Special Event
Camp Zoo 2013
Your thoughtful donation can help send a child to Camp Zoo for one week, positively changing their life forever. Children are our future: the skills learned and relationships fostered at Camp Zoo, are experiences that will inspire and motivate them to care for the natural world.
Click here to make a donation to our ZooReach Scholarship Fund
CAMP ZOO 2013
Click here for information on our Special Needs camps
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.
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 complement and build upon each other. The weekly themes and activities for this year are different than the previous year, but the fun remains unchanged!
Camp Zoo at the Phoenix Zoo is for students who are entering Kindergarten through 8th grade in the fall of 2013. 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 shirt, hat, and water bottle with lanyard. Campers must wear their Camp Zoo shirts every day. 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 caregiving, 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, and activity facilitation.
Camp Zoo 2013 General Information
**Campers MUST wear their Camp Zoo shirt EVERY DAY! One shirt will be included with your registration and additional shirts are available for only $10 (please call Reservations 602.914.4333 to purchase additional shirts).
**Full day pick up time is from 3-3:30pm. The $15 Extended Day Camp charge will be collected for campers
not picked up by 3:30pm.
**Two Camp Zoo orientation days will be offered, May 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and June 1 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Attending these orientation days will allow you to pick up your Camp Zoo gear early, meet some of the Camp Zoo instructors along with the Camp Zoo supervisor and manager, and ask any questions you have about the Phoenix Zoo camp experience. Attending an orientation will also help speed up your check-in on your first day of camp!
Session Dates
Session 1: June 3 – 7
Session 2: June 10 – 14
Session 3: June 17 – 21
Session 4: June 24 – June 28
Session 5: July 1 – 5*
Session 6: July 8 – 12
Session 7: July 15 – 19
Session 8: July 22 – 26
*Special 4 day session: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
Camp Zoo 2013 Daily Schedule
Full Day campers attend 8a.m. – 3:00p.m. (not available for Kindergarten)
Half Day campers attend 8a.m. – 12:00p.m. (not available for 7th and 8th grade)
Extended Day Camp is from 3:00p.m. – 6p.m.
Camp Zoo 2013 Fees
Full Day$250 Members $275 Non-members
Half Day$155 Members $170 Non-members
Extended Day Camp$50 for the entire week when paid in advance (session 5 = $40)
$1/minute for each minute after 6p.m. for late pick ups
Session 5 Fees:
Full Day - $200 Members/$220 Nonmembers
Half Day - $125 Members/$135 Nonmembers
Extended Day Camp - $40 for the entire week when paid in advance, $1/minute for each minute after 6p.m. for late pick ups.
Please fill out all forms and waivers via Formstack:
https://www.formstack.com/forms/?1367693-KUoLyLviRJM
Kindergarten (Half-Day Only) Click here to register.
Storybook Safaris
Animals have inspired many wonderful stories throughout history. Today, some of the most beloved children's books are all about animals. Campers will be exposed to some of the greatest animal stories ever told and will then meet the animals that inspired the stories. Of course, this Camp Zoo session also involves fun games, art and learning activities, stories, behind-the-scenes adventures and special up-close animal encounters that can only be experienced at the Phoenix Zoo.
Offered sessions 1, 3, 5, and 7
Animal Art
Many of the world's greatest artists are not people at all. Animals around the world create beautiful pieces of art everyday! Campers will learn about the unique artists of the animal world and get a chance to mimic these incredible animals with art projects so wild, they could only come from nature. Of course, this Camp Zoo session also involves fun games, art and learning activities, stories, behind-the-scenes adventures and special up-close animal encounters that can only be experienced at the Phoenix Zoo.
Offered sessions 2, 4, 6, and 8
Grades 1 & 2 (Half- or Full-Day) Click here to register.
Animals Big and Small
Animals come in every size, shape, and color… tiny like a beetle or huge like an elephant, skinny like a snake or round like a hedgehog, white like a pelican or red like a parrot. Campers will categorize animal opposites and then compare and contrast to explore what makes animals in the wild and at the Phoenix Zoo unique. Of course, this Camp Zoo session also involves fun games, art and learning activities, stories, behind-the-scenes adventures, and special up-close animal encounters that can only be experienced at the Phoenix Zoo.
Offered sessions 1, 3, 5, and 7
Animals Survive and Thrive
From the coldest tundra to the hottest deserts, animals are able to live successfully in different habitats around the world. Campers will learn how and why animals can survive and thrive in every condition imaginable. Of course, this Camp Zoo session also involves fun games, art and learning activities, stories, behind-the-scenes adventures and special up-close animal encounters that can only be experienced at the Phoenix Zoo.
Offered sessions 2, 4, 6, and 8
Grades 3 & 4 (Half- or Full-Day) Click here to register.
Into the Wild
If you really want to learn all about animals, you have to get out and explore their world. Campers will experience what it's like to track animals in the wild and to tread softly and leave no trace. By visiting animals and their habitats throughout the Zoo, this camp promotes a life-long love of the natural world. Of course, this Camp Zoo session also involves fun games, art and learning activities, stories, behind- the-scenes adventures, and special up-close animal encounters that can only be experienced at the Phoenix Zoo.
Offered sessions 1, 3, 5, and 7
Animal Olympians
Faster, Higher, Stronger. Animal athletes can give a totally new meaning to all of these words. What animal can out-accelerate a race car? Which bird can fly as high as an airplane? Is there an animal strong enough to knock down a tree to get its food? The answers to these questions, along with up-close encounters with our amazing animal Olympians, will have campers smiling in world record time! Of course, this Camp Zoo session also involves fun games, art and learning activities, stories, behind-the-scenes adventures and special up-close animal encounters that can only be experienced at the Phoenix Zoo.
Offered sessions 2, 4, 6, and 8
Grades 5 & 6 (Half- or Full-Day) Click here to register.
Camp Around the World
What if you could journey around the world on the ultimate safari? In just one week campers will make this amazing journey without ever having to leave the Zoo! Campers will learn about animals, habitats, people, and cultures from different regions of the globe. Of course, this Camp Zoo session also involves fun games, art and learning activities, stories, behind-the-scenes adventures and special up-close animal encounters that can only be experienced at the Phoenix Zoo.
Offered sessions 1, 3, 5, and 7
FutureVet Sponsored by
Offered sessions 2, 4, 6, and 8
Grades 7 & 8 (Full-Day Only) Click here to register.
Jr. Zookeepers Sponsored by
Offered sessions 1, 3, 5, and 7
Zoology in the Field
What does it take to be a real field scientist? How do you study animals in their natural habitat? Using real scientific tools to track, observe and study animal habitats and behavior, campers will design a research study to be conducted during the week of camp. Data will be collected, results analyzed, and to conclude the week, campers will report on their findings. Of course, this Camp Zoo session also involves fun games, art and learning activities, stories, behind-the-scenes adventures and special up-close animal encounters that can only be experienced at the Phoenix Zoo.
Offered sessions 2, 4, 6, and 8
