Ever wonder what happens after hours at the zoo? Or do you have an animal enthusiast in your family? Binder Park Zoo is now offering summer nights in the park for a minimal price. So, if your dream is to learn more about animals, why not stay a night with them and see what being a zoologist is all about this summer.
Many years ago, as a girl scout, I had the chance to have one of the first overnight stays at Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan. It is an event that I remember after all these years as being a pivotal moment in my life. Hence, among my many other degrees, I also studied veterinary medicine for a few years. This overnight program is now a staple event throughout the summer months and can be enjoyed by other animal lovers across the world.
To take part of this overnight program, parents can go to the official website and simply signup. The cost can vary if the attendee is a member of the zoo or not a member. Basically though, the price is around $30-45.00 per person. The price is very reasonable though for what each attendee gets in return. There is no price tag on education, especially for children. The Zoo Program does require that each child have at least one parent in attendance, children may not go alone.
When you get to Binder Park Zoo, usually around 3PM all members attending the overnight program are whisked away on the zebra-striped tram to ‘Wild Africa’. It is in Wild Africa, that you and your family will spend most of your time while at the zoo. Since the zoo closes usually around 5:45PM, all participants are able to see the background scenes of the zoo. It is important that all participants are in the gates and registered before this time though since this is a lock-in program. Lock-in basically means that when the doors close for the night, they are locked and no late arrivals will be allowed to enter the premises. Since everyone’s safety is at stake, the zoo does take this policy very seriously.
After hours, all participants are able to see the zoo employees feed the animals, care and clean those that need it, hear and learn about all animals from the zoologist on duty and so much more. There is just too much that goes on, that your family will just have to check it out to experience everything that goes on after hours. In addition, each participant is given a dinner party (which is usually a pizza party), a continental breakfast, a late night snack (usually popcorn), a souvenir safari hat and a badge of courage for staying a night at the park.
Now, when I went as a girl-scout, all participants were placed in a large air-conditioned building while sleeping in sleeping bags. Fortunately for children nowadays, each family is required to bring along tents so that sleeping under a large pavilion in the Wild Africa is an option. Just image what your kids would think if you stayed in the 18-acre savannah, waking up to giraffe, zebras and so on walking around you.
As a previous participant, it is truly amazing! This overnight program is one-of-a-kind; it is a learning experience that both children and adults will both love. Although the program does require sleeping in tents, it is something that is not too much of a hassle since Michigan nights are rather cool anyways. So, if you are looking for something fantastic to do this summer, check out Binder Park Zoo’s Overnight program and experience the Safari for yourself, without having to go to Africa!
