Toronto Zoo Camp

A place for kids to have fun

The Toronto Zoo does not only have fun for kids in the way of animals and attractions, there is also Zoo Camp for kids during the summer.

“It is a day camp with five-day sessions,” Steve Jones, supervisor of education programs with the Toronto Zoo, said. “Children come to the zoo and are divided into groups based upon their age level.”

There are five different groups at the Zoo camp: Zoo kids (ages four to five), Explorers (ages sox to seven), Adventurers (ages eight to 10), Discoverers (ages 11-12), and Bio Camp (ages 13-16).

Campers get a chance to experience all that the zoo has to offer and more. They see the more than 450 species of animals that are at the zoo, participate in activities, crafts, and games related to conservation and the environment, and have the unique opportunity to go behind the scenes to have close encounters with the animals and the staff that care for them.

“The vision for this camp is that campers develop a respect and appreciation for wildlife and the environments they call home,” Jones said.

Each camper has the opportunity to build on their knowledge of wildlife and the environment and become active and engaged champions of wildlife in their local communities.

“Many of our past campers have progressed towards biological and environmental studies and careers,” Jones said.

Zoo Camp typically receives between 1,800 – 2,000 campers each summer.

“Zoo Camp has a variety of themes offered that are unique to the zoo setting, including baby animals, zoo careers, animal adaptations, and many more,” Jones said. “Special for this summer will be our focus on bears, highlighting our new giant panda exhibit, which each camper will get to experience.”

Zoo Camp is $280 per week per child (taxes included).  Toronto Zoo members receive a discounted price of $260 per week per child.  For the convenience of parents, Zoo Camp also offers meal plans and Before & After Care programming.  Before & After Care is available from as early as 7:45 a.m. to as late as 5:30 p.m.  Additional fees apply.

Zoo Camp is a wild week-long animal adventure with multiple age-appropriate themes to choose from, professionally trained friendly staff, and the opportunity for your kids to see and learn about hundreds of amazing animals including our penguins, polar bears, white lions, and our new giant pandas Er Shun and Da Mao,” Jones said.

About this article

By: Lucy Oneka
Posted: Apr 26 2013 1:05 pm
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Filed under: News