The Official Houston Zoo Blog » Swap Shop http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo houstonzoo.org Wed, 23 May 2012 11:00:59 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Earth Day In The Naturally Wild Swap Shop http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2012/04/earth-day-in-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop/ http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2012/04/earth-day-in-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop/#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:41:42 +0000 sjurek http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/?p=17043 The Houston Zoo will be celebrating Earth Day April 21-22!  The Naturally Wild Swap Shop will certainly be part of the celebration.  Any nature journal on an Earth Day topic will receive double points.  Earth Day topics include some of the following: endangered or extinct plants and animals edible plants the rock cycle the water [...]]]> The Houston Zoo will be celebrating Earth Day April 21-22!  The Naturally Wild Swap Shop will certainly be part of the celebration.  Any nature journal on an Earth Day topic will receive double points. 

Earth Day topics include some of the following:

  • endangered or extinct plants and animals
  • edible plants
  • the rock cycle
  • the water cycle
  • habitat loss and how it affects animals

Not sure how the Swap Shop works?  Click here for more information.

Enjoy the other activities throughout the zoo – Earth Day Scavenger Hunt, Mother Earth Maze, Re-usable Mural and more.  And, as always, the animal Keepers here at the zoo will be sharing their knowledge with you during Meet the Keeper Talks.   You will be able to learn more about how the way we treat the planet affects our animals. 

The best part?  All of these Earth Day activities are included with your paid Zoo admission!

]]> http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2012/04/earth-day-in-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop/feed/ 0 Six Bat Species all in one day! http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2012/04/six-bat-species-all-in-one-day/ http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2012/04/six-bat-species-all-in-one-day/#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:12:14 +0000 sjurek http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/?p=16927 How can you see six different species of bats all in one day?  Bat Fest Houston at the Houston Zoo and the Waugh Bridge!  The United Nations has declared 2012 The Year of The Bat – come see  the celebration we have in store!  Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15 are the dates for Bat Fest [...]]]> How can you see six different species of bats all in one day?  Bat Fest Houston at the Houston Zoo and the Waugh Bridge!  The United Nations has declared 2012 The Year of The Bat – come see  the celebration we have in store!

Straw Colored Fruit Bats

 Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15 are the dates for Bat Fest Houston.   On both days there will be children’s activities, keeper chats and bat related information booths at the zoo from 10:00am – 3:00 pm.   If you come on Saturday you will also have the opportunity to attend a bat seminar in the zoo’s Brown Education Center  from 10:00-12:15 that will include some great speakers.  The talks will include information  about bats from around the world and the bats in our own back yard as well as a new threat to bats, White Nose Syndrome.   You will also be able to visit the zoo’s bat exhibits where you can see Jamaican Fruit Bats, Seba’s Short-tailed Fruit Bats, Pallas Long-tongued Nectar Bats, Straw Colored Fruit Bats and an Indian Flying Fox Bat! 

If visitors 18 and under bring a nature journal or report to the Naturally Wild Swap Shop on the topic of bats they will receive DOUBLE points on these two days!  Don’t know about the Swap Shop?  Click here to learn more.

The best part – all of this is included in your regular zoo admission. 

Bat emergence at Waugh Ave. Bridge

And the fun doesn’t stop there!  From 6:00pm to 9:00pm join us at the Waugh Avenue Bridge (Waugh Avenue at Allen Parkway) for more children’s activities, bat chats and an amazing emergence of 250,000 Mexican Free-tailed Bats from under the bridge.  The Waugh Bridge activities are completely free.  Click here for information on parking at the bridge.

 

]]> http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2012/04/six-bat-species-all-in-one-day/feed/ 1 Bat Fest is Coming! http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2012/03/bat-fest-is-coming/ http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2012/03/bat-fest-is-coming/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:45:24 +0000 sjurek http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/?p=16758 Get ready for a batty fun time at the Houston Zoo and the Waugh Bridge!  2012 has been named Year of the Bat by the United Nations Environment Program.  In celebration, the Houston Zoo, in association with Texas Parks & Wildlife and several other organizations will be hosting Bat Fest April 14-15, 2012.  The fun will [...]]]> Get ready for a batty fun time at the Houston Zoo and the Waugh Bridge!  2012 has been named Year of the Bat by the United Nations Environment Program.  In celebration, the Houston Zoo, in association with Texas Parks & Wildlife and several other organizations will be hosting Bat Fest April 14-15, 2012. 

The fun will start at the Zoo at 10:00AM.  On both Saturday and Sunday there will be booths, children’s activities and zookeeper chats about bats.  On Saturday only there will be a bat seminar with some awesome speakers from 10:00-12:15 in the Brown Education Center.   

In addition, to help celebrate, The Naturally Wild Swap Shop will be giving double points for any Nature Journal on bats.  Dont know about the Swap Shop?  Click here for more information. 

The best part – all this is included in your paid zoo admission.

The festivities won’t stop there.  Be sure to join the Houston Bat Team at the Waugh Drive bat colony (corner of Waugh Drive & Allen Parkway) from 6:00-9:00PM.  The Waugh Drive bridge is home to a colony of 250,000 Mexican Free-tailed Bats.  There will be bat chat presentations from members of the Bat Team along with children’s activities and an amazing emergence from the bats at dusk. Click here to check Facebook for parking info.

]]> http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2012/03/bat-fest-is-coming/feed/ 2 Who is trading in the Naturally Wild Swap Shop? http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/11/who-is-trading-in-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop-2/ http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/11/who-is-trading-in-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop-2/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:03:20 +0000 sjurek http://www.houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/?p=14204 Meet Peter and Jason Zhao.   The Zhao brothers have been trading with us since early 2011.   These two fabulous brothers have brought in many interesting items to the shop such as shells, seeds, cones, rocks, and even a dead spider.  When it comes time to pick something to spend their points on they usually pick from our shell [...]]]> Meet Peter and Jason Zhao.   The Zhao brothers have been trading with us since early 2011. 

Jason and Peter Zhao

 These two fabulous brothers have brought in many interesting items to the shop such as shells, seeds, cones, rocks, and even a dead spider.  When it comes time to pick something to spend their points on they usually pick from our shell or rock and mineral section. 

 The trips to the zoo are usually a family affair for the Zhaos.  We not only get to see Jason and Peter but their mom and dad too!  The entire family has a love of nature and we all learn when they come in.

Peter and Jason are just two of over 1400 kids 18 years old and younger that are trading with us now.  Don’t know about trading in the Naturally Wild Swap Shop?  Click here for more information.

]]> http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/11/who-is-trading-in-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop-2/feed/ 0 The Swap Shop Mystery Box Revealed http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/10/the-swap-shop-mystery-box-revealed/ http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/10/the-swap-shop-mystery-box-revealed/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:56:17 +0000 sjurek http://www.houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/?p=13245   Many of you who have been in the Swap Shop recently have seen the very large mystery box.  We are happy to finally announce what was in it!  Thanks to a generous donation from The Junior League of Houston, Inc.,  we now have a complete giraffe skeleton.  This was a 9 foot tall  juvenile male giraffe from Florida [...]]]>  

Mystery Box

Many of you who have been in the Swap Shop recently have seen the very large mystery box.  We are happy to finally announce what was in it!  Thanks to a generous donation from The Junior League of Houston, Inc.,  we now have a complete giraffe skeleton.  This was a 9 foot tall  juvenile male giraffe from Florida and died.  The crate was quite large 6′x3′x2′ and had to be brought into the Shop by fork lift.  The articulator (an expert that assembles skeletons) was here on the evening of Saturday September 17, to put it together. 

Articulator Mike working on the skeleton

 

During the week the box was here we held a contest to let kids guess what was in the box.  The only clues they had were: 1.  It is a skeleton 2. It is an entire skeleton 3. It may or may not be put together already in the box. 4. It is not an extinct animal.  We had so many wonderful guesses- everything from alligator to long horn to zebra.  We held a drawing Friday September 16,  and Cody Molandes was our winner – guessing that it was a giraffe!  He won 100 points to spend in the Swap Shop for his efforts! 

The finished skeleton

You never know what you’ll see in the Swap Shop.

Dont know about trading in the Naturally Wild Swap Shop?  Click here for more information.

 

]]> http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/10/the-swap-shop-mystery-box-revealed/feed/ 2 Who is Trading in The Naturally Wild Swap Shop? http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/09/who-is-trading-in-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop/ http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/09/who-is-trading-in-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop/#comments Sun, 18 Sep 2011 13:18:21 +0000 sjurek http://www.houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/?p=13067 In today’s blog we are spotlighting one of our regular traders, 8 year old Jayden Schexnider.  Jayden has only been trading since March of this year but he has been busy in those 6 months of trading.  One of his favorite things to bring in are nature journals as he loves to draw pictures of animals.  He [...]]]> In today’s blog we are spotlighting one of our regular traders, 8 year old Jayden Schexnider.  Jayden has only been trading since March of this year but he has been busy in those 6 months of trading.  One of his favorite things to bring in are nature journals as he loves to draw pictures of animals.  He doesn’t limit himself 0n the animals he draws either!  His journals have featured animals at the zoo, from the wild, and even extinct animals.   Dinosaurs appear in his journals quite often. 

Jayden at The Naturally Wild Swap Shop

 On a recent visit, he brought in some wonderful finds from his trip to Pensacola, Florida.  His items included a Gafftop Sail Catfish skull (also called a crucifix fish due to the bones of the lower part of the skull resembling the form of a crucifix) and sand dollar pieces- along  with an excellent journal on sand dollars reflecting the research he had done.  Jayden, and all of our traders, get extra points for knowledge when they have learned about the item they bring in and can tell us about it.

 The Swap Shop is growing and we now have over 1200 young people trading with us! 

Dont know about trading in The Swap Shop?  Click here to find out more.

 

]]> http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/09/who-is-trading-in-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop/feed/ 0 Get Out and Play and The Naturally Wild Swap Shop http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/09/get-out-and-play-and-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop/ http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/09/get-out-and-play-and-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop/#comments Sat, 10 Sep 2011 18:51:52 +0000 sjurek http://www.houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/?p=13084 On Saturday, September 17 from 10AM – 3PM, the Houston Zoo will be hosting a zoo wide event to challenge everyone to GET OUT AND PLAY!  Many of the children and young adults of this generation are plugged into the electronic world and out of touch with the nature and world around them.  This is known [...]]]> On Saturday, September 17 from 10AM – 3PM, the Houston Zoo will be hosting a zoo wide event to challenge everyone to GET OUT AND PLAY!  Many of the children and young adults of this generation are plugged into the electronic world and out of touch with the nature and world around them.  This is known as Nature Deficit Disorder and it can actually be linked to several childhood health issues.    The zoo’s goal for this event is to inspire children and adults to Get Out and Play more often and explore the natural world around them.

The zoo will be filled with exciting and challenging games and activities for children and adults.  The Houston Texans, KICKSTART KIDS, and other community groups and organizations will also be here, showing guests how and where they can be active and enjoy nature year-round in the city.

The Naturally Wild Swap Shop

One great way to become more active in nature is to get involved in the Naturally Wild Swap Shop in the McGovern Children’s Zoo.  The Swap Shop is designed for kids 18 years old and under to bring in things they find in nature and exchange their items for points. The points can then be swapped for items in the shop.   

  A very important part of the swap is knowledge.  If the trader has researched and learned  about the item they have brought in, and can tell us about it,  they get extra points for their knowledge. 

For more information about The Swap Shop and a list of items that can and cannot be brought in click here.

]]> http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/09/get-out-and-play-and-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop/feed/ 0 Whats New in the Swap Shop? http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/07/whats-new-in-the-swap-shop/ http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/07/whats-new-in-the-swap-shop/#comments Sun, 31 Jul 2011 15:18:13 +0000 sjurek http://www.houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/?p=11862 Meet Edward Scissorhands, our Tailless Whip Scorpion.  He now lives in the Swap Shop full time!  Edward is not a true scorpion, but is in the Arachnid family and is a variety found in Africa.  He is harmless to humans but, if you are a cricket or worm, it’s a whole different story.  Tailless Whip [...]]]> Meet Edward Scissorhands, our Tailless Whip Scorpion.  He now lives in the Swap Shop full time!  Edward is not a true scorpion, but is in the Arachnid family and is a variety found in Africa.  He is harmless to humans but, if you are a cricket or worm, it’s a whole different story.  Tailless Whip Scorpions are nocturnal so they are active at night.  During the day they can be found hiding in leaf litter, logs, bark or under stones.  At night they come out to hunt and then it’s crickets beware.  They don’t have venom like a true scorpion but instead use their pinchers, called pedipalps, to crush their prey.  As in some other arachnid orders, Edward’s first pair of legs are modified to act as sensory organs or whips.  While Edward walks on the other six legs, these two legs are held out in front of his body as he moves to probe terrain and find prey. Come in to swap with us and visit Edward while you are here.  Don’t know about the Swap Shop?  Click here for more information.

Edward the Tailless Whip Scorpion

]]> http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/07/whats-new-in-the-swap-shop/feed/ 0 1000th Trader in the Naturally Wild Swap Shop! http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/06/1000th-trader-in-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop/ http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/06/1000th-trader-in-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop/#comments Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:48:12 +0000 sjurek http://www.houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/?p=10550 We made it to 1000!  On June 4, 2011, Taylor Albrecht was our 1000th new trader.  In honor of this milestone he was awarded 100 extra points!    Taylor’s first trade  included a mule deer antler and a white-tailed deer skull – he started his trading in grand style.  He and his parents had a great [...]]]> We made it to 1000!  On June 4, 2011, Taylor Albrecht was our 1000th new trader.  In honor of this milestone he was awarded 100 extra points!    Taylor’s first trade  included a mule deer antler and a white-tailed deer skull – he started his trading in grand style. 

Taylor Albrecht - Trader # 1000!

He and his parents had a great time looking around the Swap Shop and Taylor decided to spend some of his points to start an insect collection.

We hope that this will be the first of many, many trades Taylor will make as he explores nature. 

The Naturally Wild Swap Shop has been growing by leaps and bounds.  Not only do we now have over 1000 individual traders, but the number of trades has increased too.  For 2011, each month the number of trades per month has increased at least 200% from the same time last year.  Dont know about the Swap Shop and trades?  Click here to find out more.

]]> http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/06/1000th-trader-in-the-naturally-wild-swap-shop/feed/ 0 Exciting Swap Shop News http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/05/exciting-swap-shop-news/ http://houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/2011/05/exciting-swap-shop-news/#comments Sun, 15 May 2011 19:59:41 +0000 sjurek http://www.houstonzooblogs.org/zoo/?p=9834 The Naturally Wild Swap Shop in the McGovern Children’s Zoo is becoming more and more popular.  Our young guests have  brought in everything from pine cones and sweet gum balls to skulls and crystal formations. We currently have over 900 traders in the system and continue to grow.  In celebration of our success, we will be [...]]]> The Naturally Wild Swap Shop in the McGovern Children’s Zoo is becoming more and more popular.  Our young guests have  brought in everything from pine cones and sweet gum balls to skulls and crystal formations. We currently have over 900 traders in the system and continue to grow.  In celebration of our success, we will be giving our 1000th new trader an extra 100 points! 

Trading in the Swap Shop

Those 18 and younger can bring in things found in nature.  We award points for the items brought in and the points can be swapped for some of the things in the shop.  An easy way to boost your points is by doing a little research before you come.  If our traders can tell us about the item they have brought in they get extra points for knowledge.  The Swap Shop has a wonderful collection of things to trade for including bones, fossils, rocks, minerals and shells to name a few.  There are a few rules for trading so be sure to check here for details.

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