The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the zoo animals are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their Summer Camp friends! Join us for Summer Nature Camp and enjoy hands-on activities, live animal contact, games, crafts and so much more.  If you are between the ages of 5 and 12, sign up for one or more of our three rotating weeks to have the best summer ever!

Days: Monday through Friday
Dates: July 5th through August 20th
Times: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Explorer Groups:
Giraffes: Ages 5 - 6
Rhinos: Ages 7- 8
Elephants: Ages 9 -12

Please provide copy of Birth Certificate for registration purpose either by fax or mail.

Summer Nature Camp Topics

Week 1: July 5 - 9
All Creatures Great
Learn about the world's largest animals as we travel the globe to meet beastly behemoths including elephants, giraffes, the blue whale, and giant grizzly bears. Find out what it's like to be one of the "biggest animals on the planet" and what advantages and challenges come with this title.

Week 2: July 12 - 16
All Creatures Small
Many of the world's most interesting animals also happen to be the smallest. Discover the advantages to being one of the small creatures living in a great big world and explore the mysterious lives of common animals that are often overlooked.

Week 3: July 19 - 23
All Creatures Weird
And you thought your parents were weird! During this freaky week we'll explore the oddities of the animal world. Meet animals with super hearing, extra long tongues, giant eyes, unbelievable strength, the ability to change color and even re-grow lost limbs. We'll compare our own abilities to theirs and see if we can't discover some freaky talents of our own.

Week 4: July 26 - 30
All Creatures Great
Learn about the world's largest animals as we travel the globe to meet beastly behemoths including elephants, giraffes, the blue whale, and giant grizzly bears. Find out what it's like to be one of the "biggest animals on the planet" and what advantages and challenges come with this title.

Week 5: August 2 - 6
All Creatures Small
Many of the world's most interesting animals also happen to be the smallest. Discover the advantages to being one of the small creatures living in a great big world and explore the mysterious lives of common animals that are often overlooked.

Week 6:  August 9 - 13
All Creatures Weird
And you thought your parents were weird! During this freaky week we'll explore the oddities of the animal world. Meet animals with super hearing, extra long tongues, giant eyes, unbelievable strength, the ability to change color and even re-grow lost limbs. We'll compare our own abilities to theirs and see if we can't discover some freaky talents of our own.

Week 7: August 16 - 20
You Are What You Eat
During this special camp week learn all about the yummy and gross foods that animals eat, and what it takes to feed the more than 1000 animals living at the Buffalo Zoo. Our food-filled week includes games, crafts, and activities guaranteed to excite the taste buds!

** To provide a stimulating environment for campers, we recommend that campers avoid repeating weeks. The curriculum and activities for those weeks will be identical.

General Information
Arrival/Departure times are 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. respectively. Campers must arrive at the Magnet School entrance on Meadow Drive by 9:00 am and be picked up at the same entrance at 3:00 p.m. Campers will not be allowed to leave the Zoo without a parent or guardian signing for their child. Please be prepared to show ID upon request.

To better accommodate the needs of our campers' parents, we do offer a fee-based Before and After Care Program between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. sharp. Please be respectful of the drop-off and pick-up times of this program. Parents will be assessed a fee of $5.00 for every 5 minutes past 5:00 that their child remains at the zoo.

Appropriate clothing must be worn. This includes sturdy shoes and appropriate outerwear labeled with the camper's name.  We recommend sending a change of clothing with your child. Each camper will receive a camp t-shirt courtesy of the Buffalo Zoo at the beginning of each week of camp.  Campers are encouraged to wear their t-shirts for the remainder of the week.

Activities will include a combination of exhibit visits, animal information, games, songs, stories, activities and live animal contact. Students will have the opportunity to interact with a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods from our Education Department animal collection.  This provides each camper with the experience and thrill of live animal contact under well supervised conditions.

NO LUNCHES ARE PROVIDED due to individual food preferences, allergies and dietary restrictions.  Campers must bring a bag lunch each day.  A snack will be provided by the Zoo. If your child has special dietary needs, we ask that you provide him/her with a snack from home and provide the Zoo with details of your child's dietary requirements and limitations. Please note: due to the potential for severe allergic reactions, peanuts and tree nut products are not allowed at camp.

Any additional questions or information should be directed to the Education Department at (716) 995-6128.
 

Registration Information
To register for the Spring Nature Camp, complete the application indicating whether you are registering for one week, or more. Be sure to indicate all of your choices.

Become a Zoo Member and save on Summer Nature Camp fees. For information on Zoo Membership, call 837-3900, ext. 131.

Registration fee:

MULTIPLE WEEK & CHILD DISCOUNT-Receive a five (5) percent discount if you register for multiple weeks and/or if you have multiple children enrolled.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS may be available to a limited number of qualified applicants. To request more information, please call (716) 995-6128. Scholarships are awarded for one week of camp only..:

Single Child Enrollment Multiple Child Enrollment   Member Non-member Member Non-member Single Week $142 per child $158 per child $135 per child $150 per child Multiple Weeks $135 per week $150 per week $128 per child/week $143 per child/week Before Care from 7:45 - 9:00 a.m. add $25/week After Care from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. add $25/week

LATE REGISTRATION-Registration must be received at least seven days prior to the first day of camp. Registrations received after that deadline will be assessed a late processing fee of $15.00.

Only completed registration forms will be accepted.  Your camper is considered enrolled in the Summer Nature Camp once you have received a written confirmation letter from the Buffalo Zoo. Once the Zoo has received a completed registration and payment for Camp, a confirmation letter will be sent out within 14 days.

How to register…
a) Mail your registration - Payment MUST accompany your registration and may be made in cash, by check, MasterCard, Visa or Discover. Please make checks payable to the Zoological Society of Buffalo. Mail the completed form and registration fee to:

Education Department
Buffalo Zoo
300 Parkside Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14214-1999

- OR -

b) Fax your registration - You may also fax completed registration with credit card payment to (716) 834-1106.

- OR -

c) Download an On-line registration form
Click here to download form

b) Register on-line
Click here for on-line registration

To provide the campers with individual attention, group size is limited. Register early to save your camper’s spot!

Registration must be received at least seven (7) days prior to the first day of the camp week your child is registering for. Registrations received after that deadline will be assessed a late processing fee of $15. If you are registering after this deadline, please call 995-6128 to ensure there are still spots in that week available.

Cancellation requests must be made in writing at least one week prior to the start of the Summer Nature Camp to receive a refund. All refunds will be assessed one administrative charge of $25.  Fees will NOT be refunded for any reason after the first day of camp.

Any additional questions or information should be directed to the Education Department at (716) 995-6128.