Maya Ford and the Houston Zoo at the Texans Training Camp
As a proud volunteer for the Houston Zoo, I’m always delighted to see how many places the Zoo has a presence, by virtue of it’s participation in so many of the events and activities that go on in our community.
Take this week for example. Football is such a huge part of life here, and every year the public is invited to watch the Texans training camp in early August next to Reliant Stadium. I was there Sunday morning, and the stands were packed with adults and children alike.
Behind the bleachers there was an upbeat atmosphere, with music playing, concession stands and booths giving things away. I went back to get some water and lo and behold, I saw the familiar green logo on a table front and center!
I walked up and met members of the marketing department seen here: Maya Ford and Nolan Vander Haagen. They were doing a drawing for a free membership to the zoo… and had a give away wheel where lucky spinners could win prizes like a green conservation bracelet or a free ride on our beautiful carousel.
Houston Zoo give away wheel where lucky spinners could win prizes.
And everyone who spun the wheel got a tattoo of Toby, our new red panda (the Cutest Animal in the World!!) as well as a shiny Tiger paw print stamped on their hand in gold.
The Texans Training Camp continues through this week so if you’re going to be there, stop by, enter the Membership Giveaway and give the Houston Zoo wheel a spin!
Written by Houston Zoo Docent, Rochelle Joseph, HouZooRochelle@gmail.com
Photos by Rochelle Joseph, www.naturegirrrl.blogspot.com
First time to look at this blog. Great site and very informative. Like the hook to the Texans – being an avid fan of the Texans and the zoo. Pictures really make it work.
I love this article and will make a point to go to the zoo this week.
Sounds like a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I wish I were in the area.
What a vibrant interesting article…thanks for sharing
Oh yes! Football and Zoo … two of my favorite things!
Visiting your Zoo is on my Things To Do list now that I’ve gotten to know it through your wonderful blog. I must meet your wonderful giraffe in person!
Thanks for the photos! I wish I could have been there…football and the zoo and free things, too !
I love this blog. What a great idea to set up booth at the football practices. I hope you get some new Zoo members from this. I want the stuffed elephant.
What a fun idea and a great way to boost membership. Kids and adults alike love the chance to win something, and what better thing to win than zoo membership!
Loved the reference to the table manned for the Houston Zoo. I have friends who recently moved to the Houston area, so I will be mentioning this to them. They enjoy animals and will be looking forward to visiting the zoo soon I’m sure. Thanks Rochelle for the heads up. Also visited your blogspot. Love the pictures, videos and information.
I stumbled onto the Houston Zoo link and love it. It brings back fond memories. We were transferred to a small town outside of Houston. It was the first time we had been so far from family. Our children were young. Each weekend we would take them into Houston to various attractions. The Houston Zoo was one of our favorite places.
I remember when they opened the aviary in the ’60′s. I think it was one of a kind or at least of not many in the state. Birds flew free around and about the tourists. It was an incredible experience and one I have never forgotten.
The zoo is a place that I would love to visit again. However we are no longer living close to Houston.
So glad to see that the Zoo has a blog. Our family LOVES going to the Zoo and we our proud our community has such a fine zoo. What a great idea to have the Zoo Membership drive out at the Texans pre-season activities since they also sponsor such great family events.
Love the idea of a zoo blog…. for those of us that cant get to the zoo that often, these wonderful features bring the zoo to us. Great story. Keep up the excellent job!!!
I was there! During the training camp, I went behind the bleachers to check out all the commotions. I stumbled upon the Houston Zoo booth and walked away with bunch of new info courtesy of Maya. Did you know that you never really know exactly how far along a mommy giraffe is in her pregnancy? And the Houston zoo has a panda, more specifically a red panda? Can’t wait to go to the zoo!
Coming from a small town, I am always amazed by what the Houston zoo has to offer and by its reach within the region. Tatoos are really big with my niece and nephew, who I call my two little red-headed orange cats. It’s probably high time that they meet the red panda. And I am very supportive of conservation efforts, so please keep the green bracelets a flowing.
Didn’t have a clue that the zoo had a blog. Its a great idea so keep it going.
A red panda??? I will click on that link for sure. I wish we had a zoo closer to us, because I envy your volunteer work, and I hope they appreciate you! Next time I’m in Houston, I will definitely visit your zoo. My son will be moving to Austin soon, and my daughter’s husband is from Houston, so I have reasons to visit, and the Zoo will now be another cultural attraction on my travel agenda.
Thanks.