Kids for Nature Spring Homeschool Series
The Fort Wayne Zoo is where exploration meets education! In our new homeschool series, students ages K-5th Grade will have the Fort Wayne Zoo as their classroom with lessons based on elementary Indiana State Science Standards.
Registration is done online and no phone registrations will be accepted. All programs require advance registration and openings are limited, so register early to avoid disappointment. We recommend using a web browser that is not Internet Explorer as we have found it is not compatible with our system. You will receive confirmation of your registration via email.
Students will enroll in three sessions from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on February 20, March 20, and April 17.
Students must be registered in the grade level in which they are enrolled in for the current school year. For example, if your child is currently in 1st grade, they need to be enrolled in the K-2nd grade series.
K-2nd grade
Use your five senses, learn about animal needs, and explore ecosystems in this series based on lower elementary Indiana State Science Standards.
Dates:
February 20
March 20
April 17
Students will be enrolled in the entire series of the Spring Homeschool program
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fee: $60 per student for all three sessions
When a program sells out, there is not a waitlist. Please check the website regularly to see if programs have additional availability.
3rd-5th grade
Study life cycles, animal adaptations, and uncover the web of life in this series based on upper elementary Indiana State Science Standards.
Dates:
February 20
March 20
April 17
Students will be enrolled in the entire series of the Spring Homeschool program
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fee: $60 per student for all three sessions
When a program sells out, there is not a waitlist. Please check the website regularly to see if programs have additional availability.
Program Policies and Procedures
What to wear:
- Please wear a weather appropriate clothing. All students should wear closed-toe shoes and dress to go outside, snow, rain or shine.
What to pack:
- Bring a reusable water bottles with student’s name.
- We do not recommend bringing any additional items like games, toys, or cell phones. Students would need to carry these personal items with them. The Zoo is not responsible for lost items.
Arrival:
- Program begins at 10:00 a.m. and sign-in starts no earlier than 9:50 a.m.
- Students can be dropped off at the check-in table for their program. Kids for Nature Homeschool begin and end at the Zoo Education Center, which is located across the street from the Zoo (600 Franke Park Drive).
Dismissal:
- Pick-up begins at 12:00 PM. Please pick up student promptly at the end of the program. All parents or guardians are required to sign students out by showing a photo ID and must be listed on the approved pick-up list completed at registration.
Late Drop Off:
- If you arrive late, please bring your student(s) inside the Zoo Education Center for the group’s location. If the program has left the building, take your student(s) to the Zoo’s Guest Service Building (located next to the Zoo’s main entrance) and ask them to call for the group’s location.
Keeping Safe
- Close-toed shoes are required.
- Wear weather-appropriate clothing. We spend a lot of time outside exploring the Zoo, even in snow, rain or shine.
- Programs are held rain, snow, or shine.
Cancellation/Waitlist Policy
CANCELLATION POLICY
- Programs are held rain or shine. Refunds (minus a processing fee) are available if you cancel at least 2 weeks in advance. To cancel, program registrants must email education@fwzoo.com with your contact information and order number. Refunds cannot be completed over the phone. No refunds if you cancel less than 2 weeks in advance. The Zoo reserves the right to cancel programs with insufficient registration. In the event of such a cancellation, all of your fees will be refunded.
WAITLIST POLICY
- When a program sells out, registration closes and there is no waitlist available. If a spot becomes available, the program will reopen. Check back regularly to reserve a spot. Phone registrations will not be accepted.
AGE POLICY
- Children must register for program based on the grade they are currently in. For example, if your child is currently enrolled in third grade, they need to be registered for the 3rd-5th grade program. Questions? Email us at education@fwzoo.com or call us at 260-427-6800 EXT 301
Kids for Nature participants are expected to be kind and respectful to animals, participants, guests, staff, and property. Participants are not to leave a group on their own, and they are expected to be with their assigned groups at all times. The Fort Wayne Zoo reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to deny any program participant the opportunity to participate in program if their social conduct or behavior is deemed unsatisfactory or unsafe by Fort Wayne Zoo administration. No refunds will be issued if a participant is asked to leave for disciplinary reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to this program?
All students should wear closed-toe shoes and dress to go outside, snow, rain or shine and bring a reusable water bottles with student’s name.
We do not recommend bringing any additional items like games, toys, or cell phones. Students would need to carry these personal items with them. The Zoo is not responsible for lost items.
Can a parent accompany their child to this program?
This program is intended to connect students with animals and build social skills with one another; therefore we do not allow parents to accompany their child to this program. If your child requires additional support or care, please contact our Education Department at 260-427-6800 EXT 301 or email education@fwzoo.com.
My child needs medication. Can you help my child with this?
No, students must be able to administer medication themselves during the program. If needed, zoo staff can remind them to take their medication by themselves. If you have any concerns regarding medication, please discuss this with zoo staff on the first day of the program.
For life saving medication, such as an Epi-pen, see below FAQ.
My child has an allergy. Can I provide you with an epinephrine auto-injector?
You will need to supply an epinephrine auto-injector for your child. Zoo Staff will carry it with the group the entire program. Zoo staff are trained in basic first aid, which includes the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), all staff working youth activities, including camp programs, are required to complete training for epinephrine auto-injector administration. The Zoo coordinates with the American Red Cross for this training and will cover the cost of the training for employees required to complete the training.
Is there a lost and found?
All lost and found items will be turned into Guest Services and available for pick-up Monday-Friday between 8-5.
Will my child interact with animals?
Participants will do a variety of animal related activities throughout the program including, meet and greets with an animal ambassador and exploring the Zoo.
What is the supervision ratio?
There is one Conservation Educator for every 16 children plus up to 2 volunteers to assist.
What will students do each day?
Participants will spend time exploring the Zoo, taking part in hands-on activities, and meeting ambassador animals to help them learn about a variety of life science topics. At the end of each class, students will leave with an activity based on the topic to do at home with their families.
What if I need to cancel?
Refunds (minus a processing fee) are available if you cancel at least 2 weeks in advance of the first program in this series. To cancel, program registrants must email education@fwzoo.com with your contact information and order number. Refunds cannot be completed over the phone. No refunds if you cancel less than 2 weeks in advance.
The Zoo reserves the right to cancel programs with insufficient registration. In the event of such a cancellation, all of your fees will be refunded.
What if there is a severe weather?
The Zoo reserves the right to cancel camps with insufficient registration, to meet health regulations, or in the event of severe weather. In the event of such a cancellation, you will be notified via email.
How do I get on a waitlist?
There is no waitlist available for this program. When a program sells out, registration closes and there is no waitlist. If a spot becomes available, the program will reopen. Check back regularly to reserve a spot.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), all staff working youth activities, including camp programs, are required to complete training for Epi-pen administration. The Zoo coordinates with the American Red Cross for this training and will cover the cost of the training for employees required to complete the training.