Chris Kuebler

Baldwin Students Take Field Trip

All kids love the zoo, and there are several great ones in Michigan. This fall, students from Project FOCUS Out-of-School Time Programs in Baldwin, took a field trip to the Detroit Zoo. They even had the opportunity for special experiences most people never get to enjoy thanks to Mike Reed, a zoologist at the Detroit Zoo.

Mike, who summers in the Baldwin area, was able to provide the students from both the elementary and junior high school unique behind-the-scenes experiences. They were able to learn how the zookeepers prepare food for the animals at the Zoo’s Commissary. “It was nice to go to the back rooms to see how they operate the zoo,” said Tabby, a 6th grader at Baldwin Junior High School. “I liked looking in the freezer to see what the animals ate.”

Some of the highlights for the elementary students included seeing a tiger and brown bears, the reptile house, the gorilla exhibit along with the “Comparing Primates” interactive piece and the walk-through of the “Outback Experience” where kangaroos and wallabies were freely roaming, which delighted the kids! “I liked seeing the flamingos best,” said Zaelyk, a first grader at Baldwin Elementary.

The junior high school students were excited to see the butterfly house and many animals they would never see in Baldwin. 

Site Coordinator, Cecelia Hamilton, said, “By having these experiences, we want students to start thinking about the many interesting career opportunities available to them.”

A generous community donor allowed for Jersey Mike’s sub meals to be provided for all the students for dinner and a local Wesco donated five dozen donuts and bottled water.

Evan, a kindergartener, said, “My favorite part was the kangaroos… and the donuts!”