THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 16, 1994 TAG: 9406140145
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: 940616 LENGTH: Medium
They'll be able to go behind the scenes with the Siberian tigers, rhinos and hippopotamuses. They'll feed the buffaloes, pet Isabelle the porcupine and get eye-to-eye with Foghorn the rooster.
{REST} ``Our philosophy is to give the kids a special experience not found on a regular visit to the zoo,'' said education director Julia Gregory. ``The program offers more access with all the safety.''
Access means that children will get to closely observe, feed and touch many of the animals. They'll go on bird watches, follow scent trails and wade through the duck pond. In addition to creature activities, there will also be games, crafts and educational narratives. Campers will learn how to construct a balloon and a plastic bottle into a device that produces a sound like an ostrich call, or discover that elephant tusks are really just giant teeth and that the horn of a rhinoceros is actually made of hair.
``Kids need new experiences. I like to give them the opportunity to discover and learn things for themselves,'' Gregory said.
In its sixth season, the camp will be divided into weekly sessions through Aug. 19. Full and half-day programs will be available. The schedule runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., although there are provisions for early arrivals and late departures. The cost for zoo members is $50 a child for a half-day session and $100 for a full-day. For non-members the charge is $55 and $110.
Each camp will have a special theme. ``Keepers Care'' week will reveal such novelties as how zoo attendants give an elephant a manicure or devise a recipe for monkey brownies. Other topics include ``Amazing Mammals'' week, ``Reptile Roundup,'' and ``For The Birds.'' Though Gregory and her staff will make up daily lesson plans, the format will be flexible.
``We try to mold the experience to best fit the group,'' she explained. ``If we see the kids are really enjoying a bird watch, we'll continue to watching birds. If they like stories or songs, we'll focus on those activities.''
The zoo staff also keeps an active eye on interesting goings-on throughout the facility's 42 acres. Through a two-way radio system, attendants can let other personnel know if something interesting is happening in another part of the complex.
``Not too long ago, we found a mother turtle laying eggs. Spur-of-the-moment occurrences are really exciting for the kids,'' said Gregory, 38.
To say that Gregory is into her job is an understatement. Before becoming the education director, she was a keeper for three years. She changed positions because she felt she could have more impact in education.
``I feel comfortable as a liaison between animals and people,'' said Gregory, who has a degree from the University of Georgia in wildlife management. ``People have some misconceptions about animals.''
One fallacy Gregory noted is that some people think of zoo keepers and personnel as just glorified janitors.
``It's not just feeding, cleaning and keeping the animals healthy, we have to entertain our creatures. We call it behavioral enrichment,'' Gregory said.
A simple but effective example of behavioral enrichment is making an ice ball for the tigers. By filling a balloon with water and freezing it, keepers provide the cats with a toy and cooling device in one.
Camp enrollment is expected to reach about 400 this season. Providing space is still available, campers can sign up as late as one day prior to a session. But it's not wise to wait until the last moment.
``Word of mouth has really gotten around over the last several years. It's best to get in as early as possible,'' Gregory said.
by CNB