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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.

Art in the Zoo (Check Zoo Calendar)

Discover your creative side with all the sights and sounds at the Honolulu Zoo. Let the animals and lush surroundings inspire you to tap into your artistic side and create beautiful art pieces to your hearts content. For first time artists your day will start with an introduction to sketching shapes and blending colors, followed by a tour around the zoo to gather animal and plant references to inspire an art piece.

Each student leaves with new artistic skills and a basic starter kit to aid your new life as an artist. For those who already have a favorite artistic medium your art experience at the zoo will focus on a specific animal theme. In order to better grasp the theme, a close encounter with an animal will be included where you will be able to get a better sense of the animal's shapes, movements, and textures.

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 school breaks at the Honolulu Zoo! Children ages 6-11 spend an exciting week exploring the wilds of Honolulu. Vacation Adventures classes are offered Monday through Friday (certain holidays excluded), 8:00am – 2:30pm, with after-care available until 5:30pm for an additional fee. The 8:00am – 2:30pm class focuses on the care of zoo animals and the importance of conservation and saving endangered wildlife. After-care 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.

Critters and Crafts

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.

Hippo

Up close with our hippos!

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 the Animals

Have you ever wondered what a giraffe eats for breakfast? Fed a giant tortoise? Here's your chance! Enjoy a wonderful buffet breakfast before the Zoo opens and learn about the morning rituals of your favorite animals. Once your bellies are full, we're off to experience a once in a lifetime animal encounter. See calendar for details.


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!

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

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. 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 Director on a Walk-in Wednesday.

STEP 2 - All applicants must attend a second interview with the section Specialist both the volunteer and the Volunteer Director 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 9:30 and 2:00 p.m. (admission is free). Meet with the volunteer director, 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 Director
Honolulu Zoo Society
151 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-926-3191
FAX: 808-926-2622

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