ZooCamp is a great way for children ages 6 through 16 to learn about zoo animals, animal behaviors and wildlife in general. Plus, check out our camp for families, ages 3 and older!
2024 ZooCamp Registration Information
*All ZooCamps are now open for registration.
General Information
Welcome to ZooCamp 2024! Camp activities include a t-shirt, a tour of the zoo, a chance to meet zoo staff and animal keepers, fun crafts, awesome activities and up-close animal encounters!
Campers must be signed up for the camp that reflects their age as of the first day of the camp they wish to attend. Children MUST have completed kindergarten by June 2024 to participate in these camps.
Group Size
Group size will be capped at 22 campers.
Activities and Supplies
Group activities will be modified to ensure the safety of campers. Each camper will receive his or her own supply kit. Shared supplies will be limited to only those that can be easily disinfected.
Before-Camp Care
Before care will only be available upon sign up from 8 - 9 a.m. for full day camps ONLY. We will not be providing after care at this time.
Drop Off/Pickup
Drop off/pickup will be carpool style from your vehicle. No parents will be coming into the building.
Food and Snacks
All campers are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottle and snack, should they need them during the day. For full-day camps, campers are also required to bring a packed lunch with them. We will NOT be offering meal deals through the zoo café.
Cancelation & Refund Policy
- If the cancelation occurs two or more weeks before the first day of the camp, a 50% refund will be issued.
- No refunds are issued after the two-week deadline.
- There is a $10 service charge for any changes made to the original registration.
- Membership must be active at time of registration to receive member rates.
- The zoo reserves the right to cancel any camp with insufficient registrations. In the event this happens, a full refund will be issued.
For questions about ZooCamp (registration, COVID-19 precautions, tax information, topics/content, etc.), please contact us at ZooCamp@akronzoo.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
The activities vary depending on the topic you choose. Basic activities include touring the zoo, meeting education animals up-close, talking with zoo staff, and making crafts.
Registrations can only be done online or through the mail. Payments through the mail can be taken as a check or credit card (Visa, Discover, or MasterCard only).
No. At this time, we only take registrations through the mail or online. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please note, that if you email or fax your registration, it will not be accepted.
Campers will meet some of our education animal ambassadors. They may get to touch a mammal or a reptile, but will not hold or play with the animals.
At this time, only certain programs include behind-the-scenes portions, but that is subject to change. If you are interested in a certain camp, please contact us and we will do our best to find the right camp for your child. Additionally, camps with a behind-the-scenes portion are noted in the brochure with a "tiger" icon.
No. The age categories are very strict.
All programs go outside daily and the programs are held rain or shine so dress your child according to the weather. They must wear comfortable play clothes and shoes; NO FLIP FLOPS! Inappropriate footwear will limit your child’s ability to participate. Refunds will not be given if your child is not able to participate due to inappropriate attire.
Yes. Our Health and Behavior forms are all digital this year! Every camper ages 6-15 will have forms that must be completed in order to confirm your registration. You only need to fill out one set of forms per child, regardless of the number of camps your child is attending. Adults attending the Family Camp only need to fill out a form if there are any health concerns that you would like us to be aware of.
Yes. If you are interested in having pictures the camper must use their own camera (preferably a disposable one). Please be aware that there may be areas where your child will not be allowed to take pictures as part of the zoo’s policy.
Yes, but if the zoo staff deems it a distraction to the child or other campers, they will be asked to put it away until the end of the day. If the item becomes an issue for multiple days, camp staff may ask the parent to keep the item at home. The zoo is also not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken items and campers will not be able to charge these items while at camp.
Yes. We have a sign-in and sign-out procedure so we know whose children are coming and leaving with. If someone other than yourself must pick up the child we must have this in writing when you drop off your child.
Our camp classes are taught by zoo staff.
No, only parents that have informed us of their child’s special requirements will be permitted to stay.
If the cancellation occurs two or more weeks before the first day of the camp, a 50% refund will be issued to an Akron Zoo gift card. There will be no refunds for cancellations made less than 2 weeks prior to the first date of a session. No refunds or discounts will be given for days not attended within a multiple-day session. There is a $10 service charge for any changes made to the original registration. Membership must be active at the time of registration to receive member rates. The zoo reserves the right to cancel any camp with insufficient registrations. In the event this happens, a full refund will be issued.
No, we ask that parents adhere to the 5-minute guideline so that the ZooCamp staff has time to properly set up for the day.
No, due to the rarity of cancellations ahead of the start of a camp session, we do not offer waitlisting.