The Virginia Zoo will host an overnight Family Snooze 6 p.m. Friday, April 26.
“Snoozes are a unique opportunity to experience a side of the Zoo you don’t see during business hours,” said Greg Bockheim, the Zoo’s executive director. He added that Family Snoozes are only scheduled twice a year and that only 35 lucky participants will get to explore the Zoo in the dark of night and enjoy a morning behind the scenes tour with an exotic animal.
During the Snooze, Zoo educators guide family members, ages 6 and up, as they learn about animal adaptations through fun activities, including a night hike, crafts and up-close animal encounters. The families will “camp out” in a classroom for the night, have breakfast, visit an animal behind the scenes, and tour the Zoo in the morning before it opens to the public.
Designed just for families, this Snooze provides families with an opportunity to spend quality time together while learning interesting facts about animals and their habitats, such as how prehensile tails, opposable thumbs and coloration help animals survive.
Registration fee is $30 per participant. Families can find more information or register online at www.virginiazoo.org, or by calling the Zoo’s Education Department at 757-447-2374 ext 229.
# # #
As an accredited Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facility, the Virginia Zoo exhibits more than 400 animals on 53 beautifully landscaped acres. For more than a century, the Virginia Zoo has demonstrated a commitment to education and conservation, and offered a fun-filled day for visitors of any age. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and located at 3500 Granby Street in Norfolk. Daily admission prices are $11 for adults, $10 for seniors (age 62 and over) and $9 for children ages 2-11. Children under 2 admitted FREE! Visit www.virginiazoo.org or call (757) 441-2374 for more information.