Waypoint: Zoombezi Bay 40092069N 83070853W

Of course the end of  your field trip would not be complete without a cool down in Zoombezi Bay.  The water slides can take you to the ultimate thrill of a lifetime.  Big Boa Falls allows you to slide side to side until gravity takes you to the pool.  The Python Plunge will take you uphill; yes, uphill.  Then you will be shot into a landing pool.What a rush!  When you need to rest up, Croctail Creek is a lazy river flowing 850 feet long.  Wild Tides is the wave pool that makes waves up to 4 feet high.  It will be similar to the ocean, but safer.  Sea Tubes is a fifty-one foot raft ride.  The Dolphin Dash is a race the length of a football field on a mat.  The Tahitian Twister is like a water roller coaster on a raft with twists and turns in the dark.  The most popular ride in Zoombezi Bay is the Cyclone, which takes you on a raft through a large dark tunnel for lots of fun.  Also, there are various water adventures for younger children. For more information about Zoombezi Bay, go to the website.

Waypoint: Wetlands 40093146N 83070304W

Pronghorns

The Wetland is an area within the North America region.  There are many animals in this area to discover such as ducks, swans, pronghorns, and bobcats to name a few.  You may see ducks such as Redhead or Ruddy. These birds like marshy or peat land areas to provide a prosperous ecosystem.  There are many small fish and frogs if you can spot them.  The bobcat is gray and brown in color.  It is about two times the size of a house cat. The bobcat can camouflage itself for protection as it sneaks up on its prey of small animals.  The pronghorn can live in very cold to very hot temperatures. Pronghorns depend greatly on their vision for survival.   They do not drink a lot due to their diet consisting mostly of plants with water.  It is the fastest land animal in the United States.  To learn more about the Wetland in North America, click here.

Waypoint: African Forest 40091832N 83072206W

African Forest

In the African Forest, there can be lots of action.  You will see the leopards, lions, red river hogs, Colobus monkeys, bonobos, an okapi, and lowland gorillas.  This region also exposes you to over 700 species of African plant life.  The area with bonobos apes is entertaining to say the least. These intelligent animals clean each other, play, and even fight with each other.  The "Gorillas in the Round" exhibit  includes the world's first large ape, Colo, born in captivity.  The African lion is very proud. Only the male lions have mane.   Did you know that humans are the only predator of the lion, unless it is sick dying?  Lions are carnivores and will eat anything from insects to giraffes.  A sight to remember is the okapi.  A okapi is an animal that is half zebra and half giraffe.  You have to see it to believe it.  To learn more about the African Forest visit http://www.eoearth.org/article/Forests_and_woodlands_in_Africa.

Waypoint: Shores 40092548N 83071912W

The Shores area includes the following: flamingos, alligators, reef aquarium, manatee, penguins, and tortoises.  All of these near water creatures are separated for safety.  Each flamingo seems to have its own agenda as the picture well portrays.   The alligators are completely separated from people, yet seem to be way too close.  The manatee and tortoises are allowed to share the same  pool, which is completely underground in an area where you can walk and see them face to face.  They are amazing and  much larger than they seem close up.  Once you enter the reef aquarium, you will  not want to leave.  The variety of fish is endless.  The underwater life is so colorful and mesmerizing.  You can sit in a small theater-like atmosphere and just watch all day!  This has got to be in the top favorites. You can check out tropical fish on the internet.  There are also many penguins to observe.  They are sometimes playful with each other and sometimes like to hide from warm temperatures.

Waypoint: Austrailia and the Islands 40092522N 83072107W

Kangaroos like the shade.

There is so much to look for in the land down under, or the Australia region.  First, you can't miss the beautiful and colorful birds.  Enter the bird sanctuary where birds come right to you to eat from the cups of nectar that you may offer them.  There are many species of Australian birds including the Lorikeet and the Kiwi, the national bird.  Learn more about birds of Australia
Discover the sights and sounds of the night in Australia in Bob and Evelyn's Roadhouse.  Look for the clouded leopard and the tree kangaroo.  You won't believe your eyes when you see one of the largest porcupines.
Keep the doors closed after you enter the Kangaroo Walkabout.  These hopping Aussies will zoom right passed you as they try to escape.  You can see them close up if you like.  They like the shade. Lastly, don't forget the adorable koala exhibit.  These marsupials like to hide and sleep high up in the trees.  But don't let their cuteness fool you.  They can be ornery.  Learn more about Australia's life, land, and culture. http://geography.about.com/od/australiamaps/a/australia-geography.htm 

Waypoint: Asia Quest Region 40093188N 83070282W

In the Asian region, you will experience the life of those in the cities and villages of Asia.  You will learn about Asian culture through exhibits and activities.  Some of the animals that you may see are pandas, langurs, fruit bats, sun bears, and the respected Siberian Tiger, which is endangered.
There is also the pachyderm facility to observe.  This exhibit is the largest of its kind, which includes an outdoor area during warm weather.  Elephants are mammals that eat plants.  In 2009, Beco the Asian elephant was born at the zoo.  Beco will grow somewhere between seven and twelve feet tall and weigh from six thousand to fourteen thousand pounds.  Did you know that elephants walk on their tiptoes?  Also, as we are right-handed or left-handed; elephants favor one tusk more than the other.  The black rhino also resides with the pachyderms.  Rhinos cannot see very well, but they have an excellent sense of smell and hearing. http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/

This elephant is bashful.

Waypoint: North America Region 40092758N 83070181W

Bald Eagle (North America)

The first region suggested is North America.  As the largest region represented in the zoo, you should expect to see familiar animals along with animals that are seldom spotted out in the open.  There are bobcats, otters, wolves, and cougars.  You should find the bald eagle fly.  The bears are usually easy to spot as they are practicing being lazy. 
Within the North America region, you will also experience one of the latest additions, the Polar Frontier.  In the polar region, you should see polar bears, Alaskan brown bears, and Arctic foxes.  The polar bears will demonstrate their swimming abilities. 
A favorite of the students is another part of North America, Habitat Hollow. This is a small house simulating the perfect world of conservation and recycling (http://greenplanet4kids.com/ ).  It is very educational.  You may even want to visit "My Barn," which is near the house and includes various farm animal such as chickens, ponies, goats, and sheep.

Waypoint: Arrival at the Zoo 40092261N 83070365W

The Gorilla is a favorite.

Upon Arriving to the zoo, we have to send an adult to check in first.  After check-in, the whole group exits the two charter buses that we take and is guided through the front entrance.  To save time and money, we eat an early packed lunch in a picnic shelter.  The students have all day to enjoy Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay (afternoon only).  Students and chaperones are given a map of the zoo.  There are five regions that should be visited: North America, Asia Quest, African Forest, Australia and the Islands, and Shores.  There are suggestions for the students as far as covering the whole zoo.  However, as long as they see and explore all regions of the zoo, our goal has been accomplished. The students are forewarned about safety for them and for the animals.  We agree where to meet and a time to meet.  By 10:30, they're off and running! (hopefully walking) www.columbuszoo.org

Waypoint: Welcome to Ohio 39441534N 82461435W

See, they are waiting on us.

As stated before, leaving West Virginia and going to Ohio is a huge adventure for many students.  It is important to educate students about geographic locations and how other states compare to that of our own.  One thing to note is that Ohio is not as mountainous as West Virginia.  We have to cross the Ohio River, which West Virginia owns, to get to the Columbus Zoo.  We travel on interstate highways and on state roads.  In this case we travel north and west directions to get there.  Students sometimes make comments like, "Hey, they have a McDonald's here too!" or "Are we in a different time zone?" (That's my favorite.) Then there is, of course the guaranteed question, "Are we there yet?" Check out other sites to see in Ohio Also, the climate allows the zoo to be open year round. However, you might want to plan your field trip during warmer weather in Ohio. http://www.rssweather.com/climate/Ohio/Columbus/

Waypoint - Beginning Columbus Zoo Field Trip 38383190N 81395162W

Departure for Columbus Zoo

Every year Kenna Elementary School's fifth grade students take an end-of-the-year field trip to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.  We gear up for this "big trip" all year long.  Charter buses are rented and group t-shirts are ordered.  It is a big deal for the students.  As many of our students have never been out of the state of West Virginia, we discuss and learn about Columbus, Ohio's location in relation to Kenna, West Virginia.  The trip is not that far, but seems a great distance for the students... three and one-half hours to be exact.  They sleep most of the time because we leave so early.  However, they are really awake upon arrival. Field trips can be fun if they are planned carefully. http://prairieprincess.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Plan-a-Field-Trip