School Groups / Field Trips Form

Unavailable Dates

  • Saturdays and Sundays
  • April 23, 25, 26, 29, and 30
  • May 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31
  • June 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 20, and 21


  • School Group/Field Trip FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    What constitutes a School Group?

    A school group is an educational field trip associated with a preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school or college course. It must be led by a certified teacher during the traditional school year/traditional school hours. A school group must have a minimum of 20 paying customers. The school group rate is not available for summer camps, day care centers, nursery schools, youth groups/organizations, religious institutions or recreational classes.

    Can I get a refund?

    We do not offer refunds or rain checks (the Zoo is open rain or shine). Groups who prepay will not receive a refund if fewer people attend the day of the field trip.

    How do I purchase non-school group tickets?

    If you do not meet the criteria for a school group but have 20 or more individuals as part of your group or if you wish to visit the Zoo on a day that is not available for school groups, you can purchase tickets here.

    How do I make a reservation?

    Please fill out the group reservation form, located here. Reservations must be made one month prior to the intended visitation date. Some dates are not available due to events, holidays and capacity limitations. Once the form is received, you will be emailed a confirmation letter within 48 hours. Please review your confirmation materials.

    How do I update my reservation invoice?

    If you need to update your invoice, email us at schoolgroups@dzs.org, and we will update it for you.

    How do I sign up for a Learning Lab?

    Learning Labs can be added to your field trip; choose one here. Learning Labs have limited availability. If you are interested, indicate your preferred program on the reservation form. You will be contacted for registration information.

    How do I pay for my field trip?

    1. Call the Call Center at (248) 541-5717 and press option 2 to speak with a representative.
    2. Prepay onsite at the Customer Care Office located at the front of the Zoo, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. If day-of payments are necessary for your group, an advance reservation is still required, and payment will be taken at the admission gates when you check your group in. To receive the school group rate, payment must be made as a single transaction.

      If a school group does not have an advance reservation or does not make payment three days in advance of its visit, it will no longer qualify for the school group rate.

    3. Mail in a check to: Detroit Zoological Society c/o School Groups, 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, MI 48067

    When should I submit my payment?

    If you are mailing a check, please send the payment at least two weeks prior to your visit. If you are prepaying in person or over the phone with a credit card, please do so three days before your visit.

     

    If a school group does not make payment three days in advance of their visit, it will no longer qualify for the school group rate.

    Can I pay with a PO?

    No POs, personal checks, vouchers, small bills (exceeding $50) or coins are accepted.

    Do all people attending the trip need to pay for a ticket (including teachers and members)?

    Yes, all trip attendees 2 and older require an admission ticket.

    Can Membership Cards be used with a group?

    Membership benefits and other passes cannot be applied to school group admission.

    We are no longer accepting membership cards in the school group line.  If a family has a membership and wants to use it on the day of the trip, they will need to enter separately from your group (through the general admission line). An adult listed on the card would have to accompany the child. The listed adult would need to bring their card and ID in order to enter the Zoo.

    Why can’t I schedule a field trip on a black-out date?

    We are not able to extend the school group rate on dates that are blocked out. You can purchase general admission tickets for groups with 20 or more individuals for any day, including school group block-out dates. Tickets can be purchased here.

    Do you allow late arrivals?

    All school groups must enter together at one time. We are not able to admit late arrival as part of a group; they must purchase a general admission ticket. Non-school groups with 20 or more individuals can enter separately.

    Do you have a chaperone ratio?

    You must have one chaperone for every 10 children (high school and younger) in your group. Admission will be refused if you do not have the correct number of chaperones. Chaperones must stay with their group for the duration of their visit and monitor behavior.

    Where do we drop off and park?

    Bus parking and drop off is located in our 10 Mile parking lot. Please enter from Gate 1 and proceed to the left. Drop off is located on the right-hand side once you enter the 10 Mile parking lot. Cars driving separately from the group will be directed to park in the water tower lot, Woodward lot or parking structure. Parking is $8 for all vehicles driving separately from the bus.

    Can we bring our own lunches?

    Yes, we also have food available for purchase.

     What if I have a group with various abilities?

    Groups with various abilities, please call (248) 336-5841 to make reservations.

    Will we receive individual tickets for school group entry?

    No, your invoice or pre-payment receipt is your entry ticket.

    We have several classes coming from one school, should we make one or multiple reservations?

    If the classes are paying, arriving and going through the entrance together, one reservation is best. If classes are paying separately or not entering together, multiple reservations should be made.

    Field Trip Registration Form