OREGON ZOO  .   PORTLAND, OREGON

WWW.OREGONZOO.ORG

Programs for Youth and Families

Group ZooSnooze Overnights

What's a ZooSnooze?
ZooSnooze is your group's chance to see the zoo in a whole new light...moonlight! It's a fun and educational overnight experience for your group of 15-50 to see our animals under the cloak of darkness - one of their liveliest times.

The adventure begins at 5 p.m. when you set up an indoor camp and formally ends at 9:00 a.m. the next morning. In between you get to...

• Start your evening with a fun dinner.
• Go on a personal guided night time safari through the Zoo grounds after closing.
• Tour behind-the-scenes.
• Encounter animals (reptiles and insects) up-close with special presentations.
• Enjoy the African Aviary during your continental breakfast.
• Tour the Cascades exhibit.
• Eat snacks!
• Sleep at the Zoo.
• Meet some birds of prey.
• Explore the Zoo for the rest of the day.

Cost
$35 per person: youth or adult, which includes:

• souvenir button and poster
• evening snack and continental breakfast
• scheduled ZooSnooze programs and tours
• general Zoo admission for the following day

A minimum of one adult chaperone for every five youths is required. The chaperones are responsible for the supervision of your group. ZooSnooze is not appropriate for children under six years of age.

For available dates call the Education Registrar at 220-2781 or e-mail

   Art Classes

Classes with art instructor Elizabeth Leeb, who has taught at Pacific NW College of Art, the Audubon Society, Portland Public Schools and many more.

Fee for each session:

Zoo members:  $25              Non-members:  $29

Cartooning Zoo Animals

Develop original cartoon animal characters based on your first-hand observation of animals at the Zoo.  Create single frame cartoons, a comic strip and/or large poster featuring the animal character(s) you invent.  Instruction in character development, exaggeration, simplification, expressions, shading and 3-D.

Mixed Media Zoo Art

Using your observations of zoo animals and your creativity and imagination, you'll create exciting artwork that combines drawing, clay sculpture, and metal and/or wire construction.  Instruction in using a variety of art media and found objects to create wildly original mixed media pieces.

Sketching Zoo Animals

Capture your favorite Zoo animals in your sketchbooks using a variety of media including graphite, colored pencils, and pen and ink.  Instruction in a variety of sketching techniques, observational skills, and the uses of a variety of different art media you'll use in rendering the animals' shapes, colors, textures and details.

I'll Be Working On The Railroad

Saturday, June 22, from 8:30AM - Noon

Ages 10 and up with parents

Fee: 
Zoo members:  $35 / 2 people, $10 each additional
Non-members: $43 / 2 people, $13 each additional

Help prepare the Oregon Zoo Railway's STEAM TRAIN for the day.  Chores include rolling the train out, lighting the fire and oiling the valve all with the guidance of the train crew.  The group will peek inside a steam boiler and tour the shops.  BRING YOUR CAMERA OR CAMCORDER!  When the steam train is ready, we will take it for a SPECIAL RUN including a PHOTO "RUN-BY".  Wear work clothes.

To sign up call (503) 220-2781.  For more information e-mail

FAMILY CAMPEROO 2002

TBA

(Children must be at least 2 years old)

Bring a sleeping bag or bedroll and a small tent for a special family outdoor overnight.  Your family will set up camp on the concert lawn and take part in fun events and activities.  The evening's schedule includes games, crafts, snacks and special night tours.  A 10:00PM campfire - including songs and stories - completes the evening program (lights out at midnight). Begin your morning with a continental picnic breakfast followed by a private showing of the Zoo's "Birds of Prey" show.

Advance registration is required.

Fee:  Zoo members:  $30/1 person, $24 each additional

         Non-members:  $37/1 person, $30 each additional 

To sign up call (503) 220-2781.  For more information e-mail

Zoo Experiences

These fun activities are designed for children of specific age groups with significant parent involvement.  Each class includes a guided tour to selected animal exhibits, stories, snack and craft.  Some classes include a classroom animal visit.  To ensure an effective program for your child, we cannot accommodate unregistered siblings.

Zoo members:  $19/2 persons - $24/3 persons

Non-members:  $23/2 persons - $29/3 persons

All Zoo Experience classes are from 10:00am to 12:30pm unless otherwise noted.

Ages 3-4

NOSES, TOES, AND EARS

Friday, April 5

Join this fun expedition of naming, counting, and comparing with visits from some of our touchable animals.

MY MOTHER HAS A POCKET

Saturday, April 6

Tree kangaroo, wallaroo, wallaby, wombat and bandicoot; funny names for some very interesting animals, all with pouches.  Discover the secrets of marsupials and get a closer look at our resident pocketed animals.

UNDER THE SEA

Saturday, April 27

Living under water is a very tricky business.  Learn how sea lions, sea otters, and all kinds of fish swim, breath, sleep and eat in their watery world.

FLYING FEATHERS, CRAWLING SCALES

Friday, May 3

Parents and preschoolers explore movement and texture in this popular experience.  Explore animal locomotion and body coverings with feathers, pelts and a guided tour.

NOSES, TOES, AND EARS

Saturday, May 25

Join this fun expedition of naming, counting, and comparing with visits from some of our touchable animals.

UNDER THE SEA

Friday, May 31

Living under water is a very tricky business.  Learn how sea lions, sea otters, and all kinds of fish swim, breath, sleep and eat in their watery world.

ANIMAL FAMILIES

Saturday, June 22

Kits, cubs, calves, pups, and chicks - all get raised in different ways. Bring your family to learn about these families.

Ages 5-7

PENGUINS, PENGUINS, PENGUINS

Saturday, April 20

Come on along for a special visit to our penguin’s home and learn about these unusual birds. Black tie optional.

ELEPHANTS, ELEPHANTS, ELEPHANTS

Saturday, May 4

Make a salad for an elephant, make your own elephant mobile, and take a special trip to visit our herd.

WHAT DO THEY EAT?

Saturday, June 1

Visit the commissary to discover how meals are prepared for zoo animals and why different animals eat different foods.

BUGS, BEAUTIFUL BUGS

Saturday, June 29

Beetles, butterflies, crabs and crayfish are truly amazing animals with some curious things in common.  Our Insect Zoo will be open just for you so you can learn about these critters.

Ages 8-10

ELEPHANTS ARE BULLDOZERS

Saturday, May 18

Make a salad for an elephant, make your own elephant mobile, and take a special trip to visit our herd.  Learn about how elephants live in the wild and why they are like bulldozers.

TOTALLY TIGERS

Saturday, June 15

Spend time with the keepers that care for them and see what it is like to work with these beautiful animals.  Find out where the tigers live in the wild, what makes them different, what they eat, and how humans and tigers are surviving together.