I'm an elementary school teacher. Can I book a workshop for only one class, instead of a half-day or full-day visit?

Due to the very high demand for school workshops, only half-day or full-day sessions will be offered to elementary schools this year.

The reason that single sessions are offered for other types of youth groups is that they are only available outside of normal school hours (i.e. outside of "peak demand" hours).

Can we run larger sessions, with 2 or 3 classes participating in each?

In the past, I have tried running workshops with large groups and found that it was not possible to achieve the same level of interactivity that can be achieved with smaller numbers. This makes a lot of difference to the overall quality of the session, so workshops are now limited to a maximum of 35 students.

If our school is nut-free, does that mean we cannot schedule workshops?

I am happy to run nut-free workshops (in fact, this is a frequent request). The nuts are used to demonstrate the strength of a Hyacinth Macaw's beak. However, this can instead be demonstrated by showing the students pieces of steel that were bent by the birds. So, "no nuts" is no problem!

How are program fees payable?

Payment by cheque is requested at the end of the day on which the workshops are delivered. Your school will be provided with both an invoice and (upon payment) a receipt. Please make your cheque payable directly to Debbie Johnston.

Can we take pictures during the workshops?

You are free to take any photos that you would like during workshops, and the use of flash bulbs is no problem at all.

Will my students be allowed to hold the birds?

In order to ensure the safety of both the students and the birds, the students will not be permitted to handle the parrots. However, they do get the opportunity to see what the birds
feel like by handling different types of feathers.

Can I reschedule my school or group's visit, if necessary?

If something comes up and it is necessary to reschedule, please let me know as soon as possible so that another school can be booked in your place. I would be pleased to work with you to find an alternate mutually-agreeable date.

Are the birds that will visit my class/group healthy?

Definitely. All of our birds are in the very best of condition. Each one visits the veterinarian at least twice each year to have their nails trimmed and get a visual health check. In addition, they also receive a complete and thorough annual wellness exam. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!