Zoo Camps

Summer Camp Open House: Saturday, February 7 from 11am-2pm

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 March 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM 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 at least two weeks prior to the registration date.

Registration opens on March 14, 2026 for non-members of the zoo.  Camp information and the registration link will be posted here, on this webpage at approximately 8:30 AM on the registration date. (The website always takes a few minutes to update so it may not be exactly 8:30 AM).

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO REGISTER BY AGE GROUP

Summer Camp Age 5/ Entering K (weeks 1-9)

Summer Camp Age Rising Grades 1 & 2 (weeks 1-9)

Summer Camp Age Rising Grades 3 & 4 (weeks 1-9)

Summer Camp Age Rising Grades 5 & 6 (weeks 1-9)

Summer Camp Age Rising Grades 7 & 8 (weeks 1-9)

Last Hurrah Summer Camp (week 10 only)

Extended Care (weeks 1-9)

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Age Groups/Themes

Zoo Tales -Our Wild Friends: age 5 AND rising kindergarten (must satisfy both conditions)

• Learn about and visit with all kinds of wild animals from the tiniest insects to our largest mammals.

Wild Colors: rising grades 1 & 2

• Discover how animals use color to survive and thrive in their environments. Explore camouflage, mimicry, and other specialized adaptations.

Animal Appetites: rising grades 3 & 4 

• Investigate the eating habitats of animals and their role in an ecosystem. From producers to consumers and even decomposers, everyone has am important part to play!

Junior Conservationists: rising grades 5 & 6

• Explore local and global conservation practices to learn how animals are currently protected. Furthermore, learn what more there is to be done.

Zoo Crew: rising grades 7 & 8

• Discover what it takes to be a zoo keeper. Learn about roles and tasks including feeding animals and cleaning up after them, creating enrichment items, and building habitats. Note: While campers do not go in exhibits while animals are present, there is a physical aspect to this camp, and much more time is spent outside than our other programs.

***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.***

2026 Camp Weeks

• Week 1: June 22-26
• Week 2: June 29 – July 2, no camp on July 3 (fee is prorated)
• Week 3: July 6-10
• Week 4: July 13-17
• Week 5: July 20-24
• Week 6: July 27-31
• Week 7: August 3-7
• Week 8: August 10-14
• Week 9: August 17-21
• Week 10: August 24-28, 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.

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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.