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.
Winter/Spring 2019 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.
January: Hibernation Fascination
#100 Thursday, January 24
#101 Friday, January 25
#102 Saturday, January 26
February: Happy Habitats
#103 Friday, February 22
#104 Saturday, February 23
#105 Thursday, February 28
March: Snouts and Sniffers
#106 Friday, March 22
#107 Saturday, March 23
#108 Thursday, March 28
April: Totally Cute Animal Babies
#109 Wednesday, April 24
#110 Friday, April 26
#111 Saturday, April 27
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.
January: Black Bears
#130 Wednesday, January 16
#131 Friday, January 18
#132 Saturday, January 19
February: Chilean Flamingos
#133 Friday, February 15
#134 Saturday, February 16
#135 Wednesday, February 20
March: Tigers
#136 Friday, March 15-Fully Booked
#137 Saturday, March 16
#138 Wednesday, March 20
April: African Spurred Tortoises
#139 Wednesday, April 17
#140 Friday, April 19
#141 Saturday, April 20
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 currently 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.
January: Wild Winter Animal Art
#120 Saturday, January 19
February: Pleistocene Megafauna
#121 Saturday, February 16
March: Birds of Prey
#122 Saturday, March 16
April: Awesome Amphibians
#123 Saturday, April 20
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.
January: Hooves, Horns and Antlers
#150 Sunday, January 13
February: Marsupial Madness
#151 Sunday, February 10
March: Beaks and Teeth
#152 Sunday, March 10
April: Creatures of the Night
#153 Sunday, April 14
Age: Grades 4 -6
Fee per session: $20/FOZ Member ; $30/Non-member
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
January: Hooves, Horns and Antlers
#154 Sunday, January 27
February: Marsupial Madness
#155 Sunday, February 24
March: Beaks and Teeth
#156 Sunday, March 24
April: Creatures of the Night
#157 Sunday, April 28
Are you interested in veterinary medicine? What happens at the zoo to ensure our animals are healthy? What medical emergencies do we encounter and how do we prepare for them at Dickerson Park Zoo? Zoo vets in training will receive a zoo casebook and assist veterinary staff with physicals, radiographs, blood tests, and other daily duties. This class is designed for students sincerely interested in pursuing a veterinary medicine career.
Students bring their own lunches, including drinks. For your child's safety, closed-toe shoes are required. Please note sandals, flip-flops and Crocs are not allowed.
Age: Grades 5 & 6
Fee per session: $325/FOZ Member ; $400/Non-member
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
#160 Monday-Thursday, March 11-14
Summer 2019 Z.E.B.R.A Classes
Please check back soon for registration.
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.
May: Hungry, Hungry Herbivores
#220 Thursday, May 23
#221 Friday, May 24
#222 Saturday, May 25
June: Carnivore Cuisine
#223 Thursday, June 27
#224 Friday, June 28
#225 Saturday, June 29
July-No Tots Scheduled for July
August Topic: Om Nom Nom Omnivores
#226 Tuesday, August 20
#227 Friday, August 23
#228 Saturday, August 24
Please check back soon for registration.
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.
May Cotton Top Tamarins
#200 Friday, May 17
#201 Saturday, May 18
#202 Tuesday, May 21
June American Alligators
#203 Friday, June 21
#204 Saturday, June 22
#205 Tuesday, June 25
July Howler Monkeys
#206 Thursday, July 18
#207 Friday, July 19
#208 Saturday, July 20
August Chickens
#209 Wednesday, August 14
#210 Friday, August 16
#211 Saturday, Augusts 17
Please check back soon for registration.
Pre K One Day Camp
Zooper Kids Summer Safari
Summer at the zoo is a wild time! On this safari, we will explore it all, from alligators to zebras! We’ll journey all over the zoo, while learning and having fun at the same time. While on safari, we might get a little bit messy, so students should wear clothes they don’t mind getting wet or dirty. No open toed shoes please.
#230 Friday, June 7 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
#231 Saturday, June 8 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Or
#232 Saturday, June 15 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Age: 4-6 years who have not started kindergarten: parents do not stay with child.
Fee: $20/FOZ Member, $30/ Non-member
Pre K Two Day Camp
Australian Walkabout
Kangaroos, emu, and those kooky kookaburras are all anxiously awaiting a visit from you! Australia is a wondrous land with fantastic animals to meet. Join us as we explore the Outback, make crafts, sample Australian food and even hear a didgeridoo! This class will also take us outside onto zoo grounds, so dress for the weather. This is a child-only class.
#233 Friday and Saturday, July 12-13 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
#234 Monday and Tuesday, July 15-16 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
#235 Tuesday and Wednesday, July 23 to 24 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Age: 4-6 years who have not started kindergarten: parents do not stay with child.
Fee: $40/FOZ Member, $55/ Non-member
Please check back soon for registration.
K-1 Two Day Camps
For students who have FINISHED Kindergarten or first grade.
Fee: $75/FOZ Member, $90/Non-member
Summer Kick-Off Two Day Camp
The summer is finally here! The Dickerson Park Zoo is bustling. In this two day camp, we will learn something special about how the zoo runs! Students will find out how the exhibits work, how the keepers take care of the animals and enrich the animals’ lives. This is a jam packed camp filled with zoo exploration, animal encounters, crafts, games and memories to last a lifetime! We might get messy, so please wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet or dirty. Please bring a sack lunch that does not require refrigeration. Kick the summer off right with the Dickerson Park Zoo!
#240 Wednesday and Thursday, May 29-30 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
#241 Friday and Saturday, May 31-June 1 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
My Missouri Home
Missouri is a great place to live! We are surrounded by so many interesting creatures and summer is the perfect time to explore Missouri’s wilderness. In this two day camp, Students will make friends with some fine Missouri fauna, take a tour of the Missouri habitats exhibits in the zoo and created artwork depicting this wonderful state we call home. We might get messy, so please wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet or dirty. Please bring a sack lunch that does not require refrigeration.
#242 Monday and Tuesday, July 1-2 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
#243 Friday and Saturday, July 5-6 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Party Primates
Primates are positively playful and party animals! From the tiny Cotton Top Tamarin to the giant Silverback Gorilla, we’ll explore this a fascinating and diverse group, and learn where we fit in on this family tree. We might get messy, so please wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet or dirty. Please bring a sack lunch that does not require refrigeration.
#244 Tuesday and Wednesday, August 6-7 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
#245 Thursday and Friday, August 8-9 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
A two- or three-day adventure full of animal fun and hard work! Students shadow zookeepers and
participate in everyday keeper duties, including preparing food for animals, making enrichment
items, and helping clean. Closed-toe shoes required. Bring a sack lunch.
Age: Grades 2-3 (grade completed)
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fee: $120/FOZ members, $150/Non-members
Dates:
#250 Wednesday-Thursday, May 29-30
#251 Monday-Tuesday, June 10-11
#252 Wednesday-Thursday, June 12-13
#253 Monday-Tuesday, July 15-16
Age: Grades 4-6 (grade completed)
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fee:
2-day camp: $120/FOZ members, $150/Non-members
3-day camp: $180/FOZ members, $225/Non-members
Dates:
#254 Tuesday-Thursday, June 18-20
#255 Monday-Wednesday, June 24-26
#256 Wednesday-Thursday, July 17-18
Animals have been the source subject of mythological stories and legends for ages. From unicorns
to dragons, Cyclops to Big Foot, let’s get to the bottom of these mythical creatures and meet the
real life animals that inspired them.
Bring a sack lunch.
Age: Grades 2-3 (grade completed)
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fee: $120/FOZ members, $150/Non-members
If you love cats big and small, this is the purrfect camp for you! Journey around the world to
discover the world of felines, from the fastest land animal on earth to the wild cats of our own
region. Let’s investigate cat adaptations together to learn their survival skills and what it is that
gives them serious cattitude, while discovering how we can protect them in the wild. Closed-toe
shoes required. Bring a sack lunch.
Age: Grades 4-6 (grade completed)
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fee: $180/FOZ members, $225/Non-members
Who works behind-the-scenes to run the zoo? In this camp, students will meet various zoo staff
and learn about the day-to-day activities of those who work in close contact with animals, as well
as others who are vital to maintaining a zoo. If you are interested in a career in animal care,
wildlife conservation, or veterinary medicine, this is the camp for you! Closed-toe shoes required.
Bring a sack lunch.
Age: Grades 7-8 (grade completed)
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fee: $180/FOZ members, $225/Non-members
#280 Tuesday-Thursday, July 23-25
Scavenger Hunts
Resources For Teachers & Parent
Activities for Grades 3 & 4
Resources For Teachers & Parent
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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.