ZOO DISCOVERY TOURS
   Bring your class to the Zoo!  Spend a morning or afternoon visiting the animals and exploring the Zoo's fascinating environment.  Teachers are offered a variety of formats and program subjects from which to choose.  This allows the Zoo to fit scheduling and curriculum needs.  Located in beautiful Brandywine Park, the Zoo offers many areas to enjoy a picnic lunch and games after your visit.  The zoo is conveniently located in the city of Wilmington.
    Groups size - minimum of 15 and a maximum of 60 students per program.

Discovery Tour Themes

    Let the zoo staff help you teach your unit on animals, habitats, or conservation.  Choose one of the theme visits that best fits your curriculum.  You will be provided lesson plans, activity suggestions, fact sheets and student handouts to use before and after your visit.  While at the Zoo, your class will visit the Education Building for a short orientation to the program.  They then will use the Zoo as their classroom to complete a series of hands-on activities that will illustrate program themes.
Especially for Preschoolers . . .
Zoo Animals and Me!
    Bring your preschoolers (ages 3 to 6 years) to the Brandywine Zoo for a Discovery Tour to supplement the Traveling Zoo's presentation of "Animals and Me". Preschoolers will explore with their senses and learn about animals and their lives.
Especially for Kindergartners . . .
Critter Categories
    Cows and goats, cats and dogs, capybaras and tigers! Animals sure are fun to be around, but not all animals live in the same place.  Learn more about where pets, farm friends and wild animals belong in this exciting program designed for kindergartners.  Students will also learn about human responsibility and involvement in animal's lives.  Fun activities and age appropriate discussion will make learning fun!
Elementary Discovery Tours . . .
Animal Wrappers - grades 1-3
   Animals come in many sizes, shapes, and colors.  Some have feathers, some scales, and some are covered in fur.  Students will learn about different animal coverings and how they protect the animal from predators, climate and humans.  Camouflage, fur patterns, and adaptations will be discussed.
Tropical Rainforests - grades 2-4
    Send your class on an imaginary trip through the exotic world of the South American Tropical Rainforest.  Discover the plants, animals, and people who live there.  Learn how important the rainforest is to you, and what you can do to save this beautiful habitat.
Wildlife Conservation - grades 3-6
    Animals need your help! Meet some animals who are in danger of becoming extinct and learn what zoos are doing to help save them and their habitats.  Students will discuss difficult issues and be motivated to take action to help endangered animals.
Animal Behavior - grades 4-6
    Become an animal behavior scientist for a day! Learn the basics of an animal's behavior and make observations to uncover the secret language of the wild.  Students will complete their own observation field book while at the Zoo. They will observe, categorize and interpret animal behavior just like real behavioral scientists.
What's Happening at the Zoo
    Enter the fascinating worl of the Zoo. Learn about the animals' special needs and how they are cared for at the Zoo.  Become Zoo architects and learn how to design imaginary exhibits for the animals.
Animal Skeletons - grades 3-5
Structures of Life - grade 4
Animal Classification - grade 6
General Tours
    The general tour consists of a guided tour of the Zoo.  Students visit each animal and are given interesting facts and descriptions of animal life.  Each tour lasts about 1 hour and one guide can work with up to 20 students at a time.
Design Your Own Program
    If you do not see a program that covers the information you wish to illustrate, please call 571-7850 Ext. 208 and let us help you design your own program.
Self Guided Tours
    You are invited to visit the Zoo with your group on your own.  If you have special activities for your students or want to introduce the Zoo in a more informal way, this is the format for you.  Call ahead for group rates and visitation information.
Contract Programs
    Contract Programs (including grade level appropriate Discovery Tour and Traveling Zoo) are available for a reduced rate. Please call the Curator of Education for more information or to set up a Contract Program at 571-7820 Ext. 208

Fees and Registrations

Preschool and Kindergarten Discovery Tours - $3.00 per person;
1 adult chaperone free per 8 participants
Elementary Discovery Tours - $4.00 per person
1 adult chaperone free per 8 participants
General Tours - $2.00 per person, $10 fee for each tour guide. Maximum 20 partcipants per guide.
Self Guided Tours - Group rates available.

All programs must be registered at least 2 weeks in advance.  To schedule your Discovery Tour, General Tour, Self Guided Tour or Design Your Own Program, call (302) 571-5780 Ext. 208 or email Jill Karlson or fax requests to Brandywine Zoo (302) 571-7787.
Make checks payable to Delaware Zoological Society.

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