Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Summer Day Camp is a great way for kids to have fun outside and keep their minds active over summer break. The day camp program is expanding this year to three different camps for kids ages 5-12, and four "Counselor-In-Training" sessions for kids ages 13-14. Campers are grouped according to age.
Kids can spend part of their summer learning about animals and the environment with experienced camp counselors, while taking part in fun and educational daily activities. Different camps are offered for each age group so kids can sign up for one or all of the weeklong sessions, each filled with opportunities to see Zoo animals up close.
The camps feature guided tours of the Zoo and its special summer attractions, the new African Elephant Crossing exhibit, Get Close Animal Encounters, arts and crafts, chances to meet the animal keepers, conservation-themed games and scientific experiments for older kids. Activities change every week with each new camp theme including Five Senses, and Shapes and Sizes for ages 5-6, Animal Defenses and Habitats for ages 7-8, Adaptations and Zoo Scene Investigators for ages 9-10, Nature's Toolbox and Zoo Scene Investigators for ages 11-12 and Sustainability, adapted for each age group.
In Counselor-In-Training camp, young teens develop their leadership skills by working with the day camp staff, partnering with the older teen volunteers in the Zoo Crew program and participating in team building and challenge activities.
Weekly Summer Camp sessions begin June 20 and end August 19. Full-day camp is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $165 for Zoo members and $190 for nonmembers. Half-day camp is from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and costs $115 for members and $135 for nonmembers. Before-camp care is available for $25 starting at 7:30 a.m. and after-camp care is available until 6 p.m. also for $25.
General registration begins today. Space is limited. Call the Zoo's Conservation Education department at (216) 635-3391 or visit clemetzoo.com.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Discounted winter admission through March 31 is just $7 per person, $5 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children younger than 2 and Zoo members. Parking is free. Located at 3900 Wildlife Way, the Zoo is easily accessible from Interstates 71, 77, 90 and 480.
