Phoenix Zoo - Purchase tickets, plan events, and buy passes for the best zoo in Arizona

NEW THIS YEAR the Phoenix Zoo offers two different camps on alternating weeks so children can spend more than one session at Camp Zoo! The two different camps are designed to compliment and build upon each other.

Children will have fascinating adventures with the natural world this summer at Camp Zoo. Each age-appropriate, weeklong session is filled with up-close animal encounters, hands-on activities, games, in depth investigations, and organized free-time. During the mornings, we’ll take advantage of the cooler temperatures and participate in outdoor activities such as water-play and hiking. In the afternoons, when the temperature increases, we will spend more time participating in indoor activities.

Camp Zoo at the Phoenix Zoo is for students who are entering Kindergarten through 8^th grade in the fall of 2010. Choose from 8 weeks of full-day (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.) or half-day (8 a.m. – noon) sessions.

Please note that for grades 7 & 8, only full-days are offered and for Kindergarten, only half-days are offered.

All camp participants will receive a t-shirt, hat, water bottle, and strap. Full day participants will need to bring their lunch each day. We encourage you to pack your camper’s lunch in a reusable container whenever possible. Refrigeration is not available; however, all lunches are kept in an air conditioned room. Campers are able to recycle paper, aluminum and plastics labeled #1- 7. Please do not send glass containers in your child’s lunch.

All of our lessons and activities are age-appropriate and designed for multiple learning styles. Young children will be introduced to nature with smaller animals, basic care giving, art projects, and very simple action projects. Older kids are introduced to more advanced activities, information, and skills to complement their development and understanding. The oldest campers, seventh and eighth grade, explore animal training, zoo careers, and visitor education. Although our lessons are developed ahead of time, we do leave room for individual self-expression, and the programs are flexible to meet the needs of each particular group.

Our instructors possess respect and understanding for children and a deep passion for the natural world. They are well trained in interpretive techniques, group management, activity facilitation, and first aid.

Camp Zoo 2010 Sessions

Session 1: June 7 – 11

Session 2: June 14 – 18

Session 3: June 21 – 25

Session 4: June 28 – July 2

Session 5: July 5 – 9

Session 6: July 12 – 16

Session 7: July 19 – 23

Session 8: July 26 – 30

Camp Zoo 2010 Fees

Full Day

$252 Members $280 Non-members

Half Day

$153 Members $170 Non-members

After Camp

$50 for the entire week when paid in advance

$1/minute for each minute after 4p.m. for late pick ups

Lab Fee

There is a $50 lab fee for all 7^th-8^th grade camps.

Camp Zoo 2010 Daily Schedule

Full Day campers attend 8a.m. – 3p.m. (not available for Kindergarten)

Half Day campers attend 8a.m. – noon (not available for 7^th and 8^th grade)

After Camp is from 4p.m. – 6p.m.

Short, tall, scaly, furry, quiet, and noisy … the animals at the Phoenix Zoo are very different, but they all need our care. Our youngest campers will learn about animals and basic care giving through games, stories, art activities, and simple action projects. Up-close, hands-on interactions with education animal ambassadors and animal residents in Harmony Farm will help campers perfect their care giving skills and develop a respect for animals.

Pretty, pokey, poisonous, and palatable … the natural world and all its wildlife are powered by plants! Plants help define animal habitats, act as shelter, and, of course, are food that help animals and children grow big and strong. Our youngest campers will learn how plants grow, how people care for plants, how animals use and eat plants, and how plants, people, and animals are all connected. Games, stories, art activities, simple action projects, and, of course, special animal encounters will help make this a WILD week for campers.

Tortoises, and ocelots, and hornbills – oh my! Are you crazy for animals? Then this is the camp for you! Games, stories, art-activities, simple action projects, behind-the-scenes experiences, and special animal encounters will help campers learn the zany, amazing, and specialized behaviors, adaptations, and anatomy of animals (lions, tigers, and bears also included!).

Whether it's a rhinoceros in the African savanna, a spectacled owl in the South American rainforest, or a mountain lion in the North American temperate forests, animals make their homes in some wild places. Campers will explore habitats from around the world - including those created in the Phoenix Zoo. Through games, stories, art-activities, action projects, behind-the-scenes experiences, and special animal encounters, campers will learn how animals use their habitats and the resources contained within to survive.

The world around us is an amazing place! This week of camp allows children a chance to explore, observe, and appreciate their natural surroundings and the interconnectedness of life. Campers will discover microscopic animals that live in a pond and will travel to unique and picturesque mountain landscapes that overlook the Zoo. In addition, games, stories, art-activities, simple action projects, animal encounters, and much more will be enjoyed as we help campers broaden their ecological knowledge and awareness.

The world around us is an important place! This week of camp allows children a chance to help protect and conserve the natural world. Service and conservation projects within the Zoo and beyond will allow campers to complete their week knowing they have made a difference. Along with action projects, campers will enjoy games, stories, art-activities, special tours, and animal encounters that reinforce the importance of respecting the places we live, the resources we need to survive, and the living creatures with which we share our environment.

Do you like asking questions? Or does everyone rely on you for answers? Do you like to explore and solve problems? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then this camp is for you! Observing animal behavior, perfecting our animal tracking skills, designing experiments, and investigating animal clues left behind, are just some of the activities campers will experience. This scientific method themed week of fun will also include games, stories, art-activities, special tours, and up-close animal encounters. Campers should come prepared with a sense of adventure and plenty of curiosity!

How does a zoo create a home for animals? By the end of this exciting and productive week, campers will be able to answer that question and show off their very own animal exhibit design plan. Games, stories, art-activities, special tours, and animal encounters will help campers develop their knowledge. Campers will then combine their knowledge and ingenuity to design an animal exhibit, complete with interpretive graphics. And who knows? Maybe one of these designs will be inspiration for a new or redesigned Phoenix Zoo exhibit!

Do you think working as a Zookeeper would be fun? It is! In this fast-paced, week-long session our oldest campers will have a chance to learn the ins and outs of being a zookeeper. From cleaning to feeding, training to behavioral enrichment, campers will experience the rewards and challenges of this most popular job at the Zoo. But we won’t stop there… at the Zoo there are LOTS of fun jobs to do. Campers interested in food, shopping, math, anatomy, writing, computers, education, marketing, and more, might find there’s a job at the Zoo that’s perfect for them. Special tours, animal encounters, and guest speakers will allow campers to learn about all the work it takes to run a zoo.

Love animals? Love to show off? Discover what it takes to be an animal presenter! During this intensive, week-long session campers will create and present an animal show for their parents and other Camp Zoo participants. Lots of hard work goes into the production of an animal show. Campers will first build their knowledge by observing animal training sessions and researching animal information. Then campers will prepare for the show by learning to handle some of the zoo’s basic program animals and writing, editing, and practicing a program script. The unique experiences provided in this camp are truly WILD and exemplify why there’s “no business, like Zoo show business!” This program requires a separate application form that can be obtained by contacting our reservations department 602.914.4333 or by e-mailing teamreservations@thephxzoo.com .