Zoo Snooze Overnights

Welcome to the Alaska Zoo's overnight ZOO SNOOZE program! This is one of our longest running education programs dating back to the 90's.

Zoo Snooze offers a generalized zoo experience with a focus on nocturnal animals, habitats, animal care, constellations and space/sky science including night sky watching as weather allows. We will also cover aspects of outdoor skills which will include tent setup, sleeping bag management and how to pack a backpack. These skills will be practiced inside the spacious Gateway Hall using tents on loan from the REI rentals department. Children will pitch their tents and sleep in them in the hall which is heated, has access to a full kitchen and adjacent bathrooms. Tents for sleeping groups will be approximately 4-6 person tents.

2023/2024 Winter Season

Regular Zoo Snooze Dates:

  • September 15th-16th, 2023

  • September 29th-30th, 2023

  • October 13th-14th, 2023

  • October 20th-21st, 2023

  • November 3rd-4th, 2023

  • November 17th-18th, 2023

  • March 22nd-23rd, 2024

Zoo Lights Snooze Dates: If you want to see Zoo Lights during Zoo Snooze, be sure to book the January and February dates - they will go fast!

  • January 19th-20th, 2024

  • January 26th-27th, 2024

  • February 9th-10th, 2024

  • February 23rd-24th, 2024

Times: The program starts at 6pm and ends at 9am the next day.

Prices: When you register online, you pay a deposit. Your total amount due will be the deposit plus the balance due when the following prices are applied to your group:

  • Zoo Snooze without Zoo Lights (October, November, March): $70/child, $20/adult.

  • Zoo Lights Snooze (January, February): $80/child, $25/adult.

How to Pay:

  • Registration is online only.

  • At the time of registration to hold your date, a non-refundable $500 deposit is due.

  • No refunds will be given for the deposit, so please be sure you plan to move forward with the program before you take the step of paying the deposit and registering.

  • Just a reminder that your balance due is dependent on your total group size and whether you reserved a regular date or a Zoo Lights date.

    • Total due for Regular Zoo Snooze = $70/child + $20/adult (minus the $500 deposit)

    • Total due for Zoo Lights Zoo Snooze = $80/child + $25/adult (minus the $500 deposit)

  • The balance for your total group will be due before the program takes place. Group leaders arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the Zoo Snooze program to make one lump sum final payment with a zoo educator at the admissions entrance. All other group members wait in their cars with children.

  • We do not offer a zoo member discount for this program.

Ages: This program is ideal for scouts and other similar organized groups. We can also schedule Zoo Snooze for school groups! Reservations are for one group per date or several groups if leaders are known to each other previously and from the same organization.

Supervision: Child participants must be school-aged and be accompanied at all times by adult group leaders who will remain all night as chaperones approved and background checked by your organization. Zoo educators will not stay in the building overnight, however a zoo security person will be on grounds. A protocol for communication with off-site zoo educators will be provided. A safety briefing will be given to all adult chaperones.

Arrival and Pick-up: Groups will arrive 15 minutes before the 6pm program start time. Group leaders will meet a zoo educator at the admissions entrance 15 minutes before the start of the Zoo Snooze to pay their remaining balance. During this time, parents and chaperones should remain in their vehicles with children. Once payment is finalized, the entire group will meet in the Gateway Hall to check in and fill out Zoo Snooze forms. Group leaders will be responsible for ensuring that parents of child participants pick up promptly at the 9am program ending time. Zoo educators will not stay later to supervise children, so group leaders will be required to remain until all children in their group are picked up.

Group Sizes and Ratios: We require 1 adult chaperone per 5 children. Adult chaperones must stay overnight and remain with the children at all times. Adult chaperones should be background checked by your organization. We require a minimum of 15 children plus chaperones to reserve a Zoo Snooze program. If your group is below the minimum, you can contact us at camp@alaskazoo.org to inquire on options or join forces with a group known to you within your organization to do a combined stay. Maximum total group size is 40 individuals.

Food: Your program fees will include pizza for supper, a continental breakfast in the morning as well as coffee and tea to go along with the breakfast - all supplied by zoo staff. If you have allergy concerns, notify zoo staff ahead of the program. All other snacks and drinks must be provided by group leaders. Your group will have access to a full kitchen with a microwave and a coffee pot with carafes (no Keurig). Any messy food or drink items must be kept on the kitchen island within reason to protect the carpet and wood flooring in the Gateway Hall. Groups are welcome to bring larger bowls for sleeping groups to have popcorn.

Things to bring and know for your campers:

  • Winter gear (gloves, hat, coat, snow pants, warm boots, face coverings, etc) for time outdoors in the evening with zoo staff.

  • Sleeping gear (bag, pillow, pad).

  • Flashlight, camera.

  • Water bottle.

  • Toothbrush/paste and any other hygiene items needed.

  • Medications should be controlled by group leaders.

  • A bag large enough to contain all smaller items (stuffies, sleeping aids, etc).

  • Your group will sleep in the Gateway Hall which is one large common room, so no noise makers or night lights are allowed. Dim safety lights will be on all night to illuminate the room for those who need to walk to the restrooms adjacent to the hall.

  • Your group will have access to a full kitchen.

  • For outdoor skills practice, we have tent rentals on loan from REI. If you have additional tents or gear to show children in your group, let zoo staff know what you plan to bring.

  • You are welcome to bring devices approved by your group leader for your children to watch movies in sleeping groups inside their tents. Group leaders and chaperones will be responsible for the devices, for approved content and supervision of what children are watching. The zoo is not responsible for lost or broken electronics or chargers. Please be sure to bring chargers for your devices.

  • A safety briefing and communication protocols will be reviewed with all adult chaperones before staff leave for the night.

Contact Tracy Lavin at camp@alaskazoo.org if you have questions or would like more information. Tracy will reach out to you in advance to ensure that all details and questions are covered in your preparations.