Zoo Camp

education programs

ZOO CAMPS

Join us at Turtle Back Zoo for some wild fun!

The mission of Turtle Back Zoo camp is to foster an appreciation for wildlife and the natural world through fun and educational activities.

To further our mission of conservation, education, and stewardship, campers will be introduced to the extraordinary world of animals, nature, and science. Children will enjoy age-appropriate camp activities that include games, teacher-led lessons, behind-the-scenes visits, up-close animal encounters, hands-on science projects, and fun crafts. Join us for a week during the summer or on a school holiday during the school year.

During the summer, we offer week-long summer camps for children entering Kindergarten (and age 5) and grades 1-8. Camp is 9am to 4pm, with extended care options available for an additional fee. Extended care drop-off is no earlier than 8am, extended care pick-up is no later than 5pm; availability is limited. Camp fees are $500 to $550 per person per week; extended care fees are $20/session. We provide a fresh fruit or veggie snack for all camp sessions; campers bring their own lunches or additional snacks. We do our best to host a tree nut-free environment for our campers. The curriculum is repeated every week throughout the summer. Most campers only sign up for one week, but you are welcome to sign up for multiple weeks if you wish. We receive and comply with guidance from our local health agencies regarding COVID-19 and all other health and welfare concerns.

We also offer mini-camps throughout the school year on days that coincide with many of the major school holidays. Available for ages 5 to 10, our mini-camp days are from 9am to 4pm (no extended care option). Mini-camps are $90 per person per day (mini-camp fee will increase to $100/day for fall 2024). We provide a fresh fruit or veggie snack for all camp sessions; campers bring their own lunches or additional snacks. 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.

ZOO SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Follow the link below. Search “Summer Camp 2024” at “Turtle Back Zoo”

ZOO SUMMER CAMP EXTENDED CARE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Follow the link below. Search “Extended Care 2024” at “Turtle Back Zoo”

2023-2024 Mini-Camps

Your campers can join us for mini-camp days on most of the major school holidays. Each camp day has its own unique curriculum/theme throughout the year. Mini-camps are limited to ages 5-10; extended care is not available during the school year. Mini-camp is 9am to 4pm. Registration is open; single day registration available for multi-day camp sessions. Capacity is limited.

Spring Break Camp week 1: Tuesday – Thursday, March 27-28 (each day has a unique curriculum) – registration is closed for ages 5-7, but you can add your camper to the waitlist.
Spring Break Camp week 2: Tuesday – Thursday, April 2-4 (each day has a unique curriculum) – registration is closed for week 2, but you can add your camper to the waitlist.

Mini-Camp cancellation policy: refunds are guaranteed for requests made at least 3 weeks in advance of your camper’s start date. For requests made within 3 weeks of the start of camp, refunds are not guaranteed. Campers must be signed-in and -out by an authorized adult for each day of camp. Curriculum is not provided in advance of camp. An example of the daily schedule is below; days vary per age group, animal availability, weather, etc.

check-in
discovery activity/game
lesson
snack
zoo visit
lunch
animal presentation
lesson
zoo visit
craft/science demo/take-home activity/game

Summer Camp 2024

Camp curriculum is repeated weekly throughout the summer. Most campers only sign up for one week, but you are welcome to sign up for multiple weeks if you wish. We receive and comply with guidance from our local health agencies regarding COVID-19 and all other health and welfare concerns. Counselors are paid staff (18+) who have gone through a state 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. Camp fees are $500/person/week for age 5/entering K through the grades 5-6 camp groups; camp fees are $550/person/week for grades 7-8 camp group. Campers must be signed-in and -out by an authorized adult for each day of camp. Curriculum is not provided in advance of camp.

Summer Camp cancellation policy: refunds are guaranteed for requests made at least 3 weeks in advance of your camper’s start date. For requests made within 3 weeks of the start of camp, refunds are not guaranteed.

Summer Camp Registration

Registration opens on Saturday, March 9 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 either March 16 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 16 in the morning around 8:30am (the website always takes a few minutes to update so it may not be exactly 8:30am).

An example of the daily schedule is 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. zoo visit
10. craft/science demo/take-home activity/game

Age Groups/Themes

Zoo Tales: For children ages 5 years old AND entering kindergarten. Stories from the book series “Celebrate the Seasons” by Linda Glaser inspire learning about animals and our world.
Say What: Animal Communication. For rising grades 1 and 2. Discover how animals share information about their environments and with each other.
Growing Up Wild: Animal Development. For rising grades 3 and 4. Investigate the physical and behavioral changes during development and throughout different life stages.
Backyard Conservation: From Global to Local. For rising grades 5 and 6. Explore conservation around the world and learn how animals are protected right here in New Jersey.
Zoo Crew: What it means to be a Zookeeper. For rising grades 7 and 8. 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 24 – June 28, all age groups, extended care available
• Week 2: July 1 – July 5, all age groups; no camp on July 4 (fee is prorated), extended care available
• Week 3: July 8 – July 12, all age groups, extended care available
• Week 4: July 15 – July 19, all age groups, extended care available
• Week 5: July 22 – July 26, all age groups, extended care available
• Week 6: July 29 – August 2, all age groups, extended care available
• Week 7: August 5 – August 9, all age groups, extended care available
• Week 8: August 12 – August 16, all age groups, extended care available
• Week 9: August 19 – August 23, all age groups, extended care available
• Week 10: August 26 – August 30, ages 5-10 only, no extended care available

There is a separate registration and fee for extended care.