Classes and Workshops

Zoo Classes

Munch with the Monkeys (Three sessions) Need only to register for the day of your choice.
Thursday, June 5
Friday, July 11
Tuesday, August 5
Noon - 1:30 PM
Fee: $6 member/$8 non-member (includes a child’s zoo meal).
Learn what the monkeys, lemurs, and gibbon apes eat and help prepare their daily diet and enjoy a zoo kid’s meal.  We repeat this class every season because it is fun, fun, fun!
Pre-registration is required.

Tracking
Thursday, June 12       
1 - 3 PM 
$6 member/$8 non-member
Learn to identify different animal tracks and how tracking is used for different leisure sports. Great fun.   Make a plaster cast to take home.  This is a favorite workshop!
Pre-registration is required.

Pond Life Adventure! (A “Year of the Frog” Special Event)
Thursday, June 19          
10 - 12:30 PM
$8 member/$9 non-member
Please bring a sack lunch.
This exciting workshop focuses on pond life and local wildlife in the park.  Gently capture water critters with a net and spy
them under a microscope!  Great Fun!
Pre-registration is required.

Junior Zoo Keeping I
June10-11 (Tues. And Wed.)  Or   June 17 - 18 (Tues. And Wed.).  Pick one of the two day sessions.
$30/fee (includes t-shirt)
10 AM - 1 PM both days (bring a sack lunch)
This camp is designed for ages 9 -14.  This two day workshop allows young people to spend time with a Chahinkapa Zoo Keeper and learn the responsibilities and tasks.  Children get a behind-the-scenes tour of exhibits and learn about habitat planning, prepare zoo diets, explore the zoo medicine field and design their own zoo!  The second day includes a short graduation ceremony where family is invited to share in the program.  This is a pre-requisite to be a Junior Zoo Keeper Volunteer.  (See Jr. Zoo Keeping Club).  Pre-registration is required. 

Junior Zoo Keeping II
June 24 - 25 (Tues. and Wed.)
Pre-requisite: Jr. Zoo Keeping I (limit 25 students)
$30/fee (includes t-shirt)
This second camp puts you in the middle of animal enrichment!  How does zoo staff keep the animals active and healthy in their habitat?  Help the monkeys forage for fruit and prepare frozen fish pops for the bears.  Zoo medicine is discussed more as the students learn blow dart procedures.  A short graduation ceremony is held on the second day where family is invited to view the results of your hard work.  Pre-registration is required.

Junior Zoo Keeping CLUB
After graduation from Jr. Zoo Keeping I or II, you may volunteer at the zoo for two hours each week.  You will receive a club card and invitation to the Zoo Friend Picnic in September.
There is a $20 supervisor fee.
Pre-registration is required.

Jr. Zoo Keeping III
Pre-requisite Jr. Zoo Keeping I and II
Six volunteer positions are available for petting zoo keepers.  There are two evenings of training and the keepers will be scheduled for two days/week in Grandpa’s Petting Zoo.  These volunteers are responsible for cleaning the barn and pastures, feeding the domestic livestock, keeping automatic waterers clean, assisting the public and being good zoo ambassadors for our visitors.  Ages 12 and older may apply.
No fee.  Call Kathy at (701) 642-8709 for an interview.

Bird Watching
Wednesday, July 9
11:00 - 1 PM (Bring a sack Lunch)
Fee: $10.00member/$12.00 non-member (Includes the purchase of Chahinkapa Zoo binoculars)
Identify birds using field glasses and guide books with a walk through the zoo and park.
Pre-registration is required.

Bugs
Tuesday, July 15
10 - Noon
Fee: $6 member/$8 non-member.
Come with us to peek under rocks and logs to meet some cool creatures!  Learn how insects are classified. 

Dinosaurs
Thursday, July 10
10 AM - Noon
Fee: $6 member/$8 non-member
This workshop is great with a lot of special props.  So you dinosaur buffs, get ready for fun! We will travel back in time and learn about these magnificent giants!  Pre-registration is required.

Frogs Pre-school Camp (A “Year of the Frog” Special Event)
Monday, July 21
6 PM - 7:30 PM
Fee: $8 member/$10 non-member (no charge for accompanying adult- children MUST be accompanied.)  Snack and craft is included.
Parents!  Enjoy a fascinating evening with your pre-schooler as you help them discover the amphibian and reptile world at the zoo!   Pre-registration is required.

Doctor Doolittle
**Ages 8 and older
Tuesday, July 29
1 PM - 3 PM
Fee: $7 member/$9 non-member
Animal health is very important.  This workshop helps you learn more as we venture to the Dakota Veterinary Hospital and learn from the best animal care professionals!  Pre-registration is required.  Pre-registration is required.  There is limited space. 

Madagascar
Thursday, July 17
1 PM - 3:00
Fee: $6 members/$8.00 non-member
This two hour adventure lets you explore the winders of Madagascar.  What is so special about this mysterious island?  LEMURS and FOSSA!  See them both right here at the zoo!  Pre-registration is required.

Amphibian Biology (A “Year of the Frog” Special Event)
Wednesday, July 23
10 - Noon
Fee: $6.00 member/$8.00 non-member
Frogs and other amphibians are disappearing at an amazing rate on our planet.  Learn why the AZA (Associations of Zoos and Aquariums) have named 2008 as the “Year of the Frog.”  See why we depend on these fascinating animals as nature’s indicators.

Cats - Tigers, Cougars, Snow leopards, and Bobcats
Tuesday, August 12
1 PM - 2:30
Fee: $6 member/$8 non-member
Meet the four feline species at the Chahinkapa Zoo.  See where they sleep and what they eat.  Learn about cat enrichment,
diet and characteristics and their adaptations for survival in the wild.
Pre-registration is required. 

Turtles and Tortoises - Craft included.
Wednesday, July 30
10 AM - Noon
Fee: $6 member/$8 non-member
Have a hopping good time as you discover the reptile world at the zoo.
Pre-registration is required.

Birds of Prey - A Family Program
Monday, August 11
6 PM - 7 PM
Fee: $8.00 for a Family - Members Free - Pre-registration is required for both members and non-members - limited space. Learn about the birds of prey including eagles, owls, hawks, and vultures.  See eagles and owls up-close.

Arts and Crafts

Rock Art
Wednesday, July 16
1 PM - 2:30 PM
Fee: $6.00
Turn a simple rock into a work of art using acrylic paints.  Wear old clothes.
Pre-registration is required.

Bead Art
Thursday, July 22
3 - 4:30 PM
Fee: $6.00
Make a bracelet, keychain, neclace or other creative craft using beads.

Clay Animals
Tuesday, July 1
10 AM - Noon
Fee: $6.00
Create a clay animal or other sculpture.  Fun for every age.

Drawing Class for ages 5- 8
Thursday, July 31
10 AM -11:30 AM
Fee:  $5.00
Kids learn to draw animals in the zoo!

CAMP CHAHINKAPA
Thursday August 7 at 3pm and lasts until the next morning at 10am.
Cost: $35/child
Theme: River Rats II -   River Rats is back!  This popular camp explores canoeing, fishing, and life on the Red River.  Please bring a sleeping bag and flashlight.  Recommended for ages 8-13 years old. Your experience includes dinner, breakfast, snacks, and more.  There is limited space!

OPENING ZOO DAY!!!!
Saturday, April 26th, 2008
Summer Hours:  10:00 - 7:00
Admission:
$6.00 - Adult
$5.50 - Senior
$2.50 - Children 4-12