Summer is still a few months off, but kids can sign up now for Summer Day Camp at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. This one-of-a-kind summer camp for kids ages 5 to 12 features guided tours of the Zoo and its special summer attractions, Get Close Animal Encounters, arts and crafts, chances to meet the animal keepers, conservation-themed games and scientific experiments for older kids. Registration for Summer Day Camp at the Zoo starts March 15 and is available online at clemetzoo.com. Children are grouped according to age and led by experienced camp counselors. Summer Day Camp at the Zoo offers two different weeklong camp programs on alternating weeks from June 14 through August 20. "Camp A" includes Australian Adventure, the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building and The RainForest. "Camp B" includes the Zoo's African Savanna, Northern Trek and more of The RainForest. Campers also can sign up for two weeks of both Camp A and Camp B to experience the entire Zoo. New this year will be "Counselor-In-Training," a leadership camp available to campers ages 13 to 14. Participants develop their leadership skills by working alongside the Zoo's day camp staff, partnering with the teen "Zoo Crew" volunteers and participating in team building and challenge activities. This program is offered in July during Sessions 5 and 7. Full-day camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and costs $180 per child per week. Half-day camp runs 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and costs $125 per child per week. Zoo members receive discounted rates of $155 for the full day and $105 for the half day. Child care is available before and after each camp session for an additional charge. For more information on Summer Day Camp registration, visit clemetzoo.com or call the Zoo's Conservation Education department at (216) 635-3391. Northeast Ohio's most-visited year-round attraction, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Discounted winter admission through March 31 is $7 per person, $5 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children under 2 and Zoo members. Parking is free. Located at 3900 Wildlife Way, the Zoo is easily accessible from Interstates 71, 77, 90 and 480.
