Class Themes
- Give a Helping Hand – Kids will discover different ways animals and people help each other as well as gain confidence in how they can help the planet and animals stay healthy. These partnerships are AMAZING. We will get our hands dirty making the world a better place for animals and humans!
- Home Sweet Home – Connecting with animals and nature starts in our own backyards. Kids will explore what it takes to have a healthy home and help create some places for native animals to live.
- Outdoor Adventurers – Get the outdoor bug! Kids will discover how to be true nature nuts hiking through the Zoo and some of its wild areas, all while exploring the animals that call it home. Adventure awaits!
- 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 right here at Sedgwick County Zoo and what can be done at home.
- Junior Zookeepers – Each Junior Zookeeper class will uniquely focus on the weekly area but each will give students an understanding of the fundamentals behind caring for animals. Throughout each week, students will have opportunities to tour areas, chat with keepers, and learn more about each highlighted area and the unique species in our keepers’ care. For descriptions of the classes, see Junior Zookeeper themes below.
Classes for children ages 4-9 years take place from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Junior Zookeeper classes take place from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Registration Fees
$75 for members, $95 for non-members
Class dates and times
June 6-10
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 4-5 | Give a Helping Hand | SOLD OUT |
| 6-9 | Give a Helping Hand | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Citizen Science | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Farms & Downing Gorilla Forest | SOLD OUT |
June 13-17
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 4-5 | Outdoor Adventurers | SOLD OUT |
| 6-9 | Outdoor Adventurers | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Zookeeping 101 | SOLD OUT |
June 20-24
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 4-5 | SAFE | SOLD OUT |
| 6-9 | SAFE | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Ectotherms | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: North America & Australia/South America | SOLD OUT |
June 27 – July 1
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 4-5 | Home Sweet Home | SOLD OUT |
| 6-9 | Home Sweet Home | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Aquatics | SOLD OUT |
July 11-15
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 4-5 | Give a Helping Hand | SOLD OUT |
| 6-9 | Give a Helping Hand | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Veterinary Medicine | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Career Exploration | SOLD OUT |
July 18-22
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 4-5 | Outdoor Adventurers | SOLD OUT |
| 6-9 | Outdoor Adventurers | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Birds | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Art in the Zoo | SOLD OUT |
July 25-29
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 4-5 | SAFE | SOLD OUT |
| 6-9 | SAFE | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Elephants & Horticulture | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: African Savanna | SOLD OUT |
August 1-5
| Age | Class Name | Time |
| 4-5 | Home Sweet Home | 9 – 11:30 a.m. |
| 6-9 | Home Sweet Home | SOLD OUT |
| 10-12 | Junior Zookeeper: Aquatics | SOLD OUT |
Registration
To register, click the appropriate link below, select your start date, and add the class to your cart.
| Age | $75 – Members | $95 – Non-Members |
| 4-5 | Member Registration | Non-Member Registration |
| 6-9 | Member Registration | Non-Member Registration |
| 10-12 | Member Registration | Non-Member Registration |
Play Care
Before Care
Early drop-off care is available from 7:30-9 a.m. for students enrolled in Summer Learning Adventures. Children age four and older will enjoy activities and Zoo walks during this time. Space is limited. Fee is $40 for one week of care.
Member Registration Non-Member Registration
Between Care
Students enrolled in two sections of Junior Zookeeper in the same week may stay between classes under the care of Education Department staff. Students should plan to bring a sack lunch each day. Between Care is offered 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Fee is $40 for one week of care.
Member Registration Non-Member Registration
JUNIOR ZOOKEEPER THEMES
- African Savanna: Students will have opportunities to tour, chat with zookeepers, and learn more about the unique species for which our zookeepers provide care. Students may have opportunities for hands on husbandry experiences with cleaning, diet preparation, and enrichment.
- Aquatics: New in 2022! Students will discover the inner workings behind aquatic systems as they learn about the scaled, feathered, and furry aquatic creatures that call Sedgwick County Zoo home. Students will have opportunities to tour areas, chat with zookeepers, and learn more about the unique species for which our zookeepers provide care.
- Art in the Zoo: Art in the Zoo takes a look at the many ways artists contribute to the Zoo experience and create art throughout the Zoo. Students will learn about different artistic mediums, discover how we use art around the Sedgwick County Zoo, and create their own artistic pieces to take home.
- Birds: There are many species of birds who live at the Zoo! Throughout the week, students will have opportunities to tour areas that are home to Sedgwick County Zoo’s birds, chat with zookeepers, and learn more about the unique species for which our zookeepers provide care.
- Career Exploration: Career Exploration will dive into the world of animal-related careers. Students will get to learn from guest speakers about several different careers that are all animal- or nature- based. Students will have opportunities to tour the Zoo and learn more about how Zoo staff members provide care for the Zoo’s animals and what other Zoo-related careers are available.
- Citizen Science: Get hands on with conservation at the Sedgwick County Zoo! Students learn how to identify birds, collect data on box turtles, learn frog calls, and assist Zoo staff with some of the Citizen Science programs in which Sedgwick County Zoo participates. Students will spend part of each day in the classroom as well as outside in the Zoo.
- Ectotherms: Ectotherms include reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. Students will have opportunities to tour areas that house ectotherms, chat with zookeepers, and learn more about the unique species for which our zookeepers provide care.
- Elephants & Horticulture: Students will have opportunities to tour the Elephant habitat as well as other areas of the Zoo, chat with zookeepers and horticulturists, and learn more about the unique plant and animal species for which our staff members provide care. Students may have opportunities for hands on husbandry experiences with cleaning, preparation, and enrichment.
- Farms & Downing Gorilla Forest: Students will have opportunities to tour Farms and the Downing Gorilla Forest habitats, chat with zookeepers, and learn more about the unique species for which our zookeepers provide care. Students may have opportunities for hands on husbandry experiences with cleaning, diet preparation, and enrichment.
- North America Prairie & Australia/South America Mammals: Students will have opportunities to tour the North American Prairie, Australia, and South America habitats, chat with zookeepers, and learn more about each area and the unique species for which our zookeepers provide care. Students may have opportunities for hands on husbandry experiences with cleaning, diet preparation, and enrichment.
- Veterinary Medicine: Is there a doctor in the Zoo? There sure is! Students in the Veterinary Medicine class will have opportunities to tour Zoo areas, chat with zookeepers and veterinary care staff, and learn more about caring for so many unique species.
- Zookeeping 101: Students in JZK Zookeeping 101 will have opportunities to get hands on experience with cleaning, enrichment, training, diets, and all that goes into becoming great animal care staff. They will tour a variety of areas of the Zoo, chat with Zoo staff, and learn more about the unique species for which our zookeepers provide care.
Teen Programs
Conservation Academy
Ages 13-17
Join us for an exciting hands-on look at conservation! In Conservation Academy, students will have the opportunity to assist with multiple Citizen Science projects and learn the basics of environmental interpretation.
Full Details Conservation Academy More InfoZooniversity
Age 13
Join us for an in-depth look at what zookeepers do on a daily basis by spending one week of your summer with us.
Full Details Zooniversity More InfoZookeeper Apprentice Program
Ages 14-17
This is the first level in a four-part program for teens at Sedgwick County Zoo.
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. Space is limited. 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. All sales are final.