Cub Scout Overnights

DUE TO COVID-19, IN PERSON EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE. PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.

Program Overview

Grab your sleeping bags and pillows and join us for an amazing night at the Zoo! These large group overnights are designed to accommodate several Cub Scout dens or one large pack. Explore the Zoo on a private evening tour, enjoy a light snack, participate in activities centered around your theme, and meet some of our education animals up-close. Wake up in the morning and head back into the Zoo before the public arrives and observe the animals as they start their days. It’s a night your pack will never forget!

All Cub Scout Overnights include an animal close-up with one of Oakland Zoo’s animal ambassadors.

Information

Age Requirements

For Scouts ages 6-12. Please note, we cannot accommodate non-scout siblings, unless the program is exclusive to your group.

Program Time

7:00pm to 10:00am the following morning

Available Program Dates

Friday and Saturday nights—please inquire with our Reservations Associate for available dates.

Program Fee

$65 per child - $55 per adult. All adults and children must register.

Group Size Limits

Minimum 25 / maximum 75

Adult/Child Ratios

1 adult chaperone is required for every 10 scouts

Patches

You will receive 1 patch per scout.

Food Allergies

Food items may contain dairy or nuts.

Program Options

Tiger Scouts - “Tigers in the Wild”

Have you ever wondered what happens in the zoo after dark? Take a night hike through Oakland Zoo and visit some of our nocturnal animal exhibits, then look for signs of wild animals that live in surrounding Knowland Park. In the morning, continue your exploration by learning about both native and non-native plants and trees that grow in and around the zoo, and how the zoo’s rainforest animals make use of them. That includes tigers, of course!

Wolf Scouts - “Paws on the Path”

Practice reading a map and compass (and try your hand at making your own), then test your skills by exploring the zoo after closing time with map in hand. In the morning your whole den will go on a hike into the hills of Knowland Park above the zoo, where you will look for native wildlife and get a one-of-a-kind view of the zoo and surrounding area when you reach the top. (Each scout should bring his six essentials).

Bear Scouts - “Fur, Feathers, and Ferns”

What factors cause a species to become endangered or threatened? Investigate this with some help from zoo education staff, then meet several such species in the zoo and up close. Venture beyond the zoo gates into Knowland Park to search for local wildlife and study plants up close, and make a trip to Oakland Zoo’s on-site composting yard that will have you thinking about the best way to fertilize your garden. (Each scout should bring his six essentials).

Webelos Scouts - “Into the Woods”

Learn to read a tree’s life story from its cross-section and investigate just how much we use and rely on trees every day in this program all about the plant kingdom. Visit Arroyo Viejo Creek and the surrounding woodlands of Knowland Park to learn to identify native plant and tree species and discover how wildlife and humans utilize them, then venture into the zoo to observe and explore how animals in the zoo enclosures use trees.

Webelos Scouts - “Into the Wild”

This is your chance to explore and investigate wildlife and their habitats up close. Tour the zoo, look for wild animals in Knowland Park, and get dirty at Arroyo Viejo Creek. Try your hand at bug catching and experience what happens when nature falls out of balance. This workshop will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of wildlife, and complete your Into the Wild adventure! (Each scout need to bring an empty and clean jar with a lid.)

Nova WILD! (For any age or mixed age groups)

Looking for an overnight experience for the whole pack? In this program, Cub Scouts of all ages can experience the zoo together while learning about wildlife, the food cycle, and different ecosystems. You will learn from observing the animals in the Zoo as well as searching for plants and animals that live in our local ecosystem along Arroyo Viejo Creek. This program is designed to help Cub Scouts complete part of the Nova WILD! Award, but is great fun for any den or pack, whether or not you intend to go on to complete the award.

Zoo Snoops (For any age or mixed age groups)

It's a mystery; so, put on your thinking caps! Groups will work together using the clues that lead to each animal on our tour. You will learn about each animal we discover along the way from an Oakland Zoo Education Specialist. You may end up behind-the-scenes or face-to-face with an animal to meet and touch!

Reservation Information

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

Payment and Cancellation Policies

• A $200 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of reservation.
• Your reservation must be for at least 25 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 cancellation fee. If it is less than 30 days, no refunds will be made.
• Please note: In the event that there are less than 25 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.
• All Cub Scout Overnights include an animal close-up with one of Oakland Zoo’s animal ambassadors.

Payment Schedule

• More than 30 days: You must register for the minimum 25 people and pay a $200 non-refundable deposit at least 30 days before the event.
• 30 days: Payment is due in full for the amount of persons you have registered.
• 14 days: You can add additional persons up to 14 days before the event. Please call (510) 632-9525 x220 to add

Questions?

For more information please call (510) 632-9525 ext. 220 or email the Education Programs Registrar.