Planning Your Visit

When to Visit

Mornings in May and June are the busiest times at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. The fall and winter are wonderful seasons to visit the facility. Though the Lehigh Valley Zoois closed to the general
public between November and April, school groups may schedule a visit. During this time of year you will find the atmosphere more conducive
to learning with fewer visitors around. Lehigh Valley Zoo staff are available to give you more specialized attention during this time period.

Length of the Average Visit

The average elementary-age group can see most of the zoo portion of the Game Preserve in one hour.
Groups that decide to participate in the daily schedule activities should add another 45 minutes to an hour in the zoo. If you stay for lunch, then the entire visit to the Game Preserve would be approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Chaperones and Group Sizes

Students will gain most from their visit at the Lehigh Valley Zoo if they split into small groups led by chaperones. The minimum acceptable ratio for chaperones to students is 1 to 10, regardless of age. However, a ratio of 1 to 6 is suggested to get the most out of the zoo activities. Adults should stay with children at all times. Your visit will be more rewarding if chaperones are informed about the educational goals of the trip and are provided with information on the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

	Create a Schedule
	The Lehigh Valley Zoo will assist group leaders in creating a schedule specific to your group's needs. Please contact the education department at 610-799-4171, ext. 26. We hope that this will help you prepare for your visit and get more out of your experience at the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

	Visitor Responsibilities
	Encourage your students to view the Lehigh Valley Zoo as the animals' home and to follow the same rules as when visiting a friend's house. Please respect the animals' privacy by ensuring that children: Walk in the zoo Stay on the public side of the barriers Remain with their group Only feed other humans Throw away all garbage in designated cans Refrain from tapping on the displays

What to Wear

The Lehigh Valley Zoo is usually 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the nearby urban areas. Though it may not be chilly and windy in the city, the Game Preserve is usually colder. Please remind parents to dress their children according to the weather - coats, mittens, and hats during the colder months. Since this is an outdoor facility, we recommend that visitors wear closed-toed shoes as well as pants rather than skirts or dresses. It makes the children's experience much more enjoyable and less restricting.

Lunch

Leave lunch to us - it's easy, convenient, and delicious! Place your order at least one week in advance by calling 610-799-4171. You may pick up your group's box lunches at the Outdoor Cafe, which is located to the right as you enter the zoo portion of the Game Preserve. Payment is due when you pick up your food. If paying by check, a separate check is necessary for the lunch since you will be paying at the Outdoor Cafe. (MORE for Children program does not pay for lunches.)

You are welcome to bring your own lunches. The Lehigh Valley Zoo, however, is unable to provide refrigeration for your products.

The following areas are suggestions for your group to meet to eat lunch: Outdoor Cafe Pavilion or Deck, amphitheater next to the Nature Study Building, amphitheater seating in the River Otter Exhibit, and the picnic grove next to the Jordan Creek. These areas are on a first-come, first-serve basis. We do not take reservations.

Souvenirs

The Nature Store offers a convenient way for groups to take home souvenirs. Pre-packed gift bags are available at affordable prices. Items may vary based on availability. Please place orders one week before your scheduled visit by calling 610-799-4171. Stop by the day of your visit to drop off your payment and pick up your order. If paying by check, a separate check is necessary for souvenirs since you will be paying at the Nature Store.
Price range is approximately $.50 to $12.00+.

	Cancellations
	Please notify us as soon as possible if you must cancel your visit and we will try to reschedule. Occasionally, the Lehigh Valley Zoo close due to inclement weather. We will notify you the morning of your visit if we have closed for the day.

	Late Arrivals
	If you arrive late and are scheduled for a specific program (i.e., zoo tour, nature hike), we will do our best to accommodate you. We may have to adjust the program length or time depending on the availability of staff. Please call the Lehigh Valley Zoo at 610-799-4171 if your group will be arriving late for a program.

	Traveling Time
	Traveling time for buses is usually longer than for a car. The following are approximate traveling times from a number of areas. Allentown: 30 minutes Emmaus: 40 minutes Bethlehem: 40 minutes Easton: 50 minutes to 1 hour

Program Offerings

PROGRAMS BY RESERVATION (STAFF-LED):
Classroom Programs At the Zoo
($50.00 per program per class. $60 for North Range Program)

Preschool - A Touch of Nature OR Animal Tales
Grades K-1 - Animal Coverings OR Animal Homes
Grades 2-3 - Animal Adaptations OR Animal Life Cycles
Grades 4-6 - Native Species of PA OR Animal Classification
Grades 7-9 - Animal Observations

Guided Nature Hike (No Charge)
Guided Zoo Tour (No Charge)
Programs can be developed to meet your curriculum needs

STAFF-LED PROGRAMS:

CHECK THE PROGRAM BOARD AS YOU ENTER THE ZOO FOR THE PROGRAMS OF THE DAY

Live Animal Talk
Exhibit Talk
Animal Encounter
Eco-Art Activity

SELF-LED PROGRAMS:

GROUPS MAY DO ON THEIR OWN-

Self-led Nature Hike
Self-led Zoo Walk

FEEDING TIME AT THE ZOO:

Watch one of the Lehigh Valley Zoo animals being fed during this unique program. Meet our Animal Caretakers and learn interesting stories and facts about the animals at the Game Preserve.