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On-Site Programs

Capron Park Zoo offers a wide variety of onsite programs for many different ages. Each onsite program includes a self-led tour of the zoo, and a session with Zoo staff. Programs are between 45 and 60 minutes long and can accommodate up to 30 children unless otherwise noted.

Pre-K and Kindergarten

Wonderful World of Animals - a basic introduction to animal groups

Animals in Winter - find out what our wild friends do when the weather gets cold

Do the Locomotion - hop, swim, walk or fly on down to the zoo to find out all about how animals move

Tell Me a Story - this program includes an animal story, simple craft or activity, and an encounter with an animal ambassadors.

1st and 2nd Grade

Digging into Plants - an exciting way to learn about habitats and plants.

Desert Dwellers - a study of the desert can include a look at how animals manage to survive in that extreme environment

Radical Reptiles - an up-close look at our scaly friends

Dino-Myte! - a look at fossils and the ever-popular dinosaurs

Who Let the Frogs Out? - hop on down to the zoo and learn about the watery world of frogs!

Incredible Invertebrates - creep crawlies and how they survive

Life Around an Oak Tree - a look at the life in a child’s backyard and how it is all interconnected

3rd through 5th Grade

Nature Did It First - lots of inventors have gotten some of the best inventions from Mother Nature - can you guess which ones?

Sounds and Echolocation - a look at how animals use sound which includes a special guided tour to see the zoo’s noisiest animals

Classification Safari - this introductory program looks at how scientists group animals together

Owls and Owl Pellets - this 2-hour program includes an owl pellet dissection

I’m a Survivor - a look at the survival strategies of different animals

Life Around a Fig Tree - a study of the interrelationships found in the Rainforest

How I Got This Way - a basic introduction to genetics and heredity

Space Invaders - take a look at what makes a species invasive, learn to recognize some local invaders and find out how scientists ‘do battle’ with them

6th through 8th Grade

The Body Fantastic - this class looks at body systems during a group dissection. THIS CLASS IS LIMITED TO 15 CHILDREN AT A TIME

The Dating Game - find out how zoos maintain healthy captive populations of animals

Darwin’s Big Idea - his idea revolutionized the way we look at plants and animals. This program looks at Darwin, his background and the theory that set the scientific world on fire!

Biodiversity Rocks! - the variety of life of Earth is fantastic and important to our survival. Students will discover why - and how they can save the planet

A Striving Planet - many factors come into play when scientists talk about extinction. This program looks at continental drift, climate change and the need to adapt or die

9th Grade and UP

Exploring Ecology - an introductory look at the discipline of ecology

The Genetics of Conservation - test tube animals and frozen zoos are but two of the many techniques geneticists use to save many species. This program examines how zoos and aquariums are utilizing genetics and new technologies to help preserve endangered plants and animals

For pricing, reservations and other information, email cpzstoehrer@yahoo.com

Zoomobile Programs

Zoomobile programs are designed for individual classes of up to 30 children, allowing for more individualized attention and hands-on learning. The use of live animals and biofacts make these programs engaging and dynamic. Each program is approximately 1-hour long.

Wild Encounters - Our most popular program! This exploration of animal groups is easily adapted to fit any age group and is especially good for mixed age classes.

Destination Conservation - Students will find out what they can do to take up the challenge of protecting life on Earth.

Snake, Rattle and Roll - Reptiles like snakes and turtles captivate most children. This program introduces students to the amazing realm of the reptile.

Survival Secrets - From desert to snowy waste, you can find animals in nearly every habitat on Earth. This program takes a look at some of the amazing adaptations animals have devised in order to survive.

The Education Department at Capron Park Zoo is willing to design a program around any topic thta fits your classroon topics!  Call 508-222-6202 and let us know how we can better meet your program needs!

E-mail cpzstoehrer@yahoo.com for questions, reservations and pricing information.

* When developing our on-site and outreach programs, we pay close attention to the Massachusetts State Science Curriculum Frameworks, and incorporate standards from each strand whenever possible

Please call the Capron Park Zoo's Education Department at 508-222-6202 or email cpzstoehrer@yahoo.com for any questions you might have and for further details on any of these programs.