THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Bring your 3- and 4-year-olds for a compact, hands-on hour at the zoo—animal encounters, a craft, and storytime designed to spark early curiosity. Free with admission, the Cub Program is a family-friendly morning experience in Albany, GA.
Bring your 3- and 4-year-olds for a compact, hands-on hour at the zoo—animal encounters, a craft, and storytime designed to spark early curiosity. Free with admission, the Cub Program is a family-friendly morning experience in Albany, GA.
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Operated by Chehaw Park · Albany, Georgia
At the heart of Albany, Georgia, the Cub Program offers a lively hour of hands-on learning for three- and four-year-olds at the zoo. Short, focused and friendly, the session runs from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on First Fridays and blends a close-up animal encounter, a simple craft, and an age-appropriate story that keeps little learners engaged. The program is free with zoo admission (free for members), which makes it an economical morning outing for families. Activities emphasize tactile exploration: feeling feathers, shells, or fur; watching safe animal demonstrations; and participating in hands-on craft projects that reinforce simple concepts about habitat and behavior. Staff lead in small groups and use child-sized language, scaffolding curiosity without overwhelming attention spans. The learning is rooted in the local natural context: programming highlights species and habitats of the Southeast, so preschoolers connect tactile moments to animals that inhabit nearby rivers, pine stands, and wetlands. Parents and caregivers should plan for quick arrival and a nearby seat: caregivers are expected to stay with their child throughout. Because sessions are brief, families often pair the program with a leisurely walk through shaded exhibits or a picnic on the grounds afterward. Safety and accessibility are priorities. Activities adhere to safe handling practices, and staff adjust explanations to developmental levels. On inclement days portions of the session may move under shelter or indoors to keep children comfortable. This Cub Program serves as an introduction to organized nature education, a low-cost, low-pressure way for very young visitors to touch, observe, and make something that remembers the encounter. For families visiting Albany, Georgia, it is an excellent early education option that sparks questions, builds comfort around animals, and introduces local wildlife in a friendly, skillful format. The program name and meeting details are provided by the zoo’s calendar, and staff will direct families at the entrance. Bring a hat, water, and a small change of clothes for inevitable preschooler messes. Regular attendees find that the experience grows curiosity into a habit, and first-timers return with new vocabulary and a small craft souvenir that marks a first animal memory. Come ready to listen, touch, and learn. Consider arriving early to explore neighboring exhibits; slower pacing lets a toddler process sights and sounds. If you have questions about mobility or accommodations, contact the zoo directly ahead of your visit. The session’s combination of storytime, tactile interaction, and craft appeals to varied learning styles and helps caregivers practice observation and vocabulary building with minimal preparation. Finally, remember that for very young children the goal is curiosity, not performance; bring a relaxed attitude, a sense of play, and realistic expectations—this Cub Program rewards gentle engagement and often sparks a durable, ongoing interest in nature.
easy.
1 Hour.
Designed for preschool-aged children; caregivers should be able to stand and walk short distances while supervising.
The session is free with zoo admission and free for zoo members.
Children ages 3 and 4; caregivers are expected to stay with their child throughout the session.
The program fills up quickly; check the zoo’s calendar or contact admissions for reservation or walk-up guidance.
Meeting details are listed on the zoo’s calendar; staff at the main entrance can direct you to the education area.
On rainy or cool days parts of the session may move under shelter or indoors to keep children comfortable.
Staff use child-sized language and can adapt pacing; contact the zoo in advance to discuss specific accommodations.
The program is part of the zoo’s education offerings geared to early childhood learning and local natural-history interpretation.
Programming emphasizes respect for wildlife and habitat; guests are encouraged to follow handling rules and pack out trash to protect animals and ecosystems.
Chehaw Park in Albany, Georgia, combines a wildlife park, campground, and event venue across 800 acres of pine forest. The park operates as a public recreation and education space offering hands-on animal programs, seasonal festivals, cabin and primitive tent camping, and family-focused special events. Animal encounters, scheduled feedings, and behind-the-scenes nights like Good Nights At The Swamp (GNATS) introduce visitors to native and exotic species while trained educators focus on safety and conservation. Chehaw Park hosts signature annual events such as the Upland Wildlife Festival, Boo at the Zoo, and the Catfish Rodeo, attracting families, school groups, and outdoor enthusiasts from the region. Rental options include two-bedroom standard cabins with climate control and kitchenette facilities, plus pavilion rental for private animal-encounter parties and birthday packages that include animal visits and zoo access. The campground offers primitive tent camping among tall pines for guests seeking a back-to-nature experience. Seasonal youth programs such as Fall Camp teach wildlife behavior and preparation for winter. The park emphasizes conservation education through live animal shows and interactive demonstrations led by staff educators. By combining recreation, wildlife viewing, and structured learning opportunities, Chehaw Park provides accessible outdoor experiences that support regional habitat protection and wildlife awareness. Chehaw Park serves as a community resource for education, recreation, and conservation outreach throughout Albany and Southwest Georgia, with year-round programming.
Book with Chehaw Park