America’s Teaching Zoo turns into a Winter Wonderland full of real snow – for you and the animals. Plus hot chocolate, crafts, games, and lights galore!
MOORPARK — America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College will host their annual “Arctic Lights” event on December 16th and December 17th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fee is $8 for adults and $6 for children 3-12. Less than 2 years of age are free! This year, anyone who brings in a string of working LED lights will receive a free adult admission that day!
The Zoo will be decorated from top to bottom with sparkles and lights. Families can take advantage of the event to get that last minute shopping done at our gift station and bake sale while the kids play in real snow, have hot chocolate and create winter themed crafts and play winter themed games.
“The Zoo is a very special place during the winter months.” 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 ideal to enjoy the grounds.”
Courtesy photo.
Guests can get a close up look at over 100 animals housed at the zoo. Animal shows occur at 12 and 2 p.m. and carnivore demonstrations and feedings beginning at 3:30 p.m. There are even behind the scenes tours at 12:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.. For an extra $7 per person guests can tour the back areas and interact with some of the animals. Tours occur and are limited to 15 guests.
America’s Teaching Zoo is the only zoo in Ventura County and is the home of the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program 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 training using positive methods.
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.