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
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.
Fall 2018 Z.E.B.R.A Classes
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.
Fee per session: $10/FOZ Member $15/Non-member
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
September: Who Has Hooves?
#300 Wednesday, September 26
#301 Thursday, September 27
#302 Friday, September 28
#303 Saturday, September 29
October: Who Has Horns?
#304 Wednesday, October 24
#305 Thursday, October 25
#306 Friday, October 26
#307 Tuesday, October 30
November: Who Has Tusks?
#308 Saturday, November 24
#309 Wednesday, November 28
#310 Thursday, November 29
#311 Friday, November 30
(No December classes in this series. Check out our Creature Feature classes for December options.)
A 45-minute program with story time and crafts. Kids learn fun facts about the month’s featured creature.
Age: Children 2 to 6 years of age, with an adult
Fee per session: $10/FOZ Member $15/Non-member
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
September: Sloths
#330 Saturday, September 15
#331 Wednesday, September 19
#332 Thursday, September 20
#333 Friday, September 21
October: Eastern Screech Owls
#334 Wednesday, October 17
#335 Thursday, October 18 CLOSED
#336 Friday, October 19
#337 Saturday, October 20
November: Turkeys
#338 Thursday, November 15
#339 Friday, November 16
#340 Saturday, November 17
#341 Wednesday, November 21
December: Backyard Birds
#342 Saturday, December 15
#343 Wednesday, December 19
#344 Thursday, December 20
#345 Friday, December 21
Students ages 4 and 5, who have not yet started kindergarten are cordially invited to join Miss Jamie in a zoological celebration of elephant sized proportions! In this class, we will celebrate animal from all walks of life, from itty-bitty to gigantic, and everything in between! This camp makes an EXCELLENT holiday gift for the animal enthusiast! We will be exploring the zoo, weather dependent-please dress for the weather. This class includes animal encounters, a snack, and a craft to take home.
Age: Students ages 4 or 5, who have not yet started kindergarten; adults do not stay with child.
Fee per session: $20/FOZ Member $30/Non-member
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Kindergarten and first grade students are invited to join us for our exciting Fall Series. 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.
Fee per session: $20/FOZ Member $30/Non-member
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
September: Talking With Turtles
#320 Saturday, September 22
October: Slithering With Snakes
#321 Saturday, October 20
November: Laughing with Lizards
#322 Saturday, November 17
Kindergarten/1st Grade Winter Break Camp
Kindergartners and 1st graders are cordially invited to join Miss Jamie in a zoological celebration of elephant sized proportions! This exciting two day camp will take us all over the world, discovering new animal friends along the way. From the tiniest to the largest, and from the familiar to the most obscure, we’ll celebrate animals from all walks of life! This camp makes an EXCELLENT holiday gift for the animal enthusiast! Please dress for the weather and bring a sack lunch that does not require refrigeration. We will be exploring the zoo, weather dependent. Won’t you join us?
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 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
#323 Thursday and Friday, December 27-28
This season the Zoo Explorers are focusing on amazing predators. From their hunting techniques to their incredible physical adaptations, we’ll learn what it takes to make it to the top of the food chain. Crafts, games, and animal encounters make this class series one you won’t want to miss!
Age: Grades 2 & 3
Fee per session: $20/FOZ Member ; $30/Non-member
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
#350 September 16 - Big Cats
#351 October 14 - Wild Canids
#352 November 4 - Crocodiles & Alligators
#353 December 2 - Sharks & Rays
Age: Grades 4 -6
Fee per session: $20/FOZ Member ; $30/Non-member
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
#354 September 23 - Big Cats
#355 October 21 - Wild Canids
#356 November 18 - Crocodiles & Alligators
#357 December 16 - Sharks & Rays
Scavenger Hunts
Resources For Teachers & Parent
Activities for Grades 3 & 4
Resources For Teachers & Parent
Activities fo Grades 5 - 7
Resources For Teachers & Parent
Outreach programs for school classrooms, groups and civic organizations “Animal Encounters” for preschools and daycare centers.
Video Conferencing
Dickerson Park Zoo and the Discovery Center are collaborating to offer zoo classes to schools via videoconferencing. Each class is presented by a zoo staff member and will include several live animals.
All About Mammals!
What are mammals? What makes them different? We’ll talk about these things and learn how to classify mammals based on certain characteristics. Fun mammal facts will be presented as we check out some mammals from the zoo! (1-5)
Endangered Animals
Animals play a very important part in this world, but some animals’ existence is threatened. Find out why and what we can do to stop animal extinction. (5-12)
Animal Families
Learn about family groups and structures and how animals raise their young. (PreK-2)
Your Wild Backyard
Our backyards play a very important role in conserving nature. Learn about all the animals found in our backyards, as well as how to attract them and build a healthy backyard habitat. (PreK-5)
All About Birds!
Learn about these feathered animals and their unique features. Birds can be classified by beak size and shape, body size and shape, and even foot size and shape. We’ll learn about these grouping and meet some of the zoo’s birds and use them as live models for learning. (1-5)All About Reptiles!
We’ll learn about these scaled creatures as we use zoo animals to model their amazing features. Learn about the five classes of reptiles and discover the great diversity in reptile morphology. Physical and behavioral adaptations will be discussed. (1-5)
All About Reptiles
We’ll learn about these scaled creatures as we use zoo animals to model their amazing features. Learn about the five classes of reptiles and discover the great diversity in reptile morphology. Physical and behavioral adaptations will be discussed. (1-5)
Animal Awareness
Learn about the characteristics of mammals, birds, and reptiles, as we compare and contrast these animals. We’ll discuss traits as modeled by our live zoo animals. (Pre-K-2)
Cost and Scheduling:
Classes are $150 per video conference. Classes should be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance. To book a video conference or for more information call the Programs Coordinator at:
417-862-9910, ext. 726 or visit the Discovery Center’s Web site.
For more information about education programs at Dickerson Park Zoo and outreach programs for schools and organizations, please contact the Education Department by phone, 417-833-1570, or by email.