The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Backyard’s Zoo Entry for All program is designed to encourage households and people of all backgrounds to go to our world-class group to construct lifelong and multi-generational reminiscences. We’re dedicated to inspiring each customer with wildlife on daily basis, and we consider everybody ought to have the chance to expertise and domesticate a constructive connection to wildlife and wild locations. 

For a complete of twelve weeks over the course of this faculty yr, Cincinnati Zoo educators have hosted Zoo Troop for All–a night program for youngsters ages 6-14 with developmental disabilities.  Every program evening was crammed with laughter, animal encounters, storytelling, dancing, video games, Zoo hikes, and a lot extra!

This program wouldn’t be doable with out the assist from Cincinnati Kids’s Hospital and Dr. Jen Smith, Director of the Management Training in Neurodevelopmental and Associated Disabilities (LEND) program. Every week LEND volunteers function one-on-one aides to the kids who attend, constructing lovely relationships and experiences collectively. 

The children and their households love this program and are so grateful for the time spent creating programming for his or her wants. Dr. Patty Manning-Courtney, Cincinnati Kids’s Chief of Employees, truly got here to volunteer final evening and was very smitten by this system and its influence for these households!

We look ahead to seeing our Zoo Troop for All contributors once more this fall!