Summer Camp
Select a camp experience below for more information!
Bronx Zoo Summer 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, and animal encounters.
Schedule
Our summer camps run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily. Please note, Toddler Camp, Little Zoo Vets and Zoo Vet Academy have different schedules.
*Toddler Camp: 9:30am-10:45am and Little Zoo Vets & Zoo Vet Academy: 3pm-4:30pm.
| June 9 — June 13 5 day camp |
Toddler Camp (age 2-4) Animal Senses* WAITLIST ONLY |
| June 16 — June 20 5 day camp |
Toddler Camp (age 2-4) Animal Senses* WAITLIST ONLY |
| June 23 — June 27 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades 2-3) What's for Dinner Wild Adventurer (grades 4-6) Ecosystem Explorers Junior Scientist (grades 7-8) Exhibit Designers |
| June 30 — July 3 4 day camp |
Kinderzoo (grades K-1) From Head to Tail WAITLIST ONLY Wild Adventurer (grades 4-6) Design by Nature Junior Scientist (grades 7-8) Saving Wildlife |
| July 7 — July 11 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo (grades K-1) From Head to Tail WAITLIST ONLY Wild Adventurer (grades 4-6) Ecosystem Explorers WAITLIST ONLY Junior Scientist (grades 7-8) Exhibit Designers |
| July 14 — July 25 2 week program |
Teen Camp (grades 9-10) Urban Field Site WAITLIST ONLY |
| July 14 — 18 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades 2-3) What's for Dinner WAITLIST ONLY Wild Adventurer (grades 4-6) Design by Nature WAITLIST ONLY |
| July 21 — July 25 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades 2-3) What's for Dinner WAITLIST ONLY Wild Adventurer (grades 4-6) Ecosystem Explorers WAITLIST ONLY Little Zoo Vets: Session 1 (grades 4-6)* WAITLIST ONLY |
| July 28 — August 1 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo (grades K-1) From Head to Tail Wild Adventurer (grades 4-6) Design by Nature WAITLIST ONLY Junior Scientist (grades 7-8) Saving Wildlife Little Zoo Vets: Session 2 (grades 4-6)* WAITLIST ONLY |
| August 4 — August 8 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo (grades K-1) From Head to Tail WAITLIST ONLY Wild Adventurer (grades 4-6) Ecosystem Explorers WAITLIST ONLY Junior Scientist (grades 7-8) Exhibit Designers WAITLIST ONLY Zoo Vet Academy (grades 7 & 8)* WAITLIST ONLY |
| August 11 — August 15 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades 2-3) What's for Dinner WAITLIST ONLY Wild Adventurer (grades 4-6) Design by Nature WAITLIST ONLY Junior Scientist (grades 7-8) Saving Wildlife |
| August 18 — August 22 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo (grades K-1) From Head to Tail WAITLIST ONLY Week of Wildlife (grades 2-3) What's for Dinner WAITLIST ONLY Wild Adventurer (grades 4-6) Ecosystem Explorers WAITLIST ONLY |
| August 25 — August 29 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo (grades K-1) From Head to Tail WAITLIST ONLY Week of Wildlife (grades 2-3) What's for Dinner WAITLIST ONLY Wild Adventurer (grades 4-6) Design by Nature WAITLIST ONLY |
Extended Care
Stay at the Zoo a little longer! Extended care is a great option for caregivers who can't pick up their camper at 3pm. Extended care includes opportunities for free play and exhibit visits. Caregivers can pick up campers at 4:30pm. You can add on items such as Extended Care for a fee when adding your selected camp purchase to your cart. Minimum number of campers required to run the program.
Camp Pricing
$1170 members / $1300 regular (2 week program)
$652.50 members / $725 regular (5 day camp)
$522 members / $580 regular (4 day camp)*
$270 members / $300 regular (Toddler Camp)
$315 members / $350 regular (Zoo Vets after camp programs)
$135 members / $150 regular (Extended Care 5 day)
$108 members / $120 regular (Extended Care 4 day)*
*Prorated price the week of June 30 - July 3
Booking Tips:
- Enter the camper's date of birth and select the grade they will enter this fall. This ensures that only summer camps appropriate for their age/grade level are available for purchase.
- You cannot edit once you move on to the next step in registration.
- If you entered the incorrect camper DOB and/or grade, please email bzeducation@wcs.org.
- Sessions are expected to fill quickly, so be sure to plan ahead and have backup camp dates and sessions ready.
- WCS Members, please have your membership ID# ready. Entering it will unlock access to exclusive membership pricing.
Children ages 2-4 with caregiver
Toddler Camp: Animal Senses
In this camp your little ones will have the chance to explore animal senses 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 how animals use their senses. We will provide guidance and support for you, as an adult participant, to engage in and enhance your toddler’s learning.
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 & 1st Grade
Kinderzoo: From Head to Tail
In this fun and engaging camp, you will make discoveries about how animals use their bodies “From Head to Tail” to find food, move around, and play in different habitats. You will learn through games, dramatic play, sensory exploration, art play, and exhibit visits. Each day you will also meet animals up close in the classroom!
This drop off camp is designed for those entering kindergarten and 1st grade in the fall of 2025. Campers must be 4 years old on or before their first day of camp.
**Grade Band Changes** Please double check the grade requirements for each camp carefully before registering, as our options have changed. After careful consideration of typical child developmental stages, we have rearranged our grade bands in the hope of better serving the needs of our campers.
Entering 2nd & 3rd Grade
Week of Wildlife: What's for Dinner
During this mouthwatering week, you will explore what it takes to be a carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, and scavenger. Each day you will meet an animal up close in the classroom that likes to eat something special! Exhibit visits, activities and hands-on science investigations will help you understand what it takes for animals to get dinner in their belly.
**Grade Band Changes** Please double check the grade requirements for each camp carefully before registering, as our options have changed. After careful consideration of typical child developmental stages, we have rearranged our grade bands in the hope of better serving the needs of our campers.
Entering 4th - 6th Grade
Wild Adventurer: Ecosystem Explorers
During this week of camp, explore wildlife and habitats from all around the world including right here in the Bronx! You will learn about the techniques and tools scientists use to study animals when they are out in the field and put these tools to use to learn about the wild habitats in the zoo. Exploration of the zoo's natural areas, learning about scientific studies, meeting animals up close in the classroom, participating in fun activities, and visiting exhibits will leave you with a new love and appreciation for the natural world!
**Grade Band Changes** Please double check the grade requirements for each camp carefully before registering, as our options have changed. After careful consideration of typical child developmental stages, we have rearranged our grade bands in the hope of better serving the needs of our campers.
Entering 4th - 6th Grade
Wild Adventurer: Design by Nature
What do bird wings and jet engines have in common? You will learn how nature has inspired many structures, materials, and inventions, such as jet engines, in this exciting camp. During the week, you will explore zoo exhibits, meet animals up close in the classroom, and engage in hands-on activities and nature exploration. Let your imagination run wild as you design your own animal inspired creation!
**Grade Band Changes** Please double check the grade requirements for each camp carefully before registering, as our options have changed. After careful consideration of typical child developmental stages, we have rearranged our grade bands in the hope of better serving the needs of our campers.
Entering 7th & 8th Grade
Junior Scientist: Saving Wildlife
Our planet's biodiversity is in jeopardy, but fear not... scientists are working hard to protect it! In this fast-paced camp, you will learn about what different WCS scientists are doing to protect wildlife and wild places here in New York and around the world. Throughout the week, you will take part in fun and exciting exhibit visits, inquiry-based activities, and opportunities to meet animals up close in a classroom.
**Grade Band Changes** Please double check the grade requirements for each camp carefully before registering, as our options have changed. After careful consideration of typical child developmental stages, we have rearranged our grade bands in the hope of better serving the needs of our campers.
Entering 7th & 8th Grade
Junior Scientist: Exhibit Designers
How do zoo exhibit designers go from a sketch to an actual new space for animals to live in and visitors to explore? In this week-long program, you will learn about basic exhibit design, animal care, and graphic design through exhibit visits, engaging activities, and meeting animals up close in a classroom. You will use what you learn to design a mock exhibit of your own!
**Grade Band Changes** Please double check the grade requirements for each camp carefully before registering, as our options have changed. After careful consideration of typical child developmental stages, we have rearranged our grade bands in the hope of better serving the needs of our campers.
Entering 9th & 10th Grade
Teen Camp: Urban Field Site
During this two-week program, you will learn valuable field investigation skills and put them to use as you conduct your own urban ecology research project. Explore the zoo’s exhibits and natural areas, meet animals up close, and discover how understanding our natural environment contributes to better protection for wildlife and wild places!
Teen camp participants will receive two camp shirts with their registration.
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.
**Grade Band Changes** Please double check the grade requirements for each camp carefully before registering, as our options have changed. After careful consideration of typical child developmental stages, we have rearranged our grade bands in the hope of better serving the needs of our campers.
After Camp Programs
Register for Little Zoo Vets, Zoo Vet Academy, or Extended Care
Entering 4th - 6th 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 3:00pm-4:30pm with a very limited class size. Participation in regular day camp is not required to register for this experience.
Entering 4th - 6th 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 3:00pm-4:30pm with a very limited class size. Participation in regular day camp is not required to register for this experience.
Entering 7th & 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 3:00pm-4:30pm with a very limited class size. Participation in regular day camp is not required to register for this experience.
Accessibility
Campers will spend plenty of time outdoors during a range of weather conditions, including heat, humidity, and precipitation, as well as travel over uneven, natural surfaces. Accommodations may be available. Please visit the Bronx Zoo Accessibility website for more details, or contact us at BZeducation@wcs.org with questions.