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However, the very features that made the Play Zoo so exciting Don't miss the all-new
for children made it a place where the novel coronavirus would be “Bringing the Play Zoo to
difficult to control. “Everything had been based on face-to-face You!” video series! It's
interaction with parents and children,” said David Becker, senior updated each Thursday
manager of Learning Experiences at the HAMILL FAMILY on Brookfield Zoo's
PLAY ZOO. Hands-on activities required children and staff to Facebook page,
share space and objects with others. So the Play Zoo had to close YouTube channel,
in March. and website.
Each video is
Becker’s creative staff asked themselves: How do we create available in both
enriching experiences for children and parents online that are English and Spanish.
similar to those we offered at the Play Zoo? How do we make
sure these programs are inclusive? “What we’ve been able to do Our community engagement
is an extension of the work we were already planning to do pre- team is using online tools to help
COVID-19,” said Becker. They had discussed ways to make the build a stronger, more inclusive, and more
Play Zoo even more inclusive. supportive Zoo Family. “We have a diverse audience of different
kinds of people—black, brown, and white—from different parts
In June, Play Zoo staff launched “Bringing the Play Zoo to of the city,” said Shelly Hope, community relations coordinator
You.” In a series of videos, friendly Play Zoo staff members lead with the King Conservation Leadership Academy. “It is
children and their caregivers in an adventure as they explore the important for us, as a larger zoo community, to see each other
natural world. Each video includes a demonstration of a related as part of this bigger picture; as being a part of a zoo program
hands-on activity. Topics have been: “Let’s make a nature frame,” that is helping to provide opportunities for all children.”
“Let’s explore ice and water,” and “Let’s look for insects.” For more
information and other fun activity ideas, “Family Nature Notes” “We’ve made community building a priority for all of our
are provided on the zoo’s website. programs,” said Breen Bartecki. “Even when HAMILL FAMILY
PLAY ZOO opens again, even when our community engagement
In October, the HAMILL FAMILY PLAY ZOO was programs are face-to-face, we’re still going to have a virtual online
thrilled to begin offering a new series of classes for children. component. We’re looking at this as a permanent change.” n
Information about these classes—held both on-site at the zoo
and virtually—can be found on page 40 of this magazine, or ISTE is supported by the Polk Bros Foundation, the Christopher Family Foundation,
visit CZS.org/FamilyPlay. State Farm®, and the Women’s Board of the Chicago Zoological Society.
While living with the coronavirus these past months, the CET
staff has reimagined their programs and made them even The King Conservation Leadership Academy is supported by the King
stronger. “There’s a wonderful thing about being virtual,” said Family Foundation; Baxter International Inc.; Jim & Esther Bryan; COUNTRY
Breen Bartecki. “Not only do we have a chance to strengthen Financial; the Dr. Scholl Foundation; the Julius N. Frankel Foundation;
the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust; the Gerald A. and Karen A.
our relationships with our own zoo community, but we Kolschowsky Foundation, Inc.; the Institute of Museum and Library Services;
also have a chance to reach people who don’t come to Nalco, an Ecolab Company; the Edmond and Alice Opler Foundation;
Brookfield Zoo and make them part of our family too.” Peoples Energy Corporation/Peoples Gas; S & C Electric Company;
“It’s opened up opportunities for a lot of students the Schmidgall Family Foundation; State Farm®; Wintrust Financial
who weren’t able to travel to the zoo for training in the Corporation; and the Women’s Board of the Chicago Zoological Society.
past,” said Ortiz-Ortega. And teachers who live farther
away from Brookfield—even in other states—can The HAMILL FAMILY PLAY ZOO and Zoo for All are supported by the Bank of
take advantage of the zoo’s professional development America Charitable Trust, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Bartram, Jim & Esther Bryan, the
opportunities, said Noncek-Eastman. The influx of Aurelio M. Caccomo Family Foundation, Susan and Patrick Frangella, Rita Milcarek,
new participants with different backgrounds and ideas the Edmond and Alice Opler Foundation, Nancy and Scott Schulze, Nydia and
will benefit everyone in the program. Michael Searle, Marie Spinozzi-Marotta, and the A. Montgomery Ward Foundation.
BROOKFIELD ZOO | WINTER 2020/21 37
