Summer Camp
Registration opens February 29, 2024
choose a park below to view camp descriptions and schedules
ABOUT SUMMER CAMP
We have your summer covered with fun, educational camp experiences! Our expert educators at each Wildlife Conservation Society zoo and aquarium provide campers with unforgettable experiences. Summer camp includes age-appropriate hands-on activities, up-close animal demonstrations, and time to explore nature and exhibits. Your child will engage in tons of educational fun that will build on their innate love for our wild planet.
Our final week of camp will be 8/26-8/30. Campers entering 6th - 8th grade can book our Junior Scientists: Nature Investigators camp session. Scroll below for details or click here to reserve your child's spot by Friday, 8/23.
Bronx Zoo Summer Camp
Summer camp registration is now open!
Celebrate Bronx Zoo's 125th anniversary with us at zoo camp! Our summer camp allows you to explore our 265-acre zoo and learn about animals and nature while having a WILD time. You will be engaged all week with fun activities, exhibit explorations, animal encounters and special 125th anniversary experiences. These in-person summer camps run from 9:00am - 3:00pm, Monday - Friday each week, unless otherwise noted.
Children ages 2-4 with caregiver
Toddler Camp: Animals Move
In this camp, your little ones will have the chance to explore the different ways that animals move in a child-centered learning space. We recognize that young children learn through play, so you and your toddler will engage together in play-based and hands-on activities that let early learners use all their senses and celebrate their natural curiosity. You will meet an animal up close in the classroom and explore a zoo exhibit to learn more about animal movement. We will provide guidance and support for you, as an adult participant, to engage in and enhance your toddler’s learning. This program runs from 10:00am - 11:30am.
One ticket covers one adult and one child. One additional adult ticket may be added on at time of purchase. Camper must be 2 - 4 years old at the time of the program.
Entering Kindergarten
Kinderzoo: ANIMAL TALES of Eric Carle
Spend the week exploring the animal tales of Eric Carle in Kinderzoo Camp! These classic stories will come alive as you play games, participate in dramatic play and sensory exploration, visit zoo exhibits, and meet animals up close in the classroom. During this exciting week, you will discover that every creature has an important job in nature.
This drop off camp is designed for those entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2024. Campers must be 4 years old on or before their first day of camp.
Entering 1st - 2nd Grade
Week of Wildlife: ZOOper Heroes
Join forces with the Bronx ZOOper Hero to help safeguard the 5 elements: earth, water, air, fire and heart. Each day of this camp, you will face an eco-emergency that threatens one of the elements. Through exhibit visits, animal guest presentations and hands-on science experiences you will gain the knowledge to stop the villains and save the day!
Entering 3rd - 5th Grade
Wild Adventurers: Young Naturalist
Do you love wildlife? Then this camp is for you! Join us to learn about the Bronx Zoo's local and exotic wildlife through hands-on investigations, scientific inquiry and field research. Each day you will meet animals up close in the classroom, visit zoo exhibits, and play outdoors. Plan on full days of exploration and adventure that will give you a new appreciation for the natural world!
Entering 3rd - 5th Grade
Wild Adventurers: Conservation Storytellers
From the Jungle Book to WCS's 96 Elephants campaign, storytelling plays an exciting and important role in our relationship with wildlife. Embrace your inner storyteller during this this camp by exploring a day in the life of different types of wildlife storytellers, including conservation photographers, field journalists, myth makers, and more! Each day you will meet animals up close in the classroom, visit zoo exhibits, and discover new stories.
Entering 3rd - 5th Grade
Little Zoo Vets: Session 1
Ever wonder what it would be like to be a zoo veterinarian? What do you do when a tiger has a tooth ache or an elephant has a sore foot? How do you anesthetize a fish or an aardvark? In this after-camp class taught by WCS veterinarian Dr. John Sykes, students will learn about the different aspects of zoo veterinary medicine. Classes will involve real veterinary medicine equipment and supplies. Students will gain an appreciation of what zoo veterinarians do every day and how animals at the zoo are cared for.
Session 1 focuses on the eye, upper GIT/teeth, and darting. This is an after camp program that meets from 3pm-4:30pm with a very limited class size. Participation in regular day camp is not required to register for this experience.
Entering 3rd - 5th Grade
Little Zoo Vets: Session 2
Ever wonder what it would be like to be a zoo veterinarian? What do you do when a tiger has a tooth ache or an elephant has a sore foot? How do you anesthetize a fish or an aardvark? In this after-camp class taught by WCS veterinarian Dr. John Sykes, students will learn about the different aspects of zoo veterinary medicine. Classes will involve real veterinary medicine equipment and supplies. Students will gain an appreciation of what zoo veterinarians do every day and how animals at the zoo are cared for.
Session 2 focuses on the ear, lower GIT, anesthesia, and bones. This is an after camp program that meets from 3pm-4:30pm with a very limited class size. Participation in regular day camp is not required to register for this experience.
Entering 6th - 8th Grade
Junior Scientists: Zoolympics
While the summer 2024 Olympic Games are taking place in Paris, the Zoolympics will be in full swing at the Bronx Zoo! Join the Games to see the fastest, strongest, and most acrobatic members of the animal kingdom. You will investigate the traits that allow species to not just survive, but thrive, in their environments. Throughout the week, visit zoo exhibits, meet animals up-close in the classroom, and compete in your own version of the Games!
Entering 6th - 8th Grade
Junior Scientists: Nature Investigators
If you love being outdoors and exploring nature, then this camp is perfect for you! Join us to learn about local wildlife through nature exploration, field research, exhibit visits, art making, and animal encounters. You will enjoy full days engaging in hands-on activities and investigating different species and their habitats, and use what you learn to help protect wildlife and wild places.
Entering 6th - 8th Grade
Zoo Vet Academy
Have you ever thought about being a veterinarian? If so, this class is perfect. Taught by WCS zoo veterinarian Dr. John Sykes, you will explore veterinary medicine from a "wild" perspective! Using a combination of live animals, real veterinary equipment, and custom-designed models, you will learn about how vets use medicine and surgery to help keep all the animals at the zoo healthy—from the fish to the elephants!
This is an after camp program that meets from 3pm-4:30pm with a very limited class size. Participation in regular day camp is not required to register for this experience.
Entering 9th - 12th Grade
Teen Camp: Wild Survival
Join us on a journey to discover extraordinary animals, the wild places they call home, and the threats they face from our changing climate. During this two-week program, you will learn valuable field investigation skills and species' survival techniques. You will put these to use as we explore nature-based solutions to combat the negative impacts of climate change in WCS's top priority regions. Meet animals up-close and discover what we can do to help WCS’s flagship species in their race against extinction!
Teen camp will be located in a classroom that is not wheelchair accessible. There is a flight of stairs that campers will use when entering and leaving the classroom. Teen camp participants will receive two camp shirts with their registration.
Price
$1170 members / $1300 regular (2 week program)
$652.50 members / $725 regular (5 day camp)
$387 members / $430 regular (3 day camp)*
$225 members / $250 regular (Toddler Camp)
$315 members / $350 regular (Zoo Vets after camp program)
*Prorated price the week of July 1 - July 3
Extended Care
Camp starts daily at 9:00am and ends at 3:00pm. Extended Care is available for the week from 3:00pm to 4:30pm. Extended Care includes free play, exhibit visits, and nature play exploration. You can add on items such as Extended Care for a fee when adding your selected camp purchase to your cart. Minimum number required to run the program.
Schedule
| June 11 — June 14 4 day camp |
Toddler Camp (age 2-4) Animals Move |
| June 17, 18, 20 & 21 4 day camp |
Toddler Camp (age 2-4) Animals Move |
| June 24 — June 28 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades 1-2) ZOOper Heroes Wild Adventurers (grades 3-5) Young Naturalist Jr. Scientists (grades 6-8) Zoolympics |
| July 1 — 3 3 day camp |
Kinderzoo (K) Animal Tales of Eric Carle Wild Adventurers (grades 3-5) Conservation Storytellers Jr. Scientists (grades 6-8) Nature Investigators |
| July 8 — July 12 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades 1-2) ZOOper Heroes Wild Adventurers (grades 3-5) Young Naturalist |
| July 8 — July 19 2 week program |
Teen Camp (grades 9-12) Wild Survival |
| July 15 — 19 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo (K) Animal Tales of Eric Carle Wild Adventurers (grades 3-5) Conservation Storytellers |
| July 22 — July 26 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades 1-2) ZOOper Heroes Wild Adventurers (grades 3-5) Young Naturalist Jr. Scientists (grades 6-8) Zoolympics Zoo Vet Academy (grades 6-8) after camp program |
| July 29 — August 2 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades 1-2) ZOOper Heroes Wild Adventurers (grades 3-5) Conservation Storytellers Jr. Scientists (grades 6-8) Nature Investigators Little Zoo Vets Session 1 (grades 3-5) after camp program |
| August 5 — August 9 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo (K) Animal Tales of Eric Carle Wild Adventurers (grades 3-5) Young Naturalist Jr. Scientists (grades 6-8) Zoolympics Little Zoo Vets Session 2 (grades 3-5) after camp program |
| August 12 — August 16 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades 1-2) ZOOper Heroes Wild Adventurers (grades 3-5) Conservation Storytellers Jr. Scientists (grades 6-8) Nature Investigators |
| August 19 — August 23 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades 1-2) ZOOper Heroes Wild Adventurers (grades 3-5) Young Naturalist Jr. Scientists (grades 6-8) Zoolympics |
| August 26 — August 30 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo (K) Animal Tales of Eric Carle Wild Adventurers (grades 3-5) Conservation Storytellers Jr. Scientists (grades 6-8) Nature Investigators |