SUMMER ZOO CAMP
June 29-August 20, 2021
Ages 3-16
Kids! Looking for something to do this summer? Summer zoo camp is back! Choose from eight fun-filled weeks of hands-on activities, games, crafts and animal encounters at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo!
ONLINE REGISTRATION STARTS:
Members: April 15, 9 a.m.
Non-Members: April 30, 9 a.m.
Membership status will be verified upon completion of registration. Non-member registration begins April 30. Non-member transactions attempted before April 30 will be canceled and placed on a waitlist.
For easier registration, make sure your membership information is up to date by creating an account with our new online registration form below.
Registration Information
My child is smart for his age; can I register him for an ‘older’ class?
We feel that campers can maximize their Zoo Camp experience by interacting with peers at their own age level and no exceptions will be made to the age requirements. All sessions offer hands-on learning that is age appropriate. Please register your child for the proper age group.
What if the week I want is filled?
We maintain a waiting list for each session of Zoo Camp. If you are unable to register for the session you want, please email zoocamp@rosamondgiffordzoo.org to be placed on the wait list. If a space becomes available during the waiting period, we will notify all parties on the waiting list in the order received.
SUMMER ZOO CAMP SESSIONS.
*SOLD OUT* - Ages 3 and 4
Exciting Pre-K camps are a wonderful way for your child to experience all Summer Zoo Camp has to offer in a shorter day! Each session is limited to just 10 campers per group. All campers MUST be potty-trained to attend these camps!
Wild Wardrobe
Animals don’t wear clothes, but they do still have clever coverings to protect them from the weather. Learn the connections between what works for them and what works for you! Classroom animal visits & zoo tours provide inspiration for creating an animal wardrobe of your own.
$155 Members / $175 Non-members
Session 2A: July 5 – 9 / 9 a.m. – noon
Hide-N-Seek
Some animals are hard to see in the wild, while others stand out. From camouflage to mimicry to bright colors, come find out why blending in or standing out is so important to many animals in this easy to find camp.
$155 Members / $175 Non-members
Session 3A: July 12 – 16 / 9 a.m. – noon
All the Big and Small
Do you know what the smallest animal is at the zoo? How about the biggest? Lots of weird and wonderful creatures of all shapes and sizes call our zoo home, including some of the most poisonous and fastest animals in the world!
$155 Members / $175 Non-members
Session 4A: July 19 – 23 / 9 a.m. – noon
Zoo Tales
Campers can learn about the zoo counterpart to the animals of some of their favorite books. Campers will tour the zoo, make crafts and meet animals up close in this literary wonder of a camp.
$125 Members / $145 Non-members
Session 6A: August 2 – 5 / 9 a.m. – noon
*Please note: Due to the Brew at the Zoo event there is no class on Friday.
Zoo-Lympics
Can you leap farther than a snow leopard? Do you have the perfect aim of an archer fish? We’ll find out which animals rival our human Olympians and compete in some Olympic games of our own in this medal-worthy camp! Camp will end with a medal ceremony experience for all campers!
$155 Members / $175 Non-members
Session 7A: August 9 – 13 / 9 a.m. – noon
Jr. Vet Camp
It’s time for a check-up and you get to pretend to be the vet on your very own 12” plush animal included with this camp. Learn what our staff does to keep our animals healthy and how you can practice some healthy habits of your own!
$155 Members / $175 Non-members
Session 8A: August 16 – 20 / 9 a.m. – noon
*SOLD OUT* Age 5
Exciting Pre-K camps are a wonderful way for your child to experience all Summer Zoo Camp has to offer in a shorter day! Each session is limited to just 10 campers per group. All campers MUST be potty-trained to attend these camps!
Wild Wardrobe
Animals don’t wear clothes, but they do still have clever coverings to protect them from the weather. Learn the connections between what works for them and what works for you! Classroom animal visits & zoo tours provide inspiration for creating an animal wardrobe of your own.
$155 Members / $175 Non-members
Session 2B: July 5 – 9 / 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Hide-N-Seek
Some animals are hard to see in the wild, while others stand out. From camouflage to mimicry to bright colors, come find out why blending in or standing out is so important to many animals in this easy to find camp.
$155 Members / $175 Non-members
Session 3B: July 12 – 16 / 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
All the Big and Small
Do you know what the smallest animal is at the zoo? How about the biggest? Lots of weird and wonderful creatures of all shapes and sizes call our zoo home, including some of the most poisonous and fastest animals in the world!
$155 Members / $175 Non-members
Session 4B: July 19 – 23 / 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Zoo Tales
Campers can learn about the zoo counterpart to the animals of some of their favorite books. Campers will tour the zoo, make crafts and meet animals up close in this literary wonder of a camp.
$125 Members / $145 Non-members
Session 6B: August 2 – 5 / 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
*Please note: Due to the Brew at the Zoo event there is no class on Friday
Zoo-Lympics
Can you leap farther than a snow leopard? Do you have the perfect aim of an archer fish? We’ll find out which animals rival our human Olympians and compete in some Olympic games of our own in this medal-worthy camp! Camp will end with a medal ceremony experience for all campers!
$155 Members / $175 Non-members
Session 7B: August 9 – 13 / 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Jr. Vet Camp
It’s time for a check-up and you get to pretend to be the vet on your very own 12” plush animal included with this camp. Learn what our staff does to keep our animals healthy and how you can practice some healthy habits of your own!
$155 Members / $175 Non-members
Session 8B: August 16 – 20 / 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages 6 and 7
New session available for Creative Creatures July 17 – 23 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
All other sessions *SOLD OUT*
Wild by Design
Do you know what it takes to run a zoo? From deciding what animals to house, to building the exhibits, to making sure the animals are well taken care of, maintaining a zoo is hard work! During this camp you will design your own zoo model. On the last day you will hold the “Grand Opening” of your zoo!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 1C: June 28 – July 2 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Beastly Builders
Nests, combs, mounds, and bowers. No matter what you call it, animals can build some amazing homes! We’ll learn about these animal architects and create some model homes of our own.
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 2C: July 5 – 9 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Most Extreme Animals
Do you know which bird is the fastest animal on Earth? Which insect is the best problem solver? Which mammal eats half its body weight in blood? Come explore the animal world's most extreme animals, from bodacious bugs to marvelous mammals in this extreme camp!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 4C: July 19 – 23 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Creative Creatures
Use our colorful zoo animals as your inspiration to create in this imaginative camp! You may find yourself sketching a patas monkey, painting a penguin, or sculpting a skink as we explore the animal world with hands-on projects to explore your inner Picasso! To help unleash your inner artist, we'll tour the zoo, attend animal demos and meet animals up close, and finish the week with our very own art show!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 5C: July 26 – 30 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
NEW SESSION 4C2: July 17 – 23 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Zoo-Lympics
Can you leap farther than a snow leopard? Do you have the perfect aim of an archer fish? We’ll find out which animals rival our human Olympians and compete in some Olympic games of our own in this medal-worthy camp! Camp will end with a medal ceremony experience for all campers!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 7C: August 9 – 13 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Jr. Vet Camp
It’s time for a check-up and you get to pretend to be the vet on your very own 12” plush animal included with this camp. Learn what our staff does to keep our animals healthy and how you can practice some healthy habits of your own!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 8C: August 16 – 20 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
*SOLD OUT* - Ages 8 and 9
Wild by Design
Do you know what it takes to run a zoo? From deciding what animals to house, to building the exhibits, to making sure the animals are well taken care of, maintaining a zoo is hard work! During this camp you will design your own zoo model. On the last day you will hold the “Grand Opening” of your zoo!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 1D: June 28 – July 2 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Beastly Builders
Nests, combs, mounds, and bowers. No matter what you call it, animals can build some amazing homes! We’ll learn about these animal architects and create some model homes of our own.
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 2D: July 5 – 9 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Are You Smarter than a Zoologist?
What does it take for animals to outwit and outlast? Surviving is harder than you think when animals compete with one another, the elements and people for their homes and food! Compete in challenges during the week to determine which animal team will be the sole survivor of this tricky camp!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 3D: July 12 – 16 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Creative Creatures
Use our colorful zoo animals as your inspiration to create in this imaginative camp! You may find yourself sketching a patas monkey, painting a penguin, or sculpting a skink as we explore the animal world with hands-on projects to explore your inner Picasso! To help unleash your inner artist, we'll tour the zoo, attend animal demos and meet animals up close, and finish the week with our very own art show!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 5D: July 26 – 30 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Most Extreme Animals
Do you know which bird is the fastest animal on Earth? Which insect is the best problem solver? Which mammal eats half its body weight in blood? Come explore the animal world's most extreme animals, from bodacious bugs to marvelous mammals in this extreme camp!
$215 Members / $235 Non-members
Session 6D: August 2 – 5 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
*Please note: Due to the Brew at the Zoo event there is no class on Friday.
Zoo-Lympics
Can you leap farther than a snow leopard? Do you have the perfect aim of an archer fish? We’ll find out which animals rival our human Olympians and compete in some Olympic games of our own in this medal-worthy camp! Camp will end with a medal ceremony experience for all campers!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 7D: August 9 – 13 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
ZSI
Your job during this camp, if you choose to accept it, is to become a “Zoo Scene Investigator” and unravel some of the zoo’s most intriguing mysteries! Investigate the lives of animals by learning about their behaviors, footprint patterns, different types of scat and other strategies that zookeepers use every day to keep tabs on their animals!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 8D: August 16-20 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages 10 and 11
Wild by Design
Do you know what it takes to run a zoo? From deciding what animals to house, to building the exhibits, to making sure the animals are well taken care of, maintaining a zoo is hard work! During this camp you will design your own zoo model. On the last day you will hold the “Grand Opening” of your zoo!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 1E: June 28 – July 2 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Are You Smarter than a Zoologist?
What does it take for animals to outwit and outlast? Surviving is harder than you think when animals compete with one another, the elements and people for their homes and food! Compete in challenges during the week to determine which animal team will be the sole survivor of this tricky camp!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 3E: July 12 – 16 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Creative Creatures
Use our colorful zoo animals as your inspiration to create in this imaginative camp! You may find yourself sketching a patas monkey, painting a penguin, or sculpting a skink as we explore the animal world with hands-on projects to explore your inner Picasso! To help unleash your inner artist, we'll tour the zoo, attend animal demos and meet animals up close, and finish the week with our very own art show!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 5E: July 26 – 30 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Care of Magic-Like Creatures
In this camp you'll become an expert in 'magizoology' as we explore the world of magical creatures! Compare storybook creatures to their real animal counterparts, meet live animals and create your very own book of monsters in this wand worthy camp!
$215 Members / $235 Non-members
Session 6E: August 2 – 5 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
*Please note: Due to the Brew at the Zoo event there is no class on Friday.
Zoo-Lympics
Can you leap farther than a snow leopard? Do you have the perfect aim of an archer fish? We’ll find out which animals rival our human Olympians and compete in some Olympic games of our own in this medal-worthy camp! Camp will end with a medal ceremony experience for all campers!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 7E: August 9 – 13 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
ZSI
Your job during this camp, if you choose to accept it, is to become a “Zoo Scene Investigator” and unravel some of the zoo’s most intriguing mysteries! Investigate the lives of animals by learning about their behaviors, footprint patterns, different types of scat and other strategies that zookeepers use every day to keep tabs on their animals!
$265 Members / $285 Non-members
Session 8E: August 16-20 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages 12-14
Jr. Zookeepers
Did you know that most of the zookeepers who work here started their careers with domestic animals? Now you can, too! The skills learned in the contact barn working with animals such as goats and chickens apply across all departments in the zoo, from eels to elephants! Campers will spend their week in the contact barn getting their hands dirty through general animal husbandry activities, trying out their training and enrichment skills, and interacting with the public daily, just like every zookeeper here does! This camp is a work experience and campers should expect to get dirty, hot, sweaty, and smelly as they face the challenges of being a zookeeper. This camp is specially designed for the camper with an animal-related career in mind.
Camp participants must have a negative tuberculosis (TB) test on file before their camp session begins. This test must be done yearly.
$430 Members / $450 Non-members
Session 3BC: July 12 – 16 / 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
$430 Members / $450 Non-members
Session 4BC: July 19 – 23 / 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
$430 Members / $450 Non-members
Session 5BC: July 26 – 30 / 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
$345 Members / $365 Non-members
Session 6BC: August 2 – 5 / 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
*Please note: Due to the Brew at the Zoo event there is no class on Friday.
Ages 14-16
Zoo Crew Counselors in Training
Want to be a camp counselor some day? Love working with children? Our Counselor in Training (CIT) program will give you extensive experience is the organization of camp programs, teamwork, and group management. CITs assist in creating a positive summer camp experience for campers (ages 3-11) by encouraging participation, modeling zoo camp expectations, and assisting campers with skills during activities or crafts. All while learning important leadership and communication skills!
$575 Members / $615 Non-members
Session 1ZC: June 28 – July 2 & July 5 – 9 / 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Summer Camp Before & After Care
Does your child need to arrive early or stay late? We offer Before & After Care! Morning care runs 8-9 a.m. and evening care runs 4-5 p.m. You may register your camper for one or both sessions. Before & After care is not offered per diem; you must register and pay for the full week. Pre-registration is required- no drop-ins.
$50 Before or After per person all week
$75 per person for combined care all week
Important Summer Zoo Camp Documents
All documents are .pdf format
Additional Summer Zoo Camp T-shirts
For safety reasons, one camp t-shirt will be provided and must be worn everyday. Additional t-shirts may be purchased for $12 each. No additional orders will be accepted after Wednesday, June 2.
Summer Zoo Camp FAQs
What can my child expect at Zoo Camp?
Your child will participate in fun, hands-on learning that explores every aspect of our zoo. We provide every child with a camp T-shirt, drawstring backpack and snacks each day. Each camper is expected to wear the camp T-shirt daily in order to identify them as a zoo camper to the public and zoo staff. If you would like to purchase additional T-shirts, please order online during the registration process.
What are the qualifications of the Zoo Camp staff?
All staff members have experience working with children. Camp staff pass a criminal background check and receive extensive training before camp starts. The camp director and other zoo staff are trained in CPR and first aid.
What if my camper has special needs?
Please contact the camp director, Christian Delmotte, at cdelmotte@rosamondgiffordzoo.org prior to registration to discuss your child’s needs.
Will my child be able to go into exhibits with the animals?
We have a variety of outreach animals that your child may encounter such as snakes, insects and small mammals, and older campers may have the opportunity to go behind the scenes with keepers. For the safety of your children and our animals, contact with most animals is prohibited.
Can I stay with my child during camp hours?
Zoo camp is about making new friends and memories, and parents at camp can inhibit a child’s experience. Additionally, we strictly adhere to Covid-19 and social distancing restrictions as outlined in the “Reopening NY” Child Care and Day Camp Program Guidelines. Therefore, we ask that parents refrain from staying with children during camp.
What if my child needs medication?
Zoo Camp instructors are prohibited by law from administering any medication to children at Zoo Camp except for Epi-pens in an emergency. Campers capable of self-medication must submit the provided form signed by both their doctor and a parent.
Why do I need my driver’s license to pick up my child?
For your child’s safety, we require that every person picking your child up from Zoo Camp be registered with our instructors. Before your child can leave zoo grounds, the designated person picking him/her up must provide a photo ID and sign for your child.
What if I need to cancel?
If your child is enrolled and you must cancel for any reason, your registration fee is non-refundable unless a child on the waiting list can fill your space. In the event the cancelled space is filled, a 25% processing fee will be deducted from your refund.