BioPark Education: Fee-Based Programs

The Education Department at the Albuquerque BioPark offers a number of classes and day camps throughout the year. Click on the links below for program details and registration information.

 

Spring Break Camps - Children, ages 9 to 11, can spend Spring Break exploring the Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach. Camps daily, March 25-28.

 

Camp BioPark - These summer classes give children and young adults an in-depth look at the amazing plants, animals and ecosystems that make up our world!

• Camps for Preschoolers
• Camps for Grades K-2
• Camps for Grades 3-5
• Camps for Grades 6-8
• Camp for Grade 9
• Registration Form
• Frequently Asked Questions about Camp BioPark

 

Evening Programs - Enjoy a summer evening at the BioPark on one of these special tours.

 

Aquarium Overnights - Underwater fun for all ages!

 

BioPark Beginnings - Nurture your preschooler's curiosity and love of nature in these fall, winter and springtime classes.

 

Check out the Event Calendar, Daily Activities and Outreach and Teacher Resources for many other free and exciting educational programs throughout the year.

 

 

Camp BioPark 2008

Registration is now open.

Camp BioPark is designed to inspire children's awareness of nature and the plants and animals that make each habitat unique. We strive to teach science in an engaging atmosphere through active, hands-on activities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Camp BioPark

Camp BioPark Registration Form

 

If you would like to receive a copy of the Camp BioPark brochure by mail, please send your address to biopark@cabq.gov or call (505) 764-6214.

 

 

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Camps for Preschoolers

 

Farm Sprouts

Visit the Heritage Farm and travel back in time for one day a week.  Preschool children and one accompanying adult will plant and tend a class garden, harvest what they grow and make it into a yummy snack.  Each day will feature a farm activity such as caring for animals, weaving wool or picking fruit, and will include fun games and crafts.

Ages:	3-5 years old
Cost:	$105 for all seven classes.  Price includes one child and one adult.  Additional children are $50 each for all seven classes.
Where:	Heritage Farm at the Botanic Garden
Time:	9:30-11:00am
Dates:	CLOSED

 

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Tingley Trekkers - NEW CAMP!

Spend the morning at Tingley Beach and in the nearby bosque as we discover the wonders of the outdoor world. This new class, designed for older preschool children and one accompanying adult, will include games, music and active adventures every day. You'll take a mini-hike to the Rio Grande, go fishing at the Children's Pond or look for wildlife living on land, in water and in the tops of the trees!

Ages:	4-6 years old
Cost:	$105 for all seven classes.  Price includes one child and one adult.  Additional children are $50 each for all seven classes.
Where:	Tingley Beach
Time:	9:30-11:00am
Dates:	Wednesdays - June 11, 18 and 25; July 9, 16, 23 and 30

To register, call (505) 848-7180.

 

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Nature Beginnings

Explore the amazing world of animals and plants at the BioPark!  Preschool children and one accompanying adult will play games, create fun works of art, sing songs and of course, visit the exhibits.  Come take a peek in the ocean, watch a butterfly drink from a daisy and discover animals from around the world.

Ages:	0-5 years old
Cost:	$105 for all seven classes.  Price includes one child and one adult.  Additional children are $50 each for all seven classes.
Where:	Classes alternate between the Zoo and Aquarium/Garden.
Time:	9:30-11:00am
Dates:	CLOSED

 

 

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Camps for Grades K-2

 

Discover the Zoo

(All "Discover the Zoo" classes are full.)

Grab your safari gear and head down to the Zoo for new adventures!  You’ll meet education animals up close and tour the Zoo to learn about incredible animals from around the world.  You’ll discover tiny newts, gigantic hippos and everything in between.  Games, arts and crafts and lots of fun are all included in this half-day camp.  The same class is offered in the morning and in the afternoon.

Grades:	K-2
Cost:	$100
Where:	Rio Grande Zoo
Time:	8:30am-12:00noon OR 12:30-4:00pm
Dates:	Monday-Friday / Half-Day

Morning Classes

June 9-13 - CLOSED		July 7-11 -CLOSED
June 16-20 - CLOSED		July 14-18 - CLOSED
June 23-27 - CLOSED		July 21-25 - CLOSED
		July 28-Aug 1 - CLOSED

Afternoon Classes

June 9-13 - CLOSED			July 14-18 - CLOSED
June 23-27 - CLOSED			July 28-Aug 1 - CLOSED

 

 

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Flower Power, Fishy Fun

Dive into this hands-on class!  Check out fish that flap their wings, whirling butterflies, plants with strange smells and insects as big as your refrigerator.  Search for seeds with spiraling wings, animals at the farm and fish that kiss.  This half-day class will involve all the senses.  The same class is offered in the morning and in the afternoon.

Grades:	K-2
Cost:	$100
Where:	Albuquerque Aquarium and Rio Grande Botanic Garden
Time:	8:30am-12:00noon OR 12:30-4:00pm
Dates:	Monday-Friday / Half-Day

Morning Classes

June 9-13 - CLOSED			July 7-11
June 16-20 - CLOSED			July 14-18 - CLOSED
June 23-27			July 21-25
			July 28-Aug 1

Afternoon Classes

June 16-20			July 7-11
			July 21-25

           

To register, call (505) 848-7180.

 

 

 

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Discover the BioPark

(All "Discover the BioPark " classes are full.)

Spend the week learning about all of nature as you explore the entire BioPark.  You’ll search for sharks at the aquarium, smell “pizza plants” at the garden, take a train ride to Tingley Beach and meet a prickly porcupine at the zoo.  Find out how plants and animals are connected in the web of life.  This all-day camp incorporates arts, crafts, games and time in the afternoon to relax and read.

Grades:	K-2
Cost:	$185
Where:	Monday and Tuesday at the Aquarium/Garden Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at the Zoo
Time:	8:30am-4:00pm

Dates: Monday-Friday
June 9-13 - CLOSED			July 7-11 - CLOSED
June 16-20 - CLOSED			July 14-18 - CLOSED
June 23-27 - CLOSED			July 21-25 - CLOSED
			July 28-Aug 1 - CLOSED

 

 

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Land and Ocean Locomotion

(All "Land and Ocean Locomotion" classes are full.)

Discover the many motions of nature!  Explore how seeds fly, fish wiggle, ducks waddle and elephants march.  Along the way, learn about some uniquely human types of locomotion.  Take a ride on the Rio Line Railroad to deliver freshly-harvested vegetables to the Zoo.  Visit the Garden’s miniature railroad and see how tiny trees are grown. Travel back in time on a horse-drawn wagon ride at the Heritage Farm.  All aboard - Chug-a-chug-a-choo-choo!

Grades:	K-2
Cost:	$100
Where:	Rio Grande Botanic Garden
Time:	12:30-4:00pm
Dates:	Monday-Friday / Half-Day

Afternoon Classes

June 23-27 - CLOSED			July 14-18 - CLOSED
			July 28-Aug 1 - CLOSED

     

 

 

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Camps for Grades 3-5

 

Explore the Zoo

(All "Explore the Zoo" classes are full.)

Calling all animal lovers!  Prepare to be amazed by the new things you’ll learn about amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.  In this camp, you’ll discover the wildest creatures on earth and learn about their secrets of survival.  You’ll find out what it takes to care for exotic animals as you go behind the scenes with zookeepers. You’ll even have the chance to prepare food for some of the Zoo’s animals.  Games, hands-on activities and art projects complete this wild week.

Grades:	3-5
Cost:	$185
Where:	Rio Grande Zoo
Time:	8:30am-4:00pm

Dates: Monday-Friday

June 9-13 - CLOSED		July 7-11 - CLOSED
June 16-20 - CLOSED		July 14-18 - CLOSED
June 23-27 - CLOSED		July 21-25 - CLOSED
		July 28-Aug 1 - CLOSED

 

 

 

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Exploring Farm Life

You are going to dig this camp!  Spend the week at the Botanic Garden’s Heritage Farm and see just how much fun farm life can be.  You’ll meet fantastic farm animals, including a very special duck, and take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon.  Help tend the fruits and vegetables in the fields, search for beautiful butterflies and buzzing bees and discover how plants and animals are connected.  You’ll even grow plants to take home for your own garden.  No green thumb required!

Grades:	3-5
Cost:	$185
Where:	Rio Grande Botanic Garden
Time:	8:30am-4:00pm

Dates: Monday-Friday
June 9-13			July 14-18
June 23-27			July 28-Aug 1

To register, call (505) 848-7180.

 

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Underwater Explorations

(All "Underwater Explorations " classes are full.)

Aquatic adventures await you as you unravel the mysteries of marine life and discover your connections to the ocean!  Sink your teeth into the truth about sharks, meet a “living fossil,” visit marine mammals at the Zoo and look down into the ocean tank from behind the scenes.  You’ll learn about the most magnificent creatures found in water – from plankton to whales and everything in between!  You’ll also discover why oceans and rivers are important to your everyday life.

Grades:	3-5
Cost:	$185
Where:	Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Albuquerque Aquarium Wednesday at the Rio Grande Zoo
Time:	8:30am-4:00pm

Dates: Monday-Friday

June 9-13 - CLOSED		July 7-11 - CLOSED
June 16-20 - CLOSED		July 14-18 - CLOSED
June 23-27 - CLOSED		July 21-25 - CLOSED
		July 28-Aug 1 - CLOSED

 

 

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Explore the Rio - NEW CAMP!

Spend your day at the beach – Tingley Beach, that is! Campers in this half-day class will explore nature in the heart of the city. You’ll walk on the banks of the Rio Grande, search tree tops for spiny porcupines, watch dragonflies dart across the marshes and even practice hooting for owls! Get the scoop on poop as you learn why scientists study animal scat, and find out what it means to be “green.” Most time will be spent outdoors, but this class will also include a visit to the Aquarium to find out why the Rio Grande is Albuquerque’s liquid link to the sea.

Grades:	3-5
Cost:	$100
Where:	Class meets at the Aquarium and then travels to Tingley Beach.
Time:	8:30am-12:00noon
Dates:	Monday-Friday / Half-Day

Morning Classes

June 16-20			July 7-11
			July 21-25

To register, call (505) 848-7180.

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Eco-Explorers - NEW CAMP!

(All "Eco-Explorers" classes are full.)

Check out the world wide web of life in this half-day Zoo camp.  From the Arctic to the Amazon, you’ll explore amazing habitats to find out which animals call each place “home.”  What’s the connection between algae and a sloth?  How does hippo dung support an entire ecosystem?  What’s so important about frogs?  Join us for a global adventure to discover the answers to these questions and more!  You’ll also find out what you can do to help protect animals from around the world.

Grades:	3-5
Cost:	$100
Where:	Rio Grande Zoo
Time:	12:30-4:00pm
Dates:	Monday-Friday / Half-Day

Afternoon Classes

June 16-20 - CLOSED			July 7-11 - CLOSED
			July 21-25 - CLOSED

         

 

 

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Camps for Grades 6-8

 

Animal Behaviors

(All "Animal Behaviors" classes are full.)

Why do gorillas live in groups?  How does a polar bear find its food?  Find out the answers in this action-packed science camp.  You’ll research and observe animal behavior and learn how to interpret what you see.  You’ll find out how zookeepers use special techniques to enrich the lives of zoo animals. Then, you’ll have the chance to make items to be used in the animal enclosures!  Join the fun and watch as the animals enjoy your handiwork.

Grades:	6-8
Cost:	$185
Where:	Rio Grande Zoo
Time:	8:30am-4:00pm

Dates: Monday-Friday

June 9-13 - CLOSED		July 7-11 - CLOSED
June 16-20 - CLOSED		July 14-18 - CLOSED
June 23-27 - CLOSED		July 21-25 - CLOSED
		July 28-Aug 1 - CLOSED

 

 

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Rio Adventures

(All "Rio Adventures" classes are full.)

Campers head out for a trek along the Rio Grande!  Become a biologist for the week as you investigate animal and plant life along the river.  Each day includes an active adventure such as wading through the river, following animal tracks or setting traps to catch the most ferocious bugs of the bosque.  You’ll hike each day and then spend time at the Aquarium and Garden to discover how the oceans, deserts and farms depend on the Rio Grande and how real-life biologists are helping raise the endangered silvery minnow.  Learning about nature has never been this much fun!

Grades:	6-8
Cost:	$185
Where:	Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach
Time:	8:30am-4:00pm

Dates: Monday-Friday
June 9-13 - CLOSED			July 14-18 - CLOSED
June 23-27 - CLOSED			July 28-Aug 1 - CLOSED

 

 

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Camp for Grade 9

 

Wild Careers

(All "Wild Careers " classes are full.)

Thinking of a career in wildlife?  Wondering how to take your love of nature and turn it into a job?  Working at a place like the BioPark can be exciting and fast-paced, but there’s more to a zoo job than animal training, more to an aquarium job than diving, and more to a garden job than digging. Find out what a day in the life of the BioPark is like from the people who know it best.  Campers will learn first hand about the diversity of jobs necessary to operate a park which showcases all of nature--from feeding and cleaning to surgery and graphic design.

Grades:	9
Cost:	$185
Where:	Monday and Tuesday at the Zoo Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at the Aquarium/Botanic Garden/Tingley Beach
Time:	8:30am-4:00pm

Dates: Monday-Friday
July 7-11 - CLOSED
July 21-25 - CLOSED

 

 

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Evening Programs

 

Twilight Tours at the Zoo

Experience the sights and sounds of the Zoo at twilight!  After dinner at home, observe interesting animal behavior while taking a tour of the Zoo in a small group led by your personal guide.  (Please note that not all animals are out at night.)  Tours will occur rain or shine.  Meet at the front of the zoo.  Pre-registration is required.

Ages:	All
Cost:	$10 adults, $6 youth and seniors
Where:	Rio Grande Zoo
Time:	6:30-8:30pm

Dates: Tuesdays
June 10	July 8	August 5

To register, call (505) 764-6214.

 

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Night Walks at the Botanic Garden

Explore the Garden under the light of the moon!  Bring your family and explore the wonders of nightfall as you walk on a guided tour through the Garden in search of night-blooming plants, nocturnal animals and night pollinators. Pre-registration is required.

Ages:	All
Cost:	$6 adults, $4 youth and seniors
Where:	Rio Grande Botanic Garden
Time:	7:30-9:00pm

Dates: Tuesdays
June 17	July 15	August 12

To register, call (505) 848-7180.

 

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Bosque Moonlight Hikes at Tingley Beach

Discover the active night life of the bosque on this guided tour.  You’ll travel to the bosque wetlands to look for bats, hoot for owls and search for other nocturnal animals.  Bring your flashlight and your sense of adventures as we hike through the woods.  Tour begins at the Tingley Beach train station.  Pre-registration is required. 

Ages:	All
Cost:	$6 adults, $4 youth and seniors
Where:	Tingley Beach
Time:	7:00-8:30pm

Dates: Tuesdays
June 24	July 22	August 19

To register, call (505) 848-7180.

 

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Aquarium Overnights

Sleep next to the sharks at the Albuquerque Aquarium! Learn about ocean species and their fascinating nighttime behavior. Participate in fun games and crafts, meet marine animals upclose in the aquarium’s touchpool and unwind during our marine movie marathon in the theater.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Your payment is your reservation. To register or for more information, please call (505) 848-7180.

Ages:	All
Cost:	$25 per person. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Where:	Albuquerque Aquarium
Time:	Friday, 7:00 pm - Saturday 8:00 am

Upcoming Dates in 2008:

March 21/22 - CLOSED
April 18/19 - CLOSED
May 16/17 - CLOSED
June 20/21 - CLOSED
September 26/27
October 24/25
November 14/15

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BioPark Beginnings

Preschool children and one accompanying adult will explore the amazing world of animals and plants at the BioPark's Rio Grande Zoo, Albuquerque Aquarium and Rio Grande Botanic Garden! Join us as we play games, create fun works of art, sing songs and, of course, visit the BioPark's exhibits. Find out what animals swim in the sea, get a taste of farm life and discover animals from around the world.

 

Activities are designed for ages 3-6 and are facilitated with active parent participation. Classes take place from 9:30-11:00am one day each week and alternate between the Aquarium/Garden and Zoo.

 

Registration for the Fall 2008 BioPark Beginnings session will begin in August. Group size is limited and pre-registration is required. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Your payment is your reservation.

 

If you have questions or if you would like to receive class information by mail, please call BioPark Education at (505) 848-7180.

 

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