Georgia Aquarium/Atlanta Zoo
5th Grade MERIT Field Trip
What to Bring:
Each participant will need:
• a sleeping bag and a pillow
• weather-appropriate clothing (a sweatshirt/hoodie or light jacket)
• comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes, as we will be hiking all over Zoo Atlanta.
• personal toiletry items (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, comb, brush, face soap)
• poncho or raincoat or rain gear
• one set of clean clothes for Friday (shirt, pants, underwear, and socks)
• camera
• sunglasses, ball cap
What NOT to Bring:
• Air mattresses are not allowed for students because they cramp sleeping areas.
• Flip-flops and sandals cannot not be worn, as they will prevent the group from entering
certain behind-the-scenes areas that are normally part of the program.
• Children cannot bring flashlights; however, adults may carry flashlights as long as
they do not use them during outdoor programs.
• For the safety of the animals, gum, food and beverages are not allowed.
• Electronics: including cell phones, IPod, IPads, radios, televisions, mp3 players, Kindle’s
video games,etc.are not allowed on this trip. (Adults may bring their cell phones)
• Students should not bring hair dryers, flat irons, or curling irons. Adults may bring
these items but be aware that outlets to plug in these items are limited.
Accommodations
• Sleeping areas include Base Camp Discovery, Conservation Center, Conservation ARC,
and The Living Treehouse. Each facility is a short, well-lit walk to restrooms, and each
facility is climate-controlledwith available power outlets. There are no shower facilities
available at Zoo Atlanta.
Meals
• We will be eating dinner at about 5:00 at the CNN Center before arriving at Zoo
Atlanta. (price included in the cost of the trip)
• A small snack will be provided during your night program and a snack will be provided
before lights out.
• A continental breakfast, including various cereals, bagels and cream cheese, blueberry
muffins, yogurt, and juices will be served at the zoo on Friday morning.
• If you or your child have allergies or special dietary needs, please bring appropriate
foods and snacks for yourself and for your child.
Schedule
Thursday
6:00 am Arrive at TCMS and load gear under the busses and load up
6:30 am Depart TCMS for Atlanta
8:30 am Bathroom Break
10:30 am Stop for lunch and bathroom break
11:00 am Load bus for Georgia Aquarium
12: 30 pm Arrive at Georgia Aquarium
2:00 pm Dolphin Tales Show
4:30 pm Walk to CNN Center for dinner (Food Options:
5:30 pm Depart CNN Center for Zoo Atlanta
6:00 pm Arrive at the NightCrawler parking lot , unload and enter the zoo
6:30 pm Evening activities begin, including tours of the World of Reptiles and Animal Nutrition
Kitchen, an animal encounter and themed activities.
10:00 pm Evening program ends; prepare for bed.
10:45 pm Lights out
Friday
7:00 am Wake up
7-8am Buses will be available by this time. Load all luggage and personal belongings back
onto bus. Clean up sleeping locations: pick up all trash and tidy up classrooms.
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 am Begin your guided tour of Zoo Atlanta.
10:30 am NightCrawlers conclude at the Zoo Atlanta Trading Company.
10:30---11:30 am Visit the Zoo Atlanta Trading Company and any exhibits you want to view
again. Students must stay with their chaperone and not wander the zoo
unsupervised!
11:30 am Meet in front of the Zoo Atlanta Trading Company to board buses
11:45 am Depart the zoo
1:00 pm Lunch at Buckner’s (cost is included in the trip)
2:00 pm Depart Buchner’s
4:00 pm Bathroom Break
5:00 pm Arrive at TCMS (we will park on the bus line right outside of fifth grade)
I will send a remind.com reminder out when we are an hour away from Thomasville so
you will better know our time of arrival.