Incorporate your child’s love of animals into your next vacation, whether in Oregon or in a more tropical locale. Both the Dolphin Quest excursions and the visits to the Wildlife Safari help fund non-profits organizations dedicated to protecting rare and spectacular species.

Dolphin Quest

A recent poll by the BBC found that, when asked to name the No. 1 thing they must do before they die, most respondents named swimming with the dolphins as the ultimate life experience. Dreams of touching and swimming with these magnificent beauties of the ocean come true at Dolphin Quest encounters. Founded by veterinarians, Dolphin Quest is an international organization devoted to the public education and conservation of marine wildlife. At these amazing face-to-face encounters, humans get to touch, feed, play, learn about and swim with dolphins, an experience that creates memories to last a lifetime. Getting there is the challenge. Dolphin Quest has locations on Hawaii's Big Island, on the island of Oahu, and in Bermuda. Prices for the encounters range in the $200 - $300 range. www.dolphinquest.org

Wildlife Safari

Wildlife Safari is a drive-through animal park in Winston, Oregon (about 6 hours south of Portland). In addition to the 1.5 hour vehicle tour, the safari offer many various experiential encounters with the animals, including photos with the big cats from the world-renowned Cheetah breeding program, elephant car washes, lion & bear feeding, camel rides, ranger shadowing, a petting zoo and much more. The safari showcases more than 600 animals. Gate admission in the summer months is $17.99 for adults; $11.99 for children ad free for little ones under the age of 3. www.wildlifesafari.org