Conservation Education Programs
COVID-19 Health & Safety
All of our programs are being reimagined to ensure an engaging and safe experience for all. Programs that were offered in prior years may have modifications due to health and safety precautions, staffing limitations and/or innovation.
We plan to adhere to the below recommended COVID-19 health and safety policies and best practices. These are informed by scientific research, CDC, Milwaukee County and American Camp Association guidelines. Note that the information on this webpage may be edited as more information becomes available or changes in alignment with local or national safety recommendations.
To review our full operational plan that highlights all policies, practices and response plans related to COVID-19, please click here.
Program Policies
Masks
The Zoological Society of Milwaukee follows the Milwaukee County Universal Face Mask Policy and Procedure Administrative Order. All staff and participants ages 3 and up are required to wear masks in all indoor spaces throughout the Zoo. Although Milwaukee County does not require masks to be worn in outdoor spaces when physical distancing is maintained, we will continue to ask our participants to keep their masks on throughout the program. We will be lenient in outdoor spaces when physical distancing is ensured and allow participants to take mask breaks. Masks will also be removed during snack. For more details regarding the expectations for entering Milwaukee County grounds, please view the mask order here.
Physical Distancing
Class sizes have been reduced to allow for appropriate physical distancing. We ask that all participants adhere to physical distancing guidelines throughout the program.
Daily Health Assessments
All staff are required to complete a health assessment prior to reporting to work. Please find additional information regarding health assessments for participants below.
Zoo Classes
All participants will complete a verbal health questionnaire upon arrival. We ask that you stay home if anyone in your household is feeling unwell with symptoms similar to COVID-19 or has been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 10 days. We will process a credit for classes or camps missed due to these circumstances.
School Programs
Teachers will be sent a health assessment for completion prior to arriving at the Zoo. We ask that you complete the health assessment with your students and chaperones prior to boarding the bus. Once you arrive at our building, our educators will confirm with you that all students and chaperones are aligned with the given health assessment.
We ask that any student or chaperone stay home if they are feeling unwell with symptoms similar to COVID-19 or have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 10 days.
Program Best Practices
Hand Washing & Sanitizing
Hand washing and sanitizing will be available to all participants throughout the program. We encourage you to speak to your child or students about frequent hand washing, sanitizing and other preventive practices.
Cleaning & Disinfecting
High-touch areas indoors will be cleaned and disinfected consistently to mitigate potential surface spread. Classrooms will also be cleaned and disinfected between programs.