Summer Camp
Registration for Summer 2023 is now open!
WCS Education has your summer covered with fun, educational camp experiences! We provide unforgettable experiences for your camper including age-appropriate, hands-on activities, up-close animal experiences, time to explore the park and tons of educational fun that builds on campers' innate love for our wild planet.
Select a camp experience below for more information!
SUMMER CAMP AT THE CENTRAL PARK ZOO
A zoo adventure awaits! Register your child for a week of summer camp at the Central Park Zoo where they’ll get to see animals up close, explore zoo exhibits, have fun and make new friends! It’ll be their wildest camp experience ever! All camps run from 9:00a - 3:00p Monday - Friday each week unless otherwise noted.
Ages 2 to 4 with a Caregiver
Zoo Fledglings: Fur, Feathers, and Scales, Oh My!
Is it furry, spikey, or scaley? Join us for a super sensory experience where we learn about animal textures! Discover a variety of animals in this hands-on, interactive, 1-hour camp for toddlers and their caregivers. Up-close animal encounters, art experiences, hands-on investigations, and Zoo exploration are part of this week-long mini-camp for toddlers and their caregivers.
One ticket covers one adult and one child. Campers must be 2-4 years old at the time of the program.
Entering Kindergarten and 1st Grade
Kinderzoo: Who's Who at the Zoo
Calling all animal helpers! Do you want to work at a zoo one day? Come to Zoo camp and see what it takes to run a zoo! We’ll get to meet people who work right here at the Central Park Zoo and learn about their wild jobs! We’ll also get to see some animals up close, play games and spend time exploring the Zoo!
One week per camper, but a rising 1st grader may also register for Wild Safari camp. This camp is for children entering Kindergarten or 1st grade in the fall of 2023.
Entering Grades 1st to 6th
Wild Safari
Warning: this camp contains nature! Summer campers will get mess as they learn, play, and explore the zoo. They'll meet animals up-close, complete nature-based challenges, and discover wildlife in our neighborhoods and around the world!
One week per camper, but you select a second week of another grade appropriate camp! This camp is for children entering 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th grade in the fall of 2023.
Entering 2nd and 3rd Grade
Week of Wildlife: Zoo-opoly
How can you make sure animals have what they need to survive? Roll the dice and play zoo-opoly to find out! Campers will explore how scientists and engineers build habitats to protect wildlife in our zoos and around the world. Each day, campers will complete design challenges, overcome unexpected obstacles, and work together to rule the Zoo!
One week per camper, but you can select a second week of another grade appropriate camp. Camper must be entering 2nd or 3rd grade in the fall of 2023.
Entering 4th to 6th Grade
Zoo Explorer: ZooMazing Race
Across the globe, animals and humans share some extreme homes! We’ll race around the world to visit these unique habitats and investigate wild interactions through clue investigation, hands-on activities, and up-close encounters. As we trek through the jungle and brave the freezing cold, we’ll discover how humans can help animals and learn from them, too!
One week per camper, but you can select a second week of another grade appropriate camp! Camper must be entering 4th, 5th, or 6th grade in the fall of 2023.
Entering 7th to 9th Grade
Conservation in Action: Global Conservationists
Interested in a career in zookeeping or wildlife conservation? Put your skills to the test during this hands-on, interactive week exploring the role of zoos in the city and around the world. See what it takes to work in the field of conservation as we spend time getting up close to animals, meeting zookeepers, and learning about global conservation efforts and projects.
One week per camper. Camper must be entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grade in the fall of 2023.
Schedule
| June 5 — June 9 5 day camp |
Zoo Fledglings** |
| June 19 — June 23 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo Week of Wildlife |
| June 26 — June 30 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo Week of Wildlife 1/2 Day Camp Zoo Explorer |
| July 5 — July 7 3 day camp* |
Kinderzoo* Wild Safari* |
| July 10 — July 14 5 day camp |
Zoo Explorer Conservation in Action |
| July 17 — July 21 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo Week of Wildlife Wild Safari 1/2 Day Camp |
| July 24 — July 28 5 day camp |
Zoo Explorer |
| July 31 — August 4 5 day camp |
Wild Safari 1/2 Day Camp Kinderzoo Zoo Explorer |
| August 7 — August 11 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife Conservation in Action |
| August 14 — August 18 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo Conservation in Action |
| August 21 — August 25 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife Zoo Explorer |
| August 28 — September 1 5 day camp |
Kinderzoo Week of Wildlife |
Price
$590 members / $655 regular (5 day camp)
$369 members / $410 regular(3 day camp)*
$203 members / $225 regular (Zoo Fledglings)**
*Prorated price the week of July 5 - July 7 only
Accessibility
Participants in this program 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 contact us for more information.
Please visit the Central Park Zoo Know Before You Go page to review park policies related to COVID-19.
