CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO

Arrival and Pick-up: Your group will be met promptly at 6:00 p.m. at the front of the Zoo on the date indicated on your confirmation letter. The Wildnight leader(s) will lead you to your facility, so remember to pack only what you can carry (we will make only 1 trip from the parking lot).  If your group is going to be late, please make an effort to contact the Zoo’s reception area (719) 633-9925 ext. 111 prior to 5:00 p.m. or the Wildnight Leader after 5 p.m. at (719) 648-7348.  If you have additional questions about the program or would like to speak to a Wildnight Leader please call (719) 633-9925 ext. 112.

Cost:  We require a minimum of ten participants (children and adults combined).  Cost is $33 per person for members and $43 per person non-members; for every 10 children, one adult gets in at the chaperone rate of $20.

Clothing:  Wildnight participants should dress comfortably and anticipate time walking outdoors between Zoo buildings.  A waterproof jacket and sweater/sweatshirt are recommended.   Tennis shoes will be suitable for all activities unless there is inclement weather. PLEASE DRESS FOR THE WEATHER!

Supply List:
** Remember to pack only what each person can carry. The Wildnight leaders are not responsible for carrying any belongings and we will only make one pillow trip from your cars to the sleeping area.
Sleeping Pad
Sleeping Bag
Toiletries
Change of Clothes
Mess kit (fork, knife, cup and plate-bring disposable items only if you are staying in the Ed.Ctr.)
Jacket (weather appropriate)
Good walking shoes!
Ear plugs, airbeds & cots are optional!

Other Recommended Items:  For safety at night, we ask that the adults only bring flashlights for easier nighttime traveling to the bathrooms.

Dinner/Breakfast:  As a part of the registration fees, the Zoo will provide each participant with a pizza dinner, salad and beverages, as well as a continental breakfast.  You may bring additional snacks if your group desires.  Both facilities are equipped with refrigerators and microwaves. Make sure that each participant brings a mess kit including a plate, cup, fork, & knife for use at meals.  Please try to bring reusable eating utensils, dishes and cups if possible.  Paper products create a lot of waste and diminish our attempts at conserving resources.

Health and Safety:  This is the foremost consideration for all Wildnight programs.  Participants will be given program rules upon arrival and are expected to follow these rules during their entire stay at the Zoo.  For everyone’s safety, we reserve the right to end the program for the individual/group if the rules are not respected.  Please remember that there may be other programs going on in the Zoo during your visit, courtesy and respect for all participants are essential to the success of these programs.   Please fill out the enclosed waiver forms and return them to the Zoo by the date of your program.  IF WE DO NOT HAVE THE WAIVER FORM BY THE NIGHT OF ATTENDANCE, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO TURN AWAY THAT PARTICIPANT.  Zoo personnel are prepared for a quick response should an emergency arise.  The Wildnight leaders are First-Aid and CPR certified and carry a first-aid kit during the tour.  There are additional first-aid kits located in the buildings and are quickly available.  Please note:  No alcohol is allowed in the Zoo for WildNights programs.  In the case of an emergency, your group can be contacted via cell phone during the tour from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. the following morning at (719) 648-7348.

Facilities:  There are two facilities available for Wildnight Programs.  Both buildings are carpeted, heated and equipped with refrigerators and microwave ovens.  There are numerous books, pictures and animal artifacts for exploration in both facilities.  The Safari Cabin has restrooms, a drinking fountain and kitchenette.  It can accommodate smaller groups of 35 people or less.  If using the Education Center, your group will need to use restrooms in a nearby building.  The Education Center can accommodate larger groups with up to 50 people.  The Zoo leaders sleep in the Library upstairs from the Education Center and have two-way radios and a cell phone.  Your group will be given a two-way radio should you need to contact your leader during the night.

The Program:  The program starts promptly at 6  p.m. and all participants must arrive on time.  Once your group enters the Zoo with all your equipment, no one is allowed in or out until 8:00 a.m. the following morning when the program is completed.  FOR EVERYONE’S SAFETY AND FOR FULL ENJOYMENT OF THE PROGRAM, NO LATE ARRIVALS OR DEPARTURES WILL BE ALLOWED.  During the evening, your Wildnight leader will explain the responsibilities of a zookeeper and describe the animals you see.  Your tour begins around 7:15 p.m., after dinner, and will extend until 9:00 or 9:30 p.m. The morning tour begins after breakfast at approximately 7:15 a.m. and continues until 8 a.m.  We welcome you to stay at the Zoo after the morning tour is complete, as there will be many animals yet to see!  Groups are invited to explore the outdoor exhibits until 9 a.m., when buildings, and the Zoo, open to the public.  It is imperative that the chaperones assume responsibility for their children’s behavior so that the Wildnight leader is able to concentrate on providing the best program possible.  Teamwork is essential for everyone’s enjoyment and for our continuation of this special opportunity.

Animal Ambassadors: Wildnight leaders will handle two different education animals, so that your group can have a closer look at a Zoo animal.  The animals that are a part of this program include a variety of reptiles, mammals and several amphibians.  Due to feeding schedules, breeding and other unforeseen obstacles, some animals might not be available on a particular day.  We also cannot guarantee that participants will be able to touch any animals.

NEW!! T-shirts & Patches:  Cool Wildnight t-shirts will be available to participants!  These short-sleeved shirts come in both children’s and adult’s sizes.  Show your friends you went on a Wildnight at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!  T-shirts may be purchased the night of the Wildnight with exact change for $15 (cash or check only).  Our NEW Wildnight patches will also be available for $5 each or $3 when you buy a T-shirt– great for scout troops!

Scout Badge Requirements: Please let us know if you would like to work on a badge during your Wildnight.  We are happy to help your troop with a variety of badges.  Please see ED FAQ's for details.

Special Needs: Please let us know, when you reserved your date, if any of your participants have special needs.  We anticipate vegetarian diets for dinner and breakfast and will do our best for any other dietary needs, with advanced notice.

Registrations and Cancellation policies:

Half of your remaining balance is due one month before your Wildnight.  Total number of participants and remaining balance are due one week prior to your Wildnight.  It is your responsibility to have final payment in by this date.  There will be no refunds for cancelled participants after this time, however it is possible to add to the number of participants after your final balance is paid.  Please call the Education office with your revised numbers as soon as possible so that we can accommodate the increase.  We reserve the right to cancel your program if there has been no communication on your part. *If you cancel your Wildnight one month in advance you will only lose your $25 non-refundable deposit.  If you cancel after the second payment or even after the third payment you will not receive any money back.

Questions:  If you have further questions, please contact Jacki at 719-633-9925, ext. 127 or email jmoore@cmzoo.org
We are looking forward to sharing the Zoo with your family, students, scouts and friends!

___$25 Non-refundable Deposit that is applied to your total balance

___½ of Total balance is due ONE MONTH prior to the date reserved.

___Complete waivers and bring to your Wildnight

___Pay total balance and confirm participant numbers SEVEN days in advance

___Basic mess kit – plate, cup, & fork-for your meals

___Bring appropriate outerwear for the weather
 
 

I, the undersigned parent, guardian, chaperone or participating adult understand that the staff of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will perform to the best of their abilities and will endeavor to provide for the safety of all “Wild Night” participants.  I do, however, agree to indemnify and otherwise hold harmless Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and all agents of the Zoo should an accident or injury occur to myself, my child, or the child under my legal guardianship (the responsibility of a legal guardianship will be given to the group leader if we have not received a waiver for every participant by the beginning of program time) that is listed on this form while participating in a “Wild Night”.  I acknowledge that I have read this paragraph and authorize the participation of this child in the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo “Wild Night” Program.

___________________________
1.  Name of participant (please print)
_______________________________________  __________
Signature of participant or parent/guardian/group leader  date

____________________________
2. Name of participant (please print)
_______________________________________            __________
Signature of participant or parent/guardian/group leader  date

___________________________
3. Name of participant (please print)
________________________________________          __________
Signature of participant or parent/guardian/group leader  date

___________________________
4. Name of participant (please print)
_________________________________________         __________
Signature of participant or parent/guardian/group leader  date

___________________________
5. Name of participant (please print)
_________________________________________  __________
Signature of participant or parent/guardian/group leader  date
 
 

CMZoo Homepage

4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road Colorado Springs, CO  80906 Phone(719)633-9925  Fax (719)633-2254