Camps

Get ready for Summer Safari Camp 2024! 

Registration will open on the following dates and times on this webpage:

Zoo Members February 13, 2024 at 10 a.m.
General Public February 20, 2024 at 10 a.m.

 

 
 
If a camp is full or in someone’s cart, it will not show as a selection in the webstore calendar. You may add your name onto our waitlist for camps below, and if a space becomes available we will reach out in order of entries received and week preferences listed beginning in early May.
Waitlist – Safari Camp 2024 – Waitlist will open on Friday, Feb.16 at 2 p.m.
 
 

Summer day camps are by the grade level your child will enter in fall 2024, and programs repeat from week to week. Camp runs from June 19 through August 20, 2024, with a combination of weeklong and two-day camp experiences. Twilight Trails evening camps will be offered for grades one through six on select dates.

We offer Teen Volunteer Opportunities for teens ages 15 through 17 to join us as Counselors-in-Training (CIT). Applications to become a CIT for 2024 will open in March.

Please review all the information below before completing registration.

  • Children must be registered for camp levels corresponding to the school grade they are entering in Fall of 2024 for Summer Safari Camp. Registrations for the incorrect camp level may be canceled.
  • Camp purchases are not refundable.
  • Campers will spend the majority of their day outdoors during Summer Safari Camp. Please have your camper dress for the weather, rain or shine. During severe weather, campers will be brought indoors until it is safe to return outside. 
  • Camp directors can be reached at safaricamp@dzs.org for questions or if you have additional details to share with us about your camper.
  • Early Bird and Late Owl extended care have a limited capacity and require separate registration.

Please note: For the safety and well-being of our campers and animals, youth do not handle or clean up after the animals. A variety of other engaging activities will increase understanding and appreciation toward wildlife and wild places.

Questions? Email us at safaricamp@dzs.org.

Weeklong Zookeeper Camps (Grades K-12)

Zookeeper Camps are immersive full-day, weeklong camps introducing campers to the needs of animals and the complexities of animal care. Campers will have the opportunity to explore all types of animals and learn about their health, behavior, nutrition and welfare by visiting habitats of the Zoo’s residents throughout the week. Each camp incorporates elements of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) focusing on their camp’s theme through inquiry activities, art projects, learning labs and games. All campers are provided a morning and afternoon snack each day, and receive one Safari Camp t-shirt.

Photos taken by camp staff will highlight the activities and experiences of the campers and be posted on a private website shared with the camper’s parents/guardians by email the week following camp. The photos are intended to spark conversation between the campers and their families as they talk about their camp experience.

Cost listed is for one selected week of camp.

 

½ day Kindergarten: Sense-ational Animals – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered:
AM Camps (9 a.m.-noon): July 15-19, Aug. 5-9
PM Camps (1-4 p.m.): June 24-28, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2
During this half-day, weeklong camp, rising kindergarteners have the opportunity to sense the world as animals do as they explore their own five senses. Campers create a self-portrait where they take on the eyes, ears, mouth, nose and hands of their favorite animals. Through hikes, crafts and activities, they will have fun while learning about sight, sound, taste, smell and touch. Campers design their own animal puppet and film a puppet show clip at the end of the week!
AM camps run 9 a.m. – Noon, PM camps run 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: Members $190, Regular $220

Full-day Kindergarten: World Travelers – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
Grab your passport and get ready to go! During this full-day, weeklong camp for children entering kindergarten, campers will have the opportunity to learn about animals from all over the world without ever leaving the Zoo! Their travels will be documented with photos to create a souvenir map and a twist puzzle with the different animals they visit. Throughout the week, campers will keep a passport journal where they highlight adaptations that animals have to live in their natural habitats while practicing early literacy skills.
Cost: Members $380, Regular $410

1st Grade: Junior Zookeeper – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
Campers entering first grade learn the basics of animal care and how zookeepers tend to the animals who live at the Detroit Zoo.  As campers learn about animal needs, they’ll build a mini magnetic terrarium to take home and practice caring for a tiny, lifelike creature. Campers explore and study the expansive and naturalistic animal habitats throughout the Zoo, documenting the diversity of the environments they see to create their own 2D habitat with reusable stickers.
Cost: Members $380, Regular $410   

2nd Grade: Feeding Frenzy – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
It’s feeding time! Campers entering second grade spend the week learning about the wild diets of animals and how the Detroit Zoo animal care team works hard to replicate them at the Zoo. Campers will compare their own diets to the many animal residents here and have an opportunity to prepare a meal for themselves by partnering with the chefs at one of the Zoo’s restaurants. To remember their experience long after the summer, campers will create a recipe book inspired by the animal diets they’ve explored and design a place setting to take home.
Cost: Members $380, Regular $410

3rd Grade: Avian Adventure – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
Campers entering third grade explore the many species of birds who live at the Detroit Zoo in our care, and those who are native to Michigan and have chosen to visit the Zoo. Throughout the week, campers build observation skills and document the birds they see, contributing their data to the Celebrate Urban Birds citizen science project. Combining what they learn about adaptations and their imaginations, youth design their own species of bird, its nest, eggs and habitat elements. Campers create decals to prevent bird collisions with windows at home and build a birdhouse for their own backyards so they can continue observing birds for years to come.
Cost: Members $380, Regular $410

4th Grade: Herpetologist
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
Campers entering fourth grade will explore the Holden Reptile Conservation Center and the National Amphibian Conservation Center to learn more about species that the Zoo is helping to save from the brink of extinction. They will work as a team to create a storybook to share these stories and more. Each camper will receive a digital copy of the book they create to share with family and friends. They’ll also put their creativity and engineering skills into practice to create a perfect home for neighborhood frogs and toads.
Members $380, Regular $410

5th Grade: Mammal Mania – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
Campers entering fifth grade learn about the challenges and rewards of caring for the more than forty mammal species at the Detroit Zoo. Throughout the week, campers will hear the stories of animals who were rescued and found sanctuary at the Zoo. They’ll help animals cool off during the hot summer days by creating frozen treats for some of the Zoo’s resident mammals alongside animal care staff. Using their newly gained insight, campers share information on their favorite animals in a recorded “habitat chat” to be shared with friends and family. To remember their experience, campers also construct a plaster statue of an animal.
Members $380, Regular $410

6th Grade: Design-A-Zoo – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 12-16
Campers entering sixth grade investigate the many considerations that go into building safe, naturalistic and innovative habitats. The experience will explore how habitat designers consider the needs of the animals and the animal care staff, alongside visitor expectations. Campers use their new knowledge to design and build a model habitat for an animal of their choice out of recycled and art materials. Working as a team, campers will combine their individual habitats to build their own zoo and film a virtual tour of their creation to share with friends and family.
Members $380, Regular $410

7th Grade: Animal Conservation
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
Campers entering seventh grade traverse the Zoo taking on the role of conservation scientists. They explore the important roles animals play in their respective ecosystems and the resiliency of the environment. Using field cameras, campers will design an inquiry study as a group by collecting and analyzing data and sharing their conclusions, just as conservation scientists do out in the field to study animals and habitats. Campers create an action plan for a cause important to them and create a canvas bag with a unique logo of their design to bring attention to their causes.
Members $380, Regular $410

8th Grade: Animal Behavior – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: July 8-12, July 22-26
Campers entering eighth grade investigate the intriguing world of animal minds and learn the different techniques animal care staff use to understand animal behavior. Campers consider how staff ensure animals feel content, safe and interested in their environments by practicing ethology research methods of ethograms and habitat space use observations. Animal care staff meet with campers after they observe a training session to learn how Zoo animal residents are able to take an active role in their welfare. Through team and individual projects, campers use their creativity to design puzzle feeder inquiry and art projects, and create enrichment activities for animals at the Zoo.
Members $380, Regular $410

9th-10th Grades: Animal Health – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: July 15-19
Campers entering ninth grade focus on the science of veterinary medicine in a zoological setting. Behind-the-scenes at the Animal Health Complex, campers learn how our talented vet staff address the health needs of the different animals living at the Zoo through x-rays, bloodwork, maintenance exams, nursery care and more. Throughout the week they also discover how Zoo residents are helping us to learn more about their species as a whole through research studies and programs such as the Great Ape Heart Project. Campers investigate anatomy and physiology through an alternative frog dissection and art projects,  Using their new skillset, campers are tasked with a mock case study for an animal patient, working together in a team to research, diagnose and complete a procedure to provide the best care in their role as a zoo vet.
Members $425, Regular $455

10th-12th Grades: Animal Welfare Workshop
Offered weeks: July 8-12
This weeklong experience for high schoolers entering grades 10 through 12 offers them the chance to dive into the field of animal welfare and wellbeing. Engaging with the tools used to evaluate and improve the lives of animals who reside at the Zoo, students will learn from and alongside animal care and research staff. Students have the opportunity to explore career fields, build and share empathy for animals through group and individual inquiry and art projects, and take part in unique behind-the-scenes experiences.
Cost: Members $425, Regular $455

Weeklong Zookeeper Camps (Grades K-12)

Zookeeper Camps are immersive full-day, weeklong camps introducing campers to the needs of animals and the complexities of animal care. Campers will have the opportunity to explore all types of animals and learn about their health, behavior, nutrition and welfare by visiting habitats of the Zoo’s residents throughout the week. Each camp incorporates elements of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) focusing on their camp’s theme through inquiry activities, art projects, learning labs and games. All campers are provided a morning and afternoon snack each day, and receive one Safari Camp t-shirt.

Photos taken by camp staff will highlight the activities and experiences of the campers and be posted on a private website shared with the camper’s parents/guardians by email the week following camp. The photos are intended to spark conversation between the campers and their families as they talk about their camp experience.

Cost listed is for one selected week of camp.

 

½ day Kindergarten: Sense-ational Animals – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered:
AM Camps (9 a.m.-noon): July 15-19, Aug. 5-9
PM Camps (1-4 p.m.): June 24-28, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2
During this half-day, weeklong camp, rising kindergarteners have the opportunity to sense the world as animals do as they explore their own five senses. Campers create a self-portrait where they take on the eyes, ears, mouth, nose and hands of their favorite animals. Through hikes, crafts and activities, they will have fun while learning about sight, sound, taste, smell and touch. Campers design their own animal puppet and film a puppet show clip at the end of the week!
AM camps run 9 a.m. – Noon, PM camps run 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: Members $190, Regular $220

Full-day Kindergarten: World Travelers – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
Grab your passport and get ready to go! During this full-day, weeklong camp for children entering kindergarten, campers will have the opportunity to learn about animals from all over the world without ever leaving the Zoo! Their travels will be documented with photos to create a souvenir map and a twist puzzle with the different animals they visit. Throughout the week, campers will keep a passport journal where they highlight adaptations that animals have to live in their natural habitats while practicing early literacy skills.
Cost: Members $380, Regular $410

1st Grade: Junior Zookeeper – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
Campers entering first grade learn the basics of animal care and how zookeepers tend to the animals who live at the Detroit Zoo.  As campers learn about animal needs, they’ll build a mini magnetic terrarium to take home and practice caring for a tiny, lifelike creature. Campers explore and study the expansive and naturalistic animal habitats throughout the Zoo, documenting the diversity of the environments they see to create their own 2D habitat with reusable stickers.
Cost: Members $380, Regular $410   

2nd Grade: Feeding Frenzy – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
It’s feeding time! Campers entering second grade spend the week learning about the wild diets of animals and how the Detroit Zoo animal care team works hard to replicate them at the Zoo. Campers will compare their own diets to the many animal residents here and have an opportunity to prepare a meal for themselves by partnering with the chefs at one of the Zoo’s restaurants. To remember their experience long after the summer, campers will create a recipe book inspired by the animal diets they’ve explored and design a place setting to take home.
Cost: Members $380, Regular $410

3rd Grade: Avian Adventure – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
Campers entering third grade explore the many species of birds who live at the Detroit Zoo in our care, and those who are native to Michigan and have chosen to visit the Zoo. Throughout the week, campers build observation skills and document the birds they see, contributing their data to the Celebrate Urban Birds citizen science project. Combining what they learn about adaptations and their imaginations, youth design their own species of bird, its nest, eggs and habitat elements. Campers create decals to prevent bird collisions with windows at home and build a birdhouse for their own backyards so they can continue observing birds for years to come.
Cost: Members $380, Regular $410

4th Grade: Herpetologist
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
Campers entering fourth grade will explore the Holden Reptile Conservation Center and the National Amphibian Conservation Center to learn more about species that the Zoo is helping to save from the brink of extinction. They will work as a team to create a storybook to share these stories and more. Each camper will receive a digital copy of the book they create to share with family and friends. They’ll also put their creativity and engineering skills into practice to create a perfect home for neighborhood frogs and toads.
Members $380, Regular $410

5th Grade: Mammal Mania – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
Campers entering fifth grade learn about the challenges and rewards of caring for the more than forty mammal species at the Detroit Zoo. Throughout the week, campers will hear the stories of animals who were rescued and found sanctuary at the Zoo. They’ll help animals cool off during the hot summer days by creating frozen treats for some of the Zoo’s resident mammals alongside animal care staff. Using their newly gained insight, campers share information on their favorite animals in a recorded “habitat chat” to be shared with friends and family. To remember their experience, campers also construct a plaster statue of an animal.
Members $380, Regular $410

6th Grade: Design-A-Zoo – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 12-16
Campers entering sixth grade investigate the many considerations that go into building safe, naturalistic and innovative habitats. The experience will explore how habitat designers consider the needs of the animals and the animal care staff, alongside visitor expectations. Campers use their new knowledge to design and build a model habitat for an animal of their choice out of recycled and art materials. Working as a team, campers will combine their individual habitats to build their own zoo and film a virtual tour of their creation to share with friends and family.
Members $380, Regular $410

7th Grade: Animal Conservation
Offered weeks: June 24-28, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
Campers entering seventh grade traverse the Zoo taking on the role of conservation scientists. They explore the important roles animals play in their respective ecosystems and the resiliency of the environment. Using field cameras, campers will design an inquiry study as a group by collecting and analyzing data and sharing their conclusions, just as conservation scientists do out in the field to study animals and habitats. Campers create an action plan for a cause important to them and create a canvas bag with a unique logo of their design to bring attention to their causes.
Members $380, Regular $410

8th Grade: Animal Behavior – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: July 8-12, July 22-26
Campers entering eighth grade investigate the intriguing world of animal minds and learn the different techniques animal care staff use to understand animal behavior. Campers consider how staff ensure animals feel content, safe and interested in their environments by practicing ethology research methods of ethograms and habitat space use observations. Animal care staff meet with campers after they observe a training session to learn how Zoo animal residents are able to take an active role in their welfare. Through team and individual projects, campers use their creativity to design puzzle feeder inquiry and art projects, and create enrichment activities for animals at the Zoo.
Members $380, Regular $410

9th-10th Grades: Animal Health – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered weeks: July 15-19
Campers entering ninth grade focus on the science of veterinary medicine in a zoological setting. Behind-the-scenes at the Animal Health Complex, campers learn how our talented vet staff address the health needs of the different animals living at the Zoo through x-rays, bloodwork, maintenance exams, nursery care and more. Throughout the week they also discover how Zoo residents are helping us to learn more about their species as a whole through research studies and programs such as the Great Ape Heart Project. Campers investigate anatomy and physiology through an alternative frog dissection and art projects,  Using their new skillset, campers are tasked with a mock case study for an animal patient, working together in a team to research, diagnose and complete a procedure to provide the best care in their role as a zoo vet.
Members $425, Regular $455

10th-12th Grades: Animal Welfare Workshop
Offered weeks: July 8-12
This weeklong experience for high schoolers entering grades 10 through 12 offers them the chance to dive into the field of animal welfare and wellbeing. Engaging with the tools used to evaluate and improve the lives of animals who reside at the Zoo, students will learn from and alongside animal care and research staff. Students have the opportunity to explore career fields, build and share empathy for animals through group and individual inquiry and art projects, and take part in unique behind-the-scenes experiences.
Cost: Members $425, Regular $455

Two-Day Camps (Grades K- 6)

Two-day camp experiences are offered June 19-20, July 1-2 and August 19-20.

 

Zoo Dino: Kindergarten, Grades 1-2, Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6
Kindergarten – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Grades 1-2 – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered dates: June 19-20, July 1-2, August 19-20
They’re back! During this two-day camp, youth will explore the world of dinosaurs as they journey through the Dinosauria trail and dig into different investigations to learn more about these extinct creatures and their living relatives. 


Zoo Art: Kindergarten, Grades 1-2, Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6
Kindergarten – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Grades 1-2 – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Grades 3-4 – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered dates: July 1-2
Campers will focus on exploring the diverse art and wildlife of the Zoo during this two-day camp.  Expressing their unique perspectives through a creative lens, each camper artist will create artwork pieces through sculpting, drawing, painting, photography or mixed media. Groups will display and share their pieces in a showcase that will be documented in a virtual gallery and shared with caregivers. *Most art projects are the same as Winter Safari Camp 2023.

Cost: Members $200, Regular $230
Cost listed is for one selected two-day camp.

 

Twilight Trails Evening Camps (Grades 1-6)

Explore the Detroit Zoo at dusk! Campers have the opportunity to explore the Zoo through an exclusive experience during the evening hours between 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Each group takes evening hikes to visit crepuscular and nocturnal animal residents and explore their unique adaptations. Campers make a craft to remember their experience and complete the night with an evening campfire and s’mores snack.

Cost: Members $45, Regular $55

*If a program is canceled due to a severe weather outlook, we have held August 6 or 8 for tentative rain dates.

Grades 1-2: Night Sense
Offered dates: June 19, June 25, July 18, July 25, July 29
When night comes, can you see as well as a tiger or hear as well as an owl? Children entering first and second grade explore the heightened senses of nocturnal animals while hiking through the Zoo and explore the different ways animals rely on their senses through games and group activities. Campers also have the chance to test their sense of taste with s’mores at the campfire.

Grades 3-4: Insects at Night
Offered dates: June 19, June 25, July 18, July 25, July 29
Follow Zoo trails in the cooler twilight hours on a search for insects! Campers entering third and fourth grade enjoy an evening at the Zoo, see how animal behavior changes when the sun goes down, and test their skills at firefly communication. The visit is complete with s‘mores at the campfire and a special craft.

Grades 5-6: Nocturnal Adaptations – SOLD OUT – Waitlist space available
Offered dates: June 25, July 18
How are animals that are active at night different from those that are active during the day? Children entering fifth and sixth grade join us on a nocturnal adventure to learn more about these fascinating animals and the adaptations that help them to survive. Campers design their own night animal and enjoy a yummy s’mores snack.

 

  • Winter Camp

    Safari Camp

    Campers grades K-6 spent two days over winter break exploring the unique art and wildlife at the Detroit Zoo, and used them as inspiration to let their creativity shine through a variety of art projects. Check back in August for an update on Winter Safari Camp 2024!

  • Extended Care

    Busy schedules and work commitments don’t always work well with a 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. camp schedule. Take advantage of our early drop-off and late pick-up program to make Safari Camp work for you. Supervised by Safari Camp staff, campers enjoy games, activities, and stories. Registration for extended care is available to add on during camp registration. Availability is limited. Early Bird Care begins at 7:30 a.m. Late Owl Care ends at 5:30 p.m.

  • Camp Policies

    Cancellation/Transfer
    Camp purchases are not refundable. All requests to cancel or transfer to another week must be sent to safaricamp@dzs.org and are not guaranteed. 

    Behavior
    By registering for camp, caregivers acknowledge that their child must follow camp rules and directions from the camp staff while at the Detroit Zoo.  At the occurrence of a disciplinary problem, campers are encouraged to choose to take a “break” or be asked to by staff, and reflect on their actions with the support of staff members. However, actions that are severe or put the camper or others in danger may result in immediate dismissal from the program. 

    A disciplinary problem is defined as an action or behavior that hinders the flow of the program by requiring constant one-to-one staff attention; inflicting physical, verbal, or emotional harm on other campers or camp staff; or is unable to conform to the rules and guidelines of the program. Upon a disciplinary problem, a child may be removed from their camp for the day or the remainder of the camp program for their safety and the safety of other program participants, DZS staff, and the resident animals. In this case, the parent or emergency contacts will be notified to pick up the child immediately. No refunds will be given if your child is removed from the program due to a disciplinary problem.

     

    Weather
    In the case of inclement weather, the camp directors will decide on what action to take based on weather reports and sky conditions. At the first sight of lightning, all groups will be instructed to take cover in the nearest approved shelter. Winter weather will be evaluated throughout the day and spending shorter periods of time outdoors as the wind chill temperatures allow. Camp directors will provide instructions via radio or cell phone as conditions warrant.

    Late Drop Off/Early Pickup 

    If you arrive late, please locate Security at the Member’s Entrance or call the Zoo at 248-541-5717. Campers arriving after the start of camp will have to wait to be escorted into the Zoo by a camp supervisor or director. Please remain with your camper until they have been checked in by camp staff. 

     

    If your child has a conflict and is in need of an early pickup at day of camp, please notify camp directors via email at safaricamp@dzs.org and share with camp instructors at check-in. Early pickup times must be prior to 3:30 p.m. 

    Upon arrival, please locate Security or Zoo staff at the Member’s Entrance or call the Zoo at 248-541-5717. Once admitted into the Zoo, please follow the path and wait in the Ford Education Center lobby. Campers will be escorted by a camp supervisor or director for sign-out. The adult picking up early must be listed as an authorized pickup person and present a photo ID to sign out your camper.

  • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

    What weeks have an offering for my child this summer?

    Day camps are by grade level your child will enter in fall 2024, and programs repeat from week to week. Weeklong camp programs differ from the two-day camp programs.

    Day Camps 2024

    Evening Camps 2024

    Are camp programs the same each week or evening?

    Our weeklong camps are the same program that runs each week throughout the summer, so we have new groups of campers each week. Some camps run more limited weeks in the summer (ex: Grades 9-10: Animal Health only runs the week of July 15). If you sign up your child for multiple weeks, they will do the same activities, zoo hikes, and art projects.
    Two-day camps are different programs than weeklong camps.
    For children entering grades K-6, we suggest selecting a weeklong camp and a two-day camp to provide them with different program options during the summer.

    If my child needs to be picked up early, what should I do?

    Please email safaricamp@dzs.org to notify us the week of their registered camp. Upon your arrival, check in with Zoo staff at the member entrance booth and wait for your child to be brought out to sign out. Please have a photo ID ready to present to camp supervisors.

    How can I add or change extended care after I have registered for camp?

    Please email safaricamp@dzs.org or call (248) 541-5717 ext. 3800 to change your extended care schedule.

    How do I authorize a different person to pick up my child from camp?

    Anyone picking up your child from camp must be listed as an Authorized Pickup and show a photo ID at check-out. There are two ways to change the list of individuals allowed to pick up your child from Safari Camp:

    Can I order an extra T-Shirt?

    There is an opportunity to order extra shirts and camp packs during online registration. If you have already registered for Safari Camp and would like to purchase either of these items, you may do so at any time online. Please bring the receipt to your child’s instructor, Camp Supervisor or Director during check-in or check-out. Your child will receive the item at the end of the day.

    My child has allergies that may require the use of epinephrine. What do I need to do?

    Please print and complete a Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan form and if your child has medication, an Authorization for Dispensing Medication form. Bring forms, along with any epinephrine or antihistamines that may be needed by your child on the first day of camp to discuss the plan with your child’s instructor and Camp Supervisor(s) or Director.  All medication must be prescribed by a licensed physician, be in the original container and labeled with the child’s full name. Please email safaricamp@dzs.org with any questions or concerns.

    Is this camp peanut-free?

    No. We do not control the contents of other campers’ lunches or food brought into the Zoo by other guests. We do have a designated peanut-free table at lunch sites; please advise camp instructors if you would prefer your child to eat at this table.

    What do I do if my child needs to take prescribed medication during camp hours?

    Please print and fill out an Authorization for Dispensing Medication form. Bring this form, along with the noted medication for your child on the first day of camp to discuss the plan with your child’s instructor and Camp Supervisor(s) or Director. Unless designated to be kept on/with the child, medication will be kept in a climate-controlled office and dispensed by a Camp Director and Supervisor. All medication must be prescribed by a licensed physician, be in the original container and labeled with the child’s full name. We do not accept expired medications. Please email safaricamp@dzs.org with any questions or concerns.

    My child has different abilities (ex; mobility needs, ASD). Can they still attend this camp?

    Yes! We strive to be an inclusive camp that serves all campers. Please contact our camp directors at safaricamp@dzs.org to discuss accommodation details and share how we can best support your child while at camp. We can provide a wheelchair for long Zoo hikes if necessary.

    What will my child do at camp?

    While schedules vary among camps, a typical full day of camp may look like this:

    • 9 a.m. – Welcome and warm-up
    • 9:15 a.m. – Zoo hike
    • 10:45 a.m. – Morning snack
    • 11 a.m. – Activity
    • Noon – Lunch and free play
    • 1 p.m. – Activity/Zoo hike
    • 2 p.m. – Project work/art
    • 3 p.m. – Afternoon snack
    • 3:30 p.m. – Journal and clean-up
    • 4 p.m. – Check-out