MOORPARK — America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College will host its annual “Snow Days” event on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friends and families are welcome to experience the Zoo while it’s decorated for the holidays. Children will be able to play in real snow, make winter-themed crafts and play games, while parents can grab a hot chocolate and buy holiday presents.
“The Zoo is a very special place during the winter months because Southern California children rarely have the chance to play in real snow!” says Kris Romero, Zoo Operations Assistant. “Each year we have more and more local families discovering this gem of a zoo in their own backyard and winter is an ideal time to enjoy the grounds.”
Guests can get a close-up look at over 100 animals housed at the Zoo. Animal shows will occur at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and carnivore demonstrations and feedings begin at 3:30 p.m. Guests will also want to visit the Zoo’s tigers as they receive snow at 3:45 p.m. There are even behind-the-scenes tours offered at 12:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. for an additional $7 per guest.
America’s Teaching Zoo is the only zoo in Ventura County and is the home of the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program (EATM) started in 1971. The EATM program offers preparation for those students interested in entering the expanding animal care industry. The students study zoo-keeping, basic medical care, wildlife education, and animal training using positive methods.
Admission for “Snow Days” is $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-12, and free for children under 2 years of age. Guests who bring in a string of working LED lights will receive a free adult admission. Finally, a portion of proceeds will go to Polar Bears International, an organization that works to help animals impacted by climate change. For additional information about Snow Days or America’s Teaching Zoo, please contact Kris Romero at (805) 378-1441 or kromero@vcccd.edu. Moorpark College is located at 7075 Campus Road Moorpark, California.
MOORPARK COLLEGE, one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District, was founded in 1967. It is set on 150 beautiful acres, nestled in the foothills on the southeastern flank of Ventura County, about 40 miles from UCLA, and approximately 75 miles from UC Santa Barbara. It is also a short drive from CSU Northridge, CSU Channel Islands, and California Lutheran University. Moorpark College was recognized in the Huffington Post in March of 2015 as the fourth-best community college in the nation. It has an excellent reputation for university transfer preparation, and its signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiation technology, biotechnology, and exotic animal training, which incorporates the world-renowned America’s Teaching Zoo. The college also offers a dynamic range of classes and programs in the visual and performing arts, and its pristine athletic fields and mild climate provide an excellent home for student athletes.