Field Trips
You can’t beat a Zoo trip.
Learn about animals, nature, and conservation through field trips at Sedgwick County Zoo.
Field Trip groups that would like to participate in an educational program must register two weeks in advance.
Groups that would like a field trip program and/or those who qualify for the Title I reduced admission rate must register through the “Request a Program” button above a minimum of two weeks ahead of the preferred date.
Groups that do not contact the Zoo in advance will be required to pay regular admission rates. Your registration is not complete until you have either spoken to or received a confirmation email from an SCZ staff member.
Field Trip Admission Rates
| Title I school* | or non-Title I school |
| $3.25 /person | $5.25 /person |
Please print the Field Trip Form from the link above. Bring the form to the Zoo on the day of your visit, along with your payment. Everyone included on your Field Trip Form may enter the Zoo at the field trip price if entering together, including any additional adults. Guests arriving apart from your group or paying separately will pay the regular Zoo admission rates.
Any organization may request a free Field Trip Program. All programs are in line with the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards. Education programs must be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance and are subject to availability.
Some groups may be eligible for the field trip rate.
- Public or Private School: $5.25 per person, including students, teachers, parents, and drivers. One adult for every ten students who pay may be admitted free. Reservations must be made two weeks prior to visit.
- Homeschool Groups: $5.25 per person when reserved two weeks prior to visit.
- Title 1 Schools: $3.25 per person, including students, teachers, parents, and drivers. One adult for every ten students who pay may be admitted free. Reservations must be made two weeks prior to visit. Title 1 schools must attend an educational program to receive the Title 1 admission rate.
- Scouts/Non-Profit Organizations: $5.25 per person when reserved two weeks prior to visit. One adult for every ten students who pay may be admitted free.
- Groups who do not register two weeks prior to visit will be asked to pay regular admission rates.
Prefer for the Zoo to come to you? Take a look at Zoo Reach.
Educational Programs
STEM Safari Programs
Enjoy one of our STEM Safari Programs during your field trip!
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- STEM Safari programs are available throughout the school year and are held in the Cargill Learning Center. A program must be scheduled at least two weeks prior to your visit. Programs may be included as part of your field trip admission. Scheduling begins August 1 for each school year. Contact us by clicking “Request a Program” above to find out if a STEM Safari is available for your trip.
A STEM Safari program includes a presentation, student participation, animal biofacts (skulls, feathers, fur, etc.), and a hands-on learning activity. Programs are designed by grade, kindergarten through high school. Groups will be assigned to a program based on their grade level.
Programs are designed to meet appropriate academic standards for all ages.
Each 45-minute program has a maximum of 90 students. At least one adult for every 10 students is required.
Stem Safari themes
- Pre-K and Special Needs
Wild Earth Tales programs are designed for preschool children. Educators who teach those with special needs may also consider these story-based learning adventures. Groups will be assigned a Wild Earth Tales program at booking. Each 30-minute program has a maximum of 50 students. At least one adult for every 10 students is required. - Kindergarten: Bare Necessities: The Things We Need
KCCRSS/ NGSS: K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-3
SRG-CC: K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS2-2 - 1st Grade: Growing Up Wild
KCCRSS/ NGSS: 1-LS1-1, 1-LS1-2, 1-LS3-1
SRG-CC: 1-LS3-1 - 2nd Grade: Habitats
KCCRSS/ NGSS: 2-ESS2-3, 2-LS2-2, 2-LS4-1
SRG-CC: 2-ESS2-3 - 3rd Grade: Fossils
KCCRSS/ NGSS: 3-LS4-1, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-PS2-1
SRG-CC: 3-PS2-1 - 4th Grade: Exploring Creature Features
KCCRSS/ NGSS: 4-LS1-1, 4-LS1-2
SRG-CC: 4-LS1-2 - 5th Grade: Web of Life
KCCRSS/ NGSS: 5-PS3-1, 5-LS2-1, 5-LS2-1, 5-ESS3-1
SRG-CC: 5-LS1-1, 5-PS3-1, 5-LS2-1 - Middle School: Genetic Jeopardy
KCRSS/NGSS: MS-LS1-5
KCRSS/NGSS: MS-LS3-1
KCRSS/NGSS: MS-LS3-2
KCRSS/NGSS: MS-LS3-5 - High School: Genetic Jeopardy
KCRSS/NGSS: HS-LS4-1
KCRSS/NGSS: HS-LS4-3
KCRSS/NGSS: HS-LS4-4 - High School: Is There a Doctor in the Zoo?
Investigation Stations
Your students will interact, investigate and explore at our Investigation Stations!
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- Pre-K through 5th grade students will interact, investigate and explore at our Investigation Stations. Investigation Stations are offered in April and May. Times are limited and programs fill quickly. Scheduling begins August 1 for each school year.
Investigation Stations are designed by grade level and held at locations throughout the Zoo. Each class will be assigned to a program based on their grade level, preferred date and arrival/departure times.
Each 20-minute Investigation Station can accommodate one classroom per time slot per station.- Pre-Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
Buzz about Bees (Nectar Butterfly Garden)
Powerful Forces (Children’s Farms near Poultry House)
Needs are Simply Basic (POET Gazebo) - 3rd – 5th Grade
Migration Madness (Pavilion Patio)
Waste Not (Children’s Farms near Composting Station)
- Pre-Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
Pre-K and Special Needs Programs
Story-based Wild Earth Tales programs for early childhood and special needs students.
learn more
- Wild Earth Tales programs are designed for preschool children. Educators who teach those with special needs may also consider these story-based learning adventures. Groups will be assigned a Wild Earth Tales program at booking.
- Scheduling begins August 1 for each school year.
- Each 30-minute program has a maximum of 50 students. At least one adult for every 10 students is required.
Zoo Careers
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- Programs about careers in the Zoo are available for middle school, high school and college students.
- Each 45-minute program has a maximum of 180 students.
Educational Tours
Tours are available for groups who wish to learn more about the Zoo. Join one of the Zoo’s Educators to learn more about any public animal habitat.
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- High school and college students may tour behind-the-scenes to visit the Oliver Animal Hospital and Commissary.
- Each one hour program has a maximum of 15 people including both students and their accompanying adults. Groups who would like to participate in an educational tour must register two weeks in advance.
- Tour prices do not include Zoo admission.
- Public Habitat Tours: $40 per tour
- Behind-the-Scenes Tours: $60 per tour
Summer Latchkey Programs
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- Request an educational program for your Summer Latchkey group.
- Programs are designed for groups with a wide age range.
- Each 45-minute program takes place in the Cargill Learning Center.
Title 1 Schools Transportation Grant
All funds have been disbursed for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The Title 1 Transportation Grant assists Title 1 schools with funding for transportation to and from the Sedgwick County Zoo for field trips with educational programs. All requests for reimbursement must be preapproved by the Sedgwick County Zoo’s Education Department.
Click here for more information.
Cancelling Your Education Program
- You MUST notify the Education Department a minimum of 1 hour before the start of your program, 316-266-8213, to cancel your program. This includes cancellations due to inclement weather.
- If no advance notice is given or your group fails to attend the program, the group will be charged a $25 service fee that will be billed to the school by the Sedgwick County Zoo.
- If a Title 1 school fails to attend their education program, they will be billed per person for the reduced entry fee in addition to the $25 service fee, billed to the school by the Sedgwick County Zoo.