Saiga’s Costco Safari Field Trip Policy

Welcome, educators and group organizers! We're thrilled that you’re considering bringing your class or group to Saiga’s Costco Safari, where the rare and elusive Saiga Antelope roams between aisles of bulk snacks and oversized tires. We want your visit to be as smooth and memorable as possible, so please review the following policies and guidelines for field trips.

Booking Your Field Trip:

• Advance Reservations Required:
  All field trips must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance. Due to the unpredictable nature of Saiga behavior, we can only accommodate one field trip per day.

• Group Size:
  We can accommodate groups of 10 to 50 students. If your group exceeds this number, we may require additional staff to assist, and an extra charge may apply. Please contact us for special arrangements.

• Age Group:
  Field trips are best suited for Grades K-8. Older groups may find themselves slightly disappointed by the Saiga’s lack of engagement with more advanced topics, like interacting with animals in controlled ecosystems.

Admission Rates for Field Trips:

• Students:
  $4.99 per student. This includes one brief "Welcome to Saiga’s Costco Safari" talk and a 5-minute supervised interaction with the Saiga (pending its mood).

• Chaperones (1 per 10 students):
  $6.99 per chaperone. Includes access to the Saiga pen and unlimited trips to the bulk cereal aisle. Chaperones are encouraged to assist in crowd control and ensure that the Saiga’s escape attempts do not interfere with snack breaks.

• Additional Chaperones:
  $9.99 each. We highly recommend not exceeding one chaperone per ten students to minimize confusion if the Saiga chooses to flee the premises.

Arrival & Check-In:

• Arrival Time:
  Please plan to arrive 15-30 minutes early to allow for check-in and pre-visit safety briefings. The Saiga is not a fan of being rushed.

• Check-In Location:
  Your group should check in at the Customer Service Desk inside Costco. After check-in, our staff will escort you to the designated Saiga viewing area. Please remain with your group at all times during the visit.

Field Trip Schedule:

• Saiga Observation:
  Groups will rotate in shifts, as the Saiga does not enjoy large crowds. You will spend 15 minutes observing the Saiga from a distance and perhaps, if you're lucky, it will approach you in its own time (the Saiga is a very independent creature).

• Snack Break:
  We recommend a 15-minute snack break in the Costco food court where students can enjoy affordable treats (and avoid attempting to feed the Saiga their pizza). Please clean up after your group—Costco’s cleanliness is key to maintaining the Saiga’s serene environment.

• The Saiga Escape Drill (optional):
  At least once during your visit, there will be a demonstration of our “Saiga Escape Drill,” where your students will learn what to do if the Saiga makes a break for the exit door. We recommend having your students wear closed-toed shoes just in case!

Behavioral Guidelines:

• Respect the Saiga:
  The Saiga is a wild animal and must be treated with care and respect. Running, shouting, or chasing the Saiga is strictly prohibited. Any disruptive behavior may result in immediate dismissal from the zoo.

• No Feeding the Saiga:
  Please do not attempt to feed the Saiga any food—particularly not Costco hot dogs or oversized chocolate bars. The Saiga will not accept food from strangers, and frankly, it doesn’t even seem interested in Costco’s famous rotisserie chicken.

• Respect the Costco Environment:
  While you're here to enjoy a unique experience, remember that Costco is a functioning warehouse store. Students are not allowed to wander off and peruse the bulk items. Stay in the designated Saiga viewing area to avoid any confusion.

Safety Rules:

• Animal Safety:
  For everyone’s safety, the Saiga is housed in a secure, enclosed pen made of stacked shopping carts. Students are not permitted to enter the pen unless directed by a staff member. Do not attempt to touch or lean into the enclosure.

• Escape Protocol:
  In the event of a Saiga escape (which, let’s be honest, is likely), students should follow staff instructions immediately. Do not attempt to chase or approach the Saiga. Instead, calmly exit the viewing area and head toward the designated Saiga-retrieval point.

• Bathroom Breaks:
  Please make sure that students use the restroom before the field trip begins. Restrooms are located near the entrance and the food court. We prefer not to take restroom breaks in the middle of the Saiga’s rare moments of calm.

Cancellation & Rescheduling:

• Weather-Related Cancellations:
  In the case of severe weather (e.g., snowstorms, thunderstorms, or a Saiga “mood swing”), field trips may be rescheduled. Please contact us at least 24 hours in advance to make alternate arrangements.

• No-Show Policy:
  If your group fails to show up for the scheduled field trip without prior notice, a $50 no-show fee will be applied to cover the costs of our staff’s time and the Saiga’s emotional well-being.

Additional Information:

• Lunches:
  We do not provide lunch during field trips, but you are welcome to bring a packed lunch. Picnic areas are available nearby, but please clean up thoroughly after your group.

• Gift Shop:
  A limited selection of Saiga-themed merchandise is available for purchase at the gift shop, including inflatable flamingos, Saiga plush toys, and "I Survived Saiga's Costco Safari" t-shirts. We encourage students to browse, but we cannot accept responsibility for impulse purchases.

Contact Us:

For more information or to book your field trip, please contact our Field Trip Coordinator at:

📧 Email: saigazoo@costcosafari.com
📞 Phone: (555) 123-4567

We look forward to welcoming your group to Saiga's Costco Safari! It’s a field trip experience like no other—where the wild meets the warehouse!