Education at CALM Zoo

Learning Comes Alive at CALM

Bring students closer to California’s native wildlife through field trips, hands-on discovery, and memorable zoo experiences.

Field Trips

Plan a school visit to CALM Zoo

Welcome back to a brand-new school year! CALM Zoo is excited to welcome teachers, students, and school groups for another season of learning, adventure, and connection with California’s native wildlife.

Our Guest Services team is ready to help create a smooth and memorable field trip experience for the 2025–2026 school year.

Field Trip Form

Before You Book

  • Check the field trip availability calendar first
  • Confirm administration approval
  • Arrange transportation before requesting dates
  • Allow up to 72 hours for a response
  • Reservations are confirmed in the order received
Field Trip Calendar

Reservation Details

Important field trip information

Please review scheduling, blackout dates, pricing, and policy information before submitting your reservation request.

Schedule

Field trips are scheduled Tuesday through Friday. CALM Zoo is closed on Mondays.

Response Time

Reservations are confirmed in the order they are received. Please allow up to 72 hours for a response.

Transportation

Please make sure your preferred dates are approved by your administration and cleared with transportation before submitting a reservation request.

2025–2026

Blackout Dates

The following dates are not available for field trips during the 2025–2026 school year.

  • No Mondays — CALM Zoo is closed
  • October 15–18 — Boo at the Zoo
  • March 24–25 — Battle of the Books
  • March 31–April 3 — Spring Fling
  • April 24 — KEEP CALM Jamboree
  • May 5 — Battle of Books
  • May 7 — Battle of Books
  • May 16 — CALM’s Birthday Bash

Group Rates

Field Trip Pricing

Teachers & AidesFREE
Adult Chaperones$9
Students, Preschool–High School$5
Children 2 and underFREE
Train Ride, Tuesday & Thursday only$1 per rider

School ID is required for free teacher and aide admission.

Holiday Lights Notice: From September through January, field trip capacity will be limited due to Holiday Lights setup. If visiting during this time, please stay clear of roped-off areas, cranes, and closely supervise students at all times.

Policies

Reservation, billing, and cancellation policies

Group Admission Billing

Effective August 1, 2025, CALM will bill based on the final guest count provided in your purchase order or written confirmation submitted no later than 7 days before your scheduled visit.

Additional Attendees

Additional attendees who arrive on the day of your visit will be invoiced or billed day-of at the standard group rate.

Payment & Contracts

Accepted payment methods include purchase order on file in advance, or day-of payment by cash, check, or credit card.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

  • Cancellations made 7 or more days before the trip: full refund
  • No-shows or cancellations within 7 days: non-refundable
  • Unpaid no-shows will be invoiced within 7 days
  • In cases of inclement weather or facility closures, CALM will do its best to reschedule; refunds are not guaranteed

Contract Deadline

Reservations are held for 30 days without a signed contract, or a shorter timeframe if the requested date is within 30 days. If the deadline is missed, your reservation will be removed.

For reservation changes or cancellation requests, email calmfieldtrips@kern.org.

Experiences

Explore more during your visit

Field trips can include memorable stops throughout CALM Zoo, from the train and touch tank to reptiles and domestic animals.

Central California Children’s Railroad

The Central California Children’s Railroad is an all-volunteer train inspected and certified by the State of California. The train takes you through Buzzard Bluff with the scenic Kern County foothills as its backdrop.

Tickets: $2 unlimited rides / $1 per rider for one ride during field trips when booked Current Hours: 11 AM – 3 PM Saturdays and Sundays, weather dependent

California Coast Room

Located near CALM’s gift shop, the California Coast Room features a 10-foot aquatic touch tank with sea creatures for guests to explore, plus a moon jellyfish aquarium with a large viewing window.

Hours: June 2 – August 9 from 9am – 1pm Hours Open are Volunteer Dependent

Reptile House

Stop by CALM’s reptile house to see snakes, lizards, frogs, and invertebrates. The reptile house is climate controlled for ectothermic animals that depend on external sources of body heat.

Farm

Domestic and farm animals including sheep, chickens, donkeys, and a pony live in this area. Children are encouraged to observe the animals and may touch and feel wool or goat hair near the fence.

Please use the sanitizer station when leaving the farm area.

Request a Reservation

Submit your field trip request

Please complete the form below after reviewing availability, blackout dates, pricing, and reservation policies.

Field Trip Contacts

*Please list the names of the person scheduling the field trip and the person attending day of.
Have you checked the availability calendar as of today's date?(Required)
Field Trip Calendar
1st date of choice(Required)
2nd date of choice(Required)
3rd date of choice(Required)
4th date of choice(Required)
Estimated arrival time(Required)
:
(earliest time of arrival is 9:15 am)
Estimated departure time(Required)
:
Zoo closes at 4:00pm
($5 per student)
($9 per chaperone, required 1 for every 10 students)
(REQUIRED 1 teacher for every 20 students will receive FREE admission)
(Gift store time slots will be provided the week before your date. Due to the size of our gift store AND California Coast Room, please limit 15 students with chaperones at a time.)
How many bags?
(Designated areas will be assigned the before your date based on availability)
(Your designated window for train rides will be provided the week before your date. The train will NOT be running from November - January)
(NOTE: You will receive in preliminary email)