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Honolulu Zoo Society Programs

School Group Programs:

Family Programs:

Volunteering:

For further information call the Honolulu Zoo Society at: 971-7195
or email us at: education@honzoosoc.org

Kids visiting the Children's Zoo.

Dinner Safari (Check Zoo Calendar)

Join us for an evening of tours and delicious food as we explore the Zoo first at twilight and then with red-filter flashlights. The program begins at 6 pm and ends at 10 pm. The pre-dinner tour will give you a glimpse of the Zoo, followed by a more thorough look after dinner.

Star Gazing at the Zoo (Check Zoo Calendar)

Discover Animals that are out of this world, as well as those that are more down to earth in our exciting new education program. Join us on an evening tour of the zoo in addition to exploring the night sky above Hawaii with astronomers from the UH Institute of Astronomy.

Vacation Adventures (Check Zoo Calendar)

Come spend your vacations at Honolulu Zoo. Children age 6-11 spend an exciting week or day exploring the wilds of Honolulu Zoo. This week long camp is offered Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 2:30pm. Aftercare is also available until 5:30pm. The 8:00am – 2:30pm class focuses on the care of zoo animals, behind-the-scenes encounters and the importance of conservation and saving endangered wildlife. Aftercare may include animal games and art projects.  Click here for details.

PreVacation Adventures (Check Zoo Calendar)

For children ages 4 and 5 who have not yet completed Kindergarten.  Children will explore the zoo using all their senses.  Keeper talks, games, walking tours, crafts and our biofact collection will bring the zoo experience to a whole new level for these youngsters. See calendar for details.

Honolulu Zoo Strollers

This is an exciting class designed for toddlers and their parents. If you have a baby hui and are interested, give us a call. Learn about fur, feathers and scales. There are a variety of themes, such as camouflage, savannas, and native birds which change monthly. See calendar for details.

Birthday Parties

Our Zoo Education staff can provide two hours of exciting activities in wildlife conservation education, tailored for the age of your child's next ZOOper Birthday Party. Held under a large event tent next to the stage on the front lawn, the parties are geared towards groups of 20 to 45. The fee includes a party facilitator, cake, juice, ice cream, a craft and an animal feeding. You may provide your own lunch, or request a Deluxe package which also includes lunch and a candy-filled animal piñata.

We recommend that you reserve your space at least 2 months in advance. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for details.

Snooze in the Zoo

Discover the creatures of the night at Honolulu Zoo. Lie with the lions, doze with the doves. Be a dreamer with a lemur. Now is your chance to snooze in the zoo. The night will begin with a buffet dinner, continue with guided walking tours of the Zoo after dark, and conclude with s’mores around a campfire. Participants may pitch their tents on one of the Zoo's lawns or sleep out under the stars. Camp outs begin at 5:30 pm and end the following morning at 9:00 am. Special group reservations are available. Reservations are limited. See calendar for details.

Twilight Tours

What sort of monkey business takes place at twilight at Honolulu Zoo? Learn about the lives of the zoo's remarkable citizens. Tours are held Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It's a fun evening of education never experienced by day visitors. Special arrangements can be made for large groups. Families are welcome. The tours are geared towards children ages 5 and up. Please purchase tickets in advance from the Honolulu Zoo Society. See calendar for details. Read Star-Bulletin Features article 3/25/05

Volunteers interact with the public at various places around the zoo. If you are interested in learning more about this, click here.

Kruger, our 5000 pound white
rhino is a favorite with kids.

Junior Zoo Keeper

Children age 11-18 get a rare behind-the-scenes opportunity to learn what it's like to be a zoo keeper. Classes meet on one Saturday in May and one in November from 10:00am – 12:00pm  (Check Zoo Calendar page for dates). Themes change with each class. See calendar for details.

Keiki Zookeeper: 6-10

Let your child, age 6-10, discover the wonderful world of animal conservation at the Honolulu Zoo. We will go behind the scenes to meet animals and their keepers, we will do animal feedings, and we will have fun assisting the Zoo in making treats for the animals. Classes meet on one Saturday in April and one in October from 10:00am – 12:00pm. See Zoo School article in the Oahu Island News and calendar for details.

Breakfast with a Keeper

An in-depth behind the scenes tour of our featured animal, accompanied by a yummy buffet breakfast.  The program occurs several times throughout the year and the featured animal changes with each program. See calendar for details.

Volunteer Interpretive Services

For more information on Volunteer Interpretive Services, view the link for details or contact:

Mary Harbold
Honolulu Zoo Education Specialist
151 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 971-2509

Click to enlarge photo.
One of our animal keepers leads volunteers
on a guided tour of the Savanna.

Volunteer Program

If you care about animals and the environment and have the desire to get involved, here is some information about how you can join our Zooper volunteer team!

What is the minimum age for volunteering?

Children's Zoo 16 yrs.
  Education Programs 16 yrs.
  Animal Sections:
  Bird & Reptile 18 yrs.
  Savanna/Mammal 18 yrs.
  Special Events  varies
  All other sections 18 yrs.
  (Includes Veterinary Clinic, Horticulture,
Research, and Office Assistance)

What is the minimum time commitment for volunteering at the Zoo?

The minimum time commitment is 3 months in all sections except for the Docent Training Program which requires a 6 month commitment. Shifts in the animal sections are normally once a week for 4 hours. Shifts with Education Programs and Special Events are "on call."

How do I become a Volunteer?

Becoming a volunteer at Honolulu Zoo is a 3 step process.

STEP 1 - All applicants must attend an in-person interview with the Volunteer Coordinator on a Walk-in Wednesday.

STEP 2 - All applicants must attend a second interview with the section Specialist both the volunteer and the Volunteer Coordinator decide makes the best match.

STEP 3 - All applicants must attend a General Orientation - an overview of the Honolulu Zoo's past, present and future including safety rules and emergency procedures.

What is Walk-In Wednesday?

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the Honolulu Zoo, we invite you to come to the zoo and Wednesday between 9:00 and 2:00 p.m. (admission is free). Meet with the volunteer coordinator, Barb Thacker, to discuss your interests and our opportunities and initiate the 3 step process described above.

Are there other requirements?

All zoo volunteers must submit a copy of their current TB clearance.

For More Information:
Barbara Thacker
Volunteer Coordinator
Honolulu Zoo Society
151 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-926-3191
FAX: 808-926-2622

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