Winter means it is time for hot chocolate, comfy sweaters, cold weather and sometimes even snow. That is, for places other than California, where it is always hot and you can walk around with just a t-shirt even in November.

However this year, the snow and hot chocolate will be brought to campus by America’s Teaching Zoo for their visitors at the Arctic Lights event on December 17 and 18, according to zoo operations and lab technician Mara Rodriguez.

“The Arctic Lights event incorporates the holidays into the atmosphere [of the zoo],” Rodriguez said. “We have a machine that will blow snow… and kids can play in it.”

Part of the money raised during this event, which is free for all Moorpark College students, will be put towards expanding and improving the Zoo’s infrastructure, though this event is not strictly a fundraiser.

The process of expansion is still far from being completed, with the first phase being to build a new enclosure for the big cats. The whole project, which includes other renovations, is estimated to cost around $4.5 million. The zoo has so far raised about $100,000 towards that goal, Rodriguez explained.

“A purely personal goal for me would be to see the start of the constructions within five years,” Rodriguez said.

However, the upcoming event is less about raising money and more about providing a fun holiday event for everyone in the community who helps to support the Zoo year-round, according to Rodriguez.

“Our intention for this event, Arctic Lights, truly is to give our regular visitors an opportunity to come to the zoo and feel and see something a little different,” Rodriguez pointed out.

The zoo will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekend after finals. Entry fees are $8 for adults, $6 for children 3-12 and free for both those ages 2 and under and Moorpark students.