Up Close

ANIMAL OUTREACH PROGRAM

Up CLOSE is Woodland Park Zoo’s ambassador animal outreach program. Designed for various age groups, Up Close offers programming to schools or community organizations. These engaging indoor programs are designed to bring the zoo to you, get participants excited about the natural world, and build empathy towards animals.

Little Critters

Ages: Preschool - Kindergarten
Time: 30-45 minutes per program

Stories about animals speak to the minds and hearts of young children in a way nothing else can. Your youngest students will learn simple science facts, gain interest in literacy, and build empathy for animals with the help of zoo staff and a special animal guest in this fun, story-based program!

Animal Body Coverings: Do Snakes Wear Sweaters Too?

Ages: Preschool - 4th
Time: 30 - 45 minutes per program

Why do animals look so different from one another? How do those differences help them survive? We’ll learn about animal adaptations through some of their most visible characteristics. You will get the chance to see and touch interesting animal artifacts, and even get to meet a zoo ambassador animal to see their adaptations in action!

Legend of Dragons

Ages: Preschool - 6th
Time: 30 - 45 minutes per program

When you imagine a dragon, what do you see? People from different cultures imagine dragons in a variety of ways—not surprising, considering the diversity of animals around the world stories can be based on! We will explore the unique and fascinating lives of reptiles, then meet a zoo ambassador animal who knows firsthand what it’s like to be a dragon.

Ecosystem Explorers

Ages: 3rd - 5th
Time: 60 minutes per program

Our earth offers a mind-boggling variety of places to live, from dusty deserts to steamy tropical forests to everything else in between. All these ecosystems are home to many different species—including ourselves! We’ll meet a Woodland Park Zoo ambassador animal (or maybe two!) who will help teach us the important parts of a thriving ecosystem, as well as a little about how the zoo is helping keep wildlife populations strong and healthy both here in Washington and around the world.

Ambassador Animals at Education Events

Up CLOSE can also bring ambassador animals to your community’s educational events or science nights. If you are interested in having zoo staff participate in your event by bringing an ambassador animal, as well as other zoo artifacts, please contact us.

INFORMATION

Payment

Up CLOSE programs are $170 for the first program, and $115 for each additional program per day. A $30 non-refundable deposit is required to book an Up CLOSE program. Remaining balance (full payment) must be received by the zoo a minimum of three (3) weeks in advance of the confirmed program date.

Please click on the blue register button below for the Up CLOSE registration form.

Subsidized Programming

We are happy to offer subsidized funding for these programs to organizations and schools that serve a low-income population.

Eligible Groups

Schools (PreK-12) with 30% or more of their students receiving free or reduced-rate lunches, or a comparable level of scholarship per OSPI
Seattle Preschool Programs, Headstart and ECEAP groups
Non-profit organizations that serve low-income population

If your group is elegible for our subsidized funding, please click here to download our registration form.

Cancellation Policy

For Up CLOSE programs three (3) weeks notice of cancellation is required for a credit or refund. Three (3) weeks notice is also required for change of program date. Final payment for your group must be received by the zoo a minimum of three (3) weeks prior to your Up CLOSE date.

Contact

If you cannot find the answers to your questions or need additional help please contact the School Registrar at 206.548.2424 x2 or send an email.