Author: Lisa Gillen

Halloween has barely come and gone, but it’s not too early to sign up for the PJ Party with Santa! Kids aged 3 – 10 can bring a pillow, wear PJ’s, and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus while they make an ornament, decorate cookies, and enjoy an animal presentation. Date is December 8 from 1 – 3 p.m. or 5 – 7 p.m. at the zoo Education Center (71 S. Country Club Rd.). Fee is $18 ($15 with resident discount). Call 421-7435 or click on Online Registration to reserve your child’s spot today!

Scovill Zoo is closed for the regular season but please join us for Boo at the Zoo! Dates are October 12 – 14, 19 – 21, and 25 – 28. Weekday times are 5:30 – 8 p.m.; weekend times are 3 – 8 p.m. Admission is $5 for those collecting treats, $4 for no treats, and free for those under age 2 (no treats). Carousel is $2.25 for non-zoo members and $1.75 for Friends of the Zoo. Train is $2.75 for non-zoo members and $2.25 for FOZ. The zoo is not open on October 29, 30 and 31. Please visit again next spring!

Your youngster will love the monthly Zoo Buddies classes! Kids aged 3 – 5 discover a new animal each class and take home a plush buddy toy. On October 9, from 10 – 11 a.m. or 2 – 3 p.m., lemurs are featured. Cost is just $16 ($13 with resident discount). Register at Scovillzoo.com or 421-7435.

Grandparents will enjoy a special day at Scovill Zoo on September 9! From 1 – 4 p.m., the zoo will host a cake walk, animal presentations, a scavenger hunt, and wallaby hopscotch. Free admission for grandparents with a paid child. Train and carousel fees apply. Scovill Zoo hours are 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., with last admission at 5 p.m.

Each year, Scovill Zoo is contacted by freelance writers and bloggers/vloggers looking to cover the zoo on their various media platforms.  We would like to consider any and all media requests that would be mutually beneficial.  If you have an interesting story or topic in mind, tell us about it.  Please submit a written proposal no less than five business days prior to your proposed visit to: Kfrye@decparks.com.

Proposal

Your proposal should include the following:

• Story topics for an article or blog/vlog that includes the target audience and demographics you reach
• Links to your articles or blog/vlog posts pertaining to how Scovill Zoo would be featured
• Statistics of your followers broken down by platform (i.e. subscribers for your publication or blog/vlog, as well as followers on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.)
• Date(s) your story/post will likely be published

Complimentary Tickets

Should your story idea or blog/vlog post be deemed mutually beneficial for both parties, Scovill Zoo will provide up to four complimentary admission tickets to the zoo.  Tickets will be provided not more than once in a 12-month period per writer/blogger/vlogger. Other requests for your visit should be included within your proposal for consideration. Thank you for your interest in Scovill Zoo!

 

With the new “Zoo Buzz” education series, adults can learn more about animals and important conservation topics! Each first Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. starting September 1, participants will enjoy coffee, snacks, and presentations by zoo professionals from around Illinois. Fee is $5. Topics are listed below. Please call to register at 421-7435.

09/01  Current Events in Conservation
10/06  Modern Zoo Administration
11/03  Animal Health & Care
12/01  Zoo Communities
01/05  Zoo Volunteerism
02/02  Small Steps to Save the World
03/02  Zoo Recreation