Safari Camps

July 06, 2008

Day Cares and Preschools

Safari Camps

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR CAMPS.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE LUNCHES AND BEFORE AND AFTER CARE.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A BLANK PARK ZOO MEMBERSHIP ZOO PASS TO SAVE MONEY ON SAFARI CAMPS

Ages 3 – 5: Pathfinders
Camps are half days Monday - Friday.
Choose from 9:00 - 11:30am OR 1:30 - 4:00pm

Splash Zone: SPLISH SPLASH! Cool off at the zoo and learn about some amazing creatures and habitats found in the ocean. Prepare to get wet as we discover how plants and animals use water by becoming “water animals” and playing all their “water games”! Create beautiful artwork in the ancient Japanese style of Gyotaku (fish printing) using life-like rubber fish replicas. We’ll feed the fish, observe the otters, and jiggle with the jellyfish!
Camp Dates: June 2 – 6, July 14 – 18
Cost: $80 member/$120 non-member

African Adventure: How far away can you hear a lion’s roar? Can you roar like a lion? Put on your safari hat and join us for a walk on the wild side! We will meet many fun animals that roam the deserts and savannas of Africa. Feed the giraffes, watch a serval training demonstration, and enjoy a visit from an African friend who travels with her own trunk!
Camp Dates: June 9 – 13, June 23 – 27
Cost: $80 member/$120 non-member

Squawk Talk: Roar, meow, squeal and squawk! How do animals talk to one another? Join us for this exciting exploration into the world of animal communication. We’ll learn how wagging tails, monkey smiles and gibbon hoots all have special meanings to other animals.
Camp Dates: June 16 – 20, July 21 – 25
Cost: $80 member/$120 non-member

Hide & Seek: Why are tigers striped? Why do parrots have brightly colored feathers? Learn how animals hide and the special ways they seek. Be prepared for a wild colorful adventure while exploring the subject of camouflage. Camp Dates: July 7 – 11, August 4 – 8
Cost: $80 member/$120 non-member

ZOOlympics: This is a historic year for our summer Olympians and the animals want to play along! How well will you match up to our animal champions? Can you run as fast as a tiger? Can you hop as far as a wallaby? Can you stick out your tongue as far as a giraffe? Come visit us this summer to try to win your own ZOOlympic medal.
Camp Dates: July 28 – August 1, August 11-15
Cost: $80 member/$120 non-member

Grades 1 & 2: Explorers
Camps are Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Journey to Africa: Why do giraffes have purple tongues? What large African animal can jump over 6 feet in the air? Put on your safari hat and join us for a walk on the wild side! We will meet many fun animals that roam the deserts and savannas of Africa. Feed the giraffes, watch a serval training demonstration, and enjoy a visit from an African friend who travels with her own trunk!
Camp Dates: June 9 - 13, June 23 - 27
Camp Cost: $170 member/$220 non-member

Rainforest Rendezvous: Raindrops falling, monkeys calling, frogs croaking…the rainforest is a noisy place! Discover the awesome animals and plants that live in these diverse forests. 2008 has been designated as the “Year of the Frog,” so we’ll look closely at the amphibians that can be found in rainforests and what can be done to help protect these amazing natural resources! You’ll even enjoy spending some time learning about Iowa’s own amphibians in our new wetlands area!
Camp Dates: June 16 – 20, July 21 – 25
Camp Cost: $170 member/$220 non-member

North American Adventure: Discover the variety of habitats, animals and nature of a North American adventure! Investigate the native animals, plants, and culture that make up North America as we trek through nature, discover animal evidence, and scavenge through the forests. And since 2008 is designated as the “Year of the Frog,” we’ll explore the Blank Park Zoo’s own wetlands area and learn about the fascinating amphibians that live there!
Camp Dates: July 7 – 11, August 4 – 8
Camp Cost: $170 member/$220 non-member

**This camp is full**
World of Water (Grades 1, 2, & 3): Join the Science Center of Iowa and the Blank Park Zoo for a wet and wild week-long animal adventure! Explore the diverse creatures and habitats from the ocean Monday – Wednesday at the Blank Park Zoo. You’ll try your luck at a sea turtle survival game and create beautiful artwork in the Japanese style of Gyotaku (fish printing) using life-like rubber fish replicas. Then, Thursday and Friday, you’ll get up-close with waves while you learn to snorkel at SCI! (Includes a T-shirt.)
*Registration is through the Zoo only – call 515-323-8330. Drop-off and pick-up are at the Zoo Monday - Wednesday and at SCI Thursday - Friday.
Camp Dates: July 14 – 18
Camp Cost: $180 member/$210 non-member

**This camp is full**
World of Water (Grades 1, 2, & 3): Join the Science Center of Iowa and the Blank Park Zoo for a wet and wild week-long animal adventure! Explore the diverse creatures and habitats from the ocean Monday – Wednesday at the Blank Park Zoo. You’ll try your luck at a sea turtle survival game and create beautiful artwork in the Japanese style of Gyotaku (fish printing) using life-like rubber fish replicas. Then, Thursday and Friday, you’ll get up-close with waves while you learn to snorkel at SCI! (Includes a T-shirt.)
*Registration is through the Zoo only – call 515-323-8330. Drop-off and pick-up are at the Zoo Monday - Wednesday and at SCI Thursday - Friday.
Camp Dates: August 4-8
Camp Cost: $180 member/$210 non-member

ZOOlympics: This is a historic year for our summer Olympians and the animals want to celebrate! Who is the fastest? Tallest? Loudest? And smallest? Prepare to play in the animal Olympics as we discover how we measure up to our animal champions. Come visit us this summer to try to win your own ZOOlympic medal!
Camp Dates: July 28 – August 1, August 11-15
Camp Cost: $170 member/$220 non-member

Grades 3 & 4: The Investigators
Camps are Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Rainforest Rendezvous: Raindrops falling, monkeys calling, frogs croaking…the rainforest is a noisy place! Discover the awesome animals and plants that live in these diverse forests. Since 2008 has been designated as the “Year of the Frog,” so we’ll look closely at the amphibians that can be found in rainforests and what can be done to help protect these amazing natural resources! You’ll even enjoy spending some time learning about Iowa’s own amphibians in our new wetlands area!
Camp Dates: June 16 – 20, July 21 – 25
Camp Cost: $170 member/$220 non-member

Ocean Odyssey: DIVE IN! Cool off at the zoo and learn about some amazing creatures and habitats found in the ocean. Try your luck at a sea turtle survival game. Create beautiful artwork in the ancient Japanese style of Gyotaku (fish printing) using life-like rubber fish replicas. You may even find yourself imitating aquatic animals as you go for a swim at the local YMCA! Most importantly, you’ll learn how humans have impacted our last frontier and how you can become a caretaker of the oceans for the future.
Camp Dates: July 14 – 18
Camp Cost: $170 member/$220 non-member

ZOOlympics: This is a historic year for our summer Olympians and the animals want to celebrate! Who is the fastest? Tallest? Loudest? And smallest? Prepare to play in the animal Olympics as we discover how we measure up to our animal champions. Come visit us this summer to try to win your own ZOOlympic medal!
Camp Dates: July 28 – August 1, August 11-15
Camp Cost: $170 member/$220 non-member

Grades 5 & 6: The Adventurers
Camps are Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Out of Africa: Did you know that zebras each have their own distinguishing pattern, much like your fingerprints? Why do giraffes have purple tongues? During your week-long safari, we will explore not only the animals of Africa, but also the cultures of the people that inhabit the second-largest continent. Conclude the week with a traditional African celebration where you will get a chance to try out your Shekere, an African percussive instrument used today by world music performers all over the globe.
Camp Dates: June 9 - 13, June 23 - 27
Camp Cost: $170 member/$220 non-member

Myth Busters: Zoo Edition: Is it true that bats are blind? Are elephants really afraid of mice? And what about snakes – can they really outrun a person? Join us as we confirm or bust some of the world’s best animal myths! We’ll tour the zoo and talk with our keepers to find out the truth behind the animal lore. Then, we’ll research, write, and record our very own Mythbusters episode that focuses on the animals found at the Blank Park Zoo! If you love animal trivia, this camp is definitely for you!
Camp Dates: June 16 – 20, July 14 – 18
Camp Cost: $170 member/$220 non-member

Zoo Tycoon: This place is a real ZOO! How would you like to design and manage your own zoo? Come and walk with us on the WILD side as you learn all of the ins and outs of managing a zoo. You will meet staff from all departments, learn about animal care as you shadow a zookeeper, and create your own animal exhibit! If you have ever dreamed of working for a zoo, Zoo Tycoon is for YOU!
Camp Dates: July 7 – 11, July 21 – 25
Camp Cost: $170 member/$220 non-member

Jurassic Journeys (Grades 4, 5, & 6): Join the Science Center of Iowa and the Blank Park Zoo for a week-long amazing animal adventure! We’ll meet Monday through Wednesday at the Zoo to learn how birds and reptiles are related to dinosaurs. Thursday and Friday we’ll be at SCI digging through the past. If you like cold-blooded critters, you won’t want to miss this unique camp! (Includes a T-shirt.)
*Registration is through the Zoo only – call 515-323-8330. Drop-off and pick-up are at the Zoo Monday - Wednesday and at SCI Thursday - Friday.
Camp Dates: July 28 – August 1
Camp Cost: $180 member/$210 non-member

ZOOlympics: This is a historic year for our summer Olympians and the animals want to celebrate! Who is the fastest? Tallest? Loudest? And smallest? This summer, you can be the judge to help determine the animal champions. We will chat with zookeepers and observe our animals in action to learn about their special skills. Compare your talents to those of our animals and see how you measure up in the Blank Park ZOOlympics!
Camp Dates: July 28 – August 1, August 11-15
Camp Cost: $170 member/$220 non-member

Camps at a Glance

Ages 3-5 Grades 1&2 Grades 3 & 4 Grades 5 & 6

June 2-6 Splash Zone NO CAMP NO CAMP NO CAMP

June 9-13 African Adventure Journey to Africa Journey to Africa Out of Africa

June 16-20 Squawk Talk Rainforest Rendezvous Rainforest Rendezvous Myth Busters: Zoo Edition

June 23-27 African Adventure Journey to Africa Journey to Africa Out of Africa

June 30-
July 4 NO CAMP NO CAMP NO CAMP NO CAMP

July 7-11 Hide & Seek North American Adventure North American Adventure Zoo Tycoon

July 14-18 Splash Zone World of Water - Joint SCI
for grades 1, 2, & 3 Ocean Odyssey Myth Busters: Zoo Edition

July 21-25 Squawk Talk Rainforest Rendezvous Rainforest Rendezvous Zoo Tycoon

July 28-August 1 ZOOlympics ZOOlympics ZOOlympics Jurassic Journeys - Joint SCI for grades 4, 5, & 6

August 4-8 Hide & Seek North Amercian Adventure North Amercian Adventure North Amercian Adventure

August 11-15 ZOOlympics ZOOlympics ZOOlympics ZOOlympics

Things to Know
A typical camp day includes live animal visits, zoo exploration, investigations, and hands-on activities.

Age and Grade Level
It is important to us that your child receives the best experience. As such, we hope that you will help us by honoring the age and grade level guidelines. Each camp is for children entering that grade level in the fall of 2008. For the ages 3 to 5 camps, your child MUST be potty-trained to be a part of the camp.

Supervised Before and After Care
Before and after care is available from 7:30 to 9:00am and from 4:00 to 5:30pm for full-day campers in grades 1 to 6. It is not an extension of the camp. The cost for each supervised additional care session is $5/day and and $5/day pm. A $5 late fee will be charged for every 15 minutes after 5:30 pm. There are no refunds for cancelling prepaid sessions.

Snacks and Lunch
A snack will be provided for our half-day and full-day camps. Children participating in a full-day camp grades (1-6), will need to bring a sack lunch. Please note that refrigeration for lunches will not be provided. For your convenience, we are offering lunches through the Zoo food service at $25 per week or $5 per day if ordered the day of camp. Each lunch is served with an entrée, side and drink.
Menu is subject to change and vegetarian options are available.
Monday - Cheese Pizza
Tuesday - Hamburger
Wednesday - Chicken Fingers
Thursday - Mac & Cheese Bites
Friday - Corn Dog

Registration, Confirmation, & Cancellation
Pre-registration is required for all camps. All registrations must be received at least 7 days before camp starts. Confirmation letters will be sent once the registration is processed. Please note that your registration is not confirmed until the confirmation letter is received. No refunds for cancellations.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Drop-off and Pick-up will occur on the west side of the Zoo parking lot. There will be signs to direct you. Check-in for each class begins 10 minutes prior to the start of camp. Please honor our pick-up time.
For the safety of your children, we will only release your child to the person(s) you list at drop-off each day. If there are emergencies or last-minute changes, please notify camp instructors or call the Zoo office at: 515-323-8388.

T-shirts will be available for purchase the week of camp.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR CAMPS.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE LUNCHES AND BEFORE AND AFTER CARE.