Church Group To Stay At Philadelphia Zoo During Papal Visit
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Many visitors are spending thousands to stay in Philadelphia the weekend of the Papal Visit.
But some are doing it a bit differently -- and choosing a much cheaper option.
A church group from North Jersey has decided to stay at the Philadelphia Zoo. A group of parishioners from a church in Ridgewood, Bergen County will be sleeping on the ground inside buildings that contain insect and bird exhibits.
Cathy Hunt, the Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, was having a hard time finding hotel space for the Pope's visit when a friend told her about her son's sleep over boyscout trip to the Philadelphia Zoo, so Cathy called and booked all 240-spaces.
"It costs each person $120 because it's $65 for the zoo, the zoo is treating it as if it is a boy scout trip and they are not putting any extra fees on so that's how much it would cost to go there with your scout, and the other $55 is for the bus because we had to rent five buses."
"Hey Pope Francis, we're sleeping at the zoo just to see you," reads a sign held up by one of the young church members staying at the zoo for the visit of the Pope to Philadelphia.
"We were trying to think outside the box," explained a church member.
Hunt admits this trip isn't for everyone because you don't get a comfy bed, and to get to and from the Parkway, you'll be walking.
We're now 59 days away from the arrival of Pope Francis to Philadelphia.
