Southwest Wildlife offers a variety of wildlife programs at our Nature Center, including: (choose the links below to find more information)
Nature Center Tours
School Field Trips
Kindermornings
Camp Wild
Home School Tuesdays
Girl Scout Workshops
Nature Center Programs may be customized and may also include slide shows or workshops.
For more information on a Nature Center Program, contact our Education Department at 480-471-3621 or at sweducation@gorvw.net.
Animals in the Southwest Wildlife Nature Center, which you may see during a Nature Center Program, include: coyotes, foxes, raccoons, Mexican gray wolves, mountain lions, javelina, mule deer, bobcats, and bears.
Nature Center Tours
Tours are designed to meet the needs of the individuals or organization requesting the tour.
To schedule a Nature Center Tour, contact our Education Department at 480-471-3621 or at sweducation@gorvw.net.
Tours fees:
Children 3-15, $7
Adults, $10
School Field Trips
School field trips offer students the opportunity to look into the eyes of living wild animals, inspiring them to learn more! During a Field Trip to our Nature Center, your students may see:
•mountain lions
•gray foxes and kit foxes
•racoons and coatis
•Mexican gray wolves
•porcupines
•coyotes
•javelinas
•deer
•bobcats
•bears
Field Trip Programs are designed to complement Arizona state science curriculum standards. Field Trips are approximately one hour in length.
To schedule a Field Trip, contact our Education Department at 480-471-3621 or at sweducation@gorvw.net.
Field Trip Program Fees:
Students 3-15, $5
Adults, $10 (One adult is free with every 10 students.)
Customized Field Trips, variable
Kindermornings
Walk, fly, and slither through nature as we discover the world around us!
This program is designed for family groups consisting of siblings age 3-5 accompanied by one adult. Come for breakfast, listen to stories, do animal activities, and meet some of our wild friends. Children are encouraged to come in their pajamas. Kindermornings are offered the third Monday of each month.
You must pre-register and pay for Kindermornings classes. Registration fees are not refundable. We offer two options for payment. Option One allows you to simply print a PDF File and mail it in with your payment, or Option Two allows you to register and pay online. Your online
credit card registration is SAFE & SECURE. Please
see the Secure
Online Registration Process Explained.
To register now for Kindermornings click here.
Download a printable PDF file here
Kindermornings Fees:
$30 per child/parent group per class
Register for 3 or more classes and save $5!
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KINDERMORNINGS CLASS SCHEDULE |
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Lions, Coyotes, and Bears—Oh My!
Learn about some of the large mammals that call Southwest Wildlife home. Come with us as we discover everything from how high a mountain lion can jump to how much a bear can eat.
September 17, 20007 9:00 am- 10:30 am
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Creepy Critters
From terrifying tarantulas to slithering snakes we will uncover the secrets of the not so cuddly animals of the desert. Look eye to eye with a scorpion and dig with a desert tortoise as we discover the important role these animals play in our environment.
October 15th , 20007 9:00 am- 10:30 am
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Habits and Habitats
From Burrows to nests we will learn how the creature comforts of home are important in the animal kingdom. Your preschooler will learn tons of fun facts about critters and the cool places they live. Then we will explore how important having a super shelter is to animals that sleep through the winter.
November 19 , 20007 9:00 am- 10:30 am |
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Swords and Shields
Join us as we take an adventure to the battlefields of the wild. From spines to armor that doubles as a home explore the many ways animals defend themselves. You and your preschooler will tour our nature center and visit everything from porcupines to black bear. Then get an up close look at one of our armored residents.
January 21st, 2008 9:00 am- 10:30 am
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Creature Feature
Explore the wild and crazy world of animal adaptations. Visit some of our desert animals and learn why some have giant ears and others have furry feet. Discover how animals in the desert deal with the scorching heat of the summer. Then create a creature feature of your own so you can become the perfect desert dweller.
February 18th, 2008 9:00 am- 10:30 am
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Chomp, Slurp, Gobble, and Chew!
Carnivores, Herbivores, Insectivores…Animals eat everything from crickets to Cactus. Your preschooler will investigate the difference between animal teeth, habits, and who or what’s on the menu. Join us at our nature center and learn your place in the food chain. Are you predator or prey?
March 17th, 2008 9:00 am- 10:30 am |
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Pounce, Slither, Waddle, and Creep
Animals use their legs in many ways. Some crawl along the ground, while others hop from place to place. Join Southwest wildlife and do the locomotion! It is all about creeping, crawling, waddling, and slithering as we learn about the way animals move. Your preschooler will have a hopping good time as we mimic animal
March 21st, 2008 9:00 am- 10:30 am movements and do the |
Camp Wild
Campers will explore the lives, habitats, and conservation of animals native to the Southwest. Our single-day camps or multiple-day sessions include exciting hands on activities, craft projects, science experiments, and walks through our nature center.
Camps are designed for children ages 6-11.
You must pre-register and pay for Camp Wild classes. Registration fees are not refundable. We offer two options for payment. Option One allows you to simply print a PDF File and mail it in with your payment, or Option Two allows you to register and pay online. Your online
credit card registration is SAFE & SECURE. Please
see the Secure
Online Registration Process Explained.
To register now for Camp Wild click here.
Download a printable PDF file here
Camp Wild Times:
9am - 4pm
Camp Wild Fees:
$50 per child per day
Register for entire sessions and save!
Extended Care (8am - 5pm): $15 per day
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Camp Wild Sessions
SOLD OUT Session 1: December 27th, 28 & 29th
Entire Session, $135
SOLD OUT Session 2: January 3, 4 & 5
Entire Session, $135 |
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Day 1
Born to be Wild
What is animal rehabilitation? How many endangered animals are in Arizona? What is the top threat to Arizona’s Wildlife? Come visit our nature center to explore animal rehabilitation, and conservation. Learn about ways we can help wildlife and help save endangered Species like the Mexican gray wolf.
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Day 2
Leapin’ Lizards: What’s for lunch?
How does a mountain lion catch deer at night? Which animal can eat up to 25 rodents a day? Does anything eat a desert tortoise? We will discover how desert animals catch prey and avoid predators. Join us to learn who eats whom in the wilds of Arizona.
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Day 3
Perilous Predators: Fact or Fiction
From Mountain lions to coyotes come discover the truth about these so called scary animals. Spend the day exploring our nature center as we dispel the myths behind the big bad wolf and show you the true personality of some of Arizona’s notorious predators. |
Home School Tuesdays
Our engaging, educational, and fun home school classes are a great way for children to learn about wildlife and conservation. Classes are held the second Tuesday of every month with a new, exciting theme each workshop. Classes are designed for home schooling families with children ages 5-15. If necessary (and with close parental supervision) younger siblings may tag along. However, please bring books or puzzles to keep younger siblings quietly occupied during the class.
Class size is limited for a unique and personal experience with our trained staff and volunteers.
Our hands-on approach makes every experience unique and personal.
You must pre-register and pay for Home School Tuesday classes. Registration fees are not refundable.
Special, short-term introductory rates for Home School Tuesdays:
Children 5-15, $15 for first student plus $5 for each additional sibling
Lab fee: $3 per student
Parents, free
We offer two options for payment. Option One allows you to simply print a PDF File and mail it in with your payment, or Option Two allows you to register and pay online. Your online
credit card registration is SAFE & SECURE. Please
see the Secure
Online Registration Process Explained.
To register now for Home School Tuesdays click here.
Download a printable PDF file here
Home School Tuesdays Fees:
Children 5-15, $15 for first sibling plus $5 for each additional sibling
Children under 5, free with parental supervision
Parents, free
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Home School Tuesday Schedule |
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September 11, 2007 |
9:00am-11:00am |
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October 9, 2007 |
SOLD OUT NEW DATE ADDED! |
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October 16th, 2007 |
9:00am-11:00am |
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November 13, 2007 |
SOLD OUT NEW DATE ADDED! |
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November 16, 2007 |
9:00am-11:00am |
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January 8, 2008 |
9:00am-11:00am |
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February 12, 2008 |
SOLD OUT NEW DATE ADDED! |
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February 19, 2008 |
9:00am-11:00am |
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March 11, 2008 |
9:00am-11:00am |
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April 8, 2008 |
9:00am-11:00am |
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Owls Eat Whooo?
Look eye to eye with an owl as we enjoy a visit from the owl ambassadors of Wild at Heart Rehabilitation Center. We will learn about owl’s large eyes, great hearing, strong talons and best of all what they eat. Get an up close look at what an owl had for dinner by dissecting owl pellets and identifying the bones inside.
September 11, 2007 9:00am-11:00am
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Creepy Critters of the Desert
Join Southwest Wildlife as we explore the world of creepy critters. From terrifying tarantulas to slithering snakes, we will uncover the secrets of the not so cuddly animals of the desert. Look eye to eye with a scorpion and dig with a desert tortoise as we discover the important roles these animals play in our environment.
SOLD OUT! October 9, 2007 9:00am-11:00am
NEW DATE ADDED!
October 16th, 2007 9:00am-11:00am
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Piñatas, puzzles, and perfume…it’s all about enrichment!
Team up with us as we make Home School Tuesday about the animals. Help us make it a day the animals will not forget as we make piñatas and enrichment items for the wildlife in our nature center. Hang around to help us stuff the piñatas with their favorite snack, and then watch the animals have a great time ripping all of our hard work to pieces. But it is okay, because it is all about enrichment and all about the animals.
SOLD OUT! November 13, 2007 9:00am-11:00am
NEW DATE ADDED!
November 16th, 2007 9:00am - 11:00am
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Skulls, Tracks and Scat
Become a field biologist for a day and increase your wildlife awareness by unraveling the mysteries of tracks and signs left behind by wildlife. Investigate skulls, tracks, scat and other evidence, as we learn track identification and interpretive skills by putting together clues left by nature.
January 8, 2007 9:00am-11:00am |
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Wolf Cry
Ahhhwoooo! What is that sound? At Southwest Wildlife it is our endangered Mexican gray wolves. Spend the morning learning about wolf packs, how they communicate, how they hunt and why they are disappearing. You will find out what Southwest Wildlife is doing to help save this animal from extinction.
SOLD OUT! February 12, 2007 9:00am-11:00am
NEW DATE ADDED!
February 19, 2008 9:00am-11:00am
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Amazing Desert Dwellers
From giant ears to underground homes, come explore the fascinating world of desert wildlife. Learn about the special features these animals have to help them survive in hot, arid habitats. We will heighten your child’s observation skills as we experiment to find out what makes these animals so extraordinary.
March 11, 2007 9:00am-11:00am
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Kids for Conservation
Did you know Arizona has 56 threatened or endangered plants and animals? Learn what causes plants and animals to become endangered or even extinct. From recycling trash to planting native plants, we will explore ways that we can do our part to help save animals and their habitats. Go Green with Southwest Wildlife!
April 8, 2007 9:00am-10:00am
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Girl Scout Workshops
Spend a day full of fun and animal adventure!
Earn badges and learn about wildlife conservation by playing games, making crafts, and working as a team. Top off this fun-filled day with a tour of our nature center and see every thing from porcupines to endangered wolves. Workshops are designed for Daisies, Brownies, and Junior Girl Scouts.
You must pre-register and pay for Girl Scout Workshops . Registration fees are not refundable. We offer two options for payment. Option One allows you to simply print a PDF File and mail it in with your payment, or Option Two allows you to register and pay online. Your online
credit card registration is SAFE & SECURE. Please
see the Secure
Online Registration Process Explained.
To register now for Girl Scout Workshops click here.
Download a printable PDF file here
Girl Scout Workshop Fees:
$12 per Daisy per workshop
$15 per Brownie or Junior per workshop
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Girl Scout Workshops |
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Daisy Girl Scout Animal Adventures
Meet an animal up close, enjoy animal stories and animal movement activities, embark on a mini zoo tour, and make an animal craft to take home. You’ll learn all about animals while having fun and making new friends!
Saturday, September 22, 2007 10:00am-12:00pm
Saturday, October 27, 2007 1:00pm-3:00pm
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Brownie Animal Try-It Workshops
What better place to explore the world of animals than a wildlife sanctuary? Enjoy a tour of our nature center with one of our education specialists, hear the stories behind our Education Animal Ambassadors, make toys and treats for the animals, play games, and earn the Animals Try-It all in one day!Saturday, September 08, 2007 10:00am-12:00pm
Saturday, November 17, 2007 1:00pm-3:00pm
Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:00pm-3:00pm
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Brownie Eco-Explorer Try-It Workshops
Become an ecological explorer as you venture into the world of plants and animals. Explore animal habitats and your own, make a food chain craft to take home, learn how you can help us help wildlife and earn your Eco-Explorer Try-It in this fun daytime workshop.
Saturday, October 13, 2007 10:00am -12:00pm
Saturday, February 23, 2008 10:00am - 12:00pm
Saturday, April 26, 2008 1:00pm-3:00pm |
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Junior Girl Scout Wildlife Badge Workshop
Wildlife is all around us. Learn how to observe animal behavior like a field biologist. Meet some creepy animal residents of Arizona and learn how to Identify dangerous plants and animals so you can stay safe , play games, tour our nature center, and earn your Wildlife badge all in one morning.
Saturday, October 27, 2007 10:00am -12:00pm
SOLD OUT Saturday, February 9, 2008 10:00am - 12:00pm
Saturday, April 12, 2008 10:00am -12:00pm
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Junior Girl Scout Earth Connections Badge Workshop
Become an ecologist for a day. Learn about our fragile ecosystem and how plants and animals all depend upon each other. We will show you animals that are well adapted to living in the desert and teach you how be aware of changes in our environment you will be come a conservation expert once you’ve earned this badge!
Saturday, September 22, 2007 1:00pm-3:00pm
Saturday, November 17, 2007 10:00am- 12:00pm
Saturday, April 26, 2008 10:00am- 12:00pm
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