“We are proud to partner with Operation Military Kids to bring joy to those families who have sacrificed so much for our country and our freedom,” said Lindsay Burke, communications specialist for Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

Military families with a parent deployed overseas must bring a copy of the parent’s deployment orders to receive free admission. Those who have had a parent return from deployment within the past year must provide a copy of those orders as well. The Zoo also will admit kids with moms deployed overseas or children with moms who have returned from deployment in the past year for free on this day.

South Carolina's Operation Military Kids (SCOMK) program supports families and youth of military personnel, emphasizing outreach to families of deployed National Guardsmen and Reservists. SCOMK provides positive youth development programs and helps mobilize communities to support families of deployed members of the US Armed Forces. Staff from Operation Military Kids will have a booth set up inside the Zoo entrance with information about the organization and support programs for families.

Kids of deployed military personnel are not the only ones receiving free admission that day; Riverbanks will also offer free admission to all fathers. The Zoo will be open from 9am to 6pm on Father’s Day.

Can’t make it on Father’s Day? Dads who are Riverbanks members can enjoy free admission and plenty of fun with the family at this Friday’s after-hours Members’ Night. On Friday, June 19, members will tour the elephant barn, watch the bears, lions and meerkats enjoy icy treats and discover why It’s Cool to be a Mammal.