The 162-year-old campus of the University of Notre Dame is famous not only for its legendary football team but also the mystique of its 1250-acre campus. Founded as a school for young men by Father Edward Sorin, the university became co-educational in 1972 and boasts a student population of approximately 10,000.
The age categories range from Tiny Tots (ages six and under) to Collegiate. Over $10,000 in scholarships will be awarded during the five-day event. This year’s competition marks the 35th consecutive year this competition has been hosted in South Bend on the Notre Dame campus. From 1966 – 1969, A.Y.O.P. was held at the University of Mississippi and Syracuse University. Don Sartell, A.Y.O.P. founder, director and producer, heard about a new arena that was built on the Notre Dame campus.
Festivities will include crafts, animal encounters and hot cocoa in the zoo's classroom. The heated Indoor Learning Center will be open where zoo visitors can see over 100 animals including monkeys, lemurs, rattlesnakes, vipers, copperheads, pythons, poison dart frogs, bats and tortoise.