GROUNDHOG DAY CELEBRATION-Will Gus predict an early spring?  You can find out during our special event covering the history of Groundhog Day. Program Date: Monday, February 2 Time: 9:00 a.m. Location: Woodchuck (a.k.a. groundhog) exhibit in Bear Hollow. Fee: Free and open to the public.

Zoo Apprentice Program (ZAP)-Discover what it takes to be a zookeeper during this 3-Saturday educational session. Participants will feed the resident animals, clean exhibits and learn about our wildlife. Participants receive a T-shirt and their name on a plaque in the zoo. Pre-registration is required! For ages: 9 years and up Dates: Sat. Feb. 14, 21 and 28 Hours: 1:00-4:00 p.m. Fee: $0-$23 ACC Residents (dependent on scholarship eligibility), $35 Non-ACC Residents

30th Annual Wildlife Art Contest-Its time for school-aged kids to draw their favorite Georgia wild animal. It can be an invertebrate, fish, reptile, amphibian, bird or mammal. Artwork showing domestic or exotic animals will not be accepted. Any medium (paint, pencil, crayon, etc.) may be used but no computer generated images or photographs will be accepted. All submissions MUST be mounted on posterboard or matted using a heavier material. Finished works (matting/mounting included) must be between 8" X 10" and 20" X 24". Age categories are K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th and 9th-12th grades. Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd 3rd place in each age category. Maximum of 3 entries per child and 25 per school. Entry deadline: March 6, 2009. Entries may be mailed or dropped off at the Bear Hollow office Fee: $5 per artwork /ACC residents and $8/Non-ACC residents.

St. Patrick's Day Snake Celebration-St. Patrick supposedly drove all the snakes from Ireland, so we will talk about all things "snake' this afternoon! Don't forget to wear your green! Program Date: Tuesday, March 17 Program Time 4:00 p.m. Location: Zoo Classroom Fee: Free and open to the public.

Zoo Camp Registration-Program includes a variety of wildlife oriented activities such as feeding and caring for the animals, field trips, movies, swimming, arts and crafts as well as educational activities throughout the day. Ages: 7-12 years Camp Dates: Monday through Friday, June 1-July 24 Camp Hours: 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  Registration Date: Saturday, April 4 Registration Time: 9:00 a.m. until noon Registration Location: Memorial Park Recreation Hall Fee: $0-$81/camper per week for ACC residents (fee depending upon scholarship eligibility), $122 per week for Non-ACC residents.

Zoo Day at Bear Hollow-Enjoy the animals, see several wildlife displays and listen to great speakers. Live animal demonstrations and educational talks will highlight the day.  All donations will go towards the care of the zoo's live animal collection. Program Date: Saturday, May 2, rain or shine Program Time 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Fee: $2 per person, free for children 3 and under.

Wildlife Art Contest Exhibit-View the entries in this year's Wildlife Art Contest and see who won! Date: Sunday, May 3, 10 and 17 Time 1:00-4:00 p.m. Location: Bear Hollow Exhibit Hall in the zoo. Fee: Free and open to the public.

9th Annual Birchmore Trail Day-Join Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division staff and Memorial Park staff for an afternoon hike and activities. You can meet the famous Fred Birchmore, win a prize for hiking the trail and enjoy activities such as leaf rubbings and face paining. Program Date: Sunday, May 17 Program Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: Birchmore Trail head (near the Zoo Operations Center) Fee: Free and open to the public.

Zoo Parties-Have your birthday or other fun party at Bear Hollow's Operations Center. Three packages are available and some include specialty cakes in the shape of animals. All parties include a Zoo Tour and a T-shirt for the birthday person. Ages: For all ages, Program dates: Saturday or Sunday. Time: 10:00-1:00 or 2:00-5:00. Registration: At the Memorial Park Office (706-613-3580), parties are held at the Zoo Operations Center (706-613-3616). Fee: $75-$135, depending upon the package selected.

Sunday Open Exhibit Hall-You can explore the Exhibit Hall and visit with some of the animals used in programs such as the salamanders, pond turtles, snakes and more. The classroom will be open on Sunday afternoons from 1-4 p.m. Free and open to the public.

SCOUTING FOR SCOUTS! - We are offering a variety of scout programs for organized scout groups of all ages. All the leaders have to do is call us to set a date and time, and we’ll take care of the rest, including the badges! Please call for more information.

GROUP PROGRAMS - A variety of topics are available from birds of prey to creatures of the night depending upon interest. Programs can be oriented to any age level. Call for information and reservations. The fee is $2 for ACC residents and $3 for Non-ACC residents.