Summer Camp
Have an unforgettable Summer Camp experience at the Central Park Zoo!
WCS Education Camp Principles of Excellence:
- Create a welcoming and safe camp experience for all
- Foster curiosity, scientific inquiry, and critical thinking
- Instill an appreciation and connection to local nature
- Spend at least half of camp time outside the classroom
- Inspire all to take conservation action
Most camps run Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and include:
- Daily explorations of our exciting Central Park Zoo exhibits
- Daily encounters with some of our animal ambassadors
- Science and learning investigations inside the classroom and out and about in nature
- Fun games that foster a love of wildlife and science discoveries
- Nature inspired art projects
- Healthy snacks served daily
- Summer Camp T-Shirt
If you have questions about our camps, visit our FAQs page. We've likely got you covered.
Please click on the session of your choice to view availability and to register.
Can't wait for summer? We hold children and family programs year-round. Click here to find out more.
Toddler Camp (ages 2 - 3, with caregiver)
Join us on an around-the-world adventure right here at the Zoo! Discover a variety of habitats and their animal representatives in this hands-on, interactive 1 hour camp for toddlers and their caregivers. Up-close animals encounters, art experiences, hands-on investigations, and zoo exploration are part of this week-long experience..
Dates:
July 29 - August 2, 2019
August 5 - August 9, 2019
August 19 - 23, 2019
Time:
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Cost:
$175 members / $200 non-members
KinderZoo (entering PreK4 - K)
Campers investigate the Zoo using five senses, just like our animal friends. From super sniffers to hyper-hearing, campers discover how animals interact with the world around them. With hands-on exploration, guided inquiry investigations, and up-close animal encounters each day, this will be an unforgettable week at the Zoo!
Dates:
June 17 - 21, 2019
June 24 - 28, 2019
July 8 - 12, 2019
July 22 - 26, 2019
August 5 - 9, 2019
August 26 - 30, 2019
Cost:
$500 members / $525 non-members
3 Day
Date:
July 1 - 3, 2019
Cost:
Full Day: $300 members / $325 non-members
Half Day: $225 members / $250 non-members
Half Day
Date:
July 8 - 12, 2019
Cost:
$375 members / $400 non-members
Week of Wildlife (entering 1st and 2nd grades)
During Week of Wildlife, campers explore the zoo with a focus on animal and habitat diversity. Habitat themed adventures and activities, hands-on discoveries and exhibit investigations guide campers through the world's biomes, from driest deserts to tropical forests. Up-close animal encounters, inquiry-based exploration. and creative opportunities fill out our week at the Zoo.
Dates:
July 15 - 19, 2019
July 29 - August 2, 2019
August 12 - 16, 2019
August 26 - 30, 2019
Cost:
$500 members / $525 non-members
3 Day
Dates:
July 1 - 3, 2019
Cost:
$300 members / $325 non-members
Zoo Explorers (entering 3rd - 5th grades)
Campers go WILD during Zoo Explorers! Campers complete Zoo-themed investigations, up-close animal encounters, and explore the Zoo in a whole new way. No passport required for this around-the-world adventure.
Dates:
June 24 - 28, 2019
July 15 - 18, 2019
August 19 - 23, 2019
Cost:
$500 members / $525 non-members
Junior Keepers (entering 6th - 8th grades)
Enrich your summer by getting to know the ins and outs of zoo keeping! Campers will learn what it takes to be a keeper, from daily husbandry to exhibit design. During this exciting and productive week, campers will use their newly gained keeper knowledge to design, create and present their very own animal exhibit, complete with interpretive graphics.
Dates:
July 22 - 26, 2019
July 29 - August 2, 2019
August 19 - 23, 2018
Cost:
$500 members / $525 non-members
Conservation in Action (entering 9th - 12th grades)
During Conservation in Action, teens will spend two weeks learning about a wide range of careers in conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society. From discovering what it takes to care for exhibit animals, to understanding the complex system of flora around the zoo grounds, teens will come away from this experience with a well-rounded introduction to many aspects of working in the field of conservation. Activities include animal behavior studies, urban ecology research projects, and up-close animal encounters. Guest speakers from around WCS will also be a part of this program.
Dates:
August 5 - 16, 2019
Cost:
$1400 members / $1500 non-members
