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.
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
| Subject | Date | Time | Register Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheeky Chinchilla | Feb. 11 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Click to Register |
| Cheeky Chinchilla | Feb. 11 | 2 – 3 p.m | Click to Register |
| Eager Eagles | Mar. 11 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Click to Register |
| Eager Eagles | Mar. 11 | 2 – 3 p.m. | Click to Register |
| Rad Pandas | April 8 | 10 – 11 a.m. | |
| Rad Pandas | April 8 | 2 – 3 p.m. | |
| Talkative Turacos | May 13 | 10 – 11 a.m. | |
| Talkative Turacos | May 13 | 2 – 3 p.m. |
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)
*$2 off with a membership
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
| Subject | Date |
|---|---|
| Fur and Feathers | June 6 |
| Animal Mouths | June 13 |
| A Cool Summer Tail | June 20 |
| Under One Rock | June 27 |
| Forest Bight, Forest Night | July 11 |
| Animal Legs | July 18 |
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)
Ready to get your hands dirty, slimy, and sticky? 7 & 8 year olds are welcome to join us while we explore all things that are GROSS here at Scovill Zoo! From roaches to slugs to animal dung, it is all icky, educational fun!
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: $100 ($90 with resident discount)
*$5 off with a membership
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| June 2 – 6 | 9 a.m. – noon |
| June 9 – 13 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
| June 16 – 20 | 9 a.m. – noon |
| June 23 – 27 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
| June 30 – July 4 | 9 a.m. – noon |
| July 7 – 11 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
| July 14 – 18 | 9 a.m. – noon |
Zoo Club (Ages 9 & 10)
Are zebras white with black stripes or black with white stripes? 9 & 10 year old campers will be exploring animal myths and mysteries in this week-long adventure!
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: $100 ($90 with resident discount)
*$5 off with a membership
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| June 2 – 6 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
| June 9 – 13 | 9 a.m. – noon |
| June 16 – 20 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
| June 23 – 27 | 9 a.m. – noon |
| June 30 – July 4 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
| July 7 – 11 | 9 a.m. – noon |
| July 14 – 18 | 1 – 4 p.m. |
Zoo Crew (Ages 11 – 13)
11–13-year-old campers will be spending a week getting their hands dirty learning how to save our world and its endangered animals! Participants will work together to come up with plans for providing new and exciting experiences for the animals by helping our zookeepers with animal enrichment and training!
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: $130 ($120 with resident discount)
*$5 off with a membership
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| June 2 – 6 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| June 9 – 13 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| June 16 – 20 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| June 23 – 27 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| June 30 – July 4 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| July 7 – 11 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| July 14 – 18 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
Zoo Teens I
If you’re 14 or 15 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, presenting to the public, and assisting keepers in the petting zoo. Recommendation letter and a training day are required. Applications are due April 21st.
Location: Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.
Fee: $100 ($90 with resident discount)
*$5 off with a membership
| Age | Day | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 – 15 | M – Sun. | June 2 – August 30 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
Zoo Teens II
Zoo Teens II for 16 and 17 year olds, offers hands-on experience for 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, presenting to the public, and will assist camp counselors with Zoo kids and Zoo camp activities. Completion of Zoo Teens I is strongly recommended. Recommendation letters and a training day are required. Applications are due April 21st.
Location: Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd.
Fee: $100 ($90 with resident discount)
*$5 off with a membership
| Age | Day | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-17 | Mon. – Sun. | June 2 – August 30 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
Zoo Safari
Zoo Crew and Zoo Teens participants can join their favorite counselors on a Zoo Safari, traveling to other Central Illinois zoos and nature centers.
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 21 – 25 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
