The adventure begins as your class explores the Zoo on your own private evening tour. Afterwards head inside to enjoy snacks and participate in a fun (and educational) activity. Your tour and activities are based on the theme you have chosen. Next, meet one of our education animals up close and then head down the auditorium and turn in for the night. Wake up in the mornin, pack up, enjoy a tasty continental breakfast and head back into the Zoo to see the animals as they wake!

Age Requirements: For children ages 6-12.
Program Time: 6:00pm or 7:00pm (depending on program) to 10:00am the following morning.
Program Dates: These overnights are offered in the spring or fall by reservation.
Program Fee: $50.00 per adult - $50.00 per child. All adults and children must register.
Group Size Limits: minimum 15 / maximum 100.
Adult/Child Ratios: 1 adult chaperone is required for every 10 child.
Food Allergies: Some food items may contain dairy or nuts.

First Grade: Animal Care
Life Sciences 2:b,c; Investigation & Experimentation 4:b,c,d How are animals cared for at the Zoo? Learn about the basic needs of animals, what enrichment is, and how enrichment improves the lives of animals. Compare the needs of zoo animals to the needs of people and pets.

Second Grade: Cycles of Life
Life Sciences 2:a,b,c; Investigation & Experimentation 4:a,d,e Why are some animals born ready to run, while others are completely helpless? Explore the diversity of animal development and family structures, and compare how they are similar and different from our own.

Third Grade: Adaptation, Biomes, and Conservation: The ABC's of Habitats
Life Sciences 2:a,b,c,d,e; Investigation & Experimentation 5:b,c,d,e Why are the rainforest animals in the Zoo so loud and African savannah animals so quiet? Learn how animals have adapted to the conditions of the habitat in which they live. Explore how you can help protect wild animals' habitats in your community.

Fourth and Fifth Grade: Herbivores, Omnivores and Carnivores, Wow!
(The Real Poop) Life Sciences 2:c,d; Investigation & Experimentation 6:c,g,h What in the world does "eructate" mean? How do rumens work? Come find out in this special class all about mammalian digestive systems and how they determine the nutritional needs of carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores.

Sixth Grade and above
If you have a non-elementary age class and would like to schedule an overnight, please contact Brendan Papciak at x121, to discuss curriculum options.

Outside Option
During the months of April through September, some of our programs have the option of choosing to sleep in tents in our Zoo Meadow. You will arrive an hour early to have time to set up your tents, which you will need to provide. Because of the size of the Meadow this option limits the maximum number of participants to 60 (instead of 100 that we can accommodate inside).

To make a reservation download the Overnight Request Form. Submit a completed copy via email or fax to (510) 729-7324 at least 30 days in advance.

A $200.00 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of reservation. Your reservation must be for at least 15 people. Payment is due in full 30 days before your event date or your reservation will be cancelled. Additional participants can be added to your reservation up to 14 days before your event date.

If you cancel more than 31 days before your event date you will be refunded the full amount minus a $200.00 cancellation fee. If it is less than 30 days, no refunds will be made.

Please note: In the event that there are less than 15 participants registered 14 days prior to the event date, the event will be canceled. All participants will be re-scheduled where possible, or fully refunded otherwise.

For more information please call (510) 632-9525 x220 or email the Education Programs Registrar.