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Girl Scout Patch Program

Dear Girl Scout Leader,

We are glad you and your troop have decided to participate in the Patch Program. In this packet you will find a copy of the program activities. This is a self-guided program. Please review the materials with your girls. There are many activities for you and your troop to choose from.

After reviewing the materials, it is time to plan your visit to the zoo! The Prospect Park Zoo is open every day of the year (but be aware that some animals may be off-exhibit during severe weather). Plan to spend a few hours at the zoo and have your girls bring a bag lunch. Be prepared, many of the patch activities require writing and drawing materials; bring these along as well. You should also be aware that some patch activities might need to be completed at your meeting site.

When your troop has completed the required activities, fill out the evaluation forms (girl and leader), and your patch order form, and return them with your payment to the Prospect Park Zoo, 450 , , 11225; attention Volunteer Coordinator.

We hope you enjoy your trip to the zoo! If you have any questions about this program, or you wish to purchase your patches in person, please call the Volunteer Coordinator at (718) 399-7339 Ext. 325, or email [email protected].

The Prospect Park Zoo Girl Scout Patch Program A Girl Scout Council of Greater New York official patch © Wildlife Conservation Society, 2003

Activity Guide For Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts

Prospect Park Zoo Girl Scout Patch Program

To earn the “Prospect Park Zoo” patch, bring your troop to the zoo! Many of the patch requirements can be completed during your visit, and other activities can be completed during your Girl Scout meetings.

Daisies: Complete a total of four activities. Brownies: Complete a total of five activities. Juniors: Complete a total of six activities (at least one activity from each section, and the starred activity in section I. Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors: Complete a total of seven activities (at least one activity from each section, and both starred activities).

I. About the Zoo

The history of the zoo in Prospect Park dates back to the late 1800’s. At that time, were considered to be “”, and their purpose was to entertain visitors by showing them as many unusual animals as possible. By 1935, the City of New York had turned the park’s into the more formal Brooklyn Zoo. Many large animals, like polar , , and , were exhibited in tiny barred cages and pits. By the 1980’s the zoo was very outdated and run down, and was closed by the city.

In 1993, after a complete renovation by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Brooklyn Zoo was reopened and renamed the Prospect Park Wildlife Center. The big animals in outdated cramped cages were replaced with smaller animals in naturalistic habitats. Zookeepers were trained in the proper care and requirements of each animal. Emphasis was placed on research, conservation, and education.

1. With your troop or group, compare old-fashioned “menagerie” type zoos with the modern zoos that we have today. How are they different? How are today’s zoos better for animals? How are modern zoos better for the people that visit them?

*2. The Prospect Park Zoo is operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society (which also operates the Zoo, the Zoo, the , and Zoo). Find out more about the Wildlife Conservation Society by going to the library or by visiting the website at www.wcs.org. 1 II. Children in the Zoo

1. When it opened in 1993, The Prospect Park Wildlife Center had been designed especially for children. As you tour the zoo, make a list of all the things that make the zoo appropriate for young children. Pay special attention to activities, viewing height, and the educational value of each activity or exhibit. What did you like best? What did you not like?

2. After your visit to the zoo, design your own exhibit or zoo activity especially for small children. Make a drawing or a model of it. Would you include animals in your exhibit? What would the children learn from your exhibit? How would you make sure it was safe for children?

III. Art in the Zoo

1. Take a tour of the zoo and make a list of all the art that you can find. Remember to include two-dimensional art (like drawings, paintings and graphics), as well as sculpture. What piece of art was your favorite? Why? Did you dislike any of the art in the zoo? Why?

2. Try doing some animal artwork of your own. After your trip to the zoo, complete one of the following: a) Make a drawing or painting of an animal that you saw at the zoo. Try to include the animal’s habitat in your drawing. b) Using clay, wire, wood, or recycled materials, make a sculpture of an animal that you saw at the zoo.

IV. Animals in the zoo

1. See (and touch) an animal in the domestic area of the zoo. Are the animals covered with fur, feathers, or scales? How do their coverings protect them?

2. Watch the keepers at work with the animals. Observe a sea or other animal training session. Find out why these training sessions are important to the health and well being of the animals.

3. A habitat is an animal’s home. A habitat contains all of the things that an animal needs to survive: food, water, shelter (a place to hide) and space (to move around in and raise a family). Compare three different animal exhibits in the Zoo. How are the habitats different? What special characteristics (adaptations) do the animals need to survive in those habitats? 2 4. Take some time to observe the Hamadryas Baboons. Find out how they use facial expressions and body movements to communicate.

5. Find out what “endangered” means. Which animals at the Prospect Park Zoo are endangered? If you can, find out what the zoo is doing to help them.

6. Visit the Amazing Animals exhibit in the zoo. Find out the meaning of nocturnal and diurnal. Why are some animals nocturnal?

V. Helping animals in the Zoo and beyond

*1. Research two of the following careers: zookeeper, animal trainer, veterinary technician, zoo veterinarian, zoo curator, horticulturalist, exhibit designer, or wildlife educator. Find out the educational background that is needed for those careers, and what those jobs might be like.

3. Volunteers are a very important part of any zoo. They are there to make your visit to the zoo more enjoyable and educational. Look for the uniformed Docents and Discovery Guides around the zoo, and ask them questions about the animals. Did you learn any thing new? Ask a volunteer what she or he likes about helping the zoo. Find out how to become a zoo volunteer, and tell someone you know that might be interesting in volunteering, too.

4. If you are a Cadette, Senior or Ambassador, you can take action and create an environmental service/learning project that helps animals! Visit www.teensforplanetearth.org to learn more.

VI. After your visit…

Think of everything that you learned and experienced at the Prospect Park Zoo, and design a zoo exhibit of your own! What type of animal would you have in your exhibit? Is the animal solitary, or does it live in a group? What kind of habitat would it need? How would the keepers take care of the animal easily? What would the public learn from your exhibit? Answer all of these questions, and then, using a shoebox, cardboard, clay, or another material, build a model of your exhibit. With other girls in your troop, you can create an entire zoo! Name your zoo, and invite other Girl Scouts or your family to visit!

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Girl Scout Patch Program Leader Evaluation Form

1. What age level is your troop or group?

__Daisy __Brownie __Junior __Cadette __Senior __Ambassador

2. When did your troop visit the zoo, and how long did you stay?

3. Did you find the staff and volunteers at the zoo helpful?

Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

4. Which patch activities did your troop complete?

5. Did your girls enjoy the activities?

Not Fun 1 2 3 4 5 Super Fun

6. Were there any activities that your troop found too difficult to complete?

7. Do you feel that your girls learned anything as they completed the activities?

Did not Learn 1 2 3 4 5 Learned

8. Would you recommend this program to other Girl Scout Leaders? ___ No ___ Yes

9. Do you have any other comments about the Prospect Park Zoo Patch Program?

Girl Scout Patch Program Patch Request Form

Leader’s Name ______

Address ______

Phone number ______Email ______

Troop # ______Dsy Br Jr Cad Sr Am

Service Unit ______

Number of girls that completed the patch activities ______

Number of patches requested ($1.50 each) ______

Total enclosed ______

Please make all checks out to the Prospect Park Zoo. You may also call the Education Department at 718-399-7327 to pay by credit card.

Mail your evaluation form, patch order form, and check to:

Prospect Park Zoo Education Department 450 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11225