Toledo Zoo
May 2003

Each year, Matthew's Cub Scout Pack goes on several campouts. Two (fall and winter) are to Scout campsites, and the third is something different. Last year, we had an overnight on the U.S.S. Silversides. This year, we did the Zoo Snooze at the Toledo Zoo.

The Snooze was informative and well run, the Toledo Zoo was very nice, and the kids had a hoot. They were able to meet some of the zoo animals and prepare some food (animal enrichment) for the monkeys, wallabies, and apes. We also hiked around the zoo after dark--which was very cool.

Matt and I both really liked the way the zoo's exhibits allowed closer access to the animals. The Detroit Zoo, which Matthew and I know inside and out, tends to make liberal use of moats to contain animals in their areas. This is all well and good, but it puts quite a bit of distance between you and the animals. This may actually be better for the animals (less hassle), but it isn't as good for the viewers. I still prefer the Detroit Zoo, but we will return to Toledo now and again for a change of pace.

So where do you sleep on a zoo snooze? The floor. In our case, we parked our sleeping bags on the floor of the amphibian house. This was not so bad, because we could fall asleep to the sound of running water and frogs chirping. It was just like being outdoors.

Toledo Zoo Pictures (click the thumbnails to view the enlarged photo)