Adventure Programs, The Houston Zoo

Open to all accepted Zoo Crew members throughout the year. Open to all teens, ages 13-17, in non-summer months (January-May, September-December). This includes teens not accepted into the Zoo Crew program.

Spring 2023 Adventure Programs

Let’s explore the majestic forests of the East Texas Pineywoods. We’ll spend the morning hiking the many trails throughout the park and the afternoon canoeing around Raven Lake.

We will meet at the Houston Zoo in front of Gate 8, which is about 200 yards to the left of the main entrance, at 8am. Transportation to Huntsville State Park will be provided by the Houston Zoo. We will return to the Houston Zoo by 4pm.

Be sure to wear clothes and shoes you are comfortable spending a day outdoors in and potentially getting wet. Also bring a sack lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, hat, bug spray, and any other necessary supplies for a day outside.

Registration fees are $50 per teen.

Whooping cranes, the tallest bird in North America, were once on the brink of extinction. Thanks to the protections we placed on the species and its habitats and the work organizations like the International Crane Foundation have done to restore the wetlands they need to survive, whooping crane populations have been increasing. Every year, whooping cranes migrate down to Texas to spend the winter in the wetlands in and around Port Aransas. We will travel to their wintering grounds to hopefully get a glimpse at these amazing birds before they make the trek back up north. During our trip we will have the opportunity to connect with our partners at the International Crane Foundation to learn about the work they are doing to protect this incredible species.

We will leave the Houston Zoo on the morning of March 13th and travel to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to explore the refuge and look for the wildlife that inhabit it (maybe getting a first glimpse of the cranes). We will then head to Goose Island State Park where we will be camping for two nights. On Tuesday we will take a boat tour out to see the cranes in the wetlands around Port Aransas and have an opportunity to meet our partners at the International Crane Foundation. We will the spend the afternoon and evening at the beach. Then on Wednesday morning we will visit Texas State Aquarium before making our way back to Houston.

Transportation, camping supplies such as tents and sleeping pads, as well as food will all be provided by the Houston Zoo. More details on what to pack will be provided after you register.

Registration fees are $250 per teen.

High Island is an important stopping place for migratory birds. The Smith Oaks Sanctuary on High Island is a favored nesting spot for waterbirds. Every spring roseate spoonbills create a rookery, a large breeding colony, in the Smith Oaks Sanctuary. Birders come from all over to witness and photograph this incredible site.

We will meet at the Houston Zoo at Gate 8, which is approximately 200 yards to the left of the main entrance, at 8AM. We will drive the Zoo van to High Island and spend the day exploring, birding, and observing the nesting spoonbills. We will return to the Zoo by 4PM.

Please wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes. Also bring a sack lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, hat, bug spray, and any other necessary supplies for a day outside.

Registration fees are $50 per teen.

Come explore one of eastern Texas’s most diverse regions-Big Thicket National Preserve. We will be led by National Park Rangers on a kayak experience through the rivers of the Big Thicket. Along the way we help protect wildlife by cleaning up trash throughout the river.

We will meet at the Houston Zoo at Gate 8 which is approximately 200 yards to the left of the main entrance at 8:00am and will return to the Zoo by 5:00pm. Transportation to Big Thicket National Preserve will be provided by the Houston Zoo.

Registration fees are $50 per teen.