At Oregon Zoo summer camps, children 4 years old to youth in eighth grade explore the habits and daily lives of some of the zoo's residents. Each week-long camp includes crafts, songs, stories, snacks, animal visitors and in-depth tours of the zoo. Regular summer zoo events and shows are incorporated into camp each week. Students are grouped by the grade they are entering in school for fall 2013. Please note that camps do not change from week to week. Register now or find answers to FAQs.
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Camps
Penguin camp – four years old and entering kindergarten
Animals in motion! Discover how animals run, fly, climb, swim, dig and slither. Learn how animals get around in trees,on the ground and even in the ocean. You'll even get a chance to meet some of the zoo's movers and shakers up close. Register now for Penguin Camp!
Schedule
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon
OR 1- 4 p.m. (Please note: campers will not be permitted to atend both morning and afternoon sessions during the same week.)
Weekly sessions June 17 to Aug. 30
Fee
Zoo members: $125
Non-members: $145
(reduced fees for the shortened July 1st week of camp)
Lion camp – entering kindergarten
Critter Coverings! What makes a mammal a mammal and not a bird? How do scales help a snake move? Uncover these and many other animal mysteries as you examine fur, feathers, skin and scales from around the globe. Campers uncover animal mysteries as they examine fur, feathers, skin and scales from around the globe. Register now for Lion Camp!
Schedule
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Weekly sessions June 17 to Aug. 30
Fee
Zoo members: $250
Non-members: $287
(reduced fees for the shortened July 1st week of camp)
Tiger camp – entering first grade
Habitat trek! Explore the rainforests, safari on the savanna and immerse yourself in the ocean as you visit the habitats of the world. Meet amazing ocean creatures like sea lions, otters, polar bears and penguins. Explore the rainforests and watch orangutans and gibbon in the Red Ape Reserve. Register now for Tiger Camp!
Schedule
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Weekly sessions June 17 to Aug. 30
Fee
Zoo members: $250
Non-members: $287
(reduced fees for the shortened July 1st week of camp)
Giraffe camp – entering second grade
Adaptation Adventures! Learn how every animal has adaptations to help it survive. Compare the adaptations of the forest dwelling cougar to the cheetah that live on the grassy plains. Learn why some animals can live in the cold oceans and others are suited ofr warm rainforests. Register now for Giraffe Camp!
Schedule
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Weekly sessions June 17 to Aug. 30
Fee
Zoo members: $250
Non-members: $287
(reduced fees for the shortened July 1st week of camp)
Rhino camp – entering third grade
Animal Survivors! Lions and tigers and otters- oh my! Discover the challenges of being a predator and risks of being prey. Learn the strategies hunters big and small use to find their food and explore some of the tricks prey species use to get away. Register now for Rhino Camp!
Schedule
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Weekly sessions June 17 to Aug. 30
Fee
Zoo members: $250
Non-members: $287
(reduced fees for the shortened July 1st week of camp)
Otter camp – entering fourth grade
Wild Northwest! From the mountains to the coast and forest to farm, discover some wild neighbors that share our state. Go on a forest hike, count birds, dig for bugs, search for scat and look for other critter clues as you learn about nature in the northwest and compare our animals to their more exotic cousins from around the world. Register now for Otter Camp!
Schedule
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Weekly sessions June 17 to Aug. 30
Fee
Zoo members: $250
Non-members: $287
(reduced fees for the shortened July 1st week of camp)
Cougar camp – entering fifth grade
Eco Expeditions! Investigate the strategies animals use to avoid competing with each other for food and other resources. Stay late on Wednesday to tour the zoo in he twilight. Visit our bats, help us gather information about their behavior and learn about some of the creatures who are just waking up when you're getting ready to go to bed! Register now for Cougar Camp!
Schedule
Monday through Tuesday and Thursday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (includes special evening programming)
Weekly sessions June 17 to August 30 (No camp the week of July 1st)
Fee
*includes Wednesday dinner
Zoo members: $265
Non-members: $305
Animal investigators – entering sixth grade
What do wheelbarrows, scales, stop watches, hermometers and scuba tanks have in common? Alll these and more are tools zoo staff usess to take care of our animals. Go behind he scenes to get an insiders view of what it takes to care for animals as small as an urchin and as big as a rhino. Meet a veterinarian from Banfield Pet Hospital and learn how zoo animal medicine is similar to taking care of pets at home. Find out what happens at the zoo at night on a special Wednesday overnight at the zoo! Register now for Animal Investigators camp!
Schedule
Monday through Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, 9 a.m. overnight to Thursday, 4 p.m.
Weekly sessions June 17 to August 30 (no camp the week of July 1st)
Fee
-includes Wednesday dinner, Thursday breakfast and Thursday lunch
Zoo members: $310
Non-members: $356
Wild design – entering seventh and entering eighth grade
Discover the many talents and skills that go into making naturalistic exhibits for animals big and small. Explore how animals, keepers and visitors influence how a zoo exhibit looks and what it takes to keep animals healthy. Learn how the zoo builds exhibits and build one of your own. Spend Thursday night* at OMSI to see how their exhibits get made and try your hand at prototyping some designs! Register now for Wild Design Camp!
Schedule
Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, 9 a.m. overnight to Friday, 4 p.m.
Weekly sessions June 17 to August 30 (no camp the week of July 1st)
Fee
-includes Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast and Friday lunch
Zoo members: $330
Non-members: $380
* During the week of June 17th only, the overnight will be on Wednesday night.
All camps include:
- guided zoo tours
- animal visits in the classrooms
- a Wild Life Live! experience
- a visit to the family farm
- hands-on learning activities
- lorikeet feeding
- songs
- art projects
- learning games
- stories
- snacks
- a zoo camp T-shirt
| Full week camps and prices | Members | Non-members |
|---|---|---|
| Penguin camp | $125 | $145 |
| Lion, tiger, giraffe, rhino and otter camps | $250 | $287 |
| Cougar camp | $265 | $305 |
| Animal investigators | $310 | $356 |
| Wild design | $330 | $380 |
| Sack Lunch | $25 | $25 |
Extended care
Early care: 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., $25 per week (not available for PM Penguin camp)
Late care: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., $50 per week (not available for AM Penguin camp)
Children are supervised in a classroom with a variety of animal themed free-choice learning activities available. Pre-registration is required – drop-ins cannot be accommodated. Register for extended care when registering online for camp.
July 1st Week- Short week of camp
Due to the Independence Day holiday there will not be camp on July 4th or 5th. That week will run Monday through Wednesday at reduced fees:
Penguin Camp (July 1st week only): $75 Zoo Members, $90 Non-Members
Lion through Otter Camp (July 1st week only): $150 Zoo Members, $173 Non- Members
Early care (July 1st week only): $15 (not available for PM Penguin camp)
Late care (July 1st week only): $30 (not available for AM Penguin camp)
Lunch (July 1st week only):$15 (not available for Penguin camps)
Registration
Registration for all camps is processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration cannot be done over the phone. Contributions to the Zoo Education Scholarship Fund may be made during online registration. All scholarship donations are tax deductible.
Register now
Questions?
Tracy Modde
tracy.modde@oregonzoo.org
503-220-2781
Animal investigators summer day camps supported by Banfield Pet Hospital
Summer Camp 2013 brochure