Summer Camps
Summer Camp
Lehigh Valley Zoo invites campers for an exciting week of nature discovery, animal adventures and Smart FUN! Week-long camps run for half days for ages 4-5 (available Mon-Fri from 9:00AM – 11:30AM), and full days for ages 6-11 (available Mon-Fri from 9:00AM – 3:30PM).*
Each camp is adapted to the theme of the week, as well as the varying age groups. Campers of all ages will enjoy age-appropriate activities, adventures, and games. From up-close encounters with our Ambassador Animals and visits to our zoo animals, to creek studies and nature hikes, campers will become fully immersed in zoo life and will leave camp wanting to come back!
*Extended Care is available for purchase for week-long, full-day camp sessions only (ages 6-11):
Before Care: 7:30AM – 9:00AM
After Care: 3:30PM – 5:00PM
All campers receive a snack and a camp t-shirt to wear each day! For full day camps, campers need to provide their own lunch. Additional T-shirts are available for purchase.
Our Zoo camps are offered during the summer. For more information, please contact our Education Department at edureservations@lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171 and dial extension 228, 229, or 247.
Zoo Camps
(Ages 6-8 and 9-11 years old)
“Early bird registration will open on January 13th, please reference discount section below.”
Inspired by Nature (ages 9-11)
June 10th-14th
July 15th- 19th
*$300
Click to read more. All around us, plants and animals are inspiring designs that help solve problems both big and small. Want to know why puffy jackets keep us warm? Or how about how planes can fly? Can cockroaches actually save people? Campers will learn all this and more as they take a dive into the world of biomimicry. From tiny bug-sized robots to gecko feet inspired band-aids, the use of biomimicry can help us design incredible inventions based off the natural world! Through games, activities, and projects, campers will learn to understand just how nature has helped us create a more sustainable and healthier place to live. Collapse.
Myths and Monsters (ages 9-11)
June 17th-21st
July 22nd- 26th
*$300
Click to read more. “Could there really be mermaids? Are zombies actually real? Could these stories be more than just myths? From giants living in the ocean to dragons soaring through the sky to even snakes that turn people to stone, stories of mythical beasts and monsters have been passed down throughout the ages from all over the world. It is said that these legends once walked (or are still walking) the Earth, yet it can be very difficult to find them…unless, of course, you know where to look! Through games, crafts, and stories, campers will become cryptozoologists as they learn the history of legendary creatures and discover that there may be more to these myths then they first thought.” Collapse.
Zoo Detective Camp (ages 6-8)
June 10th-14th
July 15th- 19th
*$300
Click to read more. Quick! The zoo needs your help in uncovering the mystery of “who dunnit”. One of our animals has been causing mischief all around the zoo by stealing food, trampling through the flowers, and teasing their fellow zoo residents. And we have no doubt that others are in on the trouble too. Campers will play detective as they solve clues to uncover who exactly is behind all the mayhem. Campers will work together every day to figure out which animals have been helping our mystery suspect and even get the chance to interrogate them up close! Although unwilling to give up too much information, these accomplices are willing to provide one clue each about the suspect. By the end of the week, campers will have discovered enough clues and confront them face-to-face! Who knows, they may even figure out what’s been causing our suspect trouble too. Collapse.
Bio Buddies Camp (ages 6-8)
July 8th-12th
August 5th- 8th
*$300
Click to read more. Everything in our universe is connected! The connections between organisms can be mind-blowing – bees and flowers, birds and zebras, bats and pitcher plants. Both living and nonliving things are important to an ecosystem’s survival. The Bio Buddies campers will explore the animal kingdom and the many ways animals interact with their environment. Campers will learn about complex food webs, wacky animal friendships, symbiotic relationships, and parasites through hands on activities, experiments and in-person observations. Collapse.
So You Want to Be a Scientist? (ages 9-11)
July 8th-12th
August 5th- 9th
*$300
Click to read more. Is science your favorite subject in school? Join in on the fun and become a scientist for the week as we explore the fields of ecology, wildlife biology, and conservation. This camp week will provide hands-on experience into the world of science where campers will learn the different ways in which scientists study, observe, and help nature. Campers will collect data for various citizen science projects and staff will send out the data collected to scientists so they can better understand our natural world. Collapse.
All Around the World (ages 9-11)
June 24th-28th
July 29th- August 2nd
*$300
Click to read more. Collapse.
Animal Ninja Warrior (ages 6-8)
June 17th-21st
July 22nd- 26th
*$300
Click to read more. Collapse.
The Science of Ew (ages 6-8)
June 24th-28th
July 29th- August 2nd
*$300
Click to read more. Collapse.
June 10th-June 14th
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- Zoo Detectives (ages 6-8)
- Inspired by Nature (ages 9-11)
June 17th-June 21st
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- Animal Ninja Warrior (ages 6-8)
- Myths and Monsters (ages 9-11)
- Junior Zoo Keeper Camp (ages 12-14)
June 24th-June 28th
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- Science of Ew (ages 6-8)
- Around the World (ages 9-11)
- Penguin and Friends Pre-Zoo Camp (ages 4-5)
No camp the week of July 4th
July 8th- July 12th
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- Bio Buddies (ages 6-8)
- So You Want To Be a Scientist? (ages 9-11)
July 15th- July 19th
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- Zoo Detectives (ages 6-8)
- Inspired by Nature (ages 9-11)
- Animals A to Z Pre Zoo Camp (ages 4-5)
July 22nd- July 26th
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- Animal Ninja Warrior (ages 6-8)
- Myths and Monsters (ages 9-11)
July 29th- August 2nd
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- Science of Ew (ages 6-8)
- Around the World (ages 9-11)
- Sense-ational Animals Pre Zoo (ages 4-5)
August 5th- August 9th
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- Bio Buddies (ages 6-8)
- So You Want To Be a Scientist? (ages 9-11)
August 12th-August 16th
- Junior Zoo Keeper Camp (ages 12-14)
*Please note for all camps that are repeated throughout the summer, please only register your camper for one week of that camp as the curriculum will be the same.*
Jr. Zoo Keeper Camp
(Ages 12-14 years old)
Junior Keeper Camp
Session I: June 17th-21st
Session II: August 12th – August 16th
*Please note this camp is not recommended for repeat campers
*Please only register for one week
Have you ever wondered what is was like to be a zookeeper? Is your camper interested in a career as a keeper, educator or a vet? This week of camp is for you! Come get behind the scenes of the day to day life of an animal caretaker! Campers will get the opportunity to learn about training through hands on practice, give educational presentations to an audience, and get opportunities to meet some of the zoo animals up close! Aspiring zookeepers will get a taste of the experience needed to pursue an animal related career!
Pre-Zoo Camp
(Ages 4-5 years old)
Penguins and Friends
June 24 – June 28
9:00AM – 11:30AM
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a penguin? What kind of animal friends do penguins have? Come along on an adventure to the Southern Hemisphere to discover and meet some penguin friends. Campers will learn about the different species of penguins and who their friends are while enjoying animal encounters, crafts, interactive games, zoo tours and a creek study.
Animals A-Z
July 15 – July 19
9:00AM – 11:30AM
Aardvarks, quetzals, takins and more! Have you ever wondered if there is an animal for every letter of the alphabet? Campers will discover funny names some animals have as they venture through the alphabet. Each day is packed with fun filled activities that include animal encounters, crafts, interactive games and zoo tours.
SENSE-ational Animals
July 29 – August 2
9:00AM – 11:30AM
Super sniffers, fascinating feelers, extraordinary eyesight; animals have some truly incredible senses! Join us in learning all about animal senses and how these amazing adaptations allow animals to survive and thrive in their habitats. Campers will explore their five senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch throughout the week.
DISCOUNTS
- Sibling Discount – $20 off once per child if more than one camper is registered for a camp. Campers must live in the same household to qualify. Discount is automatically applied at checkout on our camp registration site, so no discount code will be required.
- Membership Discount – Zoo Members will receive a 10% discount on our Zoo Camps; please reach out to the Education Department at edureservations@lvzoo.org to confirm your membership and receive a discount code! Membership discount cannot be applied after camper registration is complete.
- Early Bird Discount – The earlybird discount will automatically be applied between January 13th-March 1st, 2024 to receive an extra $25 off. No discount code will be required.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I register?
You can register on the Lehigh Valley Zoo camps page via CampBrain!
When should I register?
Camp sessions can fill up quickly, so register as soon as possible! Full payment is required to complete camper registration.
Can I register for just a day or two of camp?
Camps are designed to be a full week learning experience so we recommend attending the full session. If you are unable to do so, the camp is still full cost.
Can I pick up my camper early?
Any arrangements for early departure should be made with the Education Department prior to the start of the camp week by emailing edureservations@lvzoo.org, or by calling (610) 799-4171 ext. 228, 229, or 247. Please keep in mind that camps involve learning about working as a team, and you should do your best to not withdraw your camper early.
Can I register for multiple camps?
Yes, Pre-Zoo (ages 4-5) has three camp sessions, while Bugs (ages 6-8) and Roos (ages 9-11)have eight unique camp sessions. In each session, campers will learn new and exciting topics while still encountering animals and learning what it’s like to be a zookeeper or zoo educator. For any repeated camp themed weeks, it is recommended to only sign your camper up for one of those camps.
Can they bring a cell phone?
If you would like your child to have a cell phone for communication purposes, they may bring it to camp with them, but they must keep it in their bags unless designated otherwise. If you need to reach your child, you may do so through 610-799-4171. If your child is using the cell phone or any other technology at inappropriate times, it will be confiscated by the counselor until the end of the day.
Will they go swimming?
Weather permitting, each camp will include a Creek Day with time spent in the Jordan Creek. Please send your camper with a change of clothes and a towel as well as closed toed shoes for entering the creek, i.e. water shoes or old sneakers. Flip flops, sandals, or bare feet are not permitted. Your camper may wear a swimsuit on this day too. The creek is shallow enough to be wading and splashing while exploring the aquatic ecosystem rather than fully swimming.
Who is running the camp?
Camp Counselors are seasonal staff trained by the Education Department with a background in natural sciences and environmental education. All counselors have their PA Child Abuse History Clearance, PA Criminal Record Check (ChildLine), and FBI Criminal Background Check (fingerprinting).
Will the campers have contact with animals during camp?
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Campers will have the opportunity to meet some of our ambassador animals up close and personal. BioFacts, such as feathers, pelts, and bones will also be used to enhance the learning experience
How do I register for Extended Care?
You will be able to register for Extended Care through your Camp Brain portal. Please recall that this is for week-long, full-day camps only (ages 6-11).
Have another question not listed here?
For more information, please contact our Education Department at edureservations@lvzoo.org!
Pricing for camps is as follows
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- Pre Zoo Camps-$200
- Bugs and Roos (6-11)-$300
- JR Zoo Keeper Camp- $400
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