Good Zoo Summer Camps ~
June – August, 2023
Experience wildlife, nature, science, and the outdoors through exciting experiments and live animal ambassadors! Various summer camps are available for ages 4 and up. Program sizes are limited, so register early!
Online Registration
To register, select “Register Now” for your desired program below.
Early Bird Discount! – Enjoy 10% off when you register by April 30, 2023.
-
Muddy Grubby
Age 4 – Entering First Grade
Nothing is too muddy or grubby for us in our most popular zoo summer education program! It’s all about Nature Play. We’ll find critters in the creek and worms in the mud. Splash, dig, explore, and build in this program. Visit with the animals, create nature art, and more! Make memories as we enjoy summer days exploring nature in this unforgettable experience.
June 5 – 9
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. -
Creepy Critters
Age 4 – Entering First Grade
From creepy crawling creatures to scaly slithering serpents, explore the misunderstood critters in the zoo and out in nature! Even some of the cute and fuzzy animals have some odd adaptations. Campers will face their fears while meeting a cockroach and will even create a maze for pillbugs. Through games, crafts, and other activities, children will develop an appreciation for animals that they may have disliked before, or enjoy learning more about the critters they have always loved!
June 26 – 30
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. -
Where the Wild Things Are
Age 4 – Entering First Grade
In this program, we’ll learn about each of the seven continents and use crafts and hands-on activities to recreate the variety of habitats. Then, venture off into the zoo to discover the animals that call these habitats their home. Get a glimpse into the different cultures of the people that share the continents, too – decorate your own boomerang, create an African-inspired necklace, and make “sushi” for some of our animals!
July 17 – 21
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. -
Animals in Action
Age 4 – Entering First Grade
Hop like a kangaroo, slither like a snake, and run like a cheetah! Participants will discover why animals move the way they do and see them in action. We’ll start each day with animal yoga, and then use games and activities to explore the athletic capabilities of animals and see how our abilities match up!
August 7 – 11
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. -
Keeping It Real
Entering 2nd & 3rd Grade
Through simulations, activities, and games, we will explore the exciting, rewarding, and demanding jobs at the zoo! Build your own animal exhibit and learn how zookeepers enrich and train animals. Examine real live zoo animals, read x-rays, use a microscope, and compare animal heart beats. You can even join our “I ate a bug club,” if you want, by taste-testing some of the same foods our animals eat. Monday through Thursday all activities take place at the zoo, but on Friday afternoon, we’ll take a swim at the outdoor pool.
June 12 – 16
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. -
Zoo-per Powers
Entering 2nd & 3rd Grade
Animals have incredible talents, much like the abilities of super heroes. Explore many of the extraordinary things animals can do! Learn how some animals have super senses. See how some creatures can become almost invisible with their camouflage! At the end of the week, campers will design their own super animal and tell a story about its powers. Monday through Thursday all activities take place at the zoo, but on Friday afternoon, we’ll take a swim at the outdoor pool.
July 3 – 7
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. -
Play with the Animals
Entering 2nd & 3rd Grade
Play With the Animals!!! Join the zoo’s team to learn about how we make sure that the animals at the zoo are happy, healthy, and display natural behaviors. You’ll help us make special enrichment items and treats for the zoo animals and learn about how we train animals to assist with health and veterinary procedures. You’ll also get to make an enrichment item for your pet at home! Visit animal ambassadors and more! Each day will begin at the zoo, but in the afternoons we’ll take a swim at the outdoor pool and play the training game in the water like a dolphin! Want to come to the program, but don’t want to go to the pool? Try our ½ day option from 9 am – 12 pm!
July 24 – 28
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Half Day Option – No Pool) -
Dirty Filthy
Entering 2nd & 3rd Grade
Don’t wait to join this popular messy adventure! Look for icky objects in a forest scavenger hunt! Collect branches to build a simple wilderness shelter. Complete a pollination experiment, play in the water, and learn the value of our “cute” and “not-so-cute” zoo animals. Monday through Thursday all activities take place at the zoo, but on Friday afternoon, we’ll take a swim at the outdoor pool.
August 14 – 18
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. -
Wild Work
Entering 4th – 8th Grade
Experience the challenges of working at a zoo in this hands-on program. You will tackle the chores of a keeper, teach “guests” about the animals, and do some real research. You will even learn veterinary responsibilities as you share in the care of one of our animals, as well as many other activities to better understand all the wild jobs in a zoo. Interview a real zookeeper and get your most curious questions about life in a zoo answered! You’ll also get a chance to design your own exhibit. Monday through Thursday all activities will take place at the zoo, but on Friday afternoon, we’ll take a swim at the outdoor pool.
June 19 – 23
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. -
ZSI: Zoo Scene Investigation
Entering 4th – 8th Grade
A practical joker is creating havoc at the zoo. Animal names and graphics are changed, misinformation is prevalent, and even one of the golf carts is vandalized. Your help is needed to collect evidence, like fingerprints, and interview suspects. Earn your investigator’s badge as you solve these mysteries and help zoo visitors learn the true facts about the animals as you learn some forensic techniques. Campers will spend the afternoon swimming at Oglebay’s Outdoor pool. Want to come to camp, but don’t want to go to the pool? Try our ½ day option from 9 am – 12 pm!
July 10 – 14
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Half Day Option – No Pool)
-
Get Your Game On
Entering 4th – 8th Grade
Test out your knowledge, agility, survival skills, and ability to overcome gross challenges in this game show inspired camp! From jeopardy to fear factor, we will put our zoo twist on popular game shows. See if you can guess the price of many items used at the zoo. Are you smarter than a zookeeper? Face off in a trivia challenge with our staff. Monday through Wednesday all activities will take place at the zoo, but on Thursday afternoon we will visit Oglebay’s aerial course and Friday afternoon we’ll take a swim at the outdoor pool.
July 31 – August 4
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
*Registrations must be received at least 7 days prior to the start of any program. If space allows, registrations will be accepted on shorter notice, but will require a late registration fee of $5 per child.
Program Add-Ons
- Before & After Care – $8 per hour, per child
Available Monday – Friday from 7:30 – 9 a.m. and 3 – 5:30 p.m.
*No refunds for unused time, and unused time cannot be transferred to another family. Before and aftercare is available for full day, weekday programs only.
- T-shirts – $18.54 each (Plus applicable taxes and fees)
T-shirt orders must be received prior to July 1, 2023.
- Boxed Lunches – $6 per day
Snacks and drinks will be provided each day. Participants in full day programs must bring a lunch or purchase a boxed lunch from the zoo. Lunches include juice and/or water.- Monday – Chicken Nuggets, Fruit Cup, Pretzels, Capri Sun
- Tuesday – Taco in a Bag, Cheese Stick, Fruit Cup, Capri Sun
- Wednesday – Half Wrap/Deli Sandwich (Turkey & American Cheese), Cheese Stick, Fruit Cup, Capri Sun
- Thursday – Mac & Cheese Wedges, Pudding, Pretzels, Capri Sun
- Friday – Hotdog, Cheese Stick, Applesauce, Capri Sun
Menu items are subject to change.
Questions? Contact our Zoo Education Department at 304-243-4068.