Kids And Education > Educational Field Trips
2010 Field Trip Information
DOWNLOAD EDUCATION-BASED REGISTRATION FORM
DOWNLOAD NON-EDUCATION REGISTRATION FORM
Making a Reservation for an Education-Based Group:
A minimum group size of 20 is required for discounted field trip rates. Field trip reservation forms are available on-line or by calling our Education Department at 262-636-9580 and registering over the phone. Completed forms should be dropped off, e-mailed, faxed, or mailed. All groups coming to the Zoo must be pre-registered. All groups must request a reservation 2 weeks prior to arriving. A confirmation will be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to you within 5 business days after the submission of your registration form. Do not assume your field trip is confirmed if you do not receive anything from us. Please contact us if you have not received a confirmation one week after you submitted your form. Bring a copy of this confirmation on the day of the visit. For information on booking a field trip for a non-education-based group or organization, please call 262-636-9312.
Cost of Admission:
Students and chaperones are $2.00 per person.
You receive 1 free chaperone for every 8 paid students.
Final Numbers:
Final numbers are due 1 week prior to your arrival, no exceptions. If we do not have a final count and your numbers change, add-ons will be charged regular Zoo admission.
Arrivals and Payments:
Please report to the admissions booth when you arrive and let them know you are here for a field trip and show them your confirmation paperwork. The admissions booth will count each student and chaperone as they walk through the gate.
Payment is due at the gate. You may pay by check, cash, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover).
If you are going to be late please contact us as soon as possible at 262-636-9580.
Bus Parking:
There is a free Zoo parking lot one block west of the Zoo on Wisconsin Avenue. The bus may temporarily park in front of the Zoo on Main Street only for the drop off or pick up of group passengers.
Rainy Day/Severe Weather:
Please check the weather before you depart for the Racine Zoo. The Zoo is an outdoor facility and there are no refunds once you have entered. If you need to cancel your reservation, please contact us to reschedule your visit.
Lunch at the Zoo:
Bagged lunches are permitted in the Zoo. No coolers or storage areas are available for lunches during your visit. You may have your hand stamped when exiting the Zoo to retrieve your lunches from the bus to re-enter. Pre-ordered lunches are available at Max & Jenny's Jungle Grill.
Picnic Areas:
Picnic tables are available on a first come first serve basis and are located throughout the Zoo. A covered picnic area may be reserved for an extra fee of $50 for one hour. Please contact us for rental information and reservations.
Booking an Education Program:
Education programs are a great way to enhance learning at the Zoo. Our programs are 30-45 minutes and include 5 live animals. Programs must be scheduled in advance and are very popular. Please contact us for pricing and availability.
Train Rides:
The Zoo Choo Express ride is $2.00 per person. One paid adult must accompany each car with children under the age of 13. Tickets can be purchased when you arrive at the Zoo and are non-refundable. The train runs seasonally and weather permitting.
Zoo Souvenirs:
The Zootique gift shop is located at the Zoo’s entrance. Souvenirs range from $0.50 on up. We require a 1:8 ratio of adults to students in the gift shop at all times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chaperones will I need?
The Zoo suggests a 1:8 ratio of adults to students. If your group requires extra chaperones or matrons for special needs all chaperones must show their school photo ID to receive free admission.
If we are interested in a program how much will it cost and how do we reserve a spot?
Programs are $5.00/person with a minimum charge of $125.00. Your admission to the Zoo is included in the program price. Education programs are a great way to enhance learning at the Zoo. Our programs are 30-45 minutes and include 5 live animals. Programs are very popular and must be scheduled in advance and over the phone at 262-636-9580. Please have a couple of dates and times in mind when calling. The Education Department will let you know where your program will be held at the Zoo.
What if our group is running late and we have scheduled a program?
Due to the popularity of our programs, we may not be able to accommodate your group if you arrive late. Please make every effort to call the Zoo at 262-636-9580 if your group will be arriving late for your program. We will do our best to accommodate late arrivals, but we reserve the right to cancel or adjust program length depending on the availability of staff. No refund will be given to late arrivals.
Should we wear name tags?
We strongly encourage each child to be identified with school name, teacher name, and school phone number.
What do we do for lunch?
Bagged lunches are permitted in the Zoo. No coolers or storage areas are available for lunches during your visit. You may have your hand stamped when exiting the Zoo to retrieve your lunches from the bus to re-enter. Picnic tables are available on a first come first serve basis and are located throughout the Zoo. A covered picnic area may be reserved for an extra fee of $50 for one hour. Please contact us for rental information and reservations. You may also purchase kids meals from Max & Jenny's Jungle Grill including chicken nuggets, corn dogs, grilled cheese, or PB&J Uncrustables. All meals must be pre-ordered at least two weeks in advance to receive the kids meals at $3.99 each.
What if it’s raining the day of our visit?
Just call us if you decide not to come. As long as your group has not entered the Zoo, you are welcome to reschedule. If you have entered the Zoo there are no refunds. If you have scheduled a program, we will do our best to find another date for you but cannot guarantee it. To reschedule please submit a new field trip registration form with your new selected date.
Where are your restrooms located?
Restrooms are conveniently located at the entrance, downstairs in the Vanishing Kingdom Historic Main Building and near the Land of the Giants by the Chumba Cha Chai Building.
A few reminders:
- Chaperones should be with students at all times and managing their behavior.
- Please do not feed or tease any animal. They are on special diets and anything you feed them could make them sick.
- Stay behind all guard rails. They are there to protect you and the animals.
- Please do not bring roller skates or roller blades, skateboards, scooters, heelies or bicycles into our Zoo.
- We have placed trash receptacles and recycle bins throughout the Zoo so that you can leave the grounds the way you found them.
2010 Educational Opportunities
Do you want to have a wild time at the wildest place in Racine? To schedule your educational program or to check out a teaching kit, please call (262) 636-9580. Programs are scheduled and kits are checked out on a first come first served basis. We fill up quickly! Please have several dates and times in mind when you call to schedule your wild educational opportunity! Don’t forget, Zoo Members receive 10% off any educational opportunity! Be sure to mention your Zoo membership when booking your program.
Animal Programs
All of our educational animal programs can be conducted at the Zoo or at your facility. Please see attached listing of prices. Animal programs are 30-45 minutes long unless otherwise noted. Full descriptions and standards met by our programs are available HERE.
Age Specific Programs
All Ages
• Animals of the World
• Wild Wisconsin
2-4 Year Old Programs
• Animal Senses
• Animal Tales
Kindergarten-2nd Grade Programs
• Ridiculous Reptiles
• Picky Eaters
3rd-5th Grade Programs
• Don’t Hate Me!
• Creatures of the Night
• Animal Training (60 minute program)
6th-8th Grade Programs
• Careers at the Zoo
• Ecosystems
• Suitcase for Survival
• Animal Training (60 minute program)
9th-12th Grade Programs
• Careers at the Zoo
• Classy Animals
• Suitcase for Survival
• Animal Training (60 minute program)
Other Program Options
• Build Your Own Program (note: a three-week
minimum is needed for this option)
• Behind-the-Scenes Tours
• Guided Tours
• Educational Outreach Booth
• Zoo Snooze (explore the Zoo at night!)
• You Belong in the Zoo: Be an Animal Care
Specialist for a Day
• Birthday Parties
Teaching Kits and Curriculum Guides
• Far Traveler: A Teacher’s Companion to Red Wolf
Recovery (Suitable for grades 1-5)
• Africa Kit (grades 2-4)
• Realm of the Tiger (grades 4-8)
• Wildlife Trade Kit (grades 6 and above)
• Oceans Resource Kit
• Coral Reef Resource Kit
• Aquatic Invaders
Booking a Program or Reserving a Kit
To book a program or to reserve a teaching kit, please call the Conservation Education Department at (262) 636-9580. Please have several dates in mind when calling. Programs can be paid for with cash, check, or credit card. A $20.00 nonrefundable deposit and credit card number are required within 5 business days of booking your program. Full payment is due before your animal program begins.
Late Arrivals
Due to the popularity of our programs, we may not be able to accommodate your group if you arrive late. Please make every effort to call the Zoo at (262) 636-9580 if your group will be arriving late for your program. We will do our best to accommodate late arrivals, but we reserve the right to cancel or adjust program length depending on the availability of staff. No refund will be given to late arrivals.
Cancellations
Cancellations of your visit due to weather or road conditions are your decisions. However, refunds may be given due to extreme circumstances. Programs canceled 48 hours in advance will receive a partial refund. Programs canceled with less than 48 hours notice will not receive a refund. Please call us as soon as possible to let us know of any cancellations, and we will do our best to reschedule. The Racine Zoo reserves the right to cancel any program due to unforeseen circumstances for a full refund.
© 2010 Racine Zoological Society