MDZiB Fantasy Master Plan: Section 2 "Icons of Western North America", part 2

A view of the current Education area.

Not directly related to the new section of the Maryland Zoo in my little fantasy master plan, but replacing the current educational facilities in the space they currently occupy, is this new campus called the Maryland Zoo Learning Grove. 

I think that this could also make a wonderful tribute to the outgoing President and CEO of the Maryland Zoo.  If the Board of Trustees made this one facility their pet project and then christened it the "The Donald P. Hutchinson Learning Grove" in his honor, that would be an excellent tribute to a person who has absolutely guided the Maryland Zoo through a very dark hour to a place of solvency, relevancy and innovation.

As a facility, the new learning grove takes on the roll of the primary immersive educational experience at the zoo.  It allows for up to 24 participants an overnight experience with a focus on an extended "camp" curriculum.  An adjoining structure contains classroom and science lab spaces.  There are third story dormitories, shower and restroom facilities that can be divided by gender.  A pair of limited kitchens, a dining room, and two meeting rooms.  The lower level of the classroom/lab structure would contain a recreation room and a media room.  Additionally, like the present facility, there would be outdoor spaces for classes and meetings and group events.  The wrap around ground level decks provide space for outside meeting, eating and even have a BBQ for food prep.  All of this designed to accommodate multiple day experiences, but the possibilities are certainly wider than that.

The learning grove would be used year around to provide opportunities for the following immersive experiences:

• Week long "Camps" that would go from a Friday afternoon check in to a Thursday morning check out.
• These would be scheduled across the summer months with a week off in between to gage their popularity.
• 1 in June, 2 in July, 2 in August
• There would also be a Winter Camp in mid-January with a homeschool student focus and a Spring Camp to coincide with public school Spring Breaks.
• A set of scholarship attendees would be provided for on the basis of economic need for each camp.
• Weekend "Camps" that would go from a Friday evening check in to a Sunday afternoon check out.
• Initially these would be scheduled on a monthly basis and would be targeted toward specific age groups.
• Other uses might include small group retreats for companies, religious organizations, clubs, etc.

Agenda/Curriculum:

• Participants would receive learning that would include the history, structure, husbandry, conservation, and advocacy of/by/for the zoo and all zoos.
• Week Camps might include: 
• A day trip to another AZA Zoo like:  The Smithsonian National Zoo, The Philadelphia Zoo, The Brandywine Zoo, The Salisbury Zoo, The Elmwood Park Zoo, or the Lehigh Valley Zoo.
• Behind the scenes experiences will be a part of all camp events.
• Keeper chats and guest speakers.
• Access to the zoos veterinarians and potentially specific discussions about challenging case histories.
• Historical overview and archival presentations.
• Specific agendas will be tailored to group focuses and scheduling availability.

The design of the structures includes three private bedroom areas.  One for the camp director (a new position), and one each for a camp residence director who will sleep on the same floor with the campers and act as assistants during the duration of the camp experience.  This would establish the presence of three staff members who are directly responsible for the programs, however, members of the Education Department and even potentially the Volunteer Department would participate in the development and implementation of the programs.

Additionally, the curriculum and activities developed by the Maryland Zoo could be either available to other AZA institutions as a result of some organizational underwriting/grant funding, OR as a purchase product separate from the AZA.  The first option would be preferable. 

Bottom line, the Maryland Zoo Learning Grove, as modest as it is, would be the gold standard for immersive, educational, zoo programs.