Zookeeper Programs

WE OFFER PROGRAMS YEAR ROUND!

We offer camps, workshops and after-school programs for both kids & adults!

JUNIOR ZOOKEEPER CAMPS

General Info – Jr Zookeeper Program for Youth ages 6 – 13

Does your child have a passion for animals? Would he or she love to have a chance to work behind the scenes? Then this is the opportunity they have been waiting for! We’ll be hosting Junior Zookeeper Classes throughout the school year. Participants will get the opportunity to help our staff clean animal enclosures, prepare meals and feed the animals, learn reptile husbandry and simple vet care, handle animals and receive special training on how to deal with reptiles in the wild. Zookeeper duties will vary so each session will not be exactly the same. All classes are 2-hours long. Minimum of 6 participants to run a camp.

COST

Individual classes are $25/session/child.
Six-Week Programs are $132 (Saves $18!) if purchased upfront. They can also be purchased as individual classes.
Eleven-Week Summer Camp Program (Running June 1st – August 10th) will be $242 (Saves $33) if purchased up front. They can also be purchased as individual classes.
If you book two summer camp sessions on the same day, we will provide free child care for the hour in between, BUT the child must be provided with a lunch from home.
PURCHASE A MEMBERSHIP AND SAVE 10% ON ZOOKEEPER CLASSES PLUS GET DISCOUNTS ON MANY OTHER SERVICES!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTRATION:

FOR INDIVIDUAL DATES: Please click the “Register my Junior Zookeeper” button.

Choose the date for the first camp you’d like to register for.
Chooose the Individual Junior Zookeepers Ticket ($25)
Fill out the questionnaire for each child you are registering.
FOR MULTIPLE DATES, click the KEEP SHOPPING button. Add another date, and repeat till all dates are in cart. The questionnaire will pre-populate your info so you don’t need to add it again.
Add your membership code if you have one for member discounts.
Add your credit card info and complete the registration.

FOR A 6-WEEK, 7-WEEK, 11 -WEEk or 8-DAY PROGRAM: Please click the “Register my Junior Zookeeper” button.

Choose the first date & time for the extended program of your choosing.
Choose the appropriate extended program ticket to receive the discount.
Fill out the questionnaire for each child you are registering.
Add your membership code if you have one for member discounts.
Add your credit card info and complete the registration.
We will fill in the other program dates on the back end of the software so we can enable your package discount.

Scales & Ales

Adult Workshops for 18+

What is Scales & Ales?

Each month we have a fun topic about reptiles. We meet at our facility in Kearns and focus on that topic for about about an hour and a half while also interacting with some cool animals, and then we’ll head over to a local brewery at Jordan Landing to relax while we continue our conversations and build new friendships with like minded reptile enthusiasts!

What are the details for this month?

Date/Time: Thursday, April 16th, 2026 @ 6pm

Location: 4944 W 6200 S, Kearns, UT 84118

Topic: Rattlesnake Awareness Night

Why are there so many rattlesnakes around right now? What can I do to keep myself and my pets safe while hiking in the local mountians. How do I recognize a rattlesnake from a non-venomous snake? These are just some of the questions we will answer at this months’ Scales & Ales!

Cost: $25/individual Ticket or $40/for two

What’s Included? Reptile Workshop and reptile handling at our facility in Kearns.

What’s Not Included? Any food or drink purchased at the local brewery. Please do not come inebriated for your safety and the safety of our animals.

What’s coming up?

May 21st – Thrash Night – Come help us feed the lizards!

June 19th – Giants of the Jungle – Who doesn’t love a giant snake?

Participant Requirements: 4 Participants minimum and 20 participants max.

Scales & Ales Registration

Spring Camps – Dates/Topics:

SPRING REGULAR 7-WEEK CLASS SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAYS – March 18th – April 29th / 10am-12pm

Camps are $25/session/child OR $154 (Saves $21) if purchased up front. -Ideal for Ages: 6-13

INSTRUCTIONS: Click on the first date of the 7-week session and choose the 7-week class option OR Add each individual date to your cart to do specific dates before paying.

“Animal Science K-6th”

This 7-week course will spend two hours each week focusing on areas of reptile science that touch on topics from each grade’s core animal science/zoology curriculum. Each class will include a chance to handle some cool animals, help with cleaning or feeding and work on a craft project. Please note, we may not get to every single requirement for each grade, but we’ll do as many as we can during our two hour class each week.

Reptile – Class Topics

March 18th – Kindergarten – Focuses on observing patterns, identifying what animals need to survive, and basic characteristics.
March 25th – 1st Grade – Covers life cycles, how young animals resemble parents, and basic animal groupings (mammals, birds, fish).
April 1st – 2nd Grade – Involves studying animal habitats, diversity, and classifying animals into groups like reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
April 8th – 3rd Grade – Focuses on detailed life cycles (birth, growth, reproduction, death) and how animals adapt to their environment.
April 15th – 4th Grade – Examines internal and external structures that support survival, behavior, and reproduction.
April 22nd – 5th Grade – Focuses on energy flow, such as how animals get energy from food (originally from the sun) for repair and growth.
April 29th – 6th Grade – Covers the study of animal kingdoms, classifications (vertebrates/invertebrates), adaptations, and life processes. Key topics include animal nutrition, genetics, reproduction, and habitats, often featuring hands-on projects like creating animal presentations, studying food webs, or exploring inherited traits.

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SUMMER CAMP THEME:

Choose Your Adventure – Reptile Addition

11 Animal Camp Sessions

Mondays: June 1 – August 10

Two sessions per date at 1pm and 4pm

Each Junior Zookeeper session is a new reptile adventure. Campers will take part in a series of exciting sessions exploring the world of reptiles and wildlife care.

Sessions are two hours long and include hands-on zookeeper tasks, animal encounters, crafts, and games. Campers will learn how professional reptile keepers care for animals by helping prepare food, assisting with simple habitat cleaning, observing animal behaviors, and participating in activities where they get to be real junior zookeepers.

Perfect for curious animal lovers who want to get up close with reptiles while learning how animals are cared for behind the scenes.

SCHEDULE:

June 1st: 1pm – Zookeeper 101 – Caring for Animals / 4pm – Reptile Enrichment Lab
June 8th: 1pm – Snake Secrets: The World of Slithering Predators / 4pm – Reptiles in the Wild: Survival Stories
June 15th: 1pm – Lizard Legends / 4pm – Habitat Heroes: Building a Reptile Home
June 22nd: 1pm – Turtle & Tortoise Time: The Shell Squad / 4pm – Crocodilian Command Center
June 29th: 1pm – Masters of Camouflage and Surprise / 4pm – Bug Bistro: Cooking for Reptiles
July 6th: 1pm – Bug Bistro: Cooking for Reptiles / 4pm – Venomous vs Non-Venomous: nature’s Defense Systems
July 13th: 1pm – Reptile Enrichment Lab / 4pm – Zookeeper 101 – Caring for Animals
July 20th: 1pm – Habitat Heros: Building a Reptile Home / 4pm – Lizard Legends
July 27th: 1pm – Reptiles in the Wild: Survival Stories / 4pm – Snake Secrets: The World of Slithering Predators
August 3rd: 1pm – Crocodilian Command Center / 4pm – Turtle & Tortoise Time: The Shell Squad
August 10th: 1pm – Venomous vs Non-Venomous: nature’s Defense Systems / 4pm – Masters of Camouflage and Surprise

Zookeeper 101 – Caring for Animals

What does it take to care for reptiles every day? Campers will get an introduction to the world of zookeepers and learn the basics of animal care. Kids will learn safe animal handling rules, observe how keepers monitor animal health, and help with simple tasks like refreshing water bowls and spot cleaning habitats.

Snake Secrets: The World of Slithering Predators

Why do snakes flick their tongues? How do they move without legs? Are all snakes truly legless? Campers will explore the incredible adaptations that make snakes successful hunters. Kids will observe snake behaviors, learn how keepers care for them, and meet several fascinating snake species.

Lizard Legends

From sun-loving desert lizards to powerful, intelligent predators, campers will discover the amazing world of lizards. Kids will learn how lizards climb, bask, hunt, and defend themselves while helping prepare enrichment and assisting with habitat care.

Turtle and Tortoise Time: The Shell Squad

Campers will discover what makes turtles and tortoises so unique. Learn how shells protect these reptiles and how they survive in different habitats. Kids may help prepare leafy meals and assist with basic care for these fascinating reptiles.

Crocodilian Command Center

Meet the ultimate reptile predators. Campers will learn about crocodilians, how they hunt, and what makes them different from other reptiles. Kids will explore how zookeepers safely care for these powerful animals and what their habitats are like in the wild.

Bug Bistro: Cooking for Reptiles

Ever wondered what reptiles eat? Today campers become reptile chefs. Kids will learn about reptile diets and help prepare meals for animals—from crunchy insects to fresh vegetables. Campers will also observe feeding behaviors and learn how reptiles hunt and eat.

Venomous vs Non-Venomous: Nature’s Defense Systems

Some reptiles use venom to hunt or defend themselves. Campers will learn the difference between venomous and non-venomous animals, how venom works, and how keepers safely care for these animals. This session focuses on education and safety while exploring one of nature’s most fascinating survival tools.

Masters of Camouflage and Surprise

Some reptiles are experts at hiding in plain sight. Campers will discover how animals blend into their environments to escape predators or sneak up on prey. Different techniques employed by both predator and prey will be discussed, and campers will participate in enrichment activities that demonstrate how reptiles hide, hunt, and interact with their environments.

Habitat Heroes: Building a Reptile Home

Reptiles live in deserts, forests, wetlands, and grasslands around the world. Campers will learn how habitats shape reptile behavior and how zookeepers design enclosures that mimic natural environments.

Reptiles in the Wild: Survival Stories

How do reptiles survive in the wild? Campers will explore predator-prey relationships, hunting strategies, and how reptiles fit into ecosystems. This session highlights how reptiles live outside of zoos and why they are important to the natural world.

Reptile Enrichment Lab

Keeping reptiles healthy and active requires more than just food and water. Campers will learn how zookeepers create enrichment activities that encourage natural behaviors like climbing, hiding, exploring, and hunting. Kids may help create enrichment items and see how reptiles interact with their environments.

VIP ZOOKEEPER EXPERIENCE

Zookeeper Experience for Teens & Adults ages 13+

Work directly with our animal care team behind the scenes to meal prep, feed, and care for our reptile collection for at two hour period. This is a one on one experience with a max of two guests. VIP Zookeeper will also get hands on with several incredible reptiles of their choosing*. Our VIP Zookeeper Experience makes for a great birthday gift, holiday gift or reward! This activity is limited to ages 13 and older.

(*Restrictions and limitations may apply due to participant’s age and previous experience, as well as health of the animals requested. We reserve the right to make those determinations at the time of the VIP experience.)

PRICING: $125/Teen (ages 13 – 17), $150 (adults 18+)

book vip zookeeper experience