Zoo Camparoo

Sarah's Brownie troop signed up for the zoo camparoo months ago and I said I would go {Sarah would not have gone without me} and Saturday was the big night. After a long day on the lacrosse field {and a quick 15 minute power nap} I packed up our sleeping bags and other necessities for the overnight and headed for the zoo. This is a picture of our huge troupe {the rest of the troupes were much smaller}. There were 17 girls and 10 moms.

We arrived at the zoo at 5:30 and put all our stuff in a van {and the zoo helpers drove it to our camping site} and then the fun began - we put our tents up. I was borrowing a tent {that I had never put up before} so it was defiantly comical but in the end it was up and Sarah and I were able to sleep in it. After the tents were put up all the troupes went on a tour of the zoo with our first stop the commissary where we learned all about feeding zoo animals.

Where everyone had a chance to try some monkey chow - it tasted like very dry oats.

From there we headed to a reptile show where there were three stations and the kids got to pet and learn about a turtle {Sarah's favorite animal}, a California King snake, and a flying lizard from the rain forest.

We were then taken to the elephants and shown the different sizes of bones {Sarah is holding a elephant femur bone}. We learned interesting facts like an elephant only has 4 teeth - there just REALLY big.

Then we were treated to some yummy smores and the girls were given the chance to perform {if they chose to} and they did not disappoint us. Many of the girls performed several times {not a shy crowd that was for sure} and they finally cut them off around 10:30 and then we snuggled in our tents and went off to bed. I really did NOT get much sleep - I was cold and then I had to go to the bathroom, then Sarah had to go to the bathroom. Sarah even woke up once and told me she was cold and I told her to put her head in her sleeping bad and her breath would help warm her up. I know I didn't get more than 3 hours of sleep and none of them were together. 

The next day we were up bright and early,  literally with the birds, and ate breakfast packed up our stuff and took down the tents {yeah for the vans to drive them back out of the zoo}. After all the housekeeping stuff was taken care of we headed over to the elephant pen and met the zoo keepers and headed into the elephants {one of three} and hid pieces around the yard for them to find when they returned.

We then moved to an observation area and watched at the elephant trainers brought them in and had them perform a couple of tricks and then off they went to find the treats. 

A great time was had by all!