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Outreach specialist Kailee Strain introduces Boba, the eastern indigo snake, to Charlotte Smith, 3, on May 30, 2024, at the Fort Worth Zoo Exploration and Learning Center grand opening. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)
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Boba slithered into the spotlight. It was a big day for the eastern indigo snake, not only because he was introduced to a crowd of people, but also because he played a part in the grand opening of the Fort Worth Zoo’s newest facility.

The zoo unveiled an 11,000-square-foot learning and education building that will welcome hundreds more children in various summer camp sessions, Fort Worth Zoo Education Director Kathy Dorris said.

Summer Zoo Camp counselors greet attendees at the Fort Worth Zoo Exploration and Learning Center grand opening May 30, 2024. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

“Achieving this dream could have been the most difficult task, however, we’ve had the most wonderful donors,” Ramona Bass, co-chair of the Fort Worth Zoological Association, said.

In the past, the zoo had to waitlist children from these camps due to lack of space and high interest. Dorris is thrilled about the impact that the new space will have on each camper.

“We continue to grow, change and improve all the time,” said Dorris. “It’s the world’s biggest classroom. Our curriculum has made an impact on so many of our young minds here in our community.”

With the new expansion, six more classrooms and multipurpose outdoor spaces will be available for the first troop of campers, Dorris said. 

Nicole Duvall and her daughter, Charlotte Smith, 3, observe an Indian gharial skull, displayed in the Lime Camp classroom on May 30, 2024, at the Fort Worth Zoo Exploration and Learning Center. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

“We do a lot of fun things,” Dorris said. “They have animal visitors, the keepers do keeper talks, we have lots of STEM activities, and we play lots of games.”

The first camp session starts June 3.

Aqua Camp classroom pictured on May 30, 2024, at the Fort Worth Zoo Exploration and Learning Center grand opening. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

As attendees watch, outreach specialist Kailee Strain demonstrates feeding Ken the opossum at the Fort Worth Zoo Exploration and Learning Center grand opening on May 30, 2024. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

Animal outreach coordinator Kristen Garrett introduces Thornton, the great horned owl, to attendees on May 30, 2024, at the Fort Worth Zoo Exploration and Learning Center. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

Ryan Thorpe is an audience engagement fellow at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ryan.thorpe@fortworthreport.org.

At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.