We all know that the Disney parks are FUN for the family but did you know that they can also be educational as well.
I experienced just how educational and fun it could be at Animal Kingdom while trying to earn my Wilderness Explorers Badges while on my Monkey Kingdom press trip last week.
Yep, I made different stops throughout the park and earned badges (stickers) in a booklet after completing tasks or learning more about specific animals. * There are different interactions at each location.
There are a total of 31 badges to be earned but they believe learning is an on going process, so there is no pressure to get them all in 1 day. We were able to get 12 badges in about 2 and a half hours. * You can even earn 2 badges at some of the locations.
Most of the Wilderness Explorers stops have Troop leaders, who are trained educators, there to educate the kids and help them earn their badges. * There are 8 troop leader locations.
They want it to be authentic, so they even have cultural representatives from Africa & Asia that share facts and stories about their countries.
Participating in the Wilderness Explorers Program also allows you to discover the park in a whole new way because you are paying attention to the details around you or taking routes you may have overlooked.
Their ultimate goal is too connect families with nature and that’s exactly what we get to do. In this case, I was able to bond with my fellow blogging buddies.
More about their Wilderness Explorers Program
The Wilderness Explorers Program at Disney’s Animal Kingdom encourages families and children to experience the park in a whole new way! As Wilderness Explorers, Guests participate in a variety of activities, such as hiking the trails, digging for fossils, studying gorilla behaviors, listening to animal sounds, learning how veterinarians care for animals, and interacting with Cultural Cast Members representing different countries in Africa and Asia. Completing each activity allows you to earn a sticker badge in their very own Wilderness Explorers handbook, which can be picked up from any of the nine Troop Leader locations around the park. Explorers can earn up to 31 badges, but are encouraged to earn these badges in multiple visits, since exploring is a lifelong adventure! Completing all 31 badges gives Guests the honorary title of Senior Wilderness Explorer. The program’s goal is to connect Guests with animals, conservation and culture while spending time together as a family, during and even after their visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Monkey Kingdom is now in theaters! Want to know more about Monkey Kingdom, check out my post: 8 Fun Facts About Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom
** For every ticket purchased during opening week (through 4/23), a donation will be made to Conservation International.
