Girl Scout Day set at aquarium

photo Animal Encounter Specialist Amanda Pippin gives Boo the African grey parrot a reward for performing to an audience at the Tennessee Aquarium.

The staff of the Tennessee Aquarium is launching a new environmental education event Saturday that gives Girl Scouts a behind-the-scenes peek at operations and offers aquarium tours and fun animal encounters.

Fifteen activities and four auditorium programs are scheduled for visiting Scouts, as well as special admission pricing. To be eligible, Girls Scouts and their leaders must wear either their uniform or Scout sash.

"Because this is the first year to hold the program, and we don't know how many Scouts will participate, we've scheduled auditorium programs so that if the behind-the-scenes activities fill up, we'll have events in the auditorium for the overflow," said Thom Benson, Aquarium public relations manager.

Benson said the auditorium programs will be led by the animal encounters staff along with the staff veterinarian, Dr. Chris Keller.

"When Dr. Keller has done these programs, he's been very popular because he has a great sense of humor. People enjoy getting to know him and asking questions. He's really a fascinating guy to have a question-and-answer session with," said Benson.

Upon arrival, girls will be asked to sign up for one of the 20-minute activities. They will be filled on first-come, first-served basis.

Before leaving, Scouts may purchase a Tennessee Aquarium fun patch for $4.

The programs will be repeated on Saturday, Feb. 19, when Cub Scout Day is held at the Tennessee Aquarium.

IF YOU GO

* What: Girl Scout Day.

* When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

* Where: Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St.

* Admission: $10 for Scouts and leaders, $20 parents, $10 siblings ages 3-12, $6 optional Imax 3D ticket; Scouts must wear uniform or sashes.

* Website: www.tnaqua.org.

Note: Cub Scout Day will be held Saturday, Feb. 19.


SCOUT DAY ACTIVITIES

* 10:30 a.m. Butterflies, Birds and Blooms

* 10:45 a.m. Serve the Ray Buffet

* 10:45 a.m. Otter Edibles and Trout Chow

* 11 a.m. Behind-the-Scenes Penguin Peek

* 11 a.m. Wild and Weird Encounters

* 11:15 a.m. Behind-the-Scenes with Scuba Divers

* 12:30 p.m. Really Awesome Reptiles

* 1 p.m. Behind-the-Scenes Penguin Peek

* 1:30 p.m. The Tooth About Sharks

* 1:30 p.m. Sea Turtle Adventure

* 1:30 p.m. Meet the Aquarium's Dr. Dolittle

* 1:45 p.m. Behind-the-Scenes with Scuba Divers

* 2:30 p.m. Parrot Playtime: Macaw Enrichment

* 2:45 p.m. Really Awesome Reptiles

* 3 p.m. Secret Reef Feeding Frenzy

* 3:30 p.m. Saving Endangered Fish

* 3:30 p.m. Splashy Fun: Otter Enrichment

* 4 p.m. Bake a Batch of Fish Food

* 4 p.m. Butterflies, Birds and Blooms

Source: Tennessee Aquarium

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