As about 180 children loaded onto four buses bound for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, they got in the spirit with the popular chorus “We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo… How about you, you, you?!”

Carol Grieser, director of the children’s convention, was anticipating the zoo trip as much as the students: “I love the animals! I am so excited because at this zoo there is a gate where you can go in and pet the kangaroos!”

Grieser has a heart for children—“I’ve been retired (from teaching) for 10 years, so this is kind of like my shot in the arm.”

Beyond the fact that the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has recently been named the No. 1 zoo in the United States, organizers had other compelling reasons for the field trip: “Zoos are great because children get to see animals that they just read about or see on TV in their natural habitats.”

Grieser wasn’t the only one excited for the zoo. “I really want to see the elephants… and I hear you can pet the kangaroos!” said 6-year-old Regan Ramirez from Archbold, Ohio.

The children not only got to pet kangaroos and birds, but they also received an education at the zoo. Animals were divided into regions, such as “Asia Quest,” where Julia Rhoden of Oswego, Ill., and Abby Horst and Emily Horst of Saint Thomas, Pa., were able to see a Large Flying Fox and a Golden Mantled Flying Fox.

Children enjoyed showing off their education as well. Upon approaching a red panda, Breanna Kanagy of Lancaster, Pa., said, “Those are really rare! They’re different than other pandas!”

There were also zoo rides available, including a carousel, and animal shows where a child could ask questions of a zookeeper.

Ryan Haggerty of Freeman, S.D., summarized the afternoon at the zoo: “It was awesome! Especially the otters. I could have stayed there all day.”