Participants will arrive at 7 p.m. and begin an adventure that lasts until 10 a.m. the following day. To fully experience an overnight at the Zoo, participants are asked to stay through the entire program. The evening begins with a dusk walk through the Zoo. Depending on weather and day length, this walk may be shortened and supplemented with other activities. Throughout the rest of the evening, participants will enjoy roasting marshmallows around our campfire, working on a craft activity and going on a late night hike through the Zoo. This nocturnal tour is a unique opportunity to see what goes on “after dark” at the Zoo - the behaviors, sights, smells and sounds are very different than during the day. Groups do go out for tours year round, so please dress for the weather!

Groups will spend the night upstairs in one of the themed studios in the Ford Education Center. Studios are designed to visually immerse participants in arctic, underground, wetland and rainforest environments. Participants will set up their sleeping bags (and sleeping mats or air mattresses) on the floor just before it’s time to settle in for the night.  No cots are allowed.

Staff members and volunteers will stay with the group throughout the experience to escort them on all tours and assist with activities. They will share stories and information about the Zoo, wildlife conservation and animal welfare along the way. Education staff members will sleep overnight in the Ford Education Center with the group.

The group will rise in the early morning as the Zoo awakes to pack up their bags. Participants will take a short walk through the Zoo to view a number of animals as they make their way toward their breakfast site. Participants will enjoy breakfast while watching some of our animals moving about their habitats. In case of inclement weather, groups may have breakfast in one of our indoor viewing areas. After breakfast the overnight adventure will conclude at 10 a.m. following a final Zoo tour. Admission to the Zoo for the rest of the day is included for all participants.

Animals After Dark T-shirts are also available at a cost of $12.00 per person, if interested.