When parents think of summer camps for kids, what’s probably envisioned is camping in the woods with lots of outdoor activities. With so many kinds of academic and arts camps now which specialize in so many fields, a summer camp is not necessarily something for outdoor lovers anymore.
Zoo camps are one way to foster your child’s love of animals with a more professional and behind-the-scenes look at how wild animals are cared for in a zoo setting. If you are considering a zoo camp for the summer, try one of these for your child.
San Diego Zoo
One of the premiere zoos in the United States, the San Diego Zoo offers a winter and summer camp for kids taking a break from school activities. This past winter session, kids in grades K-5 got to spend time with reindeer, elephants, koalas and many other animals.
Summer camps go up to grade seven and last five days for around $230 for non-members of the zoo in 2010. For a longer day option at zoo camp, the San Diego Zoo adds $75 to the price for an extra hour and a half per day.
Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo also offers winter and summer camps for kids to explore the zoo. Winter camp lasted for four days in late December for kids on break from school. Camp is for kindergarten through grade four and each day of camp explores one of four different areas of the zoo. Winter camp costs $220 for all four days for non-members.
Day camp during the summer is also available for kids. Called “Camp Zoo,” there are opportunities for children through 8th grade to participate in multiple sessions from June into July. Costs are around $250 for a full day, $155 for a half day.
Audubon Nature Institute
The Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans has some world-class exhibits and fantastic opportunities year-round. The next session of zoo camp is March 9-11 for Mardi Gras. Camps during the summer are available for Pre-K through 7th grade during the summer.
New for this summer is Splash Zoo in New Orleans. Older kids in 4th grade through 7th grade have Zoo Explorer Camp which offers a more in-depth look at nature and animals.
New York City hosts young animal lovers at the Central Park Zoo. Registration for spring/summer 2011 sessions begins January 3rd.
There are all kinds of classes and camps throughout the year including what it takes to be a zookeeper. During the summer the KinderZoo program is for younger kids while the Week of Wildlife is for slightly older children. If you want true immersion, teens can have a 3 week internship for $1800.
The Smithsonian runs the living portion of the museum known as the National Zoo. There are three options for camps for children.
Winter camp runs for a week and is for kids K-5. Day camp during the summer is also for younger kids and focuses on wildlife and conservation. Older children can have overnight camp for grades 5 through ten at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia.
For kids who love nature and animals, there is nothing more fun than an experience during the summer at zoo camp. If you can’t make one of these five top-notch programs, check with your local zoo for times and weeks for zoo camp.
