2008 Educational Programs Presented by

   

Summer 2008 Camps & Classes 

Tips for Summer Programs

This is a general list of what a busy day at the Zoo might include. Schedules will vary depending on length of program, the age group and the camp theme.

A typical camp day includes:

  • Zoo walk, which sometimes includes Zoo attractions (train, tram or carousel ride, petting zoo, or special tours)

  • Classroom lessons with pictures and biofacts (bones, pelts, feathers, etc.) and animal contact with some of our small, education animals

  • Games and activities that reinforce the concepts being taught that day

  • Morning snack – a healthy choice of fruit

  • Lunchtime with an activity or video (full day camp only)

  • Arts and crafts project


Other Camp Details

Lunch (full day camp only): Campers MUST bring their own lunch and drink with them from home. Lunches will be refrigerated. Campers may not purchase a lunch on Zoo grounds.

Instructors: Instructors must have at least one year of college. They undergo a two week training program that includes CPR and First-aid training as well as a criminal background check. They enjoy working with children and are knowledgeable about the Louisville Zoo.

Camper/Instructor ratio: Each group has one Instructor per eight campers. (No more than nine.) Some groups will have teen volunteers (ages 13 and up) that assist Instructors.

Placing friends together: If your child is attending camp the same week as a friend, you MUST indicate on your registration form that they want to be placed in a group together.

Class age ranges: We place campers in groups based on their age at the time of camp. Activities and lessons are age appropriate. When campers that are different ages are requested to be placed in the same group, the older camper will be placed with younger campers. We highly suggest that siblings participate in separate groups.

T-shirts and name buttons: All campers receive a t-shirt and name button each camp session.

Snack: We supply a morning snack for the campers. The snack will include chopped fresh fruit, such as apples, oranges, pears and bananas. Campers my pack their own snack to be eaten during this time if needed. Ice water is always available to the campers.

Animal Contact: Each day campers will have the opportunity for an up close encounter with several of our education animals (chinchilla, snake, etc.). During this time, Instructors also use biofacts that the children may touch (shells, pelts, bones, etc.) and pictures to enrich their experience.

Drop-off and pick-up: On the first day of camp, you will be directed to your camper’s Instructor on the front plaza. Your camper’s group will need to be picked up and dropped off at the same location each day. The person dropping off the camper must sign their name and write down the name of the adult who will be picking up the camper at the end of the day. If the pick-up person is different, he/she will need to show identification to pick up the camper.
 

CAMPS AND CLASSES

SAFARI DAY CAMP 

(For ages 6-12)

Introduce your child to a day camp experience found in few other places.  Camp activities are planned for children ages 6 – 12.  Camp activities include nature study, arts and crafts, controlled animal contact and zoo walks.  All campers receive a Safari Day Camp t-shirt.  Camps run Monday through Friday, with the exception of the week of the Fourth of July (note dates on the registration form).  Children attending all day sessions from 9am to 4pm must bring a sack lunch and a drink. Lunches will be refrigerated. If you would like your child to be grouped with a sibling or friend, please indicate this clearly in the space provided on the registration form. 

Safari Day Camp Cost: 

Half Day:  $100 Members / $115 Non-members

Full Day:  $165 Members/ $180 Non-members

4-Day: $132 Members/ $144 Non-members

Ecosystems of the World (ages 6-12)

Where do animals live and what special features help them survive in the wild?  Children will learn about animals and plants from around the world. Topics will include tropical rainforest, desert, grasslands, tundra, deciduous forest and aquatic ecosystems.

June 23-27, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Closed

June 30-July 3, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Closed

July 14-18, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Closed

August 4-8, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Closed

Let’s Eat (ages 6-12)

Animals survive by eating a wide variety of things. Children will learn about what animals eat and the special adaptations they have to obtaining their food. Topics will include carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, predator and prey relationships, and food webs.

June 9-13, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.   Closed

June 16-20, 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.  Closed

July 28-August 1, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Closed

Animals Around the Clock (ages 6-12)

Do you ever wonder why some animals are awake at night and some are awake during the day? Discover the schedules of animals and learn about how animals survive throughout the year. Topics will include nocturnal and diurnal animals, hibernation, migration and life cycles.

June 2-6, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Closed

July 7-11, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Closed

July 21-25, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Closed

Zoo Detective (ages 9-12 only)

Experience the Zoo in a new way this summer! This new program is designed for older and more experienced campers. Every day brings a new mystery at the Zoo! Topics will include soil & water, animal diets, animal enrichment, animal tracking, and veterinarian responsibilities.

June 9-13, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Closed

July 14-18, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Closed

July 28-August 1, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Closed

 

Note: Due to long waiting lists in the past, we want to give as many children as possible the chance to go to camp. We ask that you limit your child to two sessions.  Please indicate your 1st and 2nd choices on programs in case of closings.   

For more information regarding Safari Day Camp sessions call Karen Maynard at 238-5382.

ZOOPER KIDS 

(For ages 4-5)

ZOOper Kids programs are for children ages four and five.  ZOOper Kids enjoy Zoo walks, crafts, snacks, closely supervised contact with education animals and story times. All campers receive a t-shirt.

Zooper Kids Cost: Members - $100/session, Non-members - $115/session

Classification

What’s the difference between a reptile and an amphibian? This program will introduce your child to the different groups of animals.

June 2-6, 9:00 - 11:45 a.m.  Closed

June 23-27, 9:00 - 11:45 a.m.  Closed

July 21-25, 9:00 - 11:45 a.m.  Closed

Animal Defenses

From porcupines to poison dart frogs, all animals have some kind of defense. Campers will learn different ways that animals protect themselves.

June 9-13, 9:00 - 11:45 a.m.  Closed

July 7-11, 9:00 - 11:45 a.m.    Closed

July 28-August 1, 9:00  - 11:45 a.m.  Closed

The Five Senses

Some animals can see in the dark and some use smells to communicate! Come discover sights and smells, touch some of our education animals and learn about animal senses.

June 16-20, 9:00 - 11:45 a.m.  Closed

July 14-18, 9:00 - 11:45 a.m.    Closed

August 4-8, 9:00  - 11:45 a.m.    Closed

TWO BY THREES 

(For age 3)

This 4-day program gives a parent or grandparent and his or her three-year old an opportunity to explore and learn together.  This class will offer hands-on experiences with animals, crafts and a Zoo walk.  Children must be accompanied by an adult and the child MUST be three by the date of the first class.  Due to limited classroom space, we ask that only one adult attend with the child per session.  Extra adults will be $10 each. All campers will receive a t-shirt.

Two by Threes Cost: Members - $80/session, Non-members - $95/session

Counting Critters

Bring your three-year-old to a program that incorporates counting skills with hands-on animal contact. The program also includes Zoo walks, crafts, and activities.

June 30-July 3, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.    Closed

July 28-31, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.    Closed

TWO BY TWOS

(For age 2)

This 4-day program is designed for a two-year old and his or her parent or grandparent. Through interactive learning, this experience will promote positive feelings about the world around them. Children must be accompanied by an adult and the child MUST have reached the age of two by the date of the first class.  Due to limited classroom space, we ask that only one adult attend with the child per session.  Extra adults attending will be $10 each. All campers will receive a t-shirt.

Two by Twos Cost: Members - $80/session, Non-members - $95/session

Animals in Color

June 2-5, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.   Closed

July 14-17, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.  Closed

 

Note: Due to long waiting lists in the past, we want to give as many children as possible the chance to go to camp. We ask that you limit your child to two sessions.  Please indicate your 1st and 2nd choices on programs in case of closings.  For more information regarding 2x2s, 2x3s, or ZOOper Kids sessions call Diane Moon at 238-5341.

TEEN SAFARI   (Click here to download a registration form)

(ages 13–15)

This program is designed for teens, ages 13-15 who have an interest in our living world, zoology and conservation.  Each day is filled with hands-on activities, environmental learning, and FUN!  Teen Safari is designed to engage the senses, and activate the minds of young people using the dynamic resources of the Louisville Zoo.  Special classes with live animal contact and behind-the-scenes tours provide an opportunity for teens to discover more about the Zoo and our planet.  Two sessions are offered.  Teen Safari will meet Monday through Wednesday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.  On Thursday evening participants will meet at the Zoo at 7:00pm for the Night Safari, which ends at 9:00am Friday morning and concludes the Teen Safari experience. NOTE:  An evening cookout and breakfast will be provided for the Night Safari!  Monday through Wednesday each teen should bring a sack lunch and drink. 

Teen Safari Cost: Members - $175, Non-Members - $190

June 16-20  Closed

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:00am – 4:00pm

Thursday 7:00pm – Friday 9:00am

 

July 21-25

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:00am – 4:00pm

Thursday 7:00pm – Friday 9:00am

 

For more information regarding Teen Safari call Kathleen Johnson at 238-5342.

ECO CAMP 

The Louisville Nature Center and the Louisville Zoo are offering a weeklong day camp combining activities at both sites. This camp, for children ages 8-12, will start at the Louisville Nature Center in the morning and end at the Louisville Zoo in the afternoon.

Campers will learn about the delicate balance that exists between living organisms and human populations. Why is Beargrass Creek important to our community and what is the Louisville Nature Center doing to improve water quality there? Conservation issues around the world and in our own backyards will be discussed.  Children will be grouped according to their age. Participants must bring their own lunch and dress for outside play.

Eco Camp Cost: Zoo or LNC members - $165, Non-members - $180

June 16 – 20. 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.   Closed

July 7 – 11, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.    Closed

TRACK ‘EM, SMACK ‘EM, AND ROAR 

The Louisville Tennis Center, the Louisville Nature Center and the Louisville Zoo will again be offering a week of non-stop excitement for children ages 7 – 12.  Campers will be tracking native wildlife at the Louisville Nature Center, learning tennis skills on the courts of the Louisville Tennis Center, and visiting with the wild creatures at the Louisville Zoo. If your child has a tennis racket we suggest that he/she bring it.  Each participant must bring a lunch and dress appropriately for outside play (tennis shoes are required). 

Track ‘em Cost: $170 LNC or Zoo members, $185 Non-members

June 2-6, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Closed
 

For more information regarding Eco Camp or Track ‘em sessions call Karen Maynard at 238-5382.


Cancellation and Refund Policy

  1. Individuals who wish to cancel their registration in any class must notify the Education Department, in writing, no less than one week prior to the actual date of the class. We will refund 80% of the class fee upon receipt of a written cancellation.
    There will be no refunds for cancellations made less than one week prior to class date.

  2. The Education Department reserves the right to cancel classes with insufficient registration.

  3. There will be a $10 service charge for any changes in the original registration.

  4. Pre-registration is required for all classes.

Registration Information
Registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis and camps fill quickly. Pre-registration is required for all classes. Payments must be received with the registration form at least two weeks to the preferred session. Confirmation will be mailed to you. Reservations will not be taken over the phone. Please make your check payable to the Louisville Zoo.

 
 

LOUISVILLE ZOO  *  1100 TREVILIAN WAY, LOUISVILLE KY  40213

BETTERING THE BOND BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THE PLANET