School Field Trips & Programs

Conservation Challenge: Rethink Your Rubbish

“My students have been talking about the amount of trash our school produces, and they have been openly more conscientious. They are currently researching ways we can make changes.” – Teacher

Centered on sustainability concepts, this project-based learning unit helps students explore human impacts on wildlife around the globe, and how their actions can make a difference. This program includes three different sessions:

Session 1—Zoo Field Trip Launch: Students explore the Zoo at their own pace and interact with representatives from our Conservation Learning and Sustainability teams to learn how waste can impact wildlife around the globe.

Session 2—School Visit: To help your students identify challenges that impact local wildlife, a Zoo educator comes to your school to support your students in conducting a waste audit. After the school visit, your students use the data collected during the waste audit to identify a solution to implement within their community.

Session 3 (Optional)—Student Showcase at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance: Students are invited back to the Zoo in May for the Student Conservation Showcase, where they can share with the community how they positively impacted their school’s sustainability efforts through implementation of their solution. This school year’s Student Conservation Showcasedate will be Thursday, May 7, 2026 .

Your registration also includes the following:
• Virtual meeting with a DZCA Educator to discuss experience planning and review the Educator Guide
• Educator Guide to support the implementation of the PBL unit

GRADES
6-12

DATES + TIMES
Field Trip Check-in: 9:45-10:30; Program activities available 10-1

Session 1, Zoo Field Trip launch dates (choose one):
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Session 2, School Visit:
Continue with the registration process below to receive instructions on selecting a School Visit date.  

Session 3, Student Conservation Showcase:
Participating schools will receive a special invitation to register their students for the showcase in early 2026.

COST
FREE! All 2025-26 school year Conservation Challenge: Rethink Your Rubbish programs are free to schools in the SCFD seven-county Denver metro area, made possible through generous donations to our Access to Awe Scholarship Fund. Schools outside this area may participate on a limited basis, please contact us at dzeducation@denverzoo.org to confirm availability and additional travel.

REGISTRATION
Click the button below to register for this program and review current availability. When prompted to login, please create a DZCA account using your school email address. This should be separate from other affiliations you may have with DZCA.

Registration closes 21 days prior to the event date.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Partial bus reimbursement may be available for qualified schools. After you have registered for the program, please click here to apply for bus reimbursement.

Good Neighbors to Wildlife: Make it Safe

“One of the biggest things my students learned was how to make our spaces safe for wildlife. They are excited to take action!” —Teacher

Good Neighbors to Wildlife programs help students discover what local species need to survive, learn techniques to help, and make a plan to positively impact wildlife in their community.

Make It Safe (Birds & Migration)

Good Neighbors to Wildlife: Make It Safe invites students to experience the journey of a migrating bird—facing both the challenges and supports birds encounter along the way. Students practice assessing the local environment and engage in a group brainstorming session, co-creating a list of actionable solutions to make their school and community a safer place for birds! 

GRADES
5-12

DATES + TIMES
Programs offered at 9:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on select dates in October-November and March-May. Click the registration button below to view current availability.

COST
FREE! All 2025-26 school year Good Neighbors to Wildlife programs at the Zoo are free, made possible through generous donations to our Access to Awe Scholarship Fund.

REGISTRATION
At least 10 students must be present on the day of your field trip to run the program. Each session can accommodate up to 30 students and 3 adults. If you have more than 30 students, please find a date when you can book multiple timeslots or multiple sessions within the same timeslot (extremely limited availability).  
When prompted to login, please create a DZCA account using your school email address. This should be separate from other affiliations you may have with DZCA.

Registration closes 21 days prior to the date of the program.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Partial bus reimbursement may be available for qualified schools. After you have registered for the program, please click here to apply for bus reimbursement.

Continue the learning beyond your visit!

Good Neighbors to Wildlife can go beyond our Make it Safe program at the Zoo. Book our other program, Make it Bloom (Native Plants + Animals), where we COME TO YOU!
This program is available at your school on select days in November, December, January and February for students in grades 5-9. See program information on our Zoo to You webpage.

Good Neighbors to Wildlife: Make it Bloom

“The students enjoyed all of it. They loved meeting the animal and playing the native plant game. They especially loved the conservation activity and getting their hands dirty.” —Teacher

Good Neighbors to Wildlife programs help students discover what local species need to survive, learn techniques to help, and make a plan to positively impact wildlife in their community.

Make it Bloom (Native Plants + Animals)

In Good Neighbors to Wildlife: Make it Bloom, students become habitat experts as they learn what local animals need to survive and how to lend a helping hand. They’ll dig into the important connection between native plants and native animals, then take action with a fun, hands-on project that will help restore a Denver area prairie grassland. Helping wildlife has never been so exciting—or so close to home!

GRADES
5-9

COST
FREE! All 2025-26 school year Good Neighbors to Wildlife programs at the Zoo are free, made possible through generous donations to our Access to Awe Scholarship Fund.

REGISTRATION
At least 10 students must be present on the day of your field trip to run the program. Each session can accommodate up to 30 students and 3 adults. If you have more than 30 students, please find a date when you can book multiple timeslots or multiple sessions within the same timeslot(extremely limited availability).  
When prompted to login, please create a DZCA account using your school email address. This should be separate from other affiliations you may have with DZCA.

Registration closes 21 days prior to the date of the program.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Partial bus reimbursement may be available for qualified schools. After you have registered for the program, please click here to apply for bus reimbursement.

Continue the learning beyond your visit!

Good Neighbors to Wildlife can go beyond our Make it Bloom program at the Zoo. Book our other program, Make it Safe (Birds and Migration).

Discovery Day: Avian Action

Migratory birds travel thousands of miles each year—and they rely on healthy habitats along the way, including the ones in our own neighborhoods. From backyard birds to global travelers, discover the birds that brighten our world—and how you can help them soar.

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with us in this NEW program that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and real-world conservation through activities that connect students to the natural world—and the skies above!

School Discovery Days take field trips to the next level, with interactive, self-paced learning activities located in select areas throughout the Zoo.  DZCA educators and volunteers will help students connect with wildlife, reinforce connections to classroom learning, and discover age-appropriate ways they can care for nature and wildlife.

Learning activities in this program are appropriate for grades 5-12, with suggested grade levels posted at each station. All field trips on these dates are limited to grades 5-12. Please choose a different Learn at the Zoo program available to grades K-4, or select an alternate self-guided field trip day.

GRADES
5-12

DATES + TIMES
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
October 10^th, 2025 and May 8^th, 2026

COST
FREE! All Discovery Day: Avian Action programs in the 2025-2026 school year are free to schools, made possible through generous donations to our Access to Awe Scholarship Fund.

REGISTRATION
Click the button below to register for this program and review current availability. When prompted to login, please create a DZCA account using your school email address. This should be separate from other affiliations you may have with DZCA.

Registration closes 21 days prior to the date of the program.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Partial bus reimbursement may be available for qualified schools. After you have registered for the program, please click here to apply for bus reimbursement.

Discovery Day: Habitat Heroes

Healthy habitats are vital for both wildlife and people—especially in the places we share. From birds to bugs, reptiles to amphibians, students will explore what makes a habitat a home, and how they can help amazing creatures right in their own neighborhoods.

School Discovery Days take field trips to the next level, with interactive, self-paced learning activities located in select areas throughout the Zoo. DZCA educators and volunteers will help students connect with wildlife, reinforce connections to classroom learning, and discover age-appropriate ways they can care for the habitats we share.

Note: This Discovery Day takes our previous Conservation Learning Zone program out into to Zoo, for easier learning and discovery as you make your way through our campus. Stop by any number of stations you’d like – the learning journey is up to you!

GRADES
K–5

DATES + TIMES
Offered within Self-guided Field Trips on select dates in October, April, and May from 10:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. Click the registration button below to view available dates!

COST
FREE! All Discovery Day: Habitat Heroes programs in the 2025-2026 school year are free to schools, made possible through generous donations to our Access to Awe Scholarship Fund.

REGISTRATION
Click the button below to register for this program and review current availability. When prompted to login, please create a DZCA account using your school email address. This should be separate from other affiliations you may have with DZCA.

Registration closes 21 days prior to the date of the program.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Partial bus reimbursement may be available for qualified schools. After you have registered for the program, please click here to apply for bus reimbursement.

Secret Science Days

“We usually do a self-guided trip, but wanted to try something different this time and we LOVED the Secret Science Day. There were so many opportunities for our kids to interact with staff and see different things around the zoo. The kids came back with so much new information!” —Teacher

Uncover the secret science behind the care we provide to Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance’s 3,000 animal residents and for wildlife habitats around the world!
Following a special Secret Science Day map, students will get an insider’s view of the Zoo—learning some of the unique ways our animal care specialists, veterinarians, nutritionists, trainers, habitat designers and conservationists meet the needs of our wild family, here and abroad.

This program elevates the opportunity for students to engage in science practices of making observations, discussing ideas and sharing what they have learned. The more students engage with experts around the Zoo, the more they discover—including tips on where to see exciting demonstrations, notice animal care in action and meet live animals up close!

GRADES
K–5

DATES + TIMES
Secret Science Days are offered on a limited number of dates each school year.

Wednesday, October 8th, 2025
Friday, November 14th, 2025
Wednesday, April 8th  2026

Students explore at their own pace. Secret Science Day activities are available from 10 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

COST
FREE! All 2025-26 school year Secret Science Day programs are free to schools, made possible through generous donations to our Access to Awe Scholarship Fund.

REGISTRATION
Click the button below to register for this program and review current availability. When prompted to login, please create a DZCA account using your school email address. This should be separate from other affiliations you may have with DZCA.

Registration closes 21 days prior to the date of the program.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Partial bus reimbursement may be available for qualified schools. After you have registered for Secret Science Day, please click here to apply for bus reimbursement.

Self-Guided Field Trips

We are thrilled to offer self-guided field trips for eligible schools and groups! To provide the best experience for all, reservations (and associated bus parking spots) are limited. Reservations are first-come, first-served and book up quickly.

DATES + TIMES
Dates and Times are now available for the 2024-25 school year, click the “register now” button below to see up to date availability

COST
FREE to school groups only on most days in the traditional academic school year. Community and youth-serving organizations should contact GuestCare@denverzoo.org for more information

ELIGIBILITY
To qualify for free or discounted entry, you must be (1) an accredited institution, (2) following an academic curriculum, and (3) be accompanied by a teacher or institutional staff.

REGISTRATION
Click the button below to register for a field trip. When prompted to login, please create a DZCA account using your school email address. This should be separate from other affiliations you may have with DZCA.

Select the date you’d like to visit. All available dates are shown—no exceptions.

Select the number of guests, including students, school staff members and chaperones.

Provide your school’s information and field trip emergency contact. We also ask that you include the number of buses you’ll be using so we can plan accordingly. Please note that parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the East Lot and is not guaranteed.

Once your reservation is processed, you’ll receive an order confirmation email. You’ll also receive more information about your day at the Zoo one week and one day before your visit, so keep an eye out for useful planning tips!

Need help with transportation? Charter bus rentals for school field trips are available through a variety of providers, including GOGO Charters.

Summer Self-Guided Field Trips

We are thrilled to offer self-guided field trips for eligible schools and groups! To provide the best experience for all, reservations (and associated bus parking spots) are limited. Reservations are first-come, first-served and book up quickly.

DATES + TIMES
Monday through Thursday
June 2, 2025-August 7, 2025
10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. timeslots are available

COST
$19 per person, including all staff, chaperones and children.

ELIGIBILITY
To qualify for discounted entry, you must be (1) an accredited daycare, camp program, or youth-serving organization and (2) be accompanied by institutional staff.

REGISTRATION
Click the button below to register for a field trip. When prompted to login, please create a DZCA account using the email address associated with your organization. This should be separate from other affiliations you may have with DZCA.

Select the date you’d like to visit. All available dates are shown—no exceptions.

Select the number of guests, including children, staff members and chaperones.

Provide your organization’s information and field trip emergency contact. We also ask that you include the number of buses you’ll be using so we can plan accordingly. Please note that parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the East Lot and is not guaranteed.

Once your reservation is processed, you’ll receive an order confirmation email. You’ll also receive more information about your day at the Zoo one week and one day before your visit, so keep an eye out for useful planning tips!

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Not available for summer self-guided field trips