Summer Camp
Select a camp experience below for more information!
PROSPECT PARK ZOO SUMMER CAMP LAUNCHING JANUARY 2026!
Explore nature, learn about our planet and get close to animals! Wildlife Conservation Society summer camps are for all young adventurers, from toddlers to teens. Recognized as industry leaders, WCS Education was the first department of its kind to offer zoo camps and continues to provide award-winning programming. Join us at the Prospect Park Zoo for a week of animal adventures, outdoor exploration, and endless fun. From up-close animal demonstrations to hands-on science, it’s a summer camp experience your child will go WILD for!
Can't wait for Summer Camp 2026? Explore our School Break Camps with full‑day adventure options at all locations and stay connected with our animals.
Schedule
Our summer camps run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily (with the option to extend until 5:00 PM) through the first week of September. Please note, Summer Jr. Zoo Club has a different schedule (10:30AM - 12:00PM).
We’re excited to announce that we’ve expanded our summer camp to include 7th grade this year!
| June 22 — June 26 |
Summer Jr. Zoo Club (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* |
| June 29 — July 3 |
Kinderzoo: Alice in Zoo-land (K-1st grade) Week of Wildlife: Captain Critter's Next Big Adventure (2nd-4th grade) |
| July 6 — July 10 |
Kinderzoo: DJ Zoo Pop (K-1st grade) Week of Wildlife: The Good, the Bad, and the Wild (2nd-4th grade) |
| July 13 — July 17 |
Week of Wildlife: Captain Critter's Next Big Adventure (2nd-4th grade) Zoo Explorer: Eco Explorers (5th-7th grade) Summer Jr. Zoo Club: Tuesday Red Rangers (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* Summer Jr. Zoo Club: Thursday Red Rangers (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* |
| July 20 — July 24 |
Week of Wildlife: The Good, the Bad, and the Wild (2nd-4th grade) Zoo Explorer: Wild Design Lab (5th-7th grade) Summer Jr. Zoo Club: Tuesday Red Rangers (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* Summer Jr. Zoo Club: Thursday Red Rangers (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* |
| July 27 — July 31 |
Kinderzoo: DJ Zoo Pop (K-1st grade) Week of Wildlife: Captain Critter's Next Big Adventure (2nd-4th grade) Summer Jr. Zoo Club: Tuesday Red Rangers (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* Summer Jr. Zoo Club: Thursday Red Rangers (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* |
| Aug 3 — Aug 7 |
Kinderzoo: Alice in Zoo-land (K-1st grade) Zoo Explorer: Eco Explorers (5th-7th grade) Summer Jr. Zoo Club: Tuesday Barnyard Buddies (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* Summer Jr. Zoo Club: Thursday Barnyard Buddies (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* |
| Aug 10 — Aug 14 |
Kinderzoo: DJ Zoo Pop (K-1st grade) Week of Wildlife: The Good, the Bad, and the Wild (2nd-4th grade) Summer Jr. Zoo Club: Tuesday Barnyard Buddies (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* Summer Jr. Zoo Club: Thursday Barnyard Buddies (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* |
| Aug 17 — Aug 21 |
Week of Wildlife: Captain Critter's Next Big Adventure (2nd-4th grade) Zoo Explorer: Wild Design Lab (5th-7th grade) Summer Jr. Zoo Club: Tuesday Barnyard Buddies (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* Summer Jr. Zoo Club: Thursday Barnyard Buddies (3-5 y/o & caregiver)* |
| Aug 24 — Aug 28 |
Kinderzoo: Alice in Zoo-land (K-1st grade) Week of Wildlife: The Good, the Bad, and the Wild (2nd-4th grade) |
| Aug 31 — Sept 4 |
Week of Wildlife: Captain Critter's Next Big Adventure (2nd-4th grade) Zoo Explorer: Eco Explorers (5th-7th grade) |
| June 16 — June 20 5 day camp |
Once Upon a Zoo (grades K-1) CLOSED Captain Critter’s Adventure (grades 1-3) CLOSED |
| June 23 — June 27 5 day camp |
Once Upon a Zoo (grades K-1) CLOSED Captain Critter’s Adventure (grades 1-3) CLOSED |
| June 30 — July 3 4 - Day Camp |
Captain Critter’s Adventure (grades 1-3) CLOSED Working with Wildlife (grades 4-6) CLOSED |
| July 7 — July 11 5 day camp |
Once Upon a Zoo (grades K-1) CLOSED Working with Wildlife (grades 4-6) CLOSED |
| July 14 — July 18 5 day camp |
Once Upon a Zoo (grades K-1) CLOSED Captain Critter’s Adventure (grades 1-3) CLOSED |
| July 21 — July 25 5 day camp |
Once Upon a Zoo (grades K-1) CLOSED Working with Wildlife (grades 4-6) CLOSED |
| July 28 — August 1 5 day camp |
Once Upon a Zoo (grades K-1) CLOSED Captain Critter’s Adventure (grades 1-3) CLOSED |
| August 4 — August 8 5 day camp |
Once Upon a Zoo (grades K-1) CLOSED Captain Critter’s Adventure (grades 1-3) CLOSED |
| August 11 — August 15 5 day camp |
Captain Critter’s Adventure (grades 1-3) CLOSED Working with Wildlife (grades 4-6) CLOSED |
| August 18 — August 22 5 day camp |
Once Upon a Zoo (grades K-1) CLOSED Working with Wildlife (grades 4-6) CLOSED |
| August 25 — August 29 5 day camp |
Once Upon a Zoo (grades K-1) Captain Critter's Adventure (grades 1-3) WAITLIST ONLY |
Camp Pricing
$135 members / $150 regular (3-day Caregiver & Me sessions)
$225members / $250 regular (5-day Caregiver & Me sessions)
$700 members / $775 regular (5-day camp)
$180 members / $200 regular (Extended Care 5-day)
Booking Tips:
- If you attended camp last summer, update your family and camper(s) profile in the Parent Dashboard or create a New Family Profile now so you’ll be set when registration opens.
- Enter the camper's date of birth and select the correct grade. This ensures that only summer camps appropriate for their age/grade level are available for purchase.
- You cannot edit once you move onto the next step in registration.
- If you entered the incorrect camper DOB and/or grade, please email ppzeducation@wcs.org.
- Sessions are expected to fill quickly, so be sure to plan ahead and have backup camp dates and sessions ready.
- WCS Members, please have your membership ID# ready. Entering it will unlock access to exclusive membership pricing.
Ages 3-5 w/caregiver
Monday - Friday, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Summer Jr. Zoo Club - Zoo Pals!
ALL NEW! Not quite ready for a full day of camp? This week-long, 90 minute, caregiver and camper program is the perfect way for your 3–5 year old to explore nature and the zoo through stories, crafts, and close-up animal experiences.
DATES
6/22/2026 - 6/26/2026
$250 non-member / $225 member
Ages 3-5 w/caregiver
Tuesdays OR Thursdays, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Summer Jr. Zoo Club - Red Panda Rangers
ALL NEW! You and your little one can join the Red Panda Rangers for morning adventures at the zoo in July! Your 3-5 year old will explore nature through stories, crafts, and close-up animal experiences inspired by our furry friends. It’s the perfect way to share discovery and fun together!
DATES
7/14/2026, 7/21/2026, 7/28/2026 (Tuesdays)
7/16/2026, 7/23/2026, 7/30/2026 (Thursdays)
$150 non-member / $135 member
Ages 3-5 w/caregiver
Tuesdays OR Thursdays, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Summer Jr. Zoo Club - Barnyard Buddies
ALL NEW! Round up your little farmer for morning adventures throughout the zoo in August! Your 3-5 year old will explore nature through stories, crafts, and close-up animal experiences inspired by our barnyard friend – complete with extra barn food. It’s the perfect way to share discovery and fun together!
DATES
8/4/2026, 8/11/2026, 8/18/2026 (Tuesdays)
8/6/2026, 8/13/2026, 8/20/2026 (Thursdays)
$150 non-member / $135 member
K - 1st Grade
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 3:00pm
KinderZoo - Alice in Zoo-land
We're hopping down the rabbit hole into a world of imagination and animals this summer! Campers who love to play pretend, try fun experiments, and enjoy magical puppet shows will love this whimsical week. Each day is packed with animals big and small, hands-on activities, puzzles, silly scenarios, and adventures to spark imagination and discovery.
DATES
6/29/2026 - 7/3/2026
8/3/2026 - 8/7/2026
8/24/2026 - 8/28/2026
$775 non-member / $700 member
K - 1st Grade
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 3:00pm
KinderZoo - DJ Zoo Pop
...5, 6, 7, 8! Check out the hottest tracks of nature in this upbeat nature and music camp. Campers will investigate animal sounds, create their own musical masterpieces, and meet animals in and out of the classroom. With animal visits, crafts, and plenty of outdoor fun, every day will feel like a wild concert!
DATES
7/6/2026 - 7/10/2026
7/27/2026 - 7/31/2026
8/10/2026 - 8/14/2026
$775 non-member / $700 member
2nd - 4th Grade
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Week of Wildlife - Captain Critter's Next Big Adventure
They're baaaack! Captain Critter returns for a whole new adventure, and he needs your camper’s help to discover what it takes to become the ultimate problem solver. Every day campers will embark on quests filled with engaging games, animal encounters, and hands-on activities. Join us for a week of exploration and fun!
DATES
6/29/2026 - 7/3/2026
7/13/2026 - 7/17/2026
7/27/2026 - 7/31/2026
8/17/2026 - 8/21/2026
8/31/2026 - 9/4/2026
$775 non-member / $700 member
2nd - 4th Grade
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Week of Wildlife - The Good, The Bad, and the Wild
Saddle up for a wild west themed week at the zoo! Campers will roam the zoo and Prospect Park, searching for our Most Wanted animals and learning the Cowpoke Code. Throughout the week, campers will play fun games, hands-on activities, meet animals in the classroom and watch animals receive special enrichments.
DATES
7/6/2026 - 7/10/2026
7/20/2026 - 7/24/2026
8/10/2026 - 8/14/2026
8/24/2026 - 8/28/2026
$775 non-member / $700 member
5th - 7th Grade
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Zoo Explorer - Eco Explorers
Your child can transform into a field scientist for a week at the zoo! Campers will practice real field science techniques and assist with community science projects all while encountering animals in and out of the classroom. Each day is packed with crafts, hands-on fun, and explorations of the zoo and Prospect Park.
DATES
7/13/2026 - 7/17/2026
8/3/2026 - 8/7/2026
8/31/2026 - 9/4/2026
$775 non-member / $700 member
5th - 7th Grade
Monday - Friday, 9:00AM - 3:00PM
Zoo Explorer - Wild Design Lab
What does it take to design a zoo? Campers will explore how architects, designers, zookeepers, and more create habitats that are amazing for animals and are inspiring for visitors. Campers will meet animals and learn about their needs, visit exhibits throughout the zoo to observe their design, and use their understanding and creativity to design their own dioramas.
DATES
7/20/2026 - 7/24/2026
8/17/2026 - 8/21/2026
$775 non-member / $700 member
Extended Care
Extended Care is a great add-on option for caregivers who can't pick their summer camper up at 3:00pm, allowing caregivers to pick up anytime before 5:00pm. Extended Care includes free play, exhibit visits, and nature play exploration (weather permitting). Minimum number required to run the program. Add on items like Extended Care and additional summer camp t-shirts when adding your selected camp purchase to your cart.
All Grades
Monday - Friday, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Extended Care
Extended care campers go out to an exhibit each day, then return to the Discovery Center for snack and free play/activities. Participants will go on exhibit visits, play games, enjoy playtime in our Discovery Center. The zoo closes at 5pm and Extended Care will run until 5pm.
DATES
6/29/2026 - 7/3/2026
7/6/2026 - 7/10/2026
7/13/2026 - 7/17/2026
7/20/2026 - 7/24/2026
7/27/2026 - 7/31/2026
8/3/2026 - 8/7/2026
8/10/2026 - 8/14/2026
8/17/2026 - 8/21/2026
8/24/2026 - 8/28/2026
8/31/2026 - 9/4/2026
$200 non-member / $180 member
Accessibility
Participants in this program will spend most of the day outdoors during a range of weather conditions, including heat, humidity, and precipitation, as well as travel over uneven, natural surfaces. Accommodations may be available. Please contact us for more information.
