Scheduling a Field Trip
Our Field Trip registration process will soon be moving to an online system. Until then, please call 253-591-5333 to schedule a field trip.
- Field trips reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance of your planned field trip date.
- Full payment is also due at this time.
You may also schedule a Discovery Program with one of our Zoo Educators to enhance your students' field trip experience. Click here for program descriptions.
School Group Requirements & Rates
Groups must have at least 12 paying students to be considered for the discounted rates.
One adult chaperone, at the school group rate, is required for every 5 students, regardless of grade level.
One teacher will be admitted for free for every classroom on a School Group Field Trip.
Tickets must be purchased two weeks in advance of your field trip.
Zoo Society memberships are no longer accepted for any child visiting the zoo on a scheduled school field trip.
Discounted school rates apply only to accredited public and private school students, kindergarten through college. For all other groups (including preschools), the general group rate applies. Rates for the 2010-2011 school year are as follows:
$5.25 per student and chaperone: July - February
$6.25 per student and chaperone: March - April
$7.25 per student and chaperone: May - June
Groups must have at least 12 paying students to be considered for the discounted rates.
One adult chaperone, at the school group rate, is required for every 5 students, regardless of grade level.
One teacher will be admitted for free for every classroom on a School Group Field Trip.
Tickets must be purchased two weeks in advance of your field trip.
Zoo Society memberships are no longer accepted for any child visiting the zoo on a scheduled school field trip.
Discounted school rates apply only to accredited public and private school students, kindergarten through college. For all other groups (including preschools), the general group rate applies. Rates for the 2010-2011 school year are as follows:
$5.25 per student and chaperone: July - February
$6.25 per student and chaperone: March - April
$7.25 per student and chaperone: May - June
Your Field Trip Tickets
Depending on your form of payment, tickets will either be mailed to you or you can pick them up at the Zoo's admissions gate.
If you have not received your group's tickets in the mail at least one week in advance of your scheduled trip date please call, 253-591-5333 or email sara.olsen@pdza.org to confirm that your registration and full payment was received.
Before your group reaches the admissions gates, hand each student a "Youth" ticket and each chaperone an "Adult" ticket. Each individual will insert their ticket into to slot above or space below each turnstile. Tickets are bar coded. When the scanner reads the code, the light (at adult eye level) will turn green. On especially busy school visit days (May and June), volunteers may be available to assist students and chaperones with this process.
Depending on your form of payment, tickets will either be mailed to you or you can pick them up at the Zoo's admissions gate.
If you have not received your group's tickets in the mail at least one week in advance of your scheduled trip date please call, 253-591-5333 or email sara.olsen@pdza.org to confirm that your registration and full payment was received.
Before your group reaches the admissions gates, hand each student a "Youth" ticket and each chaperone an "Adult" ticket. Each individual will insert their ticket into to slot above or space below each turnstile. Tickets are bar coded. When the scanner reads the code, the light (at adult eye level) will turn green. On especially busy school visit days (May and June), volunteers may be available to assist students and chaperones with this process.
Zoo Field Trip Resources
Try our Classroom Connection activity suggestions and Field Trip Activities for self-guided field trip visits. These activities will help prepare students for their Zoo visit and focus their learning at the Zoo as they practice their scientific inquiry skills.
Show your students the "Zoo Preview" PowerPoint Presentation.This virtual tour of our exhibits will help students be better prepared for learning when they arrive. You may modify this presentation to fit your students' level and field trip goals.
Download the group Code of Conduct and Disruptive Behavior Policy and go over this information with your students. Please provide copies of this information for your chaperones, along with their schedule and student list for the day.
Download and review some Important Field Trip Tips.
Have your students visit the Animals & Exhibits page before your visit. We now have animal fact sheet for many of our animals.
Maps are available at the gate for the adults with your group.
There is a schedule of Animal Encounters on the back of each map. This schedule changes seasonally.If you would like to see the Animal Encounters schedule in advance click here.
Plan a Free Teacher Planning Visit for yourself. Once you have scheduled your visit and have received your confirmation information and completed the registration form, you are invited to explore our exhibits for FREE in advance of your visit. Just bring your Group Registration Form and a valid teacher identification card to the front gate to get your free admission ticket. This offer is not valid the day of your field trip.
Try our Classroom Connection activity suggestions and Field Trip Activities for self-guided field trip visits. These activities will help prepare students for their Zoo visit and focus their learning at the Zoo as they practice their scientific inquiry skills.
Show your students the "Zoo Preview" PowerPoint Presentation.This virtual tour of our exhibits will help students be better prepared for learning when they arrive. You may modify this presentation to fit your students' level and field trip goals.
Download the group Code of Conduct and Disruptive Behavior Policy and go over this information with your students. Please provide copies of this information for your chaperones, along with their schedule and student list for the day.
Download and review some Important Field Trip Tips.
Have your students visit the Animals & Exhibits page before your visit. We now have animal fact sheet for many of our animals.
Maps are available at the gate for the adults with your group.
There is a schedule of Animal Encounters on the back of each map. This schedule changes seasonally.If you would like to see the Animal Encounters schedule in advance click here.
Plan a Free Teacher Planning Visit for yourself. Once you have scheduled your visit and have received your confirmation information and completed the registration form, you are invited to explore our exhibits for FREE in advance of your visit. Just bring your Group Registration Form and a valid teacher identification card to the front gate to get your free admission ticket. This offer is not valid the day of your field trip.
Bus Parking and Unloading
Buses must park and unload passengers in the upper parking lots.
Please direct your students and chaperones to use painted crosswalks when walking down to the front gates.
Buses must park and unload passengers in the upper parking lots.
Please direct your students and chaperones to use painted crosswalks when walking down to the front gates.
Invite the Zoo to Your School
Consider scheduling a ZooM Outreach Program for your classroom before or after your scheduled field trip. These programs include formal instruction, hands on experiences and a visit from a live animal ambassador.
Consider scheduling a ZooM Outreach Program for your classroom before or after your scheduled field trip. These programs include formal instruction, hands on experiences and a visit from a live animal ambassador.
