We're beaming with excitement about the return of this exclusive member program - a unique guided experience in nature journaling. This practice, used by professionals and amateur scientists alike, offers an engaging new way to experience the Oakland Zoo and the natural world all around us. It is a proven method for kids, teens, and adults alike to build mindfulness, appreciate wildlife big and small, practice all-important observational skills, and foster a deep sense of wonder about the world we inhabit.

Since every Sunrise Scientist session will include new guided prompts in different spots around the Zoo, you can keep coming back for a novel experience week after week. One day we may be observing how a tortoise moves, and the next morning we may be using multiple senses to learn about the structure of a leaf, and the next we may simply be honing in on all the various instances of the color green around us.

Notebooks are provided for first-time participants (while supplies last) and the journal is yours to keep, so when you attend multiple sessions, you get to take home an increasingly rich record of your journey becoming an amateur scientist.

Don't feel you're a strong artist or a talented writer? Don't let that stop you! There is no wrong way to go about nature journaling, as it's all about the process and the discovery. Besides, what you put in these journals are for your eyes only, unless you feel strongly about wanting to share with the rest of the Sunrise Scientist on a given day.

Important Details:

Sunrise Scientist is an exclusive program for Oakland Zoo Members during Member Early Entry (Summer 2024) and Member Appreciation Month (September 2024).
Advance Eventbrite registration is required.
No advance Zoo admission reservations are required for members participating in Sunrise Scientist. Please bring your membership card and ID to check in with a cashier at the Zoo's Main Entrance on the morning of your session. (Reminder: As of January 17, 2024, Oakland Zoo Members no longer need to make reservations to visit the Zoo during regular daytime hours!)
This program is open to all ages - but recommended for age 7 to adult. Please only register for individuals who are going to participate - adults accompanying children do not need their own ticket.
This is not a drop off program - participants under the age of 14 should be accompanied by an adult.
On the day of the program, participants should use their free admission benefits to enter the Zoo's Main Entrance at 10:00AM and make their way down to the concrete snake sculptures near the top of the Children's Zoo to meet their Education Specialist by 10:15AM.
Notebooks will be provided for first-time participants, while supplies last. Pens/Pencils will be provided for all participants.
You are welcome to register for multiple sessions - please note participants will only receive a notebook during their first session, while supplies last.
Dress for the weather!
No-Show Policy: To ensure as many families can participate as possible, if a participant fails to attend three times, all future registrations will be cancelled for that participant.

Registrations are closed

Sunrise Scientist - Nature Journaling!