Norristown Zoological Society

SEE SCHEDULE O

THE ELMWOOD PARK ZOO WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1924 AND HAS ATTAINED THE ELITE STATUS AS ONE OF ONLY 225 INSTITUTIONS ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS (AZA). THE ZOO CURRENTLY MAINTAINS A COLLECTION OF ABOUT 300 ANIMALS INDIGENOUS TO THE AMERICAS. THE ELMWOOD PARK ZOO IS PART OF A GREATER MISSION, HOWEVER, TO HELP EDUCATE GUESTS AND THE COMMUNITY ABOUT ANIMALS THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND ZOO EVENTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION, ANIMAL PRESERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT. THE ZOO WELCOMES OVER 500,000 VISITORS ANNUALLY FOR AN EDUCATIONAL ADVENTURE IN A FUN, CLEAN, AND FAMILY-ORIENTED ENVIRONMENT. TO INCREASE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THE ZOO CONDUCTS SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS GEARED TOWARD THE GENERAL PUBLIC, FAMILIES, SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS, SCHOOLS AND ZOO MEMBERS. THESE EVENTS ARE CENTERED ON THE ZOO'S PRIMARY PURPOSES, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT WILDLIFE, PRESERVATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES & CONSERVATION. AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, THE ZOO HOSTS MANY PUBLIC EVENTS TO INFORM AND ENTERTAIN ITS GUESTS. SUCH EVENTS INCLUDE ANNUAL BREAKFAST WITH THE ANIMALS, BRUNCHES WITH SANTA, PARTY FOR THE PLANET, ZOOSNOOZE OVERNIGHT CAMPOUTS, BOO AT THE ZOO WEEKENDS, AND MANY MORE. EACH SUMMER, THE ZOO HOSTS BEAST OF A FEAST, ITS LARGEST ANNUAL FUNDRAISER WITH DOZENS OF LOCAL VENDORS THAT SHOWCASE THE BEST FOOD DROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY. PER ITS DESIGNATION AS A CERTIFED AUTISM CENTER, THE ZOO HOSTSMONTHLY EARLY ACCESS MORNINGS TO CATER TO GUESTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR CARETAKERS. THE ZOO OFFERS INTERSHIPS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN EACH OF ITS DEPARTMENTS. GUESTS OUTSIDE THE ZOO CAN ENJOY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS LIKE ZOO-ON-WHEELS, IN WHICH EDUCATORS ON STAFF TRAVEL WITH ANIMALS TO SCHOOLS, CAMPS, COMMUNITY EVENT, SENIOR CENTERS, AND MALLS TO PROMOTE THE MISSION OF THE ZOO. CHILDREN AGES 6-11 CAN ENJOY THE ZOO'S DAY CAMPS, HELD EACH SPRING AND SUMMER. IN ADDITION TO THE SPECIAL EVENTS HELD THOUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE ZOO HOSTS REGULAR EVENTS EACH MONTH TO CATER TO ITS MEMBERS, AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. THERE ARE TWO MEMBER MORNING HELD EACH MONTH GIVING ZOO MEMBERSS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENTER THE ZOO BEFORE IT OPENS TO THE PUBLIC. THERE ARE ALSO REGULARLY SCHEDULED NORRISTOWN FREE DAYS, PROVIDING FREE ZOO ADMISSION ON THOSE DAYS TO RESIDENTS OF THE NORRISTOWN BOROUGH. THE ZOO FREQUENTLY PARTNERS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT ITS MISSION.