Zoo Camps

Description

We offer week-long summer camps for children entering Kindergarten (and age 5) and grades 1-8. A standard camp day runs from 9am-4pm, with extended care options available for an additional fee. Extended care drop-off is no earlier than 8am and pickup is no later than 5pm; availability is limited. We provide a fresh fruit or veggie snack for all camp sessions; campers must bring their own lunches. We do our best to host a tree nut-free environment for our campers. We receive and comply with guidance from our local health agencies regarding COVID-19 and all other health and welfare concerns.

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Registration

Registration opens on Saturday, March 8th for zoo members.  If you are a zoo member, the Zoological Society will email camp information and a registration link a few days in advance.  Please reach out to the Zoological Society at 973-731-5800 ext. 241 to confirm your current family membership and your preferred email address.

Registration will open on March 15 for non-members of the zoo.  Camp information and the registration link will be posted here, on this webpage.  The webpage will be updated for registration to open on March 15 in the morning around 8:30am (the website always takes a few minutes to update so it may not be exactly 8:30am).

Search for your desired date in the top left corner of the page

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Age Groups/Themes

Zoo Tales: rising kindergarteners (5+ years old)

• Stories from the book series “Celebrate the Seasons” by Linda Glaser inspire learning about animals and our world.

Super Animals: rising 1st & 2nd graders 

• Discover how animals use their adaptations to survive within their environments.

Wild Designs: rising 3rd & 4th graders 

• Investigate habitats and the architects found in the natural world.

Conservation Quest: rising 5th & 6th graders 

• Explore conservation around the world and learn how animals are protected right here in New Jersey.

Zoo Crew: rising 7th & 8th graders 

• Learn all about being a zookeeper, from feeding the animals and creating enrichment activities, to building habitats.  Note: There is a physical aspect to this camp and much more time is spent outside.

***Camp curricula are repeated weekly throughout the summer. Please keep this in mind if you intend to register your camper(s) for more than one week.***

Camp Weeks

• Week 1: June 23rd – June 27th
• Week 2: June 30th – July 3rd, no camp on July 4 (fee is prorated)
• Week 3: July 7th – July 11th
• Week 4: July 14th – July 18th
• Week 5: July 21st – July 25th
• Week 6: July 28th – August 1st
• Week 7: August 4th – August 8th
• Week 8: August 11th – August 15th
• Week 9: August 18th – August 22nd
• Week 10: August 25th – August 29th, ages 5-10 only, no extended care available

All age groups and extended care are available during the first 9 weeks of camp. There is a separate registration and fee for extended care.

Search for your desired date in the top left corner of the page.

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Cost

$500 per person/week for ages five through rising 6th graders

$550 per person/week for rising 7th and 8th graders

**Extended care requires a separate registration and fee.

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Additional Information and Cancellation Policy

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Cancellation policy: Refunds are guaranteed for cancellation requests made in writing least 3 weeks prior to the start of program. For requests made within 3 weeks of the start of camp, refunds are not guaranteed.

Sign-in Procedures: Campers must be signed-in and -out by an authorized adult each day of camp. Authorized adults must present a physical copy of a government-issued photo ID in order to pick-up campers.

What to Bring: Please ensure that your child has a lunch, extra snack if desired, refillable water bottle, and is dressed comfortably for the outdoors. We will go outside rain or shine, as long as it is safe.

Curriculum: Lessons and materials are not provided in advance of camp. An example of the daily schedule is shown below; days vary per age group, animal availability, weather, etc.

1. Check-in
2. Discovery Activity/Game
3. Lesson
4. Snack
5. Zoo Visit
6. Lunch
7. Animal Presentation
8. Lesson
9. Craft/Science Demo
10. Zoo Visit
11. Take-home Activity/ Game

Counselors are paid staff (18+) who have gone through a background check as required for employment at TBZ. There are 2 counselors for each age group. Counselors are a mix of local teachers, college students, and recent HS grads (who must also be former camp teens). Counselors typically complete an 8-day training in advance of camp that includes First Aid/CPR/EpiPen training for those needing certifications. High School teens and TBZ Docents from our community may also assist with camp.