Elijah Goes to Winter Zoo Camp

Elijah's first day at Winter Zoo Camp!

Elijah is James' "Little Brother" through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.  He's a great kid.  They were introduced two years ago when Elijah was seven, and they've had all sorts of adventures together.  James made a book for Elijah this past Christmas about all the things they've done (you can see it here if you have a Snapfish account).

Over the winter break, while we were off visiting family back East, Elijah had the opportunity to go to the Oakland Zoo's Winter Zoo Camp program.  In the summer months the zoo offers scholarships, but not in the winter.  A bunch of our friends stepped up and chipped in, and together we were able to send him to all nine days!

James taught Elijah how to use his old camera so he could capture the experience and share it with everyone.  In the end, Elijah selected about 20 of his best shots (he took over 400!!!) and James helped him make a book about it.  That book is also on Snapfish, here.

Here are a few highlights from the book...

Elijah got to hold bones and skulls.
Flat teeth are for chewing, and
pointy teeth are for tearing.

Elijah made a present for the tigers to open...
(you'll have to read the book for what happened!)

The gibbons looked like they were doing kung fu!

Elijah hiked really far uphill,
so high that he saw the Golden Gate Bridge!