Camp is full of fun and learning about the world of animals, nature, and science. A typical day of camp includes up-close animal encounters, zoo expeditions, games, hands-on science projects, art experiences, and camp activities tailored to the age group and theme for each session. We plan to spend the majority of camp outdoors exploring our parks and exhibits, so please be sure your camper is dressed for the weather.

We plan to spend as little time as possible in our classrooms. Weather permitting, we will spend the majority of our time outdoors exploring our parks and exhibits. Please be sure to apply sunscreen or bug spray each morning before camp. Camp staff will not be permitted to apply sunscreen or bug spray to campers. Also, send your camper to camp with a full, reusable water bottle to ensure your camper stays hydrated.

Each camp has one lead educator and two to four camp counselors depending on the age and size of the group.

Please dress your camper appropriately for the weather. We will be outside rain or shine, so rain gear may be needed. Please send your camper with closed-toe shoes. On the first day of camp, we will give your camper a special camp t-shirt and they will be required to wear this shirt every day of camp as it increases visibility. Additional t-shirts can be purchased for $25 when you register or on the first or second day of camp.

Please send your camper to camp each day with a nut-free lunch, snack, and a full, refillable water bottle. For campers attending extended care, please bring an additional snack. Do not send any snacks or food containing peanuts or tree nuts, due to allergy concerns. Sharing of lunch or snack items is not permitted except amongst siblings.

WCS utilizes restorative practices across all of our camps. It empowers campers to grow socially and emotionally. More information about this approach will be sent out with camp materials.

Registration for camp opened to the general public in Winter 2025.

Depending on the incoming grade of your camper. Only incoming 1st graders have two options: signing up for one week of Kinderzoo and one week of Week of Wildlife. Please note that camps at the same park with the same name and title do not change week to week unless otherwise indicated. We do not recommend campers attending consecutive weeks of the same camp. The Wildlife Conservation Society has camps at all five parks (Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, New York Aquarium, and Queens Zoo), and registering your camper for different camps at different parks is a great educational experience!

Campers of all ability levels are welcome at Zoo Camp. Together with caregivers, we strive to make camp accessible and inclusive to all children and will work to provide accommodations to our camp programs to make them as accessible as we are able to. Our camp staff is not able to assist campers with toileting or medical needs, but if your camper needs toileting or medical support during our camp day, a professional care provider or an approved student support specialist may attend camp with them. Please contact ppzeducation@wcs.org at least two weeks prior to camp to make arrangements.

We welcome children who will be entering Kindergarten in the Fall of 2025. If your child is younger, please look at some of our other WCS parks for camp options.

Waitlist means we are currently full for that session. We encourage you to sign up for the waitlist as spots do open and we will try to fill that spot from our waitlist in the order they are listed.

All requests to cancel or reschedule must be submitted via email. Please include the camper's name, camp session, date, and the reason for cancellation.

• Cancellations: Our policies are designed to give families maximum flexibility while considering the realities of camp enrollment. We accommodate schedule change requests until June 1 (additions are dependent upon space availability). After June 1, all schedules are considered final. Should your child be required to attend summer school, we will make an exception, provided we receive official written notice in advance. All requests to cancel or reschedule camp must be made in writing to ppzeducation@wcs.org and will be subject to a $60.00 administrative fee. Refunds of 100% will be issued (minus a $60 administrative fee) if before June 1st and 4 weeks before camp, 50% if before June 1st (minus a $60 administrative fee) and 2-4 weeks before camp, no refund will be issued less than 2 weeks or after June 1st.
• Rescheduling: Requests to reschedule are subject to availability and will be subject to an administrative fee. All requests to reschedule programs must be made in writing to ppzeducation@wcs.org .
• Please see our Terms and Conditions for more information.

Please email ppzeducation@wcs.org for more information.

We do not offer a multiple-child discount. We do offer a 10% discount to WCS Members and Donors.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide transportation to and from camps.

Extended care options are available for caregivers who need extra time for pick up. Extended care is from 3pm-5pm and can be purchased as an add-on to your camp week.

The Monday before camp starts, you will receive an email from our registrar team with a link to our medical, camper pick-up, and photo-release forms as well as our liability waiver and camper code of conduct. All forms must be completed to attend camp. All forms are collected digitally before the first day of camp.

Please visit the Prospect Park Zoo Know Before You Go page to review park policies related to COVID-19.