Class Themes
- Give a Helping Hand – Learn how animals and people work together and how we can help the planet and animals stay healthy. The session will end with a community service project where we can all give a helping hand.
- Home Sweet Home – Connecting with nature starts in our own backyards. Explore what it takes to have a healthy home and create safe places for animals to live.
- Outdoor Adventurers – Develop a love for nature and some of the Zoo’s wild areas in a class that culminates with a family campout. It’s a great way for kids to show grown-ups their outdoor adventure expertise.
- SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction – Animals need our help and “kid power” is an amazing force. SAFE is an international conservation initiative created by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Kids will learn what is being done to keep their favorite species SAFE and meet many of them up close and personal.
- Junior Zookeepers – Each Junior Zookeeper class will focus on a specific area of the Zoo, giving students an understanding of the fundamentals behind caring for the animals. Students will have hands-on experiences with cleaning, enrichment, training, diets, and all that goes into becoming an outstanding animal caretaker.
Registration Fees
$75 for members, $95 for non-members
Class dates and times
June 10-14
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 3-5 | Give a Helping Hand | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 6-9 | Give a Helping Hand | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Wild Encounters | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Farms and Downing Gorilla Forest | 12:30 – 3 p.m. |
June 17-21 – New Evening Classes!
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 3-5 | Outdoor Adventurers | 6 – 8:30 p.m. |
| 6-9 | Outdoor Adventurers | 6 – 8:30 p.m. |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Citizen Science | 6 – 8:30 p.m. |
June 24-28
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 3-5 | SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 6-9 | SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Ectotherms | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: N. America, Australia/S. America | 12:30 – 3 p.m. |
July 8-12 – New Evening Classes!
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 3-5 | Home Sweet Home | 6 – 8:30 p.m. |
| 6-9 | Home Sweet Home | 6 – 8:30 p.m. |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Zookeeper 101 | 6 – 8:30 p.m. |
July 15-19
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 3-5 | Give a Helping Hand | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 6-9 | Give a Helping Hand | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Veterinary Medicine | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Career Exploration | 12:30 – 3 p.m. |
July 22-26
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 3-5 | Home Sweet Home | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 6-9 | Home Sweet Home | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Birds | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Art in the Zoo | 12:30 – 3 p.m. |
July 29 – Aug. 2
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 3-5 | Outdoor Adventurers | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 6-9 | Outdoor Adventurers | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Horticulture and Elephants | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Veldt – Giraffe, Hippo, Rhino | 12:30 – 3 p.m. |
To register, click the button below. Use the calendar to first choose the date of your session, then the age group. Please note our cancellation policy.
Play Care
Students may stay at the Zoo by registering for care before or after summer school classes. There is a maximum of 15 children per session.
Early drop-off: 7:30 – 9 a.m. – $40/child for the 5-day session
After class care: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – $35/child for the 5-day session
Zooniversity
Age 13
Join us for an in-depth look at what keepers do on a daily basis during this week-long session. Students will work directly with animals in the Farms, develop public speaking skills, and explore all areas of the Zoo.
Full Details Zooniversity More InfoZookeeper Apprentice Program
Ages 14-17
This is the first level in an exciting, four-part program for teens at Sedgwick County Zoo. All students will start in Level 1, learning about basic animal husbandry and the inner workings of a modern zoo during these two-week sessions.
Full Details Zookeeper Apprentice Program More InfoGuests with special needs are welcome. Please contact the education department for more information.
For the safety and comfort of other participants, we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone with a fever or who is noticeably sick.
Classes meet in the Cargill Learning Center unless otherwise noted. For safety, please pick up and drop off by entering the building. Space is limited, therefore pre-registration is required. Please contact Cargill Learning Center at 266-8213 for more information. Classes take place rain or shine. Please remember, for everyone’s safety and enjoyment all class participants must meet age requirements – no older or younger siblings allowed, including infants.
