OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

WILDLIFE EXPO

OKLAHOMA

DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Learn about wildlife and try new activities*.

SCHOOL DAYFriday, September 27, 2019 (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)FREE at the Lazy E Arena located just north of OKC.

Register your school online at:http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/expo

Ride a

mountain

bike...

Break aclay target...

Createnaturalart...

Discoverarchery...

Conquer a

rock wall ...

Learn tofish ...

IdentifyWildlife ...

*Listed activities are subject to change.

TIPS FOR A GREAT WILDLIFE EXPO FIELD TRIP

1. Come early, stay late.

The Wildlife Expo hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Come early or stay late to beat the crowds. Families are welcome to return over the weekend. Parking, admission and activities are always free.

2. Small groups work best. Before you arrive, divide your students up into small groups. (We recommend four students and one adult.) Small groups can move around faster and experience more than large groups.

3. Parking. Parking is free. There are separate entrances for bus traffic and all other traffic (personal vehicles, etc.). Please refer to the “Bus Driver Information” for bus parking instructions. If at all possible, we recommend chaperones ride on the bus with students, so that the small groups are already together when unloading. Chaperones who drive separate should arrive 20-30 minutes ahead of the bus, park, and meet at the Bus Loading Zone on the west side of the arena (see map, next page). The Bus Loading Zone can become hectic during drop off—it is advised that groups share contact information and coordinate ahead of time on specific meeting locations and times.

4. Decide where to go first. Look over the Wildlife Expo program with students, familiarize yourself with the grounds, and pick your top activities before you arrive.

5. Eat lunch on the go.

We encourage students to bring lunch and carry it. To help with this, each student will be given a souvenir cinch sack. Cinch sacks can be picked up at the bus loading zone for all groups. Lunches can be eaten anywhere on the grounds - just find a shady tree off the beaten path, or sit in the arena bleachers. Students who choose to purchase lunch should bring $10 to $15. Outdoor concession stands are spread over the grounds. Inside concessions are found in the hallways of the arena, on both sides. Offerings include soda, hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, etc. Please keep in mind that vendors accept cash and credit/debit cards.

6. Share cell phone numbers. Teachers and chaperones should share cell phone numbers, to reconnect if necessary. Lance Meek, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Senior Information and Education Specialist, can be reached at (405) 919-2817.

OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

School Day: September 27, 2019

WILDLIFE EXPO

7. Dress for the outdoors – rain or shine.

Students are coming to learn about wildlife and the outdoors, and that means being outdoors. Some activities are inside the arena, but many are spread out over the 40 acres of the Lazy E grounds. Dress for the weather and for a lot of walking…save the flip-flops for another day.

8. No need to carry heavy water bottles.

Outside, free water stations (coolers with cone cups) are spaced out over the grounds. Inside the arena, there are water fountains in the hallways. (Bottled water and drinks may also be purchased from concessionaires.)

9. Be mindful of allergies.

It’s that time of year…remember medications for students with allergies. Also, if any students are allergic to animals, please be aware the Lazy E is primarily used for rodeos. The first aid station is inside the arena.

10. Lost? Found? How can we help? All Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation staff members will be wearing a blaze orange polo shirt with the Wildlife Department logo and a name badge. We have one information booth inside the

arena and another outside, where lost and found items are kept, including children. To inquire about lost and found items after the field trip, call Lance Meek at (405) 919-2817. Please note that we hold lost items for 2 weeks and then donate remaining items to Goodwill. We also have accommodations for visitors with special needs - please let us know ahead of time if you need help.

Dear Bus Driver(s): On September 27, students from your school will be taking a field trip to the Oklahoma Wildlife Expo at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie. We anticipate approximately 100 school buses arriving for this popular event. To ensure safety, we worked with the transportation department for Putnam City Schools to devise the following plan. Directions: A map and written directions are located on the back of this letter. If you will be approaching the Lazy E from Seward Road, please be aware there are a couple of very sharp curves. Drop Off: Signs and parking attendants will direct traffic approaching the Lazy E. Buses should pass the main entrance and enter from Post Road. This will allow buses to use the Bus Loading Zone and safely open their doors toward the sidewalk in front of the arena. Parking: After unloading, attendants will direct you to the bus parking lot and assist as you park. Pick Up: When your students are ready to board the bus, loop back through the Bus Loading Zone in front of the main doors to the arena, facing the same direction as when you unloaded. After loading the bus, simply pull forward to exit the grounds through the main entrance. If you have any questions, please contact me. I will have my cell phone with me on the day of your field trip. We hope you have an enjoyable experience at the Wildlife Expo! Sincerely, Lance Meek Senior Information and Education Specialist Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

(405) 522-4572 office; (405) 919-2817 cell

lance.meek@odwc.ok.gov www.wildlifedepartment.com

OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

School Day: September 27, 2019

WILDLIFE EXPO

Travel Directions: The Lazy E is located north of Oklahoma City and east of I-35, between Edmond and Guthrie. From I-35: Exit Seward Road (#151). Watch for sharp curves. Continue onto Douglas (road curves to the right), turn left (east) on Forrest Hills Rd. -Or- Exit Waterloo Road (#146) and turn left (north) on Douglas, right (east) on Forrest Hills Rd.

Onsite Directions: Buses will be directed to enter from Post Road. The Bus Loading Zone is in front of the main doors to the arena. After unloading, buses will be directed to the bus parking lot. When loading for departure, buses will be directed to loop back through the Loading Zone and exit north, through the main gates of the Lazy E.