PROGRAM OFFERINGS

For Families:

• ZooCrew: Children ages 6 - 10 can join us during the weeks of February and April break for our Winter and Spring ZooCrew sessions (daily or 4-day registration available). During the Summer, children ages 4 - 12 can join us for week-long sessions spanning through July and August. Teens aged 13 – 17 are invited to apply for our Counselor-in-Training program (application window: November- first Friday in January). ZooCrew Scholarships are available for all sessions and ages; for more information, please contact cdoremus@bpzoo.org.

• P.A.W.S.: Pairing Art With Science engages kids ages 5 and up in science learning while guiding them through the creation of amazing artworks using a different inspiration and medium each month! Instruction will be provided at multiple skill levels to ensure that aspiring artists of all ages are welcome and engaged!

• Buttonwood Buddies: Buttonwood Buddies is a playgroup for children ages 2-5 where they can play outdoors, make new friends, craft, sing, enjoy story time, and meet some animals!  Each program will be led by one of BPZOO’s educators and will give adult/child pairs an opportunity to enjoy play and structured activities.

• Puddle Jumpers: Each Spring and Fall, Puddle Jumpers gives preschoolers a safe space to explore the natural world through guided hikes, nature play, and getting outdoors! A Zoo educator will meet the group at different DNRT locations each week and lead a 50-minute nature exploration activity.

• Conservation Awareness Days: Conservation Awareness Days are like a party where everyone’s invited to take action to protect animals, ecosystems, and our planet! Free-with-admission activities take place throughout the year on global conservation “holidays" and are designed for all ages, packed with family-friendly fun and opportunities to learn. For more information about this year's events, please visit: https://www.bpzoo.org/conservation/conservation-awareness-days/

• Birthday Parties: Enjoy your child’s birthday party in one of our private rooms and create lasting memories! https://www.bpzoo.org/events/birthday-parties/

• After Hours Programs: Have you ever wondered what happens at the Zoo after the zookeepers go home? Reserve one of our after-hours programs and see the Zoo in a different light…flashlight! Groups between 20-50 people can enjoy a Critter Camp-In, sleeping over at BPZOO, or a Twilight Tour, with all the fun of an overnight while still enjoying the comfort of their own bed. https://www.bpzoo.org/afterhoursprograms/

For Schools and Community Organizations:

• All schools located in New Bedford get FREE field trip admission and FREE on-site education programming year round.

• On-site programming at the Zoo can be in either 20, 45 or 90-minute increments and can involve either an Animal Ambassador encounter or a Science on a Sphere demonstration.

• Private Guided Tours are available for $50 per 30 minutes (plus cost of admission), are adaptable to any age or size group, and last for the duration of your choosing.

• 45-minute Zoo2You programs can visit your facility with animal-based education programs for $200 per session, plus an additional charge of $1 per mile.

• To request a visit or program date, please visit: https://www.bpzoo.org/education-and-conservation/field-trips-and-groups/