SUMMER ZOO CAMP DATES

July 10 – August 25

PROGRAM DETAILS

WEEK 1 AND 4, JULY 10-14 & JULY 31 – AUGUST 4

Survivor: Animal Kingdom

Do you have what it takes to survive five of the harshest environments on the planet? Meet the animals who do and discover how they overcome the daily challenges of life in the Animal Kingdom.

WEEK 2 AND WEEK 5, JULY 17-21 & AUGUST 7-11

Planet Picassos 

Art is all around – even in the animals we share our spaces with. Discover how animals use pattern, color, dance, and sculpture to make it in their world and then practice what you have learned by making your own masterpieces!

WEEK 3 AND WEEK 6, JULY 24-28 & AUGUST 14-18

Lets Play!

Kids love to play and so do the animals at the Zoo! Spend a week playing like the animals do.

WEEK 7 ONLY, AUGUST 21-25

Cub Camp

During this special week our youngest campers – ages 3-5 – rule the roost! With shorter camp days and no big kids around to get in our way this camp is perfect for potty-trained pre-schoolers and slightly older campers who may not be ready for a full day camp just yet. This summer, with the help of our animal friends, we will be exploring habitats. Campers can expect the same excitement that our older campers experience but in a shorter day. Each camp day will include animal encounters, tours of the Zoo, crafts, games, and story time. Campers may choose the morning (9:00-11:30) or afternoon (1:00-3:30) session that best fits their needs.

To provide a stimulating environment for campers, we recommend that campers avoid repeating weeks. The curriculum and activities for those weeks will be identical.

Summer Zoo Camp Schedule:

Days: Monday through Friday

Dates: July 10 – August 25, 2017

Times: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

For our full-day camps: during the time they are attending camp, children must be at least five years of age.

Visit our website at www.buffalozoo.org to register on-line!

Explorer groups at Zoo Camp are based on the age the camper will be while attending camp. To provide the campers with individual attention, group size is limited. Register early to save your child’s spot!

Explorer groups:

Giraffes: Ages 5 – 6

Rhinos: Ages 7 – 8

Elephants: Ages 9 – 12

Cub Camp: Ages 3 – 5

General Information

Full-Day Camp Arrival/Departure times are 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. respectively. Campers must arrive at the Zoo School entrance on Meadow Drive by 9:00 a.m. and be picked up at the same entrance at 3:30 p.m.

Cub Camp Arrival/Departure times are: 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively for morning session; 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. respectively for afternoon session.

Campers will not be allowed to leave the Zoo without a parent or guardian signing for their child. Please be prepared to show ID upon request.

To better accommodate the needs of our campers’ parents, we do offer a fee-based *Before and After Care Program between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. sharp. Please be respectful of the drop-off and pick-up times of this program. Parents will be assessed a fee of $5.00 for every 5 minutes past 5:00 p.m. that their child remains at the Zoo. (* Sorry, Before and After Care options are not available for Cub Camp week.)

Appropriate clothing must be worn. This includes sturdy shoes and appropriate outerwear labeled with the camper’s name. Each full-day camper will receive a camp t-shirt at the beginning of each week of camp. Campers are encouraged (not required) to wear their t-shirts for the remainder of the week.

Activities will include a combination of exhibit visits, animal information, games, songs, stories, activities and live animal contact. Campers will have the opportunity to interact with a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods from our Education Department animal collection. This provides each camper with the experience and thrill of live animal contact under well supervised conditions.

NO LUNCHES OR SNACKS ARE PROVIDED due to individual food preferences, allergies and dietary restrictions. Campers must bring a bag lunch and snack each day. Please note: due to the potential for severe allergic reactions, peanuts and tree nut products are not allowed at camp.

Any additional questions or information should be directed to the Education Department at (716) 995-6128.

Registration Information

To register for Summer Zoo Camp, complete the application indicating whether you are registering for one week or more. Be sure to indicate all of your choices.

Become a Zoo member and save 10% on Summer Zoo Camp fees. For information on Zoo membership, call (716) 995-6131.

Registration Fee:

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION – Register by Friday, March 17, 2017 and deduct $20.00 from the total camp registration fee (per family deduction, not per child). Early bird registration must be postmarked by Friday, March 17 to be eligible for this discount.

MULTIPLE WEEK/CHILD DISCOUNT – Receive a discount if you register for multiple weeks or if you have multiple children enrolled. Multiple week/child discounts will not be applied to weeks added after initial registration.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS may be available to a limited number of applicants thanks to a grant from the Children’s Foundation of Erie County. To request more information, please call (716) 995-6124, or download a scholarship application from our website www.buffalozoo.org/zoo_camps.html. Scholarships are awarded for one week of camp only and only one per household.

Full-Day Camp Enrollment

Single Child Enrollment                     Multiple Child Enrollment

Full-Day Before Care – 7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.            add $30.00 per week

Full-Day After Care – 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              add $30.00 per week

* Sorry, Before and After Care options not available for Cub Camp week

How to register…

1. Mail your registration – Payment MUST accompany your registration and may be made in cash, by check, money order, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, or American Express. Please make checks payable to the Buffalo Zoo. Mail the completed form and registration fee to:

Education Department/Summer Zoo Camp

Buffalo Zoo

300 Parkside Ave

Buffalo, NY 14214-1999

6125. Fax your registration – you may also fax completed registration with credit card payment to (716) 995-6125.

1. Download & print an on-line registration form – If you have access to the internet, there is an application posted on-line at our website buffalozoo.org. Click on ‘programs’ and scroll down to the Summer Zoo Camp listing to find information about camp and the application.

1. Register on-line – You may register for camp on-line with a credit card payment. Visit our website at buffalozoo.org.

LATE REGISTRATION – Registration must be received at least ten (10) days prior to the first day of the camp week for which your child is registered. Registrations received after that deadline will be assessed a late processing fee of $15.00.

Only completed registration forms will be accepted – this includes the parental release form. Your camper is considered enrolled in the Summer Zoo Camp once you have received a written confirmation letter from the Buffalo Zoo. Once the Zoo has received a completed registration and payment for Camp, a confirmation letter will be sent out within one to two weeks.

CANCELLATION – requests must be made in writing at least one week prior to the start of Summer Zoo Camp in order to receive a refund. All refunds will be assessed one administrative charge of $25.00. Fees will NOT be refunded for any reason after the first day of camp.