Weekly Theme Descriptions

3-5 Digging for Dinos

Find out where your favorite dinosaurs lived, what they ate, and how they survived millions of years ago. This week includes lots of hands-on zoo exploration for our dino lovers, as campers will get the opportunity to make dinosaur crafts, participate in team activities, and even touch some scaly friends!

3-5 ZooCrew 

Does your camper love animals? Now is their opportunity to learn all about how we care for them at Elmwood Park Zoo! Through up close animal encounters, hands-on activities, and themed crafts, campers will learn about how we care for different animals at the zoo, comparing and contrasting each species' needs!

6-7 Species Survivors 

Step back 70 million years to when Triceratops roamed the earth and apex predators, like the Tyrannosaurus Rex, ruled the landscape. This week of camp will explore extinct animals of the past and investigate the awesome ways current animals adapt to survive!  Campers will learn about how we can save the wildlife we have today by looking and learning from the past. 

6-7 Mini ZooKeeper

Ever wonder what it takes to be a zookeeper? This week your camper will get the inside scoop. Through up close animal encounters and keeper chats, campers will learn how we prepare animal diets, train our animals and hear why our keepers love their job! A love and excitement for animals is required, khakis are not.

8-9 Habitat Heroes 

What amazing adaptations are needed to live in places like the Australian Outback or the Amazon Rainforest? Campers will travel across the zoo focused on different habitats every day. Through hands-on activities, adventurous games, and up close animal greets, campers will explore what animals need to survive in different habitats around the world. 

8-9 Zoology 101 

Plunge into the world of zoology by studying the natural history of our zoo animals. We will learn how exhibits are designed, what our animals eat at the zoo and even learn all about animal training! Featuring ambassador animal encounters, themed activities, and more, this week of camp will allow campers to observe our zoo animals and discover what animals need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. 

10-12 Wildlife Conservation

Are you passionate about conservation? This week, campers will learn about the work we do to help the populations of endangered and threatened animals we have here at the zoo! We will hear about different careers in conservation and how you can help the wildlife in your own backyard as well. You can expect to leave inspired, knowing how you can get involved, and with a new vocabulary of new cool zoo acronyms!

10-12 Jr ZooKeeper

Ready to come join our keeper team this summer? Campers will explore all the aspects of working at the zoo! We will learn what a “Day in the Life” of a keeper is like as campers design exhibits, create enrichment, learn about animal diet and training, and meet some of our animals up close and personal. Although khakis are not required, a love for animals is encouraged!