Over 3,400 elementary and middle school students will be on hand for the inaugural Topeka Pilots Kids Day Game on Thursday, October 3rd at 10:30 am in Landon Arena. Prior to the game, all attendees will be greeted by Topeka Zoo Docents and Educators who will be on the main concourse featuring four different educational displays. “There will be nineteen schools from nine districts in the greater Topeka area that will be represented at the game,” Said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. “This is a great opportunity for us to get our message out in a fun environment filled with kids.” The Pilots Kids Day Game is dedicated to children experiencing hockey in an educational atmosphere.
The education displays is just the first part of the Zoo’s involvement in the event. During the first intermission, the Zoo’s education department will take the ice. The intermission program will focus on animal adaptations including the need for some animals to migrate away from cold environments. “The star of the intermission program will be Lilly a rehabilitated but non-releasable Turkey Vulture,” said Wiley. “Vultures feature a lot of special adaptations. Landon Arena will be the largest indoor space she has ever flown in.”
The Topeka Zoo is one of six outside organizations coming together to partner with the Topeka Pilots to engage youth in a fun and educational environment. Other organizations involved include the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E), and the Topeka Police and Fire departments and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office.
“The Topeka Pilots have really become engaged in family and youth related community activities,” said Wiley. “We’re thrilled to be part of the Pilots Kids Game Day.”
For additional information, contact Brendan Wiley at 785-506-3797 or bwiley@topeka.org.
