How far in advance should I reserve a youth tour?

Reservations should be requested at least one month prior to your visit; head counts must be confirmed seven days before the scheduled date.

What is the group size and cost?

Tours are for groups of 10–40 children. The fee is $5 per child and the sanctuary requests a donated item from their Wish List.

Are chaperones required?

One chaperone per 10 students is admitted free. Additional adults pay the standard entry price of $35.

Are tours suitable for children with mobility needs?

The walking tour follows dirt roads and is similar to a moderate hike; special accommodations may be possible by advance request—please discuss when booking.

What happens in bad weather?

Tours operate rain or shine; in cases of severe inclement weather Project Chimps may close and will issue refunds or reschedule visits.

Youth Group Chimps Tours in Morganton: Project Chimps Educational Field Trips

Q: Can we bring lunches or use refrigeration?

Project Chimps is not responsible for lunches but offers limited microwave and refrigeration access for special‑needs situations; bring picnic blankets or chairs.

Adventure Brief

Bring your youth group to Project Chimps in Morganton for a 60–90 minute walking tour that pairs outdoor movement with hands‑on conservation education. Students get close looks at chimpanzees in outdoor habitats while supporting sanctuary care.

60–90 minutes

moderate

From $6.35

Project Chimps' Youth Group Basic Tours bring students face‑to‑face with chimpanzees in the rolling, mixed‑hardwood hills near Morganton, Georgia. Located at 2031 Lowery Rd, the sanctuary runs 60–90 minute walking tours along dirt roads and viewing platforms that look into outdoor habitats where retired research chimpanzees move, forage, and play. These tours are designed for groups of 10–40 children, and the sanctuary asks for a $5 per child fee plus a donated item from their Wish List to support daily care. The setting is Appalachian foothill forest—oak, hickory, and pine stand on gentle slopes and provide both shade and foraging habitat for the chimps. Key on‑site features include windowed viewing areas that let visitors observe social groups without disturbance, sheltered picnic areas, and a main parking lot that can accommodate several buses. The walk itself resembles a moderate hike on packed dirt roads with occasional roots and gravel; special accommodations may be arranged by request. What makes this program special in northern Georgia is the direct educational focus: guides tailor the experience to youth groups, explaining chimpanzee behavior, conservation challenges, and sanctuary operations in age‑appropriate ways. Seeing chimpanzees in spacious outdoor pens—rather than behind bars—gives students a clearer sense of primate intelligence, social bonds, and why lifetime sanctuary care matters. Project Chimps also links every visit to practical stewardship: suggested Wish List donations, chaperone policies, and pre‑visit scheduling designed to put the chimps’ activity patterns first (chimps are often most active in the morning). Practical details matter: reserve at least one month ahead, confirm head counts seven days before, and plan start times between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to maximize sightings. Tours operate rain or shine; in severe weather Project Chimps will reschedule or refund. The site is not responsible for, and does not provide, lunches but offers limited microwave and refrigeration access for special‑needs situations. For teachers and youth leaders, this tour blends outdoor movement, wildlife observation, and a conservation lesson that stays with students. The combination of accessible trails, intentional education, and the rare chance to watch chimpanzee societies in motion makes Project Chimps’ Youth Group Basic Tours a standout field trip option when visiting Morganton and the North Georgia foothills. Bring binoculars and sturdy shoes, and encourage students to keep voice levels low to avoid startling the animals. One chaperone per 10 students is admitted free; additional adults pay standard entry. Use the restroom before departure and bring packed lunches—onsite picnic space is limited. Photographers should avoid flash and follow staff directions at viewing windows. If mobility accommodations are needed, request arrangements when booking. Whether for biology lessons, ethics discussions, or an unforgettable encounter, this youth tour connects students to conservation principles and compassionate stewardship.

About Project Chimps

Project Chimps in Troutdale, Virginia operates a sanctuary and education site where visitors meet and observe rescued chimpanzees.

The organization offers a range of guided experiences designed for families, schools, homeschool groups, scouts, and supporters. Tour options include short youth group tours, curriculum-based and homeschool programs aligned with STEM learning, scout badge workshops, and longer service projects for scout troops.

Supporter tours and private visits provide opportunities to watch chimpanzees roam, play, and rest in outdoor habitats. Discovery Days bring families to the Blue Ridge Mountains for guided hikes, a visit to the Discovery Zone, and a picnic by the koi pond. The Banana Bus Tour adds door-to-door transport and a snack at The Nest for a convenient group outing.

School field trips and curriculum-based tours emphasize inquiry-based lessons that meet educational standards and take place during prime morning viewing hours. Homeschool programs offer three to four hour visits with tailored STEM activities and flexible customization for teachers and students. Scout programs include two hour badge workshops and four to seven hour service projects that combine tours, hands-on activities, and habitat or garden work.

Every visit supports the ongoing care of the chimpanzees through small donations and participation. Booking options include private supporter tours, supporter tours with a lunch launch, and group-focused experiences that accommodate educational goals. Visitors can expect guided walking tours through outdoor habitats and multiple program lengths to fit schedules. Advance reservations are recommended to secure preferred dates and times for school groups, scouts, families, supporters, and community attendees.