San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Public/Private School Field Trip Policy
SDZWA Field Trips are defined as classroom students visiting for curriculum-based learning, guided by an accredited or credentialed teacher. Classroom students must comprise a minimum of 50% of group to qualify for Field Trip rates. Classroom students must be enrolled in the same classroom/grade level. Teachers are defined as the lead educator ultimately responsible for the classroom students.
All public or private schools wishing to participate in any SDZWA Field Trip Program must set up an account first, including their National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) ID. Accounts are subject to prior approval by SDZWA. SDZWA only books directly with schools and authorized school representatives, not third-party proxies.
San Diego County public or private schools wishing to participate in the free San Diego County Schools Field Trip Program must reside in San Diego County and be listed on the CA Department of Education Directory.
Southern California public or private schools that are outside of San Diego County wishing to participate in the So Cal discounted SDZWA Field Trip Program must be listed on the CA department of Education Directory. Only one visit per classroom per year per facility (Zoo & Safari Park) will be permitted.
Field trip rates are made possible by generous donors and intended specifically for approved school field trips. SDZWA does not allow organizers to misrepresent the intent of the field trip program or upcharge for access to or service for field trips. Groups found up charging will be immediately cancelled, and their account terminated. Paid group (e.g. youth groups, third party providers, non-school groups) organizers should coordinate groups through the main SDZWA Call Center and will be subject to standard group rates.
Note: SDZWA reserves the right to grant reservations, revoke reservations, and make exceptions and/or changes in their sole opinion.
Homeschool/Charter School Policy
Homeschools/charter schools must meet Public/Private school group requirements to participate in the SDZWA Field Trip program.
Additional options for homeschools/charter schools include:
- Purchase a membership and come at your leisure (educational resources are provided at no cost online and some homeschool/charter programs provide a stipend that can be applied towards membership purchase)
- Visit during Kids Free Month in October where all kids aged 11 and under are free, no reservation required.
Sibling Policy
Siblings are defined as any child not enrolled in the specific grade level that has RSVP’d for the Field Trip.
Sibling participation in SDZWA field trips are not permitted. Any exceptions to this policy must be requested in advance and are subject to prior approval by Education Department. If approved for exception, siblings aged 3 and older must pay the posted admission rate or use a membership to gain entry.
Field Trip Reservation Policy
Reservations are required 4 weeks in advance. Limited spaces are available, first come first served. Reservations are only considered confirmed with an SDZWA provided confirmation number.
Head Count: Participant count section of confirmation page must be completed before entry and the entire group on the reservation must enter at the same time. Different entry times are unable to be accommodated for one reservation.
Tickets: Admission Tickets will only be provided once group is present, counted and paid in full. Tickets may not be repurposed or up charged.
Payments: Only ONE form of payment per reservation on day of the field trip will be accepted. Payment must be in the form of a credit card, check with ID, purchase order (PO), or cash. Once paid, no refunds will be issued, and all payments are final. Field trips are a rain or shine event.
Applying Membership Towards Field Trip Admissions: Valid memberships can be used in conjunction with field trip reservations. All passes must be collected before the check-in process, separated into “adult” and “child” bundles, and presented along with the participant count section and form of payment at time of group check-in. Members must show ID and membership card upon entry.
Group Size Requirements
- A Minimum of 15 participants per group is required.
- 72 participants per classroom per reservation is allowed.
- A Maximum of 150 participants per school, per reservation is allowed.
Note: Only one visit per classroom per year per facility (Zoo & Safari Park) is permitted.
Chaperone Policy
- A Minimum of 1 chaperone :10 students - required.
- Chaperones over 1 chaperone:10 students - charged at applicable rates*
- Chaperone ratios over 1 chaperone:1 student - not eligible for the Field Trip Program rates.
- Teachers and aides must be included in the chaperone count.
- All chaperones must be at least 21 years of age.
