The Special Needs Keeper Club program provides an opportunity for children who love animals but are unable to attend our mainstream Keeper Club program due to specialised learning or physical needs, and who may require additional support from a parent, guardian or carer.
It is anticipated that those attending the program are children who have a particular affinity with animals and a desire to care for them.
Ages 9 to 18
The Keeper Club Holiday program allows children to get up close with our native Australian animals at Moonlit Sanctuary and care for them like our Keepers do. Children will be able to go into enclosures, place food trays inside, view wildlife up-close, make enrichments to keep the animals entertained, and be guided by one of our experienced Education Officers.
While the schedule is more relaxed than our mainstream Keeper Club program, it does still represent a level of risk, both for the participants and our animals, when they come into close contact. Therefore particular attention from parents, guardians or carers is required when we enter into enclosures or have hands-on encounters with our animals.
Maximum children: 6
Parents/Guardians/Carers are required to accompany children at a 1 to 1 ratio (if one parent has multiple children this can be accommodated if discussed prior)
Note: any children for whom a 1:1 ratio for care is not appropriate, can speak to us about our mainstream Keeper Club program – as we do provide an inclusive program. We do require any children participating in the Special Needs Keeper Club program to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or carer in alignment with our child safety policy, even if their requirements are not 1:1.
We aim to provide an interactive and memorable joint activity for both child and parent/guardian/carer.
Mobility: Children who have requirements for their mobility around the park and into our animals’ enclosures can be accommodated – please contact us via education@moonlitsanctuary.com.au to discuss these needs so we can prepare ahead of time.
Our facilities and paths where members of the public usually visit are all accessible. However, entry into some animals enclosures are not accessible, as they are designed to keep the animals secure. Children with mobility needs can be accommodated by selecting from among our accessible enclosures for feed outs and enrichments, or by receiving additional assistance from their parent/guardian/carer to enter enclosures. We do also have wheelchairs available to loan for the day.
Facilitator: The program will be facilitated by one of our senior Education Officers, who has experience in working with children with diverse neural and physical needs.
Pricing: Cost per pair (child and parent/guardian/carer) $99.
This includes admission for both child and parent/carer, and both are welcome to arrive early before the program starts.
What to bring?
Please wear: long pants, closed shoes, hat, sunscreen AND as necessary; insect repellent, rain coat.
Please bring: water bottle and afternoon tea snacks.
Once you have booked your place, please retain a copy of your booking number (9 digits) and complete a Medical and Indemnity Form for each child participating in the program.
To access the form, follow the button above. For each additional child simply revisit the page after submitting details for the first child.
Moonlit Sanctuary acknowledges the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future.