Self-Guided Field Trips - Visit Denver Zoo with your students at your own pace!

The following dates are SOLD OUT for field trips:

• Thursday - April 25, 2013
• Friday - April 26, 2013
• Thursday - May 2, 2013
• Friday - May 3, 2013
• Tuesday - May 7, 2013
• Thursday - May 9, 2013
• Tuesday - May 14, 2013
• Wednesday - May 15, 2013
• Thursday - May 16, 2013
• Friday - May 17, 2013
• Thursday - May 23, 2013
  

A trip to the zoo offers life science learning experiences year-round with a variety of programs – including animal feedings and demonstrations – included in your admission.

Visits may be scheduled year-round Monday – Friday, during regular zoo hours. April and May are the busiest months here at the zoo – consider planning a field trip in the fall or a tropical get-away to Bird World and Tropical Discovery (indoor exhibits) this winter!


Add an Educational Program at the Zoo

Enhance your school group's field trip to the Zoo by adding a live animal encounter! Enroll your class in one of our standards-based classroom programs.


School Group Admission Rates - To receive this discounted rate, reservations MUST be made at least 2 weeks in advance.

Important Information and Field Trip Policies

Click on a topic below:

1. Is my group eligible for Discounted School Group pricing?
2. Am I able to register my school field trip online?
3. What if I am not able to register online?
4. How can I help my adult chaperones prepare?
5. Can families use their Zoo membership for our school field trip?
6. What happens if we need to cancel or reschedule?
7. Are there any documents to help plan my school’s visit?
8. Is financial aid available for our field trip?
9. Where can I find curriculum activities to use before, during and after our visit to the zoo?
10. Can I visit the zoo ahead of time to plan our trip?
    

1. SCHOOL GROUP ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for Discounted School Group Admission Rates, a group must:

• Have status as an accredited public, private, or charter school in session, a preschool following an academic curriculum, or other school-based program (i.e. home school
• Have a minimum of 10 students to qualify for the discounted rate, if not, will be paying the group non-profit rate.
• Private, community-based groups do not qualify for School Group pricing, but may be eligible for discounted group sales rates. For more information, email groupsales@denverzoo.org

2. ONLINE RESERVATIONS - Denver Zoo recommends this option to expedite
        your entry into the Zoo!

• Any reservations made online must be completed no later than 3 weeks prior to the date of your intended visit
• Be prepared with an exact count of your students, adult chaperones, and school staff when you make your online reservation. The Zoo recommends you estimate your numbers as accurately as possible; the counts you provide will determine the number of admission wristbands your group receives.
• Register Online -- get confirmation within a business day! Payment is expected at the time of online registration. Use your school’s phone number (no spaces or dashes) as your login and password USERNAME:(school phone number) PASSWORD:(school phone number)
  Wristbands for Online Reservations
• After you make your reservation and pre-pay online, you will receive an email confirming your field trip (usually within one business day). At least one week prior to your scheduled visit, we will mail you a Field Trip packet containing: a field trip guide, reproducible handouts for chaperones, and ZOO WRISTBANDS that serve as admission tickets for every student, adult and staff member you included in your reservation.
• To expedite your entrance to the zoo, please ensure that every student, adult chaperone, and staff member is wearing their wristband prior to arrival at the Zoo.
• PLEASE NOTE: Wristbands are non-transferable, non-replaceable tickets for admission into the zoo. Denver Zoo is not responsible for lost or missing wristbands.

3. MAIL or FAX RESERVATIONS

• When submitting paper reservation requests, you may choose our Pre-Payment Option or Pay-at-the-Gate.
• For Pre-Payment with MAIL or FAX forms, your reservation request form must be received and confirmed at least 3 weeks prior to your intended visit date. On your form, check the box to indicate you wish to pre-pay. After your request is confirmed you will receive an email with your confirmation attached as well as your pre-payment form.
• You are responsible for submitting a check or credit card information to Denver Zoo by the deadline listed on your invoice (at least 2 weeks prior to your trip). Once payment is received, a packet with wristbands for zoo admission will be sent to you.
• For Pay-at-the Gate, your reservation request form must be received at least 2 weeks prior to your intended visit date. Check the box on your Reservation Request Form to indicate you do not wish to pre-pay. When you arrive at the zoo, please have an exact count of your students, teachers, and adult chaperone and be prepared to pay in one transaction (single credit card transaction, check or cash (large bills). If your check is for more than the amount due, a refund check will be mailed to the school. (We do not accept personal checks- school checks only)
• You will receive your wristbands once you arrive at the zoo to check in.
• PreK-12 Registration or College Registration-- once your Self-Guided Field Trip is confirmed when you receive confirmation from the zoo by email. If you have not received confirmation within one week of submitting your request, please email us at fieldtrips@denverzoo.org.
• PLEASE NOTE: Wristbands are non-transferable, non-replaceable tickets for admission into the zoo. Denver Zoo is not responsible for lost or missing wristbands.

4. CHAPERONE POLICY
Compliance with Chaperone Policy is required to remain eligible for Discounted
School Group Rates - Click here to download a one-page guide to give your parent and
adult chaperones.

• One adult per 10 students is REQUIRED for all groups (ECE-Grade 12).
• School staff are admitted for free with staff ID.
• One adult per special needs student is admitted free.
• Adult chaperones paid for as part of the school group payment (single form of payment; one transaction for entire group) receive discounted admission rate of $5 each. Adults paying separately must pay full admission prices (Nov-Feb $12/March-Oct $15) or use their membership card.
• Additional adults and children entering the zoo before or after the school group must pay full admission price when they arrive, or they may use their membership for themselves only.
• Chaperones must be at least 21 years old.
• Chaperones must stay with their assigned group at all times.
• Adults bringing younger siblings/babies in strollers are welcome but may NOT be counted as chaperones and must pay full admission prices or use their Memberships. Extra children are subject to full admission prices.

5. ZOO MEMBER FIELD TRIP POLICY

• Member adults chaperoning a field trip can enter through the Membership window with their Membership card and appropriate identification.
• Member adults bringing additional children or younger siblings are not considered Field Trip chaperones and cannot be counted toward the 1:10 required ratio.
• Member students attending the trip cannot use their Membership for field trips and will need to pay the same fees as their classmates.

6. REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS

For All School Group Field Trips

• If you must cancel or reschedule a reserved field trip, kindly give Denver Zoo as much notice as possible. Please call 720-337-1641 or email fieldtrips@denverzoo.org to cancel or reschedule your visit.

For Field Trips that have been Pre-Paid

• If you need to cancel your trip, full refunds can be given without penalty if you return the entire quantity of zoo wristbands within two (2) weeks of your original visit date.
• You may also choose to keep your zoo wristbands, as they can be used for your next school group visit or given to other groups in your school. Note: wristbands may not be used for individual children or families to visit the Zoo.
• If you have ordered more wristbands than you need, unused paid wristbands may be used on your next school group visit or returned to Denver Zoo for a full refund if received within two (2) weeks of the date of your visit.
• To return extra paid wristbands, please stop by the Guest Relations office on the day of your visit to pick up a “Wristband Return Envelope and Form.” Complete the form and include your unused wristbands in the sealed envelope, which you may leave with Guest Relations or mail in. Your refund will be processed within 2 weeks of receiving your request.

7. DOCUMENTS TO HELP PLAN YOUR VISIT

• Registration PreK-12
• Registration College
• Field Trip Planning Guide
• Chaperone Guide
• Pre-payment Form
• Wristband Instructions
• Wristband Return Form
• Free Educator Admission - Plan Your Visit

8. SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
Limited scholarship funds are available for self-guided field trips that take place August-March; there are no self-guided field trip scholarship funds available in April, May, June and July.  However, scholarship funds are awarded for educational programs (classes, assemblies, workshops) year round. Enroll your class in an educational program and make the most of your time at the zoo!

9. ACTIVITIES TO ENRICH YOUR ZOO EXPERIENCE
Denver Zoo Education has animal lists, maps, activities, curriculum guides, and scavenger hunts to enhance your visit to the zoo. Visit our Online Teacher Resource Center to access these materials, free for download!

10. TEACHERS VISIT THE ZOO FOR FREE TO PLAN YOUR FIELD TRIP
Come to Denver Zoo and see all we have to offer! You can visit the zoo any time to plan your school field trip. Download our educator’s planning coupon and bring it to the zoo (along with your school ID) to receive free admission to Denver Zoo. Click here to print your free planning coupon.