Homeschool Programs Tampa s Lowry Park Zoo is excited to offer a variety of homeschool opportunities for groups of 15 or more guests. Bring your homeschoolers on an adventure at the Zoo where they can explore a broad range of topics from underwater ecosystems all the way to the top of the canopy of the oldest rainforest on earth! Our variety of homeschool programs will cover state standards in areas which may include Science, Social Studies, and Visual Art. Homeschool Options for groups of any age: 1. Homeschool Group Advance Rate and Field Trip Options a. An EdZOOcational Adventure i. Bring your homeschool group to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo for a one-of-a-kind educational experience. Choose from one of our amazing animal encounters or a guided tour from one of our animal experts, made specifically for grades K-12 and college students. b. Field Trip Information i. 1 free chaperone per 5 students in grades Pre-K and Kindergarten ii. 1 free chaperone per 10 students grades 1 and up and mixed groups (ex. a group with K-3 grades) iii. Free parking iv. Free admission for bus drivers if applicable v. Homeschool field trips require a minimum of 15 paying guests to receive a group rate vi. To schedule a field trip, please email or call 813-935-8552 ext. 268. c. Mock Manatee Rescue i. Tampa s Lowry Park Zoo is one of only three facilities that provides critical care to the endangered Florida manatee. Find out if you have what it takes to be a part of the Manatee Rehabilitation Team by participating in your very own Mock Manatee Rescue. Participants will be part of a performance-based experience to learn about Tampa s world class Manatee Hospital and practice the steps taken to provide care to this native Florida species. ii. Program Information 1. Program designed for ages 3-10 years. 2. Program is approximately 30-45 minutes. 3. Maximum capacity is 15-60 participants, including chaperones. 4. Large groups must be divided into groups of 30 or less. 5. Cost is $10 per student and extra chaperones. 6. Cost includes 1 free chaperone per 10 students 7. Zoo access is not included in program cost. 8. Program must be scheduled 9. Live animals are not included in the presentation.
d. Wetlands Connection Science Safari i. Take a sneak peek behind-the-scenes at the inner workings of the Zoo. During this program, your homeschool group will visit the Zoo s commissary where the animals diets are made and tour our world-class manatee hospital. ii. Important Information: 2. 2.5 hour program. 3. Minimum of 5 paying guests. 5. Appropriate for grades 4 th -8th. 6. Large groups must be divided into groups of 60 or fewer participants for parts of the workshop. 7. Advanced reservations are required. Please schedule at least two weeks 2. Homeschool Group Tour Options a. Zoo Adventure Tour i. Take a private tour of Tampa' Lowry Park Zoo with one of our expert Zoo guides. Your homeschool group will get unique insight and a behind-the-scenes look at one of the Zoo s amazing animal areas. Choose from an up-close encounter with Florida Wildlife, a wild walk in Safari Africa, a fascinating discovery of exotic Asian animals or hang out with a friendly group of primates. ii. Tour Area Options 1. Florida Boardwalk - Meet the original Florida natives, past, present, and some with a future unknown. 2. Primate World - Bring your group of primates to meet ours and learn about the cool characteristics of our closest cousins in the animal kingdom. 3. Asian Gardens - From massive Indian rhinos to rare Malayan tigers, explore the fascinating animals of the massive Asian continent. 4. Safari Africa - The African savannah is home to elusive and diverse wildlife as well as some of the world s largest land mammals. Take a trek to see what African animals you can discover. iii. Important Information 2. 45 to 60-minute program. 3. Minimum of 15 paying guests. 5. Zoo Venture Tours are appropriate for all ages. 6. Advanced reservations are required. Please schedule at least two weeks
b. Inside Look Tours i. Take a sneak peek behind-the-scenes at the inner workings of the Zoo. During this program, your homeschool group will visit the Zoo s commissary where the animals diets are made and tour our world-class manatee hospital. ii. Important Information: 2. 30-45 minute program. 3. Minimum of 5 paying guests. 5. Inside Look Tours are appropriate for all ages. 6. Large groups must be divided into groups of 20 or fewer participants for parts of the workshop. 7. Advanced reservations are required. Please schedule at least two weeks c. Nite Sites i. Get ready for an amazing nighttime adventure! Your exciting overnight experience will include: 1. Up-close encounters with animals. 2. A behind-the-scenes tour. 3. Theme specific crafts/activities. 4. A pizza snack. 5. Light morning breakfast. ii. African Safari 1. Take a nighttime safari through dense forests and wide-open savannas to discover some of the animals of this mysterious continent. iii. Awesome Australia 1. G day, mates! Head to the land down under for an awesome Aussie adventure where you will encounter some of the unique animals of this continental country and have the option of splashing through the billabong. iv. Manatee Rescue 1. Join Tampa s Lowry Park Zoo s efforts to help save the manatees. Learn about our unique rescue facilities and spend the night side by side with our incredible gentle giants in the air conditioned Manatee & Aquatics Center. v. Nocturnal Adventures 1. Experience life as an animal of the night! Find out who comes out when the sun goes down as you stalk and slither your way through the Zoo to see nocturnal animals in action. vi. Rainforest Quest 1. Did you know rainforests are home to over half the species of plants and animals in the world? Trek through the Zoo to meet some of the inhabitants of this diverse and delicate ecosystem and join the quest to save this important resource. vii. Space is limited. Please schedule at least 1-2 months
viii. Important Information: 2. Ages 6 through adult. 3. 6:45 p.m. - 8 a.m. 4. Sleepover: Up to 15 guests, $525. Additional guests, $35. 5. Next day visit: Up to 8 guests, $80. Additional child, $10. Additional adult, $14. 6. Next day visit includes 8-9:30 a.m. tour followed by Zoo access until close. 7. 1 free chaperone is included for every 10 participants. Homeschool Options for groups age 13 to17: 1. Career Workshops a. We offer two different two-hour workshops to help prepare teens for a career with animals: Animal Career Workshop and Reptiles & Aquatics Workshop. i. Animal Careers 1. Calling all Millennials! It s your time to be a change agent for planet Earth. Find out what it takes to become a next generation professional in the zoo and aquarium field within the real world of Tampa s Lowry Park Zoo. 2. Join us to learn more about animal-related careers. This experience includes an animal encounter, enrichment or husbandry experience, and a behind-the-scenes look at animal care at the Zoo. 3. Important Information a. Call (813) 935-8552 ext. 268 to schedule. b. Zoological Careers workshops are 2 hours, 10 a.m. - Noon. c. Programs are created for ages 13-17. d. Zoological Career Workshops are available to groups of 15-60 total participants. e. Large groups must be divided into groups of 20 or fewer participants for parts of the workshop. f. If you are a school group, chaperone ratios apply for this program. g. Price does not include Zoo admission ticket. ii. Reptiles and Aquatics Workshop 1. Calling all Millennials! It s your time to be a change agent for planet Earth. Find out what it takes to become a next generation professional in the zoo and aquarium field within the real world of Tampa s Lowry Park Zoo. 2. Join us for a closer look at the Zoo s scaly and slimy residents: reptiles, amphibians, fish and more. This experience includes an up-close encounter with one of our reptile animal ambassadors and a behindthe-scenes look at our herpetology and/or aquatics department.
3. Important Information a. Call (813) 935-8552 ext. 268 to schedule. b. Zoological Careers workshops are 2 hours, 10 a.m. - Noon. c. Programs are created for ages 13-17. d. Zoological Career Workshops are available to groups of 15-60 total participants. e. Large groups must be divided into groups of 20 or fewer participants for parts of the workshop. f. If you are a school group, chaperone ratios apply for this program. g. Price does not include Zoo admission ticket.