Notes about your surroundings

Animal Attraction--Youngsters can mingle with the monkeys and talk to the toucans this summer through programs offered by the Santa Ana Zoo and Orange Coast College’s “College for Kids” program.

Junior Zoo Camp, for children 6 and 7 years old, meets from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 7 through 11. The $89 tuition includes daily round-trip bus transportation from the Costa Mesa campus to the zoo, T-shirt, notebook and lab materials.

Zoo camp for older children, 8 to 13, runs the same week. Campers will dissect owl pellets, study body structure, measure and compare animal breathing and heartbeat rates, and observe bird and animal adaptations.

A trip to the San Diego Zoo is included.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday; and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday. Cost is $155.

In addition, “Animal Training in Zoos” is designed for junior high students, ages 12 to 15. They will receive hands-on experience with animals, discuss training techniques and take a field trip to the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, except Thursday, which will be from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The fee is $105.

Registration is recommended for all sessions. (714) 432-5880.

Nature Discovery--Make reservations now to attend family programs on plants and birds at Upper Newport Bay.

Two hours of activities and crafts dealing with plants are scheduled July 17 and 19, starting at 9:30 a.m. Birds of the bay is the topic July 24 and 26. Attendance is limited to 12 children per session, with an adult for every three children.

Classes are held on Shellmaker Island, off Backbay Drive in Newport Beach. Adults are free, children are $5. Reservations: (714) 640-6746.

Give a Hoot--Prowl for owls, bats and other night creatures on an “Owling Outing” from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy. Learn to identify owls by their calls and home in on bug-buzzing bats.

Registration is required by calling (714) 489-9778. The event is for adults and children 12 and older. Cost is $6.

The land conservancy is located in the coastal foothills five miles east of San Juan Capistrano.