Summer Camp

 

We offer week-long summer camps for children entering Kindergarten (and age 5) and grades 1-8.  Camp is 9am-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.  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.

Summer Camp 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 either 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).

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

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

Register Here on March 15

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

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. 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.

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

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.