Visit the Zoo for a school field trip!
Through funding from the Maryland State Department of Education and private foundation support, the Zoo is able to offer free admission for Maryland public school students–including those in Head Starts and Judy Centers–visiting the Zoo on an official school field trip. The Free Field Trip Program also extends free admission to their chaperones in the ratio of one (1) adult for every eight (8) students. IEP-mandated 1:1 assistants are admitted free through this program to provide their assigned student with the needed support. The table provides additional information on which visitors are free with an eligible field trip group.
| Who is visiting with the field trip? | Admitted free? | Tell me more! |
|---|---|---|
| Student | Yes | Grant funding covers admission for eligible Maryland school students visiting with their class on a field trip! |
| Teacher, Classroom Assistant, or other school staff | Maybe | Admitted free for eligible schools if they are part of the required 8:1 ratio of children to adults. Otherwise, they can receive a discounted group ticket rate through Group Reservations. |
| IEP-mandated 1:1 Assistant | Yes | The Zoo permits free admission for these legally required supporting adults for students with disabilities. This category does not include classroom assistants or “assistant teachers.” |
| Parent/ Guardian | Maybe | Admitted free if they are part of the required 8:1 ratio of children to adults. Otherwise, when included in the Entry Pass and entering with the field trip group, they can receive a discounted group ticket rate through Group Reservations. |
| Non-student child, age 2-11 | No | E.g., sibling of a student in the visiting class. When included in the Entry Pass and entering with the field trip group, these children can receive a discounted group ticket rate through Group Reservations. |
Please read the sections below carefully before you book your field trip:
The grant-funded Free Field Trip Program is available throughout the regular school year for Maryland public schools, Head Starts, and Judy Centers. Non-public Maryland schools, including private, parochial, home schools, and preschools, may visit through the program from September 5 through February 26.
If your group is not eligible for the Free Field Trip Program, but you have 15 or more people, you may be eligible for discounted admission through Group Reservations.
You will need to provide the number of students and (required) chaperones at the time of booking. You will be asked to choose both a first choice date and a second choice. If you have others who will be accompanying the field trip groups beyond the students and the required chaperones, you will need to indicate those numbers as well. Admission fees for these individuals will be due at the time your group enters the Zoo gates.
Extra adults and children accompanying the field trip group are eligible to receive the group sales rate. With your confirmation materials, you will receive an estimate of the fees due based on the numbers you provide in your registration form.
Parents/guardians who are Zoo members may use their membership to enter the Zoo as usual. Membership card and photo identification is required. List the number of Zoo members visiting with your group on the designated line of your Entry Pass.
Yes, as part of your field trip confirmation materials, you will receive information on how to contact our Visitor Services team if you need to update your numbers or change your date.
For many Maryland school groups visiting under the grant-funded field trip program, their admission is completely free! But many groups do opt to bring additional parents, guardians, and siblings along on their field trip who are not covered by grant funding. Any costs for these extra field trip attendees are calculated based on the estimates you provided in your field trip registration form.
When your field trip date is confirmed, you will receive an Entry Pass via email. This pdf includes an estimated balance including, but not limited to the following: free Maryland students, one free chaperone (teacher or adult) for every 8 students, free IEP-mandated 1:1 assistant, non-student children, and additional chaperones (parent, guardian, or additional school staff) above the 1:8 free chaperone ratio.
Please note: The Entry Pass will contain an estimated balance. It is not an invoice. Your balance will be updated based on the number of guests who arrive for your field trip. Any additional balance due to an increase in numbers from your estimate must be paid prior to group entry. If your group size decreases from your estimate, you will be charged only for that actual number in attendance if you have not already paid in advance. If you paid in advance, any overages will be processed as a donation to the Maryland Zoo.
Payments can be made before your visit by credit card or check. Paying in advance will speed up your check-in and entry process. If you are confident in your final numbers, we strongly encourage you to pay in advance. Please email fieldtrips@marylandzoo.org or call 443-992-4585 for payment options.
Payments for field trip groups may be made at your time of entry by credit card or check. Purchase orders are not accepted. Cash is strongly discouraged.
Group members not entering with the group will need to pay full admission price at the Zoo entrance.
Non-public Maryland schools, including private, parochial, home schools, and preschools, may visit through the grant-funded field trip program from September 5 through February 26. If your group is not eligible for the Free Field Trip Program for your preferred visit date, but you have 15 or more people, you may be eligible for discounted admission through Group Reservations.
Groups of 15 or more people may be eligible to receive discounted admission rates through Group Reservations.
Groups may also bring lunches. It is the group leader’s responsibility to transport or set up any on-site lunches; Zoo staff are not available to provide any assistance. Keep in mind that your bus parking will not be located near the Zoo entrance. You should plan accordingly, as it may be challenging to retrieve lunches or coolers from buses during your visit.
Lunch seating areas are on a first-come, first-served basis. For guaranteed seating or catering options, please consider renting Zoo space.
Groups arriving by bus will be dropped off and picked up at our Pelican Gate drop-off zone. Buses will be able to drop off and pick up only. We will not have bus parking near the gate during the parking project.
Please make note of your bus number and pickup time before entering the Zoo so your group members board the correct bus at the end of their stay. Adults driving separately will also need to park at Pelican Gate and enter with the school. Additional directions and maps are available when your program is confirmed.
Please email fieldtrips@marylandzoo.org, or contact the Visitor Services team at 443.992.4585 with further questions. Click here to purchase a Zoo membership.