Education: Wild Animal Park Guided Tours

Add a touch of the WILD to your class and experience the Wild Animal Park’s all-new education programs! Discover the science behind the daily lives of our animals during one of our ongrounds educator-led programs. All programs support several discipline areas for both State and National standards.

Admission is FREE to the Wild Animal Park for all students in San Diego County during the traditional school year. Non-San Diego County schools receive a reduced admission fee of $6 per student. Group reservations are required for these rates.

Most school groups respect our animals and property. Please familiarize yourself and your group with our rules before coming to the Wild Animal Park to make your visit run smoothly

Reservations are required. To make a reservation for a guided tour for your class at the Park, please call 760-738-5057. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made.

Got a question regarding the all-new Wild Animal Park school programs? Send us an e-mail now!

Pre-ordered lunches are available at the Wild Animal Park. Each lunch includes animal cookies, chips, a drink, and your choice of a hot dog, chicken strips, or cheese sandwich. Lunches can be ordered after you have made a reservation for your field trip and no later than two weeks prior to your visit date. For Wild Animal Park lunch reservations, please call 760-738-5055.

Grades preschool–K

Amazing Adaptations

Students receive an in-depth guided tour of the Nairobi Village area of the Park to learn about amazing animal adaptations. Hands-on interpretive activities will help students gain a greater understanding of adaptations and increase their appreciation for animals they may not have noticed. Program includes pre- and post-activities, guided tour of the Park’s Nairobi Village, hands-on interpretive activities, biofacts, and the use of magnifying glasses and binoculars.

Length: 1 hour Maximum: 40 per group (students and adults) Standards: Science/Language Arts/Math/P.E./Visual and Performing Arts Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $100 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.

Grades 1–2

Born to be Wild

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a wild animal? Scurry over to the Wild Animal Park for some monkeyin’ around and discover the animal in your students! Check out our flamingos, gorillas, gibbons, and lions! Program includes pre- and post-visit materials, games and activities, and a guided tour.

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes Maximum: 40 per group (students and adults) Standards: Life Science, Language Arts Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $150 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.

Grade 3

3rd-grade animal presentation: This program has been discontinued for the 2009–2010 school year.

Grades 3–5

California Cruising

Cruise on over to the Wild Animal Park, where our expert guide will lead students on an exploration of animals and plants native to California. While they're at it, they'll discover amazing animal adaptations and practice some investigative skills used by conservation scientists around the globe. Program includes pre- and post-visit materials, guided tour of Condor Ridge and Conifer Forest exhibit areas, and all materials.

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes Maximum: 40 per group (students and adults) Standards: Science/Language Arts/History and Social Sciences/Technology Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $150 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.

Grades 3–6

Night Owls sleepover

Let your class spend the night at the Wild Animal Park! More...

African elephant and calf

Grade 6

Elephant Architects

Elephants: land destroyers or land developers? The largest land animal can make a big impact on the Earth, both for the good and for the bad. Students experience first hand through a variety of interpretive activities how elephants leave a lasting impression on their environment and decide for themselves: are they destroyers or developers? Program includes pre- and post-visit materials, hands-on activities, and props and biofacts.

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes Maximum: 40 (students and adults) Standards: Science/Language Arts/Social Sciences/Technology Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $150 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.

Grade 7

Going Places

Animals move in some amazing ways. Giraffes can kick in all four directions with each foot, snakes move without arms, legs, hands, or feet. Elephants can’t jump but can walk backward, while a kangaroo can jump but can’t walk backward. Our animal expert guide will lead your students to several areas at the Wild Animal Park as they observe animal movement and discover how we’re all going places. Program includes pre- and post-visit materials, hands-on activities, and props and biofacts.

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes Maximum: 40 per group (students and adults) Standards: Science/Math Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $150 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.

Grade 8

Soarin' So Cal

California condors are amazing animals. The Wild Animal Park has been involved in the recovery of these endangered birds from the beginning of the effort to save them. Through a variety of different activities, discover what it took to bring these birds back from the brink of extinction and the challenges of reintroducing them back into the wilds of So Cal. Program includes pre- and post-visit materials, hands-on activities, and props and biofacts.

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes Maximum: 40 per group (students and adults) Standards: Science/Math/Technology Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $150 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.

Grades 9–12

Science Behind the Scenes

Learn about the inner workings of a world-famous organization, from water treatment to food preparation. Students will also briefly explore concepts of genetics, evolution, and ecology during this guided tour through portions of the Wild Animal Park. Program includes pre- and post-visit materials, hands-on activities, and props and biofacts.

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes Maximum: 40 per group (students and adults) Standards: Science/Geography Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $150 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.