Chimposiums
Tatu
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Chimposiums are one-hour, educational workshops involving our
world-renowned signing chimpanzees.
Located on the Central Washington University campus, in Ellensburg, Washington,
the institute (CHCI) is designed to facilitate research on primate communication--human
as well as chimpanzee. It serves as a training center for students and as an
educational center for the general public.
Begun in 1966, this is the first and longest running research
project of its kind. Washoe and the other three signing chimpanzees
(Loulis, Dar and Tatu) acquired extensive American Sign Language
(ASL) vocabularies. They gesture and vocalize, the same as chimpanzees
in their natural habitat, and also use ASL in their interactions
with humans and with one another.
CHCI Chimposiums Discuss:
- Free-living chimpanzee culture
- Threats to free-living and captive chimpanzees
- Chimpanzee sign language conversations
- Project Washoe, traced from
its inception to the present
The workshop includes a guided observation of Washoe's family.
Chimposiums for the public are held each weekend, March through
November, (Except Easter Sunday, C.W.U.
Graduation Saturday, and Labor Day Weekend Saturday) at the
following times:
Saturday Mornings - 9:15 & 10:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoons - 12:30 & 2:00 p.m.
RESERVATIONS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Sessions may fill
up or be cancelled if the minimum reservation requirement is
not fulfilled.
Guests should check in 15 minutes prior to above times.
Reservations
Prepaid, non-refundable reservations for Chimposiums are recommended.
Payment by credit card or check or cash is required in advance
to hold your reservations.
For reservations call (509) 963-2244.
To reserve your spot for a Saturday or Sunday Chimposium, please
call (509) 963-2244 weekdays between the hours
of 9:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M.
Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Please Note: Persons requiring an American Sign Language
(ASL) interpreter for a CHCI sponsored program must contact
CHCI at least ten working days prior to the
program's starting date.
Chimposium Tuition:
$10.00 per Adult / $7.50 per Student
Students include preschool-aged children, K-12, and college
students. Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by
an adult. All college students must present
ID to receive the $7.50 student price.
- No photography (still or moving) is allowed in the building.
- Chimposiums are not recommended for children under six years old.
- Reservations are prepaid and non-refundable.
Special weekday group Chimposiums are conducted Monday through Friday
for prearranged student, tour, senior citizen, and other groups with
20 to 40 participants.
To arrange a weekday Chimposium, please contact Lynn
Whitacre (509) 963-2243 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00
p.m. at least two weeks in advance.
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