Field Trips
2024-25 School Field Trips
Thank you for your interest in booking a school field trip at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.
Self-guided field trips are available for grades TK-12 Tuesday-Saturday on select dates from October 1-May 10. Refer to rate calendar for dates. Blackout dates: November 26-30, December 24-January 4, March 27, and April 22-26.
School field trips must be booked at least three (3) weeks in advance of your preferred school field trip date.
Booking for the 2024-2025 school is now open.
Wonderfully Wild Scholarships
The Living Desert is pleased to offer a limited number of school field trip scholarships to Title One schools. These schools may also be eligible to receive a scholarship to cover admission and transportation costs. This scholarship is highly competitive, with a limited number of awards available to the most compelling and well-articulated applications.
We are now accepting applications for field trips to the Zoo that will occur between October and December 2024.
New Field Trip Presentation
Come and join our exciting and educational school field trip presentation at the Tennity Wildlife Amphitheatre – it’s completely FREE and exclusively for school field trips! Our team is eager to introduce you to the fascinating world of desert species and show you how you can contribute to their conservation efforts and learn about their adaptations.
The presentation runs Tuesdays through Saturdays at 11:00am. Don’t miss this opportunity – book your field trip now and explore the incredible world of the desert tortoise with us!
Want more learning opportunities? The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens offers various connections daily. For more information, visit our daily schedule.
Chaperone Policies
We require a 1:10 teacher/chaperone-to-student ratio and a minimum number of 10 students. Any additional teachers or chaperones outside of the 1:10 ratio pay the regular admission price. These additional tickets can either be added to your invoice or these adults can pay separately. Adults paying separately must inform the ticket booth representative that they are with a field trip when purchasing. Tickets can also be purchased online by following the link here.
If the 1:10 ratio is not met on the day of your school field trip, then your group will be unable to enter the Zoo until the ratio is met. No exceptions will be made.
We are unable to offer any partial refunds for school field trips in the event of a decrease in student or teacher/chaperone numbers.
School Field Trip Booking
Prices for school field trips vary depending on the date of your visit. Please see our rate calendar for more details.
Add-on experiences like the carousel and the giraffe feeding can be purchased in advance.
For more detailed information, check out our Ultimate Guide to School Field Trips.
At a Glance
Price per Chaperone
$17.50 - $29.95
Price per Student
(We require a 1:10 chaperone-to-student ratio and a minimum of 10 students.)
$12.50 - $19.95
Add-On Pricing
Giraffe Feeding
(Per Participant)
$8
Carousel Ride
(Per Paricipant)
$3
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book my school field trip?
To book a self-guided school field trip, please follow these steps:
1. Complete and submit the School Field Trips Inquiry Form.
2. Complete and submit the School Field Trips Lead Teacher Agreement.
a. If your preferred date and time of arrival are not available, our staff will reach out to you with alternative options.
b. You will know that your booking request is confirmed when you receive a confirmation email and an invoice.
3. Contact our Guest Experiences Center at (760) 346-5694 or at guestservices@livingdesert.org to submit payment. Payment is due prior to your group’s admission to the Zoo.
- Accepted payment methods include check, credit card, or purchase order (PO). We cannot accept cash payments for school field trips.
Note: Your booking will not be considered complete until your School Field Trips Inquiry Form and Lead Teacher Agreement have been completed and submitted.
Please review our updated cancellation policy before booking:
| Change requested for school field trip | Refund or fee |
| Cancellation made more than 30 days prior | 100% refund |
| Cancellation between 30 and 7 days | 50% refund |
| Reschedule between 30 and 7 days | $75 administration fee** |
| Less than 7 days’ notice or no show | No refund |
**contingent on remaining times and dates to reschedule being available
When a 50% refund and/or a $75 administration fee applies, schools who have prepaid will have their refund issued minus the percentage or fee. For schools who haven’t prepaid, a charge will be applied to their account and must be paid before a future field trip can be booked by that school.
By taking these steps and booking your school field trip experience, you are agreeing to attend your school field trip on the day booked and follow all policies and procedures. Failure to follow all policies and procedures may result in disciplinary consequences.
Teachers who receive straight A’s on their school field trip review will receive priority booking next school year. School groups will be reviewed in the following areas: policies and procedures, communication, preparedness, and behavioral code of conduct. Please review the Lead Teacher Agreement and Ultimate Guide to School Field Trips for an explanation of expectations.
What do I do after booking?
Prior to your school field trip, you’ll need to…
1. Print Parking Guides, one per vehicle.
2. Remind your students to wear name tags or uniforms that identify them as part of your group on the day of your school field trip.
We recommend downloading and printing our Ultimate Guide to School Field Trips for detailed planning and day-of preparations.
What do I do on the day of my school field trip?
While you are on your way to the Zoo…
- Drivers should follow the Parking Guide to park in the designated area(s).
a. If your group is arriving by bus, please have all members of your group except the Lead Teacher remain on the bus(es) after parking.
b. If your group is arriving by personal vehicles, please have all members of your group gather at the bus parking island after parking. Please do not meet at the front entrance of the Zoo.
2. The Lead Teacher will meet with the School Field Trips Staff at the bus parking island to receive expectations and guidelines for your school field trip experience.
3. The Lead Teacher and School Field Trips Staff will work together to:
a. Share School Field Trip Guidelines and Expectations with students and adults.
b. Reconcile any updates on student or chaperone headcounts.
c. Arrange lunch transportation and storage.
d. Distribute chaperone stickers received from School Field Trip Staff. Please note that only those chaperones that are included in the 1:10 chaperone-to-student ratio should receive a sticker. Additional adults included on your group’s invoice will receive wristbands. Adults paying separately will have a standard ticket from their purchase.
4. Once the steps above are complete, your group will be able to deboard the vehicles and gather into chaperone groups. Once ready, your group will be guided to the Zoo’s main entrance by School Field Trip Staff.
5. The Lead Teacher will remain with the School Field Trip Staff upon entry to finalize any payments and/or add-ons at the Admissions Office.
What if my group needs special accommodations?
Nurses, medical staff, and 1-1 aides are eligible for complimentary admission when attending with a school group. School Field Trips Staff must be made aware of any medical staff receiving complimentary admission at least 1 week prior to the date of your school field trip. Adjustments to your invoice for medical staff receiving complimentary admission cannot be made day-of.
For more information about accommodations at The Living Desert, please click here.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
For assistance with pricing and booking, please contact our Guest Experiences Center at guestservices@livingdesert.org or (760)346-5694.
For questions about your school field trip experience, please contact our Education Department at schoolfieldtrips@livingdesert.org or (760)862-9904.