Upcoming Events at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
July 12, 2013
Members’ Night Series
Final MNO of the Summer – July 12, 2013
Don’t miss the last Members’ Night of the summer at Riverbanks Zoo when we’ll spotlight our cold-blooded comrades. Encounter remarkable reptilesduring the free, after-hours, members only event (no guest passes please). Gates open at 6:00pm. Parking is at the main Zoo entrance only. Pre-registration is not required. For additional details, log on to www.riverbanks.org and click on membership.
Bowling for Rhinos
July 27, 2013
Riverbanks chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers invites you to helpsupport rhinoceros conservation by Bowling for Rhinos. Get your game onat Anchor Lanes in Irmo and help save a rhino! Participants also willhave an opportunity to score in the evening’s silent auction and raffle. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door; cost includes two games and shoe rental. Tickets are on sale now at http://rbzkeepers.blogspot.com.
Brew at the Zoo
August 2, 2013
Chill out on a hot summer night with the coolest suds sippin’ safari in Columbia! Brew at the Zoo provides the perfect remedy to those muggy Midlands’ days—cold, frothy beer. Sample from more than 100 specialty domestic, imports andmicrobrews. In addition, local favorite Whiskey Tango Revue willentertain the crowd with their funky take on outlaw country. Also, newthis year, a limited number of VIP tickets will be sold. The VIPexperience will take place in Riverbanks’ Aquarium-Reptile Complex andinclude an additional beer selection and food options, indoor andoutdoor lounge areas and private restrooms. Event is rain or shine. No one under 21 will be admitted. Proceeds support ongoing conservation and education efforts at Riverbanks. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.riverbanks.org.
Wild About Scouts: Evening Expedition
August 10, 2013
Journey to Riverbanks for an after-hours adventure to learn about animals from around theworld and view them in another light…moonlight! This wild night includes animal encounters, games and other fun activities. Participants will also explore wildlife and wild places during a twilight trek through the Zoo. Activities will work towards both Cub Scout Electives and Achievements and GirlScout Journeys, Try-Its and/or badge requirements. The two-hour program begins at 6:30pm. Cost is $10 for scouts (ages 5 to 13) and $5 for adults. For more information, visit www.riverbanks.org or call (803) 779.8717.
Summer Camp for All Ages
One-Week Sessions Still Available (through August 16)
Three- to four-year-olds grow wild with Sprout Camp! Four- to five-year-olds can’t wait for KinderCamp! Six- to twelve-year-olds go ape over Wild Weeks! All campers learn about wildlife and wild places through animal encounters, behind-the-scenes tours and other wildly interactive activities! Don’t miss the chance to enroll your child in Riverbanks Zoo andGarden’s summer camp programs—the most popular summer programs in theMidlands. A discounted holiday week will be offered July 1-5 with no camp on July 4th. For more information, visit www.riverbanks.org or call (803) 779-8717 x1113 (for Sprout Camp, call x1799).
Toucan Tuesdays
Every Tuesday this Summer (through August 27)
Guests can enjoy buy-one get-one free admission to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden every Tuesday this summer with a donation of two cans of food for Harvest Hope Food Bank. Donation bins are located at both the Zoo and Garden entrances. Guests will also receive other discounts by visiting on a Toucan Tuesday including $2 ICEE’s, $2 fountain drinks and a 2-for-$20 special on misting fans sold at various locations throughout the park. For more information, visit www.riverbanks.org or call (803) 779-8717.
International Vulture Awareness Day
August 31, 2013
Did you know vultures play a critical role in our ecosystem? Soar toRiverbanks on International Vulture Day when we’ll spotlight theimportance of these scavengers of the skies through hands-on activities, crafts, games and much more! Activities will take place from 9am to 3pm. Participation is free with a Zoo membership or paid general admission. Visit www.riverbanks.org or call (803) 779-8717 for more information.
Riverbanks ZOOfari
September 27, 2013
Don’t miss the wildest event in town! Riverbanks ZOOfari, the Zoo’s premier fundraiser, is set for Friday, September 27, at 7pm. Take an evening stroll through the Zoo, catch a glimpse of some wildcreatures, savor tasty cuisine and cool cocktails, and bid onone-of-a-kind silent and live auction items. Proceeds support ongoingconservation and education efforts at Riverbanks. Visit www.riverbanks.org or call (803) 779-8717 for more information.
Boo at the Zoo
October 18-30, 2013
Hey, kids! Put on your cutest costume and head over to Riverbanks Zoo andGarden for the Zoo’s popular Halloween spook-tacular, Boo at the Zoo!Children 12 and under are invited to wear costumes for a spook-festcomplete with Frankenstein’s Foam Zone, an eeky freaky DJ dance partyand a trick-or-treat trail with candy and much more. Thisfamily-friendly festival runs for 13 nights leading up to Halloween from 6pm to 9pm. Visit www.riverbanks.org or call (803) 779-8717 for more information.
Veterans Day
November 11, 2013
Active duty and retired military personnel with a military ID card receive free admission in honor of Veterans Day. Call (803) 779-8717 for more information.
Lights Before Christmas
November 29–December 30, 2013 (closed December 24 and 25)
Experience Columbia’s longest running holiday tradition—the 26th annual Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. The Zoo will light up each evening from 6pm to 9pm with more than one million twinkling lights and countless animated images representing some of Riverbanks’ most loveable residents. Guests can roast marshmallows at the jingle bell bonfire, visit with Santa and enjoy the festive sounds of the Music in Motion lights spectacular. Riverbanks is also the only place in town where it snows every night! Visit www.riverbanks.org or call (803) 779-8717 for more information.
YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden offers free, scheduled animal demonstrations and keepertalks throughout the day. For guests who want an all-encompassingexperience, Riverbanks offers a new unlimited rides and attractionswristband. Wristband wearers can take advantage of six interactive activities: feeding the giraffes, feeding the lorikeets, riding the ponies, riding the Endangered Species carousel, hopping on board the Spots and Stripes Railroad (children’s train) and climbing the 26-foot Wild Adventures rock wall. Cost: $20 per person (plus general admission). Wristband holders also receive the discounted rate of $3 to climb Sky-HighSafari—the Zoo’s four story vertical ropes challenge course.
Behind-the-Scenes Adventure Tours
Every Saturday
Walk on the “wild side” as you get an inside look at some out-of-sightplaces. Meet a penguin face-to-beak, scratch a Galapagos tortoise,measure up to a grizzly bear, help train an elephant, getface-to-whiskers with a tiger or feed a flamingo! Encounter animals upclose, explore behind the scenes and meet experienced keepers. Marvel at the unique challenges of animal care and the amazing efforts that gointo creating and sustaining a world-class zoo. A variety of AdventureTours are available. For schedules and pricing, visit www.riverbanks.org or call (803) 978-1113.
Educational Programs at Riverbanks
Backyard Buds
Little sprouts, ages 3 to 4, will go wild about nature while exploring thefascinating world of plants and flowers through hands-on activities. The 45-minute programs take place on Thursdays at 10am and include a lesson, craft and story. Adult participation is required. Cost is $9 per child. Register online at www.riverbanks.org or call (803) 779-8717 ext. 1799 for more information.
Discovery Days
Young explorers and parents: Go wild about wildlife through learningadventures specifically designed to teach children new concepts aboutnature. Two different topics will be featured each month, and are availableWednesdays and Saturdays. Classes are a combination of story time,songs, games, hands-on activities, animal encounters (when available)and crafts. For more information, visit www.riverbanks.org or email [email protected].
Family on Safari
Enjoy an exciting overnight adventure at the Zoo! Family on Safari is the perfect program to get everyone in the familyengaged in nature. Once a month, participants ages 5 and up set up campat the Zoo, enjoy a nighttime program with animal encounters,behind-the-scenes tours and a snack, and then wake up to a continentalbreakfast and a Zoo visit the next morning. For more information, visit www.riverbanks.org or email [email protected].
Homeschool Mondays
Homeschooled children ages 5 to 13, accompanied by an adult, are invited toparticipate in Homeschool Mondays at Riverbanks. Programs last 45minutes and are offered twice monthly from September through May. Classtimes are 9:30am for the 5- to 7-year-old program, 10:45am for the 8- to 10-year-old program, and 12:00pm for the 11- to 13-year-old program. For more information, visit www.riverbanks.org or email [email protected].
Mudpie Mondays
Every Monday from 10am to 11:30am. Drop in for a fun, nature-based activity! Participation is free with aZoo membership or paid general admission to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.Meets in the Bloom Room at the Botanical Garden Visitor’s Center. Formore information, call (803) 779-8717 ext. 1799.
Overnights and Night Howls
Discover the nightlife at Riverbanks! The Zoo’s interactive nighttime programsinclude live animal encounters, keeper-led behind-the-scenes tours, ahike through the Zoo at the end of the evening and a light snack. Forthose groups spending the night, light breakfast, a morning program, and free daytime admission to the park is also included. Nighttimeadventures take place year-round, any day of the week, so call early toget your preferred date. Beginning in October, special event overnightsare offered on select dates during Boo at the Zoo and Lights BeforeChristmas. A minimum of 15 participants are required for Night Howls and 25 for overnights. The Zoo can accommodate two groups per night with amaximum group size of 50. For availability and details, visit www.riverbanks.org<span
