Story: Lincoln Children's Zoo

“Studies have proven that the best learning outcomes result from those environments that stimulate the senses, provide hands-on opportunities for engagement and play, offer a series of small, surmountable challenges, and inspire awe.”

We’d say that describes the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.  A great deal of research went into making our exhibits, classes and programs engaging, age and development level appropriate, using tools only a zoo can provide – animals. We know it’s fun to come to the Zoo. Our research-based efforts to create more accomplished, more compassionate children and citizens make it a good deal more. We are the area’s leading nonprofit agency that provides education to all ages, from early childhood education to those in strollers, to excellent hands-on experiences for elementary age children and education for young adults in animal care and job preparedness.

A decade ago, the Zoo made a commitment to serve children from all economic circumstances; and with community help, established the Children at the Zoo (CATZ) Program. We partner with local social service agencies to identify at-risk children and their families, and provide scholarships for classes and free admission to the Zoo. The CATZ Program is funded by people like you, who realize how vital it is for children to interact with nature.

CATZ has grown to meet the overwhelming requests from non-profit agencies on behalf of children throughout the community. In 2007, 6,000 scholarships and free admission passes were distributed. In 2009, we have received requests for 20,000 scholarships and passes! 

We need your help to serve these families! Our goal is to fund all of these requests. For every $7 donated to the CATZ Program, one at-risk child will have the opportunity to visit the Zoo. Only $70 will underwrite admission for 10 children, $140 will send two children to a class, and $700 will underwrite admission for 100 children.