Presentation-style Programs
30-60 minute programs (max of 2 programs) with a scheduled start and end time and a captive audience. Please click the links below to browse our list of themes designed for designated ages and group sizes.
Cost: $125 per program
Recommended audience size:
Daycare/preschools (ages 2-5) - up to 25 participants
- Movin’ & Groovin’ - Children will discover why animals move in so many different ways.
- Scaly, Smooth or Soft? - Children will discover why different coverings are so important for animals.
- Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda - Ruby is a plush red panda who loves to read. During this program, we will read a book and meet animal friends.
Adult audiences - up to 50 participants
- What’s New at the Zoo? - Catch up on the latest developments at Blank Park Zoo and learn how you can get involved in Blank Park Zoo's efforts to save animals in the wild.
- Why Zoos Exist - Learn the story of Blank Park Zoo, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and how we collectively save species from extinction. Learn about coral saving projects in Florida, Blanding’s turtle reintroductions in our own backyard, and the creation of pollinator habitat. Walk away knowing that your visit to the Zoo helps save ecosystems across the world.
Libraries/community programs (all ages) - up to 100 participants
- Amazing Adaptations - Learn about what animals need to do to survive in their natural ranges and how their adaptations help them along the way.
- Classy Critters - Is it a mammal? A bird? A reptile? Explore how scientists use shared characteristics to organize animals and how you compare to animals of other classes.
- Habitat Heroes - How can we take action for wildlife? Let’s explore different habitats and learn about the endangered animals that live there. Discover how small actions can make big impacts on the wild.
- Summer Reading Program - Learn about the incredible diversity of animals through fun games and demonstrations that align with the iREAD Summer Reading Program each year.
Festival-style/booth programs
Tabletop or stationed events with educational games and activities booked by the hour. Live animals are not a part of these programs.
Cost: $150 per hour (max of 3 hours)
Virtual Programs: 30-minute programs keeper chat about an animal or exhibit
Cost: $80 per program
Additional Fees:
For programs in Polk and the surrounding counties (Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Story and Warren), there is no mileage fee. For all other counties in Iowa, a flat $75 travel fee will be added to each trip. For programs outside of Iowa, a $125 travel fee will be charged.
No more than two programs can be scheduled in a row. A 15-minute transition is required between programs. Additional fees may apply for any additional idle time between programs.
Disclaimer: Blank Park Zoo can travel to locations up to 3 hours away (6 hours round trip). Ambassador Animals that travel with Zoo to You programs are small animals such as small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Please note, we do not offer a “petting zoo,” nor do we provide programs at private residences. We also do not bring live animals to festival-style/booth events.
Booking, Payment, and Cancellations
Programs must be booked at least 3 weeks in advance. Programs are not considered booked until you have received a booking invoice from the Education Office. Facility leaders are required to submit a program agreement form and photo of program space at least 2 weeks before the program date.
Space requirements: Programs with animals must be located indoors in a room with doors that can close. Facilities may request an outdoor program if the temperature is between 75-85 degrees fahrenheit (real and feels like temperature) and the program space is shaded with a barrier to prevent any approach from behind zoo staff and animals. Zoo staff and animals must be able to maintain a minimum of 10 feet space from audience members.
Payment is due at the time of the program. Some facilities may be required to pre-pay for programming at least 1 week in advance.
If you need to cancel or reschedule a program, please contact us as soon as possible. Cancellations of programs made within 1 week of the program will still be charged 50% of the program cost. Rescheduling fees may apply. Programs cancelled by Blank Park Zoo will not be charged.
Click here to fill out a Zoo to You Program request. Are you a school looking for programming during the school year? Please click here to learn about our school program options.
For more information, help or to book a program please call the Education office at 515-974-2550 or email education@blankparkzoo.org.
Classroom Programs - K-12 programming aligned with Iowa Core Science and Next Generation Science Standards. These interactive classroom programs are designed to enhance your curriculum using artifacts, hands-on activities, and sometimes live animals. They are designed to meet the needs of students at all levels. Programs may be adjusted to integrate standards in social studies or language arts as well.
- Cost: $80 per program, max 2 programs per day
- Group Size: individual classrooms (up to 30 students)
- Length: 45 minutes
Assemblies – Combine classrooms for an educational enrichment experience for students. These engaging assemblies are designed to foster empathy, build connections and inspire action for nature in students.
- Cost: $125 per assembly , max 2 assemblies per day
- Group Size: up to 100 students
- Length: 30-60 minutes
Career Talks - Learn about careers at the Zoo. Live animals are not a part of these programs.
- Cost: No cost for programs, travel fees still apply - max 2 hours per day
- Group Size: Unlimited
After School – Students engage in fun, hands-on/minds-on learning with Zoo Club at your After School program. Programs can be booked for one time visits or for multi-week sessions.
- Cost: $150 per program
- Group Size: Up to 15 students (1 school staff member required)
- Length: 60 minutes
Virtual Programs - 30-minute keeper chat with fun, educational and personal stories about the animals we all love. Students are encouraged to engage and ask questions about Blank Park Zoo’s animal residents.
- Cost: $80 per program
- Length: 30 minutes
- Connection Requirements: Programs are offered over your choice of Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Microsoft Teams
While we will make every effort to honor requests to learn about any animal at Blank Park Zoo, please note that some restrictions apply.
Additional Fees:
For programs in Polk and the surrounding counties (Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Story and Warren), there is no mileage fee. For all other counties in Iowa, a flat $75 travel fee will be added to each trip. For programs outside of Iowa, a $125 travel fee will be charged.
No more than two programs can be scheduled in a row. A 15-minute transition is required between programs. Additional fees may apply for any additional idle time between programs.
Disclaimer: Blank Park Zoo can travel to locations up to 3 hours away (6 hours round trip). Ambassador Animals that travel with Zoo to You programs are small animals such as small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Please note, we do not offer a “petting zoo,” nor do we provide programs at private residences. We also do not bring live animals to festival or booth style events.
Click here to fill out a Zoo to You - School Program request form.
Booking, Payment and Cancellations
Programs must be booked at least 3 weeks in advance. Programs are not considered booked until you have received a booking invoice from the Education Office. Facility leaders are required to submit a program agreement form and photo of program space at least 2 weeks before the program date.
Space requirements: Programs with animals must be located indoors in a room with doors that can close. Facilities may request an outdoor program if the temperature is between 75-85 degrees fahrenheit (real and feels like temperature) and the program space is shaded with a barrier to prevent any approach from behind zoo staff and animals. Zoo staff and animals must be able to maintain a minimum of 10 feet space from audience members.
Payment is due at the time of the program. Some facilities may be required to pre-pay for programming at least 1 week in advance.
If you need to cancel or reschedule a program, please contact us as soon as possible. Cancellations of programs made within 1 week of the program will still be charged 50% of the program cost. Rescheduling fees may apply. Programs cancelled by Blank Park Zoo will not be charged.
For more information, help or to book a program please call the Education office at 515-974-2550 or email education@blankparkzoo.org
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