• Field Trip Financial Assistance Application

    2026-27

  • Important Details

    Field Trips Dates

    • Field Trips are limited to Monday-Friday, September-March, and July.
    • Field Trips are limited to Monday-Wednesday, April-June.

    Program Dates

    • Close Encounters for LCEAF field trips are available October 20-May 12.
    • CREW Building Tours for LCEAF field trips are available September-July 31.


    Application Details

    • Financial assistance applications are accepted August 1, 2026 - July 30, 2027.
      • Applications open August 1st for August - March dates
      • Applications open January 1st for April - July dates
    • Each year, funding availability is subject to change, and assistance is awarded on a first come, first serve basis.
    • An application must be filled out for each field trip you would like to book.
    • Incomplete applications will not be considered.
    • Field Trip registration closes 2 weeks prior to dates.
    • Applications can take 2 weeks to be approved.
      • If you do not receive information about your application within 2 weeks, please email us at education@cincinnatizoo.org

    For this application you will need

    • Proof of financial need: signed and dated (from current school year) letter from the principal/superintendent/lunch manager. See our example letter.
    • The letter must:
      • be on school letterhead
      • include the date
      • include the current school year (2026-27)
      • include the percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch
      • be signed by principal/superintendent/lunch manager
    • Contact information: names, emails, and cell phone numbers of teachers attending.
    • Admission information: estimated number of students and adults (staff and non-staff) attending, grade levels of students, and bus parking.
    • Education plan: a copy of your field trip lesson plan, or request for Zoo offered programs.

     

  • School Information

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  • In which state is your school located?*
  • Upload a File
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  • Applicant Information

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  • Field Trip Information

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  • Choose your own date or join one of our School Event Days

  • School Event Days are held at the Cincinnati Zoo and are free with admission. Groups will check-in at the main Vine Street Village and receive a passport. Each passport has a map with the location of activities throughout the Zoo. 

    Please note: Close Encounters and Sustainability Tours are not be available during School Event Days.

    Bon Voyage Birds (all ages) Ocotber 8 and 9, 2026 9:30-12pm

    Join us to wish birds good luck on their journey back south! Learn about migration and what it means to be a migratory bird. Groups that complete their passport will receive a limited edition "Meet Your Migratory Neighbors" Zoo card.

    Planet Protectors (1st -5th grade) November 5, 2026 10am-12pm

    Join us for a day dedicated to protecting the panet! From learning how to sort your recycling to meeting animals you can help in your own school yard - this day is sure to inspire your students to do their own part in protecting our planet!

     

    More School Event Days coming this spring!

    • Math Days Feb/Mar
  • First Choice Date *
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    2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
  • Second Choice Date *
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    2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
  • Third Choice Date *
     - -
    2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year

  • Note: You have selected a School Event Date (November 5th) for your Field Trip.

    If you would like to join us for the School Event, please have the School Event Date as your First Choice Date and select 'School Event' for your Required Education Activity.

  • Grade Levels*

  • Becuase funding is limited, we ask all groups to contact us at education@cincinnatizoo.org if the estimated number of students and adults changes. This allows us to accept more applications and help more students visit the Zoo free of cost.

  • Will your group bring a service animal?*
  • Do you require a manual wheelchair or ECV?*
  • Number of wheelchair/ ECV
    Rows

  • Vehicle Parking

    All buses that are parking at the Zoo must have a bus parking pass. All adults parking their own vehicles will be charged a $10/ car parking fee
  • Are your buses parking or dropping-off at the Zoo?*
  • Number of Buses Parking
    Rows
  • Image field 85
  • Do you need to purchase car parking passes?*
  • Number of car parking passes
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  • Required Educational Activities

  • For your Field Trip, you must either choose to do one of the Cincinnati Zoo's provided school activities (Self-Guided Activities, Close Encounter, or CREW Tour) OR you may submit a detailed lesson plan for the day of your trip that will be reviewed and subject to approval by the Zoo.

  • Choose 1 or more Zoo activities for your field trip:*

  • Self-Guided Activities (PreK-12th Grade)

    A list of self-guided activities can be found scrolling to the very bottom of this link to 'School Resources' and clicking on 'Expand for more'. Link: https://cincinnatizoo.org/education/school-programs/field-trips/
  • Choose which Self-Guided Activities your students will complete.*

  • Close Encounters (PreK-12th Grade)

    Get up close and curious with Close Encounters - an interactive, hands-on program designed to bring science to life! Led by a Zoo Educator and aligned with Next Generation Science Standards, each session engages students through participatory activities and includes a memorable meet-and-greet with an animal ambassador. It's an exciting way to connect classroom learning with the natural world. 

  • Adaptations (PreK-8th Grade)
    Explore the fascinating world of animal adaptations in this interactive, educator-led program! Students will discover how physical features and behaviors help animals survive, thrive, and interact with their environments. Younger learners will identify adaptations and understand how they help animals survive in various habitats, while our older learners will dive deeper into the relationships between adaptations, species interactions, and their impact on survival.

    Dates: Tuesday-Friday, October 20-March 19; Monday-Wednesday March 29 -May 12
    Time: 10:45-11:15am, 11:30am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-1:30pm (afternoon programs March-May only)


    Careers and Conservation (6th-12th Grade)
    Did you know that you can help with conservation no matter where you work? Through this program, students will learn more about the conservation opportunities present in careers both inside and outside of the Zoo! Students will also get to meet an animal ambassador and learn about their conservation story.

    Dates: Tuesday-Friday, October 20-March 19; Monday-Wednesday March 29 -May 12
    Time: 11:30am-12:15pm, 1:00pm - 1:45pm (afternoon programs March - May only)

  • Select your Close Encounter: Careers and Conservation (6th-12th Grade) time and enter number of students and grade levels. (For adults: space is limited. Please maintain at least a 1:10 ratio. Max 5 adults per program)
    Rows
  • Select your Close Encounter: Adaptations (PreK-8th Grade) time and enter number of students and grade levels. (For adults: space is limited. Please maintain at least a 1:10 ratio. Max 5 adults per program)
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  • Do any of your students have developmental disabilities or other special needs?
  • If space is unavailable on your first choice date, we will move on to your second choice and third choice date. If space is unavailable for any date, we can contact you.
  • Back-up activity if my choice is not available
  • Choose which Self-Guided Activities your students will complete.

  • CREW Building Tours (7th-12th grade)

    The CREW Tour introduces students to the conservation research science that goes on at the Zoo everyday. Monday-Friday, September-July. 30-minute Building Tour. We can accommodate up to 15 people (1 adult min) per time slot.
  • Select your CREW Building Tour time, and enter number of students and adults (max 15 people total), and grade levels.
    Rows
  • Do any of your students have developmental disabilities or other special needs?
  • If space is unavailable on your first choice date, we will move on to your second choice and third choice date. If space is unavailable for any date, we can contact you.
  • Back-up activity if my choice is not available
  • Choose which Self-Guided Activities your students will complete.

  • Sustainability Tours (9th - 12th grade)

    Sustainability Tours introduce students to the sustainability and green practices that go on at the Zoo everyday

  • Sustainability Tours are available Monday - Friday September 28 - November 20 and March 1 - March 19.

    This is a 60 minute walking tour and will begin at the time of your arival at the park enterance, which can be from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM. Please enter your estimated time of arrival, and if your program is confirmed, we will call you the morning of your trip to confirm arrival time.

    We can accomodate up to two groups of 25 people with a required 1:10 ratio of adults to students. 

  • Enter the start time of your Sustainability Tour, select the total number of students max 25 people) and adults and enter the student's grade levels
    Rows
  • If space is unavailable on your first choice date, we will move on to your second choice and third choice date. If space is unavailable for any date, we can contact you.

  • School Events

    Events are held at the Cincinnati Zoo and are free with admission. To join a School Event, your First Choice Date for your field trip will need to be the day of the Event. Please note: Funding for School Events are limited and other School Programs (such as Close Encounters and Sustainability Tours) will not be available during School Event Days.

  • Own Lesson Plan

  • Upload a File
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  • Optional Field Trip Add-Ons

  • Rides

    Unlimited Train and Carousel Ride Tickets ($4 per person; students must be accompanied by an adult on rides). Must purchase 1 adult ticket per 10 student tickets. Must be purchased before entry to receive discount.

  • Lunches

  • We have a convenient lunch program for children and adults. This great option will save you the exhausting and time-consuming hassles of packing, hauling, and sorting out lunches. Let the Zoo do the work for you!

    All lunches are booked through our catering partner, SSA. If you are interested in adding lunches to your field trip, we will send you a link to another form that you can fill out. You must have a booked field trip to order lunches.

    Lunches are not covered by the grant, and range from $6-12 per person.

  • I am interested in purchasing school lunches for my group

  • Teacher Agreements

  • LCEAF/Financial Assistance Information

    • Click "submit" to complete your application. You will be receive an email copy of your request.
    • Submitting an application DOES NOT confirm your school has received financial aid.
    • Financial assistance requests can take up to 2 weeks to process.
    • If your application is incomplete and you are asked to resubmit it, please understand that grant funds are limited and will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Therefore, resubmission does not guarantee financial aid and the application will not be considered until it is completed and requirements are met.
    • If you do not receive information about your application within 2 weeks, please email us at education@cincinnatizoo.org

    LCEAF/Financial Assistance Terms and Conditions

    If you are approved for financial assistance:

    • You are only approved for the number of programs and students listed in your application. Any changes must be pre-approved.
    • You only receive financial aid for the approved number of students, chaperones, programs, and/or buses listed on your confirmation. Any changes must be pre-approved by the grant manager.
    • Any additional items on the day of your trip will be charged at the regular field trip rates. Admission: $9, Close Encounter Program: $25, Parking: $10-50
    • If you receive financial assistance, all requirements must be met (i.e. post-surveys). We maintain records of requirements being fulfilled and failure to do so may affect future financial assistance requests.
  • Would you be interested in any professional development or focus group opportunities specifically for LCEAF educators?*

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    Keep up to date with the Cincinnati Zoo's School Programs!
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