Our Program: Edzoocational Guides
The Reptile Store Summer Camp is now offering this resource to all educational programs (schools, scouts, guides, ect) that are booking field trips to any zoological facilities. I have started this service because I feel that children can learn a lot more at zoological field trips if they are guided through the facility. Teachers and parent volunteers can teach what they know as they walk through, but generally this is not their specialty, and the field trips become a walk through experience. This is my specialty! I have been working with animals in captivity for over 15 years now. It’s through my passionate love of nature and wildlife, and through my extensive firsthand experience and knowledge of a vast amount of animal species that I can provide the new element of teachings and education you have been looking for! I guarantee the children get the most out of their experience when I am their edZOOcational Guide for the day!
What is the program?
I meet the teachers and the students at their school prior to departure. I take the school bus with the teachers and the students and teach different lessons while on route to the trip location. This in the past has been “wasted” time with very little programming. These teachings can be about a variety of subjects, and curriculums, and catered towards any grade/age level.
Once the destination has been reached I will guide your teachers, and students, through the facility, at your pace and schedule. I have enough knowledge about each and every species that lives at every zoo in Ontario. Each enclosure we come to, our pass I do a quick animal presentation based on your curriculum. This again is done with your schedule and itinerary.
When our day is complete and we return to your school on the bus our program continues. I have created worksheets for each student which is grade specific for each field trip location. I have also created a teacher’s resource sheet, which again is grade specific, and field trip specific. During the bus ride home I can help students go through the worksheets reinforcing what they have already learned in school, and during the day at the zoo.
Once we return to your school, our day together is complete. This is an amazing resource for any school trip to any zooilogical field trip in Ontario!
What’s included in the program?
1. Your guide (or guides, depending on how many students you have on the trip) for the day, including the bus rides.
2. Your student worksheets and teacher resource sheets specific to your grade, curriculum, and field trip location.
Cost of the EdZOOcational Guide
*$100 per day for your first guide. Add an additional $75 fee for each additional guide. I recommend 1 guide for every 30 students; however this is only a recommendation. (*Within 25 km of Hamilton. Outside of this range additional costs will apply. )
Your responsibilities included:
1. Room on the bus for the guides.
2. Printing costs for the student worksheets, and teacher resource sheets.
3. Admission costs to the zoos.
4. Guide fee.
Book EdZOOcational Guides for any of these Field-Trip Locations
These are some of the most beneficial field trip locations for our services.
- African Lion Safari
- Brantford Twin Valley Zoo
- Safari Niagara
- Toronto Zoo
- And more….just ask!
Some field trip locations may not require an EdZOOcational Guide because of their interactive programs they offer to visitors. If you are not sure, call us and ask! We have very strong working relationships with all of these organizations through our pet retail store, educations department, summer camp, and now through our EdZOOcational Guides!
How to book your EdZOOcational Guide
I am generally flexible with scheduled field trip dates. I do require a minimum of 5 business days notice to book your guide. I also book on a first come first serve basis so book your dates early! You can contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this program, or to make a booking date.
Yours in Adventure,
Steve Featherstone
EdZOOcational Guides
c/o The Reptile Store Summer Camp
467 King Street East,
Hamilton, ON
L8N 1C7
Phone: 905-521-9990 (store), 905-531-5367 (cell)
Email reptilestorecamp@yahoo.ca
