturday, October 17
November: All About Venom
#374 Saturday, November 28
Kindergarten and First Grade Winter Break Camp
Give the gift of experience this winter! Kindergartners and 1st graders are sure to love this exciting two day zoo camp. During our two days, we will celebrate our love for animals, all over the world! Everyone will find something new to love during our zoo tours, crafts, animal visits, stories, games and more. Please wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. Please bring a packed lunch that does not require refrigeration (reusable containers preferred). Zoo tours are weather dependent.
Age: Students enrolled in kindergarten or 1st grade; adults do not stay with child.
Fee per session: $75/FOZ Member $90/Non-member
Time: 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
#375 Monday and Tuesday, December 28 and 29
#376 Wednesday and Thursday, December 30 and 31
Keeper for a Day
New in 2020! A special, limited opportunity to shadow our education animal staff in a personal setting (only two students each day). Participate in the everyday care duties of our education animal ambassadors, including feeding, cleaning, and making and distributing special enrichment items. Roll up those sleeves and prepare to get dirty! Experience includes a zoo lunch of your choice.
Fee per session: $60/FOZ Member $75/Non-Member
Time: 12:30pm-4:30pm
#350 Sunday, September 13
#351 Sunday, October 4
#352 Sunday, November 8
#353 Sunday, December 13
Wild Canids Day Camp
We love our domestic dogs, but what about their wild family members? Let’s find out who’s who in the canid world through games, crafts, and up close looks at this amazing group of animals!
Age: 2-3 Grade
Fee per session: $60/FOZ Members $75/Non-Member
Time: 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Reptile Rendezvous Day Camp
They’re scaly, cold-blooded, and so cool! Let’s dive into the world of reptiles with zoo tours, hands-on animal encounters, games, crafts, and more.
Age: 2-3 Grade
Fee per session: $60/FOZ Members $75/Non-Member
Time: 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Amazing Animal Architects Day Camp
Let's explore and celebrate the designs of some of the most incredible architects in the animal world! We'll discover the unbelievable techniques that animals use to build structures, while also taking a close look at our own zoo's habitat designs. Put on your construction hats for this camp!
Age: 2-3 Grade
Fee per session: $60/FOZ Members $75/Non-Member
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Keeper for a Day
New in 2020! A special, limited opportunity to shadow our education animal staff in a personal setting (only two students each day). Participate in the everyday care duties of our education animal ambassadors, including feeding, cleaning, and making and distributing special enrichment items. Roll up those sleeves and prepare to get dirty! Experience includes a zoo lunch of your choice.
Fee per session: $60/FOZ Member $75/Non-Member
Time: 12:30pm-4:30pm
#354 Sunday, September 20
#355 Sunday, October 11 FULL
#356 Sunday, November 15 FULL
#357 Sunday, December 20 FULL
Wild Canids Day Camp
We love our domestic dogs, but what about their wild family members? Let’s find out who’s who in the canid world through games, crafts, and up close looks at this amazing group of animals!
Age: 4-6 Grade
Fee per session: $60/FOZ Members $75/Non-Member
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Reptile Rendezvous Day Camp
They’re scaly, cold-blooded, and so cool! Let’s dive into the world of reptiles with zoo tours, hands-on animal encounters, games, crafts, and more.
Age: 4-6 Grade
Fee per session: $60/FOZ Members $75/Non-Member
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Amazing Animal Architects Day Camp
Let's explore and celebrate the designs of some of the most incredible architects in the animal world! We'll discover the unbelievable techniques that animals use to build structures, while also taking a close look at our own zoo's habitat designs. Put on your construction hats for this camp!
Age: 4-6 Grade
Fee per session: $60/FOZ Members $75/Non-Member
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHAT Bird Is That???
Birds are amazing creatures! Use your eyes and ears to creatively investigate the world of birds. Our educational team will help campers explore birds in their own backyard, nearby park or nature center. Meet bird enthusiasts, members of Greater Ozarks Audubon Society and hear personal stories that will instill a love of birds. During the week, we will construct a bird house, explore bird behaviors, and become citizen scientists. Each registration will include one birdhouse kit (Additional kits may be purchased for $10/kit. These must be ordered a minimum of three weeks before the camp is scheduled.), Feeding Backyard Birds poster from Missouri Department of Conservation, a complete list of apps and activities for the entire family. After completing the camp you can plan family outings to locate and identify birds. Don’t forget International Migratory Bird Day, Saturday, October 10, 2020.
Camp will run for one week. Campers will attend one hour each day, Monday-Friday, 3:30 –4:30 p.m. Central Time. As budding ornithologists we will include social time, to share observations, and ask questions. We will schedule this for 20 minutes after each one-hour camp session. Most days, campers will be given a “mission,” a fun hands-on project that will apply new learning and explore the fascinating world of ornithology independently or with the entire family.
Fee: $50/FOZ Members $75/Non Members
Ages: Specifically created for Families or Educators with children enrolled in Grades 2 – 5
Time: 3:30-4:30 Monday-Friday
***YOU MAY CALL (417)833-1570 TO REGISTER OR REGISTER ONLINE***
If you prefer paper registration use the button to the right to download the printable registration form.
Scavenger Hunts
Resources For Teachers & Parent
Activities for Grades 3 & 4
Resources For Teachers & Parent
Activities fo Grades 5 - 7
Resources For Teachers & Parent