Breakfast with the Animals
Third Saturdays May through October from 8:30-10am
May 18
June 15
July 20
August 17
September 21
October 19
Join us at the Mill Mountain Zoo every 3rd Saturday, May-October for a unique opportunity to have breakfast with the animals. Guests will be treated to a light breakfast buffet and the chance to meet one of the zoo’s education outreach animals. This will be immediately followed by a special chat with zookeepers as they amaze our guests with more fun and educational facts about our animal residents. This intimate experience will allow zoo visitors to learn more about various animals’ diets, behavior and personalities. Following the chat, there will be a child-focused and parent-assisted project and activity sheet that will be designed to further foster excitement and knowledge about the featured animals.
Saturday, May 18-Munch with Mountain Dwellers
Did you know that many of Mill Mountain Zoo’s animals come from mountainous habitats? That certainly seems fitting since Mill Mountain Zoo is up on a mountain too! Sign up for this program and enjoy a delicious breakfast and learn about some of the animals that live in the mountains and how they are well-adapted to that type of environment. After breakfast and the keeper chats, guests will create a crumpled tissue paper animal to take home.
Saturday, June 15-Nibble with Native Species
Mill Mountain Zoo is home to many animals that are or were once found right here in Virginia. Register for this month’s program, and enjoy a yummy breakfast while learning about some of the captivating native species that live at the Mill Mountain Zoo. After the keeper chats, children can craft a felt finger puppet of their favorite native species.
Saturday, July 20-Treats with Turtles and Tortoises
A variety of turtles and tortoises call Mill Mountain Zoo home. Join us for breakfast and learn about some fascinating information about these amazing reptiles. Following the keeper chats, guests will be able to design a “stained glass” turtle or tortoise to take home with them.
Saturday, August 17-Whet Your Appetite with Aquatic Critters
Water is an important habitat or hunting ground for a number of the animals found here at Mill Mountain Zoo. From wetlands to lakes to rivers, many species live in or spend a lot of their time in the water. Have a nice breakfast, and then hear about some of these water loving animals. After the keeper chats, children can make a crayon watercolor resist painting of their favorite aquatic critter.
Saturday, September 21-Breakfast with the Birds
Join us for breakfast and stay for some great conversation about the many birds that call Mill Mountain Zoo home. There is more to our feathered friends than meets the eye! When the keeper chats are over guests will have the opportunity to make a cute bird companion to take home.
Saturday, October 19-Eat with the Endangered
Mill Mountain Zoo is home to many vulnerable and endangered species. Attend this program to learn about the different threats these animals are facing in the wild and other interesting information as well. After the keeper chats, attendees can do a 3-dimensional Model Magic sculpture of their favorite endangered species.
Cost per breakfast:
$18/non-member adult $14/member adult
$15/non-member child $11/member child
$55/non-member family of 4 $40/member family of 4
Register online at our Square Store or download and submit the registration form.
Storybook Safari
Saturday, June 15 11-1pm
Thursday, June 20 10-12pm
Tuesday, July 16 10-12pm
Tuesday, July 30 from 10-12pm
In this fun program, child and caregiver will get to hear an animal themed children’s book, meet some Mill Mountain Zoo education animals, have a mini-tour of the zoo and ride the train.
This program is for 4-6 year olds to attend with a caregiver.
$15 for member child with a caregiver
$20 for non-member child with a caregiver
$5 for each additional child coming with a caregiver
Art Gone Wild
Saturday, June 15 2-4pm/Ages 8-12
Friday, June 28 from 10-12pm/Ages 6-9
Friday, July 12 from 10-12pm/Ages 8-12
Saturday, July 20 from 11-1pm/Ages 6-9
Does your child like animals? Does your child also like art? Why not combine the two together?!? This 2 hour class will give children the opportunity to use the zoo’s residents as inspiration for fun, colorful and unique art projects. Painting, 3-dimensional work and multi-media projects are just a few of the possible, critter-themed activities children will have a chance to participate in.
$15 for member child
$20 for non-member child
Animal Enrichment Fun!
Friday, June 21 10-12pm/Ages 8-12
Friday, July 19 2-4pm/Ages 12-16
Saturday, July 20 2-4pm/Ages 8-12
Saturday, August 17 11-1pm/Ages 12-16
A lot goes into taking good care of the animals at the zoo. Besides feeding and cleaning, keepers also need to find creative ways to entertain the zoo’s residents. This is called enrichment, and if you sign up for this class, you can help create some! Not only that, you’ll get to see the animals enjoy their enrichments at the end of the program.
$15 for member child
$20 for non-member child
Summer Camp
Mill Mountain Zoo’s popular summer camps are a terrific way to introduce your child to the animal kingdom or to foster an existing interest in the feathered, furry and scaly critters we share the planet with. Each 3 day camp is designed to encourage a child’s respect and enthusiasm for the natural world through hands-on, fun and educational activities. Besides shadowing and assisting keepers, campers will experience up-close animal encounters, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, scientific explorations and OH, SO MUCH MORE! There are camps available for ages 6-13.
Camp Schedule
Camp for ages 6-8
June 25-27 Teeth, Talons and Tongues
Humans use hammers, screwdrivers, forks and spoons, among many other tools. Animals use tools too, but most of theirs are a part of their bodies. In this class, campers will discover how animals use their claws, mouths and other body parts to build structures, eat and even play.
Camps for ages 8-10
July 9-11 Zoo Keeper 101
Just what does a zookeeper do? Campers will get to explore the various animal husbandry techniques it takes to care for the many birds, mammals and reptiles that make up Mill Mountain Zoo’s collection. The importance of animal enrichment for an animal’s well-being will also be explored.
July 23-25 Zoo Keeper 101
Just what does a zookeeper do? Campers will get to explore the various animal husbandry techniques it takes to care for the many birds, mammals and reptiles that make up Mill Mountain Zoo’s collection. The importance of animal enrichment for an animal’s well-being will also be explored.
Camp for ages 10-13
August 6-8 Junior Zoo Keepers
Junior Zookeepers builds on the information that campers learned in Zookeeper 101. Campers will delve further into how animals are cared for at the zoo as they assist keeper staff with some of their daily duties. Be ready to get dirty!
Requirements for Junior Zoo Keepers:
It is preferred that campers have taken Zookeeper 101 this summer or a previous summer. Campers also need to submit a letter stating why they think they would be a good Junior Zookeeper
Cost
All Camps: $160 Zoo Member $180 Non-Member
To register, download the form, fill it out and return to the zoo.
Zoo Boo
Saturday, October 26 from 11-4pm
Are you looking for a great, safe place to bring your family for some howling Halloween fun? Spend your Halloween holiday at Mill Mountain Zoo’s annual Zoo Boo! From trick-or-treating, to costume contests, to performances and “spooktacular” art activities, Zoo Boo is a fun-filled day for the whole family! Plus, you get to enjoy it all in the beautiful outdoor setting of Mill Mountain Zoo. Even better, all of these activities are FREE with Zoo admission! So for a “terrorably” good time, come and celebrate Halloween 2019 with the animals and staff of Mill Mountain Zoo.