Educational & Fun Animal Encounters for Schools
When you invite Chamberlin Pony Rides & Mobile Petting Zoo to visit your school or learning center, you’re offering students a unique blend of fun and education. Our interactive animal experiences introduce children to real-life animals, providing them with tangible connections to the characters they read about in books and helping them understand the important roles animals play in our world. It’s an opportunity for students to learn compassion, animal care, and respect for living creatures in a hands-on, engaging way.
Why Choose Chamberlin for Your School?
Our programs are designed to foster curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and promote hands-on learning. Students will gain valuable insights into the natural world as they interact with a variety of animals, from farm animals to ponies. They’ll also have the chance to practice responsibility and empathy by gently brushing and caring for the animals at their own pace.
We offer age-appropriate presentations that can complement your school’s curriculum, making our visits a great addition to lessons on science, biology, and even literacy. With our expert-led, interactive demonstrations, we spark student interest in STEM fields while fostering a deeper understanding of animal care and welfare. All of our programs are USDA-licensed, insured, and fully compliant with animal exhibition regulations.
What We Offer for Schools:
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Educational Animal Programs: Farm animals, pony rides, and pony cart rides for groups of 3 children at a time
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Hands-On Learning: Students interact with animals, learning about their care and role in our lives
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Customized Presentations: Tailored to meet curriculum needs and age-appropriate for different grade levels
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Flexible Solutions: End-of-school season or summer programming options that fit your schedule
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Experience & Reliability: Over 24 years of experience working with schools, accommodating space restrictions, weather concerns, and even naptimes
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Heated Tents for Comfort: If temperatures drop below 40°F, we can provide heated tents for the petting zoo to keep everyone comfortable
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Safety & Compliance: Fully insured, USDA-licensed, and meeting all animal exhibition regulations
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Referral Program: Save on future events with our unique referral program
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Why Chamberlin?
Since 2000, Chamberlin Pony Rides has been a trusted partner for schools across Michigan, providing unforgettable educational experiences. Our clean, friendly animals and professional staff ensure a smooth, engaging, and memorable experience for students and teachers alike.
We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality educational entertainment, and we guarantee your event will be a success. Don’t just take our word for it—ask us for references from satisfied schools and educators!
EDUCATIONAL CLASSROOM VISITS
LOOKING FOR EDUCATIONAL AND FUN ANIMAL EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR SCHOOL? WE'RE A FIELD TRIP THAT COMES TO YOU- NO BUS REQUIRED!
Innovative Animal Enrichment Programs for Schools & Learning Centers
At Chamberlin Pony Rides & Mobile Petting Zoo, we provide engaging, hands-on enrichment programs designed for a wide range of learning environments, including public and private schools, preschools, homeschool groups, micro-schools, and summer camps. Our programs cater to children of all ages, from preschoolers to older students, promoting curiosity and connection with the natural world.
Our Approach
We introduce all animals in a gentle, non-threatening manner, ensuring a positive experience for all students. Interaction with the animals is always optional and never required. We also prioritize hygiene by ensuring that students wash or sanitize their hands before and after any contact with the animals.
Our dynamic presenters are not only knowledgeable but also safety-conscious, delivering content in an interactive and entertaining way that reinforces educational curricula. Each presentation is tailored to meet the specific needs of educators, ensuring it is both relevant and age-appropriate. Our programs also aim to spark interest in STEM fields, fostering critical thinking and empathy in students.
Safety & Compliance
We are fully USDA licensed and insured, adhering to all regulations and guidelines for animal exhibitions. If needed, we are happy to provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) upon booking and are open to addressing any school-specific policies or concerns.
For students with special needs, we are more than happy to adjust our presentations to ensure they are accessible and engaging for all abilities.
Program Details & Rates
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Program Types: Classroom programs, assemblies, and summer camps
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Booking: A deposit is required at the time of booking, with the balance due on or before the event day
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Group Size: Classroom programs are designed for groups of 15 children or fewer. Larger groups may require an additional presenter for a small fee.
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Session Length: Sessions range from 20 to 60 minutes, with a 5-10 minute transition time between sessions.
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Rates: Pricing may vary depending on specific needs, group size, and the type of program. We also provide a one-page animal handout PDF for schools to print and share with students.
Customized Programming
We understand that every school or learning center is unique. If you have specific needs or goals for your program, we offer customized options to make sure we deliver the perfect fit for your students. Whether you're looking for a specific theme or a tailored experience, we are here to work with you.
CLASSROOM VISIT PROGRAM CHOICES
Small Farm Animal Program
(Optional: Add Pony Rides)
1-hour minimum visit
$335 for the first hour, $125 for each additional half hour
Explore the diversity of small farm mammals and learn what makes them unique. This program focuses on how mammals care for their young, with hands-on experiences to engage students in learning about farm animals.
Includes:
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Goat, Sheep, Rabbits, Ducks, Chickens
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One-page PDF educational handout for self-printing
Mini Farm Animal Program (Zootopia)
(Indoor or Outdoor Option)
1-hour minimum visit
$210 for the first hour, $75 for each additional half hour
Perfect for smaller classroom sizes or schools on a budget, this program introduces students to a selection of smaller farm animals in an intimate and educational setting.
Includes:
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Rabbits, Ducks, Chickens
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One-page PDF educational handout for self-printing
Complete Petting Zoo
(Optional: Add Pony Rides)
1-hour minimum visit
$435 for the first hour, $175 for each additional half hour
Discover why animals have fur, feathers, and other fascinating characteristics. Get up close with a variety of farm animals while learning about their roles on the farm.
Includes:
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Alpaca, Miniature Horse or Donkey, Goat, Sheep, Ducks, Chickens, Rabbits
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One-page PDF educational handout for self-printing
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Flexible Animal Programs for Schools & Events
We offer a variety of setup options to suit your space:
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Indoor: Set up on gym floors using tarps
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Outdoor: On the lawn, perfect for open-air events
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Winter Option: Ask about our heated tents for colder months to ensure a comfortable experience year-round
Perfect for All Ages & Settings
Our mobile petting zoo programs are ideal for children from preschool age and up. Whether you're hosting a school event, summer camp, or daycare, our hands-on experiences with animals help children develop kindness, empathy, and a deeper connection to nature. We work with public and private preschools, K-8 schools, high schools, and more.
We offer flexibility in how the petting zoo is set up and can accommodate various space configurations to fit your venue's needs. Whether indoors or outdoors, our programs are designed to keep kids engaged in a safe and calm environment, with all interactions guided by our knowledgeable staff.
Program Details & Structure
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Session Lengths:
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Sessions typically range from 10 to 20 minutes, with 5-minute transition periods between groups.
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Preschool & Kindergarten: 10-minute sessions are recommended.
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School-Aged Children: Ideal group size is 10-15 children per session.
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Group Size:
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We recommend smaller groups for younger children (10 or fewer).
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For older students, we can accommodate larger groups.
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Special Features:
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Touch tables are provided for rabbits and chickens, set at child height for comfortable interaction.
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Booking & Rates
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Deposit: A deposit is required at the time of booking.
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Balance: Due on or before the day of the event.
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Program Duration: Our visits can range from 1 hour to a full day. We’ll work with you to determine the ideal session lengths, group sizes, and setup location.
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Weather: We’re committed to bringing the fun rain or shine. Rates include canopies and heaters as needed.
Hygiene & Special Needs
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Hygiene: We provide hand sanitizer, and all children are required to sanitize or wash their hands before and after handling animals.
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Special Needs: We welcome children with special needs! Please let us know in advance so we can adjust the program to ensure everyone has a positive experience.
School Carnivals & Large Events
Looking to add a petting zoo to your school carnival, end-of-year celebration, or event? We offer a variety of carnival packages to suit your needs! Whether you’re hosting a large event or planning a smaller celebration, we bring the fun to you.
Visit our website for more details on our event packages, or contact us to discuss your upcoming plans. We’re here to make your event unforgettable!
Some of our favorite memories
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
Review left by Out Of The Norm
Hi guys, my name is Rachel I am the owner and operator of Rachel’s Daycare and Learning Center. I am so pleased to share my experience with Chamberlin Ponys Rides. I have been using this company for as long as I can remember, and great service is something that they specialize in. Each time Chamberlin has come to our Center they left the crowd cheering for more. and all my kids are very happy. Thank you Chamberland for all that you do you are truly appreciated ❤️ We love you guys
Rachel’s Daycare and Learning Center
Google review
Ellen Durand
Google review
Review left by Ellen Durand
We LOVE Chamberlin Pony rides and petting zoo at Day Camp. Friendly staff with smiles and they are very eager to help the children feel comfortable. Always professional and enthusiastic about the animals they bring. The campers look forward to seeing them every year!
Review left by Lisa Uhrich
We have used Chamberlin for several years for our Preschool Family Fun Fair. The children love the pony rides and the petting zoo. We have always been pleased with the service they provide. They are prompt and friendly to our staff and families. I highly recommend this business to help keep the children smiling at your party!
Lisa Uhrich
Google review
We specialize in school groups
Meet the Educational Visit Team
We take great pride in offering a high-quality educational program, guided by our professional educators.
