Vacation Adventures
Honolulu Zoo Society Program

Vacation Adventures Fact Sheet:

Vacation Adventures is a week long program offered at the zoo during school holidays and vacations. Programs are offered during spring break, 10 weeks during the summer, fall break and winter break. We do not have class on Good Friday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day.

Our classes have both daily and weekly themes. Currently, our daily themes are as follows: Monday is Reptile Day, Tuesday is Mammal Day, Wednesday is Marine Day (we will be visiting the Aquarium for one hour), Thursday is Endangered Species Day, and Friday is Bird Day. Our weekly themes rotate during each season to allow children attending the program for consecutive weeks the opportunity to discover different aspects of animals and their environments.  A few examples of our weekly themes are “Survivor!” (Animal Adaptations), “Got Class” (Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles), and “Earth 911” (Conservation).

Each day is new and exciting! It’s difficult to say exactly what we will do every day because of variations on animal health and keeper availability. Standard daily activities include tours of the zoo, journals time, arts and crafts, games, discussions, half-hour lunch, and an hour recess. We try very hard to experience at least one animal encounter every day, based on our daily theme. Encounters are not focused on feeding or touching, though we do get to do so with certain animals. Please keep in mind that most of the animals in our zoo are wild and potentially dangerous. We DO NOT touch the adult tigers (or any other carnivores), but we do get opportunities to feed and touch the elephants, which the general public can no longer do. We do follow strict guidelines for the health and safety of both the humans and animals in our care. Children may provide enrichment for animals, do behavioral observation and visit animal areas off limits to the general public. Zookeepers may come to visit us in the classroom, sometimes bringing animal friends with them. Every day is a new adventure full of discovery!

We provide morning and afternoon snacks, as well as juice and water throughout the day. You will need to provide a sack lunch. We no longer have a microwave to warm lunches. Please provide a lunch that can be consumed cold. We run programs rain or shine so we recommend providing your child with the following: sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, a jacket, and a change of clothes. Water bottles and disposable cameras are welcome, but be sure to write your child's name on these items. Covered shoes are required – without them, some opportunities (going behind the scenes, feeding, or touching) may be prevented due to safety requirements. No toys, video games, collector cards, money, or other items of value are allowed. They will be confiscated and returned to parents at the end of the day.

Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. sharp and end at 2:30 p.m. Aftercare is available until 5:30 p.m. After-care is less structured than class time. The children may have another walk in the zoo, do more in depth art projects, play outdoor games, or have general free time in class. Arrangements for early pick up must be arranged in advance by informing the instructor’s at drop off, or during the day by contacting them on the program’s cell phone.

Costs: Member Discounts given to Tiger Level Membership and above
Weekly:	$185 for non-members $175 for members 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily
After Care:	$55 for non-members $45 for members 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily No discounts are given for early pick up.

Call early to reserve and pay for your child’s space! Enrollment is limited to 30 students per week and we fill up quickly, especially during the summer months. To make payments, you may mail, e-mail or fax your forms to our office. You may also make payments over the phone with a credit card.

For Reservations Please Contact:

Education Coordinators: Amanda K. Kaahanui & Amanda L. LaGoy
Phone: (808) 971-7195
Fax:  (808) 926-2622
Email: Education@honzoosoc.org

Address:
Honolulu Zoological Society
Education Department
151 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu HI 96815

POLICIES:

Registration is on a first come, first served basis.  If a class is full, you will be placed on the waiting list.  If we cannot provide a space for you we will reschedule you or return your payment.  We do not refund for missed or partially missed days.  Please note that some elements of our programs may change due to animal and staff availability.  We reserve the right to cancel a program if enrollment is too low.

FAMILY PROGRAMS – you may cancel up to 10 days prior to the program, minus a $20 servicing fee.  Your entire payment is forfeited if you cancel less than 10 days before the start of the program.  When possible, we will reschedule you.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES – you may reschedule/cancel up to 10 days prior to the party date, minus a $50 servicing fee. Your entire payment is forfeited if you cancel less than 10 days prior to the party. An additional fee of $100 will be assessed if your guest count exceeds the 45 person limit.

Program discounts are given to HZS premium memberships only (Flamingo/Basic Family Pass excluded).