Youth Group Basic Tours

Project Chimps' Youth Group Basic Tours bring students face‑to‑face with chimpanzees in the rolling, mixed‑hardwood hills near Morganton, Georgia. Located at 2031 Lowery Rd, the sanctuary runs 60–90 minute walking tours along dirt roads and viewing platforms that look into outdoor habitats where retired research chimpanzees move, forage, and play. These tours are designed for groups of 10–40 children, and the sanctuary asks for a $5 per child fee plus a donated item from their Wish List to support daily care.

The setting is Appalachian foothill forest—oak, hickory, and pine stand on gentle slopes and provide both shade and foraging habitat for the chimps. Key on‑site features include windowed viewing areas that let visitors observe social groups without disturbance, sheltered picnic areas, and a main parking lot that can accommodate several buses. The walk itself resembles a moderate hike on packed dirt roads with occasional roots and gravel; special accommodations may be arranged by request.

What makes this program special in northern Georgia is the direct educational focus: guides tailor the experience to youth groups, explaining chimpanzee behavior, conservation challenges, and sanctuary operations in age‑appropriate ways. Seeing chimpanzees in spacious outdoor pens—rather than behind bars—gives students a clearer sense of primate intelligence, social bonds, and why lifetime sanctuary care matters. Project Chimps also links every visit to practical stewardship: suggested Wish List donations, chaperone policies, and pre‑visit scheduling designed to put the chimps’ activity patterns first (chimps are often most active in the morning).

Practical details matter: reserve at least one month ahead, confirm head counts seven days before, and plan start times between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to maximize sightings. Tours operate rain or shine; in severe weather Project Chimps will reschedule or refund. The site is not responsible for, and does not provide, lunches but offers limited microwave and refrigeration access for special‑needs situations.

For teachers and youth leaders, this tour blends outdoor movement, wildlife observation, and a conservation lesson that stays with students. The combination of accessible trails, intentional education, and the rare chance to watch chimpanzee societies in motion makes Project Chimps’ Youth Group Basic Tours a standout field trip option when visiting Morganton and the North Georgia foothills. Bring binoculars and sturdy shoes, and encourage students to keep voice levels low to avoid startling the animals.

One chaperone per 10 students is admitted free; additional adults pay standard entry. Use the restroom before departure and bring packed lunches—onsite picnic space is limited. Photographers should avoid flash and follow staff directions at viewing windows.

If mobility accommodations are needed, request arrangements when booking. Whether for biology lessons, ethics discussions, or an unforgettable encounter, this youth tour connects students to conservation principles and compassionate stewardship.