A Wild Day at the Minnesota Zoo!
October 16, 2026
A Wild Day at the Minnesota Zoo!
Nine Homeward Bound homes, one beautiful day, and plenty of memories made together!
What a day for Homeward Bound! Residents and staff from nine of our 22 homes came together for our second trip to the Minnesota Zoo, and what a great day it turned out to be!
Zealand, Bluebird, Lake Drive, June, Winnetka, Medicine Lake, 82nd, Noble, and Independence were all represented, along with members of our HR team. With so many familiar faces throughout the zoo, it was a wonderful opportunity for residents to enjoy a day out in the community and spend time with friends from other homes.
One of the things we’ve learned through our recreation outings is just how much our residents look forward to seeing one another. When an upcoming trip is announced, one of the first questions we often hear is, “Who else is going to be there?”
That question means a lot. While our residents live across 22 different homes, the friendships and connections they’ve built extend well beyond their own front doors. Our staff recognize how important those relationships are and make an extra effort to coordinate outings that bring residents from different homes together. Sometimes the best part of an adventure isn’t where you’re going, but who you get to share it with.
And this time, the animals gave everyone plenty to talk about!
During our summer visit, some residents were disappointed that the animals weren’t quite as active as they’d hoped. But on this beautiful fall day, the animals were out and about! One resident particularly enjoyed visiting the big cats, with the leopard being a favorite. Many of our groups also took advantage of the special seal show, which brought plenty of excitement and smiles.
After gathering for a group photo, everyone split into smaller groups to explore the exhibits & trails at their own pace. Some stopped to take in their favorite animals, while others enjoyed walking the Treetop Trail, getting some fresh air, and taking in everything the zoo had to offer.
There was laughter, conversation, and plenty of smiling faces throughout the day. And while the animals were certainly a highlight, the greatest part was simply being together. Spending time with friends, sharing new experiences, and being part of the larger community are opportunities we want every Homeward Bound resident to enjoy.
Making a Day Like This Possible
Getting residents from nine homes out into the community takes a tremendous amount of coordination, preparation, and teamwork. These outings don’t happen without the people working behind the scenes and the staff who make each experience possible.
A special thank-you to Kristine, our Director of Partnerships, for coordinating with our house leaders and staff to bring everyone together.
Thank you to our Operations Administrators, who worked to ensure our homes maintained the coverage and support they needed while residents and staff were out enjoying the day.
And, of course, a huge thank-you to our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). From preparing residents for the day and coordinating transportation to navigating accessibility needs and providing individualized support throughout the trip, there is so much that goes into making an outing like this successful. Their dedication allows our residents to experience more of the world around them, safely and comfortably.
These are the moments that remind us why expanding access to recreation matters. A trip to the zoo might seem like a simple day out, but for our residents, it can mean reconnecting with an old friend, seeing a favorite animal up close, trying something new, or simply enjoying a change of scenery.
Nine homes, countless smiles, and one great day together.
Homeward Bound certainly had a wonderful presence at the Minnesota Zoo, and we’re already looking forward to the next opportunity to bring our community together. We hope you’ll join us next time!
