Zoo Camp

(Sorry for the poor formatting... I copied and pasted from the camp e-mails and the format got all screwed up.)  

This week Daniel attended Zoo Camp at the KC Zoo.  He loved it!  The first day he was nervous, understandably so, but by the end of the day when I picked him up, he was all smiles.  

The theme of the week was "Happy Homes" where the kids got to "explore all the cool places animals call home."  We didn't get an update on Monday, but here's a day-by-day update:

Silly faces!

Tuesday - We learned about animals that live in Asia.  We also learned that...

1. That Tigers and Elephants live in Asia.

2. Asian Elephants are smaller than African Elephants

3. The Tiger's stripes help them camouflage in the grass.

We made Asian Elephants during craft time and read the book The Scariest Animal in the Jungle which starred a baby tiger and crocodile arguing about who is cooler! Afterwards we visited the Koalas and Discovery Barn. While out, we decided to feed the Goats/Koi and ride the carousel.

  

Last be not least, we had  animal encounter in the classroom (snake)!

Wednesday - Today's topic was Australia!  We learned that...

1. Australia is a continent and an island.

2. Marsupials are mammals with pouches.

3. Most of the worlds marsupials are from Australia.

4. Australia is full of colorful birds, snakes and lizards!

After our lesson, we hopped on the train and went to Australia.  We saw all kids of snakes and birds, emus, dingos, kangaroos, sheep and camels!  Totally cool.   On the way back we stopped by the Koalas. And guess what?!..... they were sleeping.

Once we returned to the classroom, we read a book called Edward the Emu and started on our platypus craft.    

Thursday - We learned about animals that live in the cold- Arctic & Antarctica.  We learned that...

1. Polar Bears live at the North Pole- The Arctic

2. Penguins live at the South Pole- Antarctica

3. Both have special fur/feathers that keeps them warm in the cold and the water.

Today, we visited the Bird Show, Penguins, Lorikeets and Polar Bear. We also rode the Carousel.  Last be not least, we had an animal encounter in the classroom (turtle)!

Friday - We had an great day and an AWESOME week!  Today we learned about The Arctic.  We learned/reviewed that...

1. The Arctic is located at the North Pole

2. Many different countries make up the North Pole

3. Many of the animals that live there camouflage with the snow - fox, rabbit, polar bear

4. Reindeer can be found there and are called Caribou.

 

In the front with the thumbs up and a caribou hat on!

After our lesson, we read the book Puffling which talked about a small baby puffin learning how to be himself. We made reindeer hats and performed an experiment. WE MADE SNOW!!!

Snow!

Last but not least, we headed to see Berlin (the zoo's new polar bear) and the Orangutans!

(He's the blonde in the front, yellow rain poncho checking out the polar bear exhibit.)

When I asked Daniel what his favorite part of the week was, he said, "All of it!"  I'd call that a successful zoo camp.  

Happy camper!

Leslie and I got there early a few days.  It was pretty hot, so we spent most of the time inside with our penguin friends:

And as a bonus, since we were so close to Daddy's work, we stopped by to say hi to him today!