Scovill Zoo’s education programs offer opportunities for animal lovers of all ages to discover the animal kingdom. With zoo classes, guided tours, and a fantastic Mobile Zoo, Scovill Zoo provides fun, hands-on connections to the animal world.
All children grow, learn, and benefit from the arts, recreation and play! The Decatur Park District recognizes that financial assistance may be required for some individuals to participate in Park District programs. To provide equal access regardless of ability to pay, a Youth Scholarship program has been established for qualified Decatur and Macon County residents. Awards are made without regard to race, religion, age, disability, or national origin. For details, please call Gabrielle Cliff at 217-422-5911.
Zoo Buddies (Ages 3 – 5)
With Zoo Buddies, our youngest zoo enthusiasts have their own pint-sized animal adventures! This class is held year-around and each month kids aged 3 – 5 will discover a new species or environment and take home a new zoo buddy toy. This is a one hour class with two different sessions—morning and afternoon—and within that time there will be a discussion, story, craft, and animal encounter.
| Subject | Date | Time | Register Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slithering Snakes | January 13 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Register Here |
| Slithering Snakes | January 13 | 2 – 3 p.m. | Register Here |
| Romantic Rabbits | February 10 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Register Here |
| Romantic Rabbits | February 10 | 2 – 3 p.m. | Register Here |
| Not Naked Not Moles Not Rats | March 10 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Register Here |
| Not Naked Not Moles Not Rats | March 10 | 2 – 3 p.m. | Register Here |
| Killer Kookaburras | April 14 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Register Here |
| Killer Kookaburras | April 14 | 2 – 3 p.m. | Register Here |
| Gung Ho for Goats! | May 12 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Register Here |
| Gung Ho for Goats! | May 12 | 2 – 3 p.m. | Register Here |
| Speedy Spots | June 9 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Register Here |
| Speedy Spots | June 9 | 2 – 3 p.m. | Register Here |
| Tardy Tortoises | July 14 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Register Here |
| Tardy Tortoises | July 14 | 2 – 3 p.m. | Register Here |
| Mischievous Monkeys | August 11 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Register Here |
| Mischievous Monkeys | August 11 | 2 – 3 p.m. | Register Here |
Registration: Click here to register online, visit Scovill Zoo, or call the zoo at 217-421-7435.
Location: Zoo Education Center (Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.)
Fee: $20 ($17 with resident discount)
*$1 off with a membership
Critter Tales (Ages 5 & 6)
Kids aged 5 – 6 can join Scovill Zoo’s “book club”! For six weeks in June & July, a new zoo topic will be covered, and participants will add a new story to their home library. 90-minute sessions will include animal encounters and hands-on activities.
Registration: Click here to register online, visit Scovill Zoo, or call the zoo at 217-421-7435.
Location: Zoo Education Center (Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.)
Fee: $25 ($23 with resident discount)
*$1 off with a membership
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
| Subject | Date |
|---|---|
| There’s a Bug on my Book! | June 5 |
| Animal Eyes | June 12 |
| Why should I walk, I can fly! | June 19 |
| Achoo! Why Pollen Counts | June 26 |
| They Just Know: Animal Instincts | July 10 |
| Animals are Sleeping | July 17 |
Age Appropriate – Each camp curriculum is designed to be age appropriate to meet the attention, interests, and developmental needs of each age range, therefore it is important that the age guidelines are followed.
Duplicate Sessions – For each age range, there are multiple opportunities to attend camp. For ages 7-8 years and 9-10 years, the AM session is the same as the PM session. Sessions in June are the same as the sessions in July. Please only register your child for one session (i.e. one week of camp).
Zoo Kids (Ages 7 & 8)
Our five senses help us to navigate the world around us, with great hearing giving zebras a heads up if a predator gets too close, and a great sense of smell helping tenrecs to locate insects on the forest floor. 7 & 8 yr olds will get to learn all about animal senses in this week-long camp, and how they are used for survival.
Registration: Click here to register online, visit Scovill Zoo, or call the zoo at 217-421-7435.
Location: Zoo Education Center (Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.)
Fee: $110 ($100 with resident discount)
*$5 off with a membership
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| June 1 – 5 | 9 a.m. – noon |
| June 8 – 12 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
| June 15 – 19 | 9 a.m. – noon |
| June 22 – 26 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
| June 29 – July 3 | 9 a.m. – noon |
| July 6 – 10 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
| July 13 – 17 | 9 a.m. – noon |
Zoo Club (Ages 9 & 10)
All living things need energy to stay alive and they get their energy from food; either by consuming food (like meat and plants) or producing it (through photosynthesis). How are all the animals at Scovill connected through food chains? Join us for a week-long camp for 9 & 10 yr olds to find out!
Registration: Click here to register online, visit Scovill Zoo, or call the zoo at 217-421-7435.
Location: Zoo Education Center (Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.)
Fee: $110 ($100 with resident discount)
*$5 off with a membership
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| June 1 – 5 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
| June 8 – 12 | 9 a.m. – noon |
| June 15 – 19 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
| June 22 – 26 | 9 a.m. – noon |
| June 29 – July 3 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
| July 6 – 10 | 9 a.m. – noon |
| July 13 – 17 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
Zoo Crew (Ages 11 – 13)
How are cheetahs adapted to live in the hot African Savannah and how do spider monkeys climb so well up in the trees? 11-13 year old campers will spend a week learning about the ways in which animals are adapted to survive in their environments.
Registration: Click here to register online, visit Scovill Zoo, or call the zoo at 217-421-7435.
Location: Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.
Fee: $140 ($130 with resident discount)
*$5 off with a membership
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| June 1 – 5 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| June 8 – 12 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| June 15 – 19 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| June 22 – 26 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| June 29 – July 3 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| July 6 – 10 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| July 13 – 17 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
Zoo Teens I
If you’re 14 – 17 years old and interested in a career involving animals, Zoo Teens I is a fun, educational way to learn more. You’ll be trained in exhibit interpretation, a little animal handling, and assisting keepers in the petting zoo. Recommendation letter and a training day are required and there are limited spots in this program. Applications are due by April 27th, and you must be available for training on May 28th or 29th.
Location: Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.
Fee: $120 ($110 with resident discount)
*$5 off with a membership
| Age | Day | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 – 17 | M – Sun. | June 1 – August 30 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
Zoo Teens II
Zoo Teens II is for teens who have experienced a year of our Zoo Teens I program, and offers hands-on experience caring for animals and educating the public on grounds and also off grounds in our mobile zoo program. You’ll be trained in exhibit interpretation, animal handling, and can assist camp counselors with Zoo Kids and Zoo Club activities. Completion of Zoo Teens I is required. Recommendation letter and a training day are required and there are limited spots in this program. Applications are due by April 27th, and you must be available for training on May 28th or 29th.
Location: Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.
Fee: $120 ($110 with resident discount)
*$5 off with a membership
| Age | Day | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-17 | Mon. – Sun. | June 1 – August 30 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
Zoo Safari
Zoo Crew and Zoo Teens 2025 participants can join their favorite counselors on a Zoo Safari, traveling to other Central Illinois zoos and nature centers, like the Peoria Zoo, Miller Park Zoo, the St. Louis Zoo, and more!
Registration: Call the zoo at 217-421-7435
Fee: $160 ($150 with resident discount)
*$5 off with a membership
| Age | Day | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-17 | M – F | July 20 – 24 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
