2013 Zoo Camp Descriptions
Pre-K – K to 1st – 1st to 2nd – 3rd to 4th – 5th to 6th – 7th to 9th
Printable Camp Schedule
Printable Class Descriptions
| Little Duckling: Pre-School |
 Little Duckling: Pre-School, $25 per class
Each Little Ducklings class is 2 hours long, 9:30 to 11:30 am, and designed for 3-to-5-year-olds with a parent. Little Ducklings will gather around for story time and make a take home craft. During the class, we will visit with one of our animal ambassadors. Our Little Ducklings class themes are the same for the whole week, and you register for one class per week: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. All Little Ducklings classes meet and incorporate Pre-School California Life Science Standards.
Our Big Backyard: Week of June 11th
Owls, otters & tortoises, oh my! Take a quick trip into your own backyard and meet some neighborly animals here at the Zoo.
Sumatran Safari: Week of June 18th
Orangutans, hornbills and tigers are quite a sight to see! Join the safari and travel through, the island of Sumatra while meeting some fascinating animals along the way.
Australian Adventure: Week of June 25th
You will see jumping Kangaroos and laughing Kookaburras as you embark on a daring adventure and travel to Australia
Himalayan Hike: Week of July 9th
Take a hike and travel through the Asian Himalayas to see if you can spot the elusive Snow Leopard or the colorful Himalayan Monal Pheasant.
Rainforest Romp: Week of July 16th
Jump your way through each layer of the rainforest from the forest floor to the top of the emergent layer, meeting some amazing creatures along the way!
Tanzania Trek: Week of July 23nd
Giraffes, Lions and Zebras, too. As you trek through Tanzania and explore part of Africa here at the Zoo, you will be amazed at what you will see and do
 Red Orangutans: Kindergarten, $149 per week
Each Red Orangutan camp is Monday - Friday, 3 hours a day from 9:00 a.m. to noon and is designed for students entering Kindergarten in the fall. Red Orangutans will gather for song time, make crafts and explore the natural world through active lesson plans. During the class, campers will visit with some of our animal ambassadors and create enrichments for some of our resident animals. All of the following classes meet and incorporate California Life Science Standards for Kindergarten.
Backyard Habitats: June 10th – 14th
Owls, squirrels, otters and other wild animals can be found in the Sacramento area. Find out what may be frolicking in your own backyard, at the park, or down by the river.
What Does a Lemur Eat for Lunch?: June 17th – 21st
Omnivores, carnivores and herbivores: we have them all at the Sacramento Zoo! Come find out what a lemur has for lunch, what surprising snack is a favorite of the River Otters and much mor.
African Adventure: July 8th – 12th
Lions, giraffes, and hornbills oh my! You will see all these animals and more when you embark on this daring adventure through Africa.
Eye Spy: July 15th – 19th
I spy with my little eye something tall that eats leaves! Grab your binoculars and head out into the Zoo to see if you can follow the clues and spot animals doing some amazing things.
A is for Anteater: July 22nd – 26th
A is for Anteater, B is for Blue-tongued Skink. But what could C or Z stand for? Come learn all about animals from A to Z.
Superman-imals: July 29th - August 2nd
With colorful coats, super strength, disguises, and binocular vision, animals have some amazing powers. Learn all about the superheroes of the animal world and make your own comic book about the awesome adventures of Superman-imals!
Primate Pals: August 5th – 9th
No monkeying around here. Ok, maybe just a little! Learn all about primates and find out the differences between monkeys and apes once and for all.
 Yellow Lions: First and Second Grade, $149 per week
Each Yellow Lion camp is Monday - Friday, 3 hours a day from 9:00 a.m. to noon and is designed for students entering 1st or 2nd grade in the fall. Yellow Lions will gather for song time, make crafts and explore the natural world through active lesson plans. During the class, campers will visit with some of our animal ambassadors and create enrichments for some of our resident animals. All of the following classes meet and incorporate California Life Science Standards for 1st and 2nd grade.
A Leopard and His Spots: June 10th – 14th
Where did the Jaguar get his fancy coat? Do Zebras all have the same number of stripes? Explore the multi-patterned world of the Zoo as you find out why there are markings in nature.
Call of the Wild: June 17th – 21st
They howl, growl, scream, sing, and even stare. Learn how animals communicate and how scientists decode their messages.
Unhuggables: July 8th – 12th
Bats, snakes, anteaters and a sloth. They may not be the cutest creatures, but these animals have some unique characteristics that make them some of our favorites here at the Zoo.
A Very Hungry Zoo: August 5th – 9th
Omnivores, carnivores and herbivores: we have them all at the Sacramento Zoo! Come find out what it takes to feed a giraffe, which animal likes to eat onions and what we keep in the walk-in freezer.Tongues, Terrific Tasting Tools!
 Green Crocodile: First and Second Grade, $259 per week
Each Green Crocodile camp is Monday - Friday, 7 hours a day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is designed for students entering 1st or 2nd grade in the fall. Green Crocodiles will gather for song time, make crafts and explore the natural world through active lesson plans. During the class, campers will visit with some of our animal ambassadors and create enrichments for some of our resident animals. All of the following classes meet and incorporate California Life Science Standards for 1st and 2nd grade.
Treetop Townhouses: June 17th – 21st
More than 200 different animals can make a single tree their home, and most of them aren't birds! From parrots to pythons, learn about the many animals living high up in the treetops..
Camp Carnivore: July 8th – 12th
Are you a cunning wild animal with sharp teeth and strength? Come to this Zoo Camp to "meat and greet" some carnivorous companions. Even if you prefer plants, you can sink your teeth into this class and learn all about carnivores.
How to Hide a Crocodile: July 15th – 19th
There are so many animals to discover at the Zoo, but first you need to find them. Come find out how snakes, turtles, tigers and other interesting animals are experts at camouflage; just watch them disappear!
Animal Detectives: July 22nd – 26th
Grab your magnifying glass and venture through the Zoo to solve clues about the animal kingdom. Use your newly acquired knowledge of Zoo animals and skills as a detective to follow the clues and solve a mystery.
Animal Yuckology: July 29th - August 2nd
Between owl pellets, smelly Tamanduas and regurgitating hedgehogs, animals do some weird, fascinating and completely “yucky” stuff. Spend the week with us investigating how being gross can be good for survival.
Sense-able Animals: August 5th – 9th
Ever wonder how animals see after dark, hear underwater and feel without fingers? In this insightful class we'll see how animals make sense of the world around them.
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Arts Week: June 24th – 28th, Kindergarten - Sixth Grade, $149 per week
Arts Week is Monday - Friday, 3 hours a day from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Art and nature go hand-in-hand and this week of camp is definitely hands on. Campers may find themselves sculpting a Sloth, painting a Pelican, drawing a Desert Tortoise or creating a Kookaburra. One never knows where imagination and the wildly inspiring Zoo will lead during this week dedicated to the creative arts. All of the following classes meet and incorporate California Visual Arts Standards for the listed grade. On Friday the camp will culminate with an art show filled with all the campers’ unique artistic expressions. The art show will be Friday June 28th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We ask that all campers participating in arts week have their works of art displayed in the Zoo Art Show. Camper art will be ready to take home starting at 12:50 p.m. after the show. If you are not available to pick it up, it will be held in the education classroom until the end of the summer.
Wild about Art: Kindergarten
Animals come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. During this class, campers will not only be inspired by artists such as Picasso and Van Gogh but also the natural shapes and patterns of wild animals such as the Margay and the Desert Tortoise.
In Living Color: First Grade
Blue, green, black and white – animals come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Campers will observe the animals at the Zoo and some prints by artists like Matisse and Picasso as they look for inspiration for their own unique works of art.
Life’s Vibrant Balance: Second Grade
The world is full of vibrant color, patterns and shapes that come together to create a feast for the eyes. In this class, campers will observe Zoo animals and view some works by Gustav Klimt and Monet, masters of artistic balance. Creativity will be the limit in this class that explores art in nature.
Shades of the Wild: Third and Fourth Grade
Different shades and the vibrant contrasts of color are the focus of this class. Campers will explore the Zoo looking for inspiration. It doesn’t matter whether you are the next Matisse, Ansel Adams, or simply enjoy art; this class will unleash your creative spirit.
Naturally Inspired: Fifth and Sixth Grade
The world around us is full of beauty and allure. During this class, campers will explore the Zoo looking for artistic harmony and scale in nature. From Alphonse Mucha to Zebras, campers will find something wildly inspiring at the Zoo.
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 Blue Giraffe: Third and Fourth Grade, $259 per week
Each Blue Giraffe camp is Monday - Friday, 7 hours a day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is designed for students entering the 3rd or 4th grade in the fall. Blue Giraffes will gather for song time, make crafts and explore the natural world through active lesson plans. During the class, campers will visit with some of our animal ambassadors and create enrichments for some of our resident animals. All of the following classes meet and incorporate California Life Science Standards for 3rd and 4th grade.
Globe Trekker: June 10th – 14th
What kinds of animals live on Africa's plains or in South America's rainforests? Traveling at the speed of one continent per day, you may be surprised at the fascinating animals you'll encounter along the way.
Habitat Sweet Habitat: June 17th – 21st
Crocodiles love swamps, dart frogs can't live without a good rainforest, and giraffes feel at home on the savannah. Learn how animals are adapted for their specific habitats and how these environments contain everything they need to survive and thrive.
Zoo PI: July 8th – 12th
Grab your private eye badge and venture through the Zoo to solve clues about the animal kingdom. Test your newly acquired knowledge of Zoo animals and use scientific methods to solve a zoo-riffic mystery.
Jr. Zoologist: July 15th – 19th
Take on the role of a young research scientist and perform some of the same animal observations and studies as our Zoo scientists. Meet a few of these animal experts and discover what it takes to become a great zoologist.
Otters at Play: July 22nd – 26th
Otters, tigers, and many other animals receive special enrichment from their keepers. Take a seat in the animals' "classroom" and have some fun with animal training. Also learn why playtime at the Zoo is strongly encouraged.
World Wide Web: July 29th - August 2nd
Would you find a wolf in a web? You would if it’s a food web. All living things need energy and nutrition to survive. Where does this energy come from? Learn how plants and animals are all dependent on each other by exploring an intricate food web.
 Purple Parrots: Fifth and Sixth Grade, $259 per week (It's Showtime, $275 per week)
Each Purple Parrot camp is Monday - Friday, 7 hours a day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is designed for students entering 5th or 6th grade in the fall. Purple Parrots will gather for song time, make crafts and explore the natural world through active lesson plans. During the class, campers will visit with some of our animal ambassadors and create enrichments for some of our resident animals. All of the following classes meet and incorporate California Life Science Standards for 5th and 6th grade.
Earth 911: June 10th – 14th
Habitats for many of the animals at the Zoo are in danger. Take on the role of an Earth Doctor and research what we can do to conserve the earth's resources at home and around the world. Discover what it takes to care for endangered animals at the Zoo and to protect them in the wild.
It's Showtime: July 8th – 12th $275 per week
Take center stage! Campers work with our interpretive center zookeepers every day and learn how to handle the zoo’s animal ambassadors. During the week the campers will create, practice and perform a live animal show. Live animal show to commence at 3:00 on Friday. What will they think up this year?
Enrichment 101: July 15th – 19th
What is enrichment? Zoo keepers engage animals’ natural behaviors through special objects and animal training. Lean all about enrichment and why play time at the Zoo is strongly encouraged
Where the Wild Things Live: July 29th - August 2nd
A wonderful world unfolds in this five-day investigation of the animal kingdom. Each day, study a different type of animal and learn about the wild places they live.
ZSI, Zoo Scene Investigator: August 5th – 9th
Grab your crime scene tape and become a Zoo Scene Investigator! Use your knowledge of Zoo animals and observational skills to find the hidden clues and crack the code of an unsolved Zoo mystery.
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Zoo Quest
7th through 9th graders who are ready for the next level of experience at the Zoo will love these in-depth classes! We offer single day career classes with hands-on experience and a 3-day class ending in an overnight camp-out at the Zoo!
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 Zoo Quest: Seventh through Ninth Grade, $259 per camper (3-day class and overnight)
7th through 9th graders will love this 3 day class ending in an overnight camp-out at the Zoo!
The Wolf’s Guenon and Other Small Wonders: July 22nd – 26th
Is it a wolf or something else? How do animals get their names? Is the Zoo getting any new animals? Where does the Zoo get its animals? Why do zoos have some animals but not others? Find the answers to these questions and more. The class will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, the class will start at 9:00 a.m. and include an overnight stay. Students will be picked up between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Snacks will be included each day, dinner will be provided for Friday night and breakfast Saturday morning. Zoo Quest meets and incorporates California Life Science Standards for grades 7 through 9.
 Vet Tag-Alongs: Seventh through Ninth Grade, $40 per class
Has your 7th through 9th grader thought about being a Zoo veterinarian? Find out more in this single day career class with hands-on experience. 9 am to 12 noon.
Vet Tag-Along: Tuesdays July 16th & 23rd
Imagine what it takes to care for a toothy tiger or slimy salamander. How do you X-ray a duck’s foot or give a shot to a turtle closed up in his shell? Zoo veterinarians have one of the toughest jobs around. Visit the Zoo's animal hospital and meet the vets that care for many animal species.
 Keeper Tag-Alongs: Seventh through Ninth Grade, $40 per class
Find out what it takes to be a Zoo keeper with these single day career classes with hands-on experience. 9 am to 12 noon.
Primates / Birds / Reptiles: June 13th & July 25th
Find out what a zoo keeper has to do each day to make sure their animals have an enriching habitat to call home. Animals presented will depend on the keepers’ schedule and the animals’ routines.
Carnivores / Birds / Reptiles: June 20th & August 1st
Find out what a zoo keeper has to do each day to make sure their animals have an enriching habitat to call home. Animals presented will depend on the keepers’ schedule and the animals’ routines.
Ungulates / Birds / Reptiles: July 18th & August 8th
Find out what a zoo keeper has to do each day to make sure their animals have an enriching habitat to call home. Animals presented will depend on the keepers’ schedule and the animals’ routines.
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