Bug spray is important to any conservation project!

For the first time, the Houston Zoo launched a teen conservation program that put 10 kids right in the thick of conservation work at the Big Thicket. Alternative Teen Break (ATB) seeks to get kids outside, learning more about nature, wildlife and the importance of conservation work.

Our 10 participants hailed from all over the greater Houston area. They began their participation in ATB back in October of 2011 and finished in May of this year after they conducted a “re-orientation” presentation that discussed their experiences in the program.

Alternative Teen Break’s main focus is the week of intensive conservation work during the student’s spring break vacations. The week was spent together in close quarters, conducting difficult work over long hours, but it provided the participants with much more than a knowledge of conservation.

Working on a bio-blitz!

Some of the participants commented on how much they learned from, and enjoyed getting to know students from other areas of Houston, and backgrounds. Team-building was an integral part in the ATB group successfully completing their conservation work. One participant said “I also liked, how everyday there would be a new project to do, and you would think everyone would be too tired to even crack a smile or get too grumpy in the morning, to work together. But actually, it was as if everyone was given a 5hour energy shot, cause no one lost their spirits and everyone fed off each other’s energy, so there was not one person who refused to work together or to complete the task. Everyone worked as one, and that way we finished earlier than planned!”.

Other participants commented on how much they increased their knowledge of conservation and wildlife.

“My favorite aspect of the program was all of the knowledge that we were able to receive from the various specialists that we were able to work with. It was my favorite part because there was so much about conservation that I didn’t know and was able to learn from these specialists.”-ATB 2011/2012 Participant

The whole group!

“Actually working in the preserve gave me a sense of accomplishment and made me learn a lot about what conservation is really about.” -ATB 2011/2012 Participant

Rebuilding a bridge

“My favorite aspect of ATB was that I was learning more about nature and at the same time I got to work with other teens that had the same interest as me.”-ATB 2011/2012 Participant

Lessons were learned in many areas; wildlife conservation, fundraising, team-building, conflict resolution, and even cooking! It was amazing to have such a dedicated first group of participants and we are looking forward to what year #2 brings!

 If you are interested in participating in an Alternative Teen Break, check out our teens and adults page towards the end of the summer for more information!

The boy on this bus drives round and round- but who wants to ride on the bus? Trust us, its not who you’d expect! Hop on board as a very crowded bus full of furry feathery friends oink, quack, and cluck their way through the countryside, in this new version of a classic sing-along!

Our badge days are usually broken into morning and afternoon sessions to give scouts the opportunity to take more than one class. Our morning sessions will run from 9:30-11:30am followed by the afternoon sessions from 1:00-3:00pm.

We’re really excited for this event because our department has really mixed things up with our badge topics! What does that mean, you may ask? Well, let me explain…

One of the Zoo machines participants in the Wolf badge will learn about.

We’re adding in all kinds of fun and unique electives and achievements into our badge programs. For example, our Bears will be learning the ins and outs of photography while our Wolves take a look at machines and man power and compare them to the strength of animals!

We’ve even added an artistic element to many of our programs. The Webelos will learn how to sculpt and use primary and secondary colors, while the Bears will be busy making paper mache animal masks!

The day is sure to be packed with fun activities both in the classroom and out on Zoo grounds. Member adults are FREE, so parents and scout leaders are welcome to join in the on-grounds fun as well.

Want to know more? Visit our website for pricing, class availability, and the schedule for the day.

Cub Scout Badge Day is generously sponsored by ExxonMobil.

Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

From Sheep to Horse to Chicken to Goat, everyone has something to say about Duck’s zany idea to ride a bike. But what were they really thinking? And most importantly, what will happen next? Wobble your way over to Story Safari to find out!

Daisies working on their craft

On March 31st, the Houston Zoo hosted our 3rd Girl Scout Badge Day! Girl Scouts from all over Houston came to the Zoo to earn badges. We offered badges for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors this year. Badge workshops such as Use Resources Wisely, Senses, Animal Habitats, and Digital Photographer were held in the Brown Education Center.

Photo taken during Junior class

The Girl Scouts participated in exciting activities, games, crafts, and tours around the Zoo! We had fabulous raffle prizes that a few lucky winners took home! Our Digital Photography Badge for Juniors included learning simple functions of a digital camera, taking pictures of the animals, and editing photos using an iPad.

Stay tuned to find out when the next Girl Scout Badge Day will be. We hope to see you there!

One of our raccoons paints with a brush, while the other likes to use her hands.

Part of taking over tours means that we now also coordinate animal art purchases made by the public.  What?  You didn’t know that you could purchase animal art?  Well, you can!

You may have heard about how our orangutans are artists who help raise money for wild orangutans through Pongos helping Pongos.  You might have seen one of our incredible painting goats on the blog or on YouTube.  It’s even possible that you have heard of our artistic elephants and their painting adventures.  Believe it or not, these are just a few of the animals at the Houston Zoo who paint on a regular basis!

We have several painting primates; our Saki monkey and siamangs enjoy their chance at the canvas as much as our orangutans do.  The Children’s Zoo animals really get into the act, with painting goats, raccoons, and parrots!  We even have carnivores who are artists!!  Our jaguars, lions, and maned wolves paint with their paws instead of brushes.  And of course, two of our elephants make stunning artwork of their own. 

Painting is a form of enrichment for our animals.  It gives them something different to do, something new to smell, and different textures to feel.  For some of our animals, painting is part of their training program; for others, it’s provided as an option during their day.  All of our animals are given the choice if they want to participate.  If they’re not in the mood, the painting has to wait.  On at least one occasion, this has made for an even more interesting painting!

Want to know more about how you can own a piece of animal art?   Visit www.houstonzoo.org/animalart.  You can get in on the fun as well, choosing up to two colors of paint for your work of art!

This year we are offering NEW badge programs for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors. Each workshop is 2 hours in length and includes a tour around the Zoo. Girl Scouts will meet badge requirements by creating crafts to take home, playing games, and learning about some of the animals that call the Zoo home. AND there will be some really cool raffle prizes, including one of a kind animal paintings!

For more information or to register for Girl Scout Badge Day, click here.