Scovill Zoo’s education programs offer opportunities for animal lovers of all ages to discover the animal kingdom. With zoo classes, guided tours, and a fantastic Mobile Zoo, Scovill Zoo provides fun, hands-on connections to the animal world.
Registration: Click here to register online, visit Scovill Zoo, or call the zoo at 421-7435.
Zoo Tours
Experience the zoo up close and personal with tours for students in grades 1 – 12! Schools and organizations will enjoy a personalized tour, with a narrated explanation of exhibits and their residents. Meal deals, grab bags, goat food, and sno-cones are also available. Please call two weeks in advance to schedule: 421-7435.
Zoo Buddies (Ages 3 – 5)
With Zoo Buddies, our youngest zoo enthusiasts have their own pint-sized animal adventures! Each month, kids aged 3 – 5 will discover a new species or environment and take home a new zoo buddy toy. This is a one hour class with two different sessions—morning and afternoon—and within that time there will be a discussion, story, craft, and animal encounter.
Location: Zoo Education Center (Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.)
Fee: $18 ($15 with resident discount)
| Subject | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Talkative Turacos | September 13 | 10 - 11 a.m. |
| Talkative Turacos | September 13 | 2 - 3 p.m. |
| Tiny Tentacles on Swimming Snakes | October 11 | 10 - 11 a.m. |
| Tiny Tentacles on Swimming Snakes | October 11 | 2 - 3 p.m. |
| Not naked, Not moles, Not rats | November 8 | 10 - 11 a.m. |
| Not naked, Not moles, Not rats | November 8 | 2 - 3 p.m. |
| Chill Chinchillas | December 13 | 10 - 11 a.m. |
| Chill Chinchillas | December 13 | 2 - 3 p.m. |
| Glamorous Geckos | January 10 | 10 - 11 a.m. |
| Glamorous Geckos | January 10 | 2 - 3 p.m. |
| Romantic Rabbits | February 14 | 10 - 11 a.m. |
| Romantic Rabbits | February 14 | 2 - 3 p.m. |
| Floppy Frogs | March 14 | 10 - 11 a.m. |
| Floppy Frogs | March 14 | 2 - 3 p.m. |
Critter Tales (Ages 5 & 6)
Kids aged 5 – 6 can join Scovill Zoo’s “book club”! Each week, a new zoo topic will be covered, and participants will add a new story to their home library. 90-minute sessions will include animal encounters and hands-on activities.
Location: Zoo Education Center (Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.)
Fee: $22 ($18 with resident discount)
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
| Subject | Date |
|---|---|
| Animals are sleeping | June 9 |
| Which Animal is Fastest? | June 16 |
| Over in Australia | June 23 |
| Desert Baths | June 30 |
| ABC Safari | July 7 |
| Over in the Grasslands | July 14 |
Zoo Kids ( Ages 7 & 8)
Our five senses help us to navigate the world around us, with great hearing giving zebras a heads up if a predator gets too close, and a great sense of smell helping tenrecs to locate insects on the forest floor. 7&8 yr olds will get to learn all about animal senses in this week long camp, and how they are used for survival.
Location: Zoo Education Center (Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.)
Fee: $80 ($65 with resident discount)
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| June 6 - 10 | 9 a.m. - noon |
| June 13 - 17 | 1 - 4 p.m. |
| June 20 - 24 | 9 a.m. - noon |
| June 27 - July 1 | 1 - 4 p.m. |
| July 4 - 8 | 9 a.m. - noon |
| July 11 - 15 | 1 - 4 p.m. |
| July 18 - 22 | 9 a.m. - noon |
Zoo Camp (Ages 9 & 10)
All living things need energy to stay alive and they get their energy from food; either by consuming food (like meat and plants) or producing it (through photosynthesis). How are all the animals at Scovill connected through food chains? Join us for a week long camp for 9&10 yr olds to find out!
Location: Zoo Education Center (Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.)
Fee: $80 ($65 with resident discount)
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| June 6 - 10 | 1 - 4 p.m. |
| June 13 - 17 | 9 a.m. - noon |
| June 20 - 24 | 1 - 4 p.m. |
| June 27 - July 1 | 9 a.m. - noon |
| July 4 - 8 | 1 - 4 p.m. |
| July 11 - 15 | 9 a.m. - noon |
| July 18 - 22 | 1 - 4 p.m. |
Zoo Crew (Ages 11 – 13)
How are cheetahs adapted to live in the hot African Savannah and how do Spider monkeys climb so well up in the trees? 11-13 year old campers will spend a week learning about the ways in which animals are adapted to survive and thrive in their environments.
Location: Zoo Education Center (Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.)
Fee: $95 ($80 with resident discount)
| Day | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| M - F | June 6 - 10 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| M - F | June 13 - 17 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| M - F | June 20 - 24 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| M - F | June 27 - July 1 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| M - F | July 4 - 8 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| M - F | July 11 - 15 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| M- F | July 18 - 22 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Zoo Teens I
Download the Zoo Teen Volunteer Application!
If you’re 14 or 15 years old and interested in a career involving animals, Zoo Teens I is a fun, educational way to learn more. You’ll be trained in exhibit interpretation, presenting to the public, and assisting keepers in the petting zoo. Recommendation letter, volunteer hours, and a training day are required. Applications are due April 8th.
Location: Zoo Education Center (Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.)
Fee: $95 ($80 with resident discount)
| Age | Day | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 - 15 | M - Sun. | June 1 - August 31 | 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Zoo Teens II
Download the Zoo Teen Volunteer Application!
Zoo Teens II for 16 and 17 year olds, offers hands-on experience for caring for animals and educating the public on grounds and also off grounds in our mobile zoo program. You’ll be trained in exhibit interpretation, presenting to the public, and will assist camp counselors with Zoo kids and Zoo camp activities. Completion of Zoo Teens I is strongly recommended. Recommendation letters, volunteer hours, and a training day are required. Applications are due by April 8th.
Location: Zoo Education Center (Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.)
Fee: $95 ($80 with resident discount)
| Age | Day | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-17 | Mon. - Sun. | June 1 - August 31 | 9 a.m. - 4:30 pm. |
Zoo Safari
Zoo Crew and Zoo Teens participants can join their favorite counselors on a Zoo Safari, traveling to other Central Illinois zoos and nature centers.
Fee: $160 ($140 with resident discount)
| Age | Day | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 - 17 | M - Th | July 25-28 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Parents Afternoon Out (Ages 6 – 11)
The kids will enjoy an animal presentation, crafts, snacks, and a Christmas movie. Parents will enjoy three free hours to get ready for Christmas!
Dates: Tuesday, December 20th
Time: 1:00 – 4:00pm
Fee: $25 per child ($15 for each additional sibling)
Call 421-7435 to register!
