Camps

Join Us for a Wild Summer!

Registration is now open

Our summer camps are designed to provide children ages 4-17 the opportunity to learn about animals, zoos, and wildlife conservation. This enriching and educational experience will be filled with Zoo visits, live animal presentations, crafts, games, stories, learning projects, and much more!

More importantly, each child will learn the importance of having fun in nature and making new friends! Our camps are geared towards children who are eager to learn, follow directions, and want to have fun. Through our summer camp program, we hope to inspire the next generation of wildlife conservationists and stewards of the environment.

Members SAVE $30 on full day camps & $20 on mini camps!
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2024 ZOO CAMPS AT A GLANCE

Week Day Camps Ages
June 10-14 Sensory Safari: Sold Out Spend the week on a sensory safari discovering the fantastic five senses and how both animals and people use them to explore their world! 4-5
June 17-21 Legendary Creatures: Unicorns, dragons, and bigfoot, oh my! Discover the legends of mythical creatures and the real-life animals they are inspired by, then get creative and invent a mythical creature of your own! 8-9
June 24-28 Animal Super Powers (Week 1): Sold Out Animals have some amazing super powers to help them survive in their environments!  Learn about different animal powers and adaptations and then design your very own animal superhero.
*This camp theme is also available another week. Both weeks will include the same activities/schedule. We do not allow campers to be signed up for the same week twice.
6-7
June 24-28 Wild Designs: How do you build a zoo? What makes a great animal habitat? How do keepers prepare exhibits for more than one species? Learn about what zookeepers do to take care of animals and plan exhibits, then design an exhibit of your own! 10-11
July 1-5 Zoology 101: Have you ever thought about a future career working at a zoo? During this week, you’ll get a truly hands-on experience to understand what it takes!  You will be trained to handle one of our ambassador animals, assist in animal care and feeding, contribute to a research project, and help lead an education program on the last day of camp. 15-17
July 8-12 Art Safari: Sold Out Discover and be inspired by the amazing art created by animals, or of animals, around the world! Everyday we’ll create a new project inspired by the wild artists around us while exploring different mediums. 8-9
July 8-12 Jr Zoo Keepers (Week 1): Sold Out Ever wonder what being a zookeeper really involves? Discover how our animals are cared for, practice your husbandry skills cleaning an animal habitat, prepare animal diets, create enrichment, and visit behind-the-scenes to see how the zoo really works!
*This camp theme is also available another week. Both weeks will include the same activities/schedule. We do not allow campers to be signed up for the same week twice.
12-14
July 15-19 Wildlife Myth Busters (Week 1): Can chameleons change colors? Can porcupines shoot their quills? Discover what is real and bust the myths of the animal kingdom!
*This camp theme is also available another week. Both weeks will include the same activities/schedule. We do not allow campers to be signed up for the same week twice.
6-7
July 22-26 Beastly Feasts: Ever wonder what’s on the menu for our zoo animals? Join us as we learn about carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, and more! Each day will focus on a different type of eater, with fun crafts, games, and tours through the zoo. 6-7
July 22-26 Animal Investigators: Investigate the world of animal science! Campers will get hands-on as they examine biofacts, conduct an animal dissection, and go behind-the-scenes to learn about the technology zoo keepers and scientists use to better understand animals in our care and in the wild. 10-11
July 29-Aug 2 Zoolympics: Sold Out Every day in the animal kingdom is a competition for survival! Come and learn which animal will take the gold medal for strongest, fastest, sneakiest, or most agile, and try out your skills in our own Summer Zoolympic Games! 8-9
August 5-9 Animal Super Powers (Week 2): Animals have some amazing super powers to help them survive in their environments!  Learn about different animal powers and adaptations and then design your very own animal superhero.
*This camp theme is also available another week. Both weeks will include the same activities/schedule. We do not allow campers to be signed up for the same week twice.
6-7
August 5-9 Jr Zoo Keepers (Week 2): Sold Out Ever wonder what being a zookeeper really involves? Discover how our animals are cared for, practice your husbandry skills cleaning an animal habitat, prepare animal diets, create enrichment, and visit behind-the-scenes to see how the zoo really works!
*This camp theme is also available another week. Both weeks will include the same activities/schedule. We do not allow campers to be signed up for the same week twice.
12-14
August 12-16 Wildlife Myth Busters (Week 2): Can chameleons change colors? Can porcupines shoot their quills? Discover what is real and bust the myths of the animal kingdom!
*This camp theme is also available another week. Both weeks will include the same activities/schedule. We do not allow campers to be signed up for the same week twice.
6-7
August 19-23 Z is for Zoo: Sold Out A is for armadillos, B is for bobcats, and C is for condors! Discover the amazing animals of this world, from A to Z! 4-5

CAMP SPECIFICS

4-5 year old Mini Camps:
9–11:30am
Drop off: 8:30-9am
Pickup: 11:30am-12pm
Members: $125/camper
Non-members: $145/camper


6-7 year old Camps:
9am–3pm
Drop off: 8:30-9am
Pickup: 3-3:30pm
Members: $230/camper
Non-members: $260/camper


8-9 year old Camps:
9am–3pm
Drop off: 8:30-9am
Pickup: 3-3:30pm
Members: $230/camper
Non-members: $260/camper


10-11 year old Camps:
9am–3pm
Drop off: 8:30-9am
Pickup: 3-3:30pm
Members: $330/camper
Non-members: $360/camper


12-14 year old Camps:
9am–3pm
Drop off: 8:30-9am
Pickup: 3-3:30pm
Members: $330/camper
Non-members: $360/camper


15-17 year old Camps:
9am–3pm
Drop off: 8:30-9am
Pickup: 3-3:30pm
Members: $345/camper
Non-members: $375/camper

QUESTIONS? EMAIL CAMPS@BRANDYWINEZOO.ORG
or call (302) 407-4407

Frequently Asked Questions

What are camp hours? Is there before/after care available?

  • For full day camps, camp drop off is open 8:30am to 9am and camp pick up is 3pm to 3:30pm. 
  • For half day camps, camp drop off is open 8:30am to 9am and camp pick up is 11:30am to noon. 
  • Currently, before/after care is not available.

Where do I pick up/drop off my camper?

Campers should be dropped off/picked up at the Education Building, following the pick up/drop off line as shown in the Camp Handbook.

Can I sign my camper up for a camp that is not for their age group?

Campers must be within the age range listed for each selected camp by the first day of that camp week.

WIll my camper be grouped with their sibling/friend?

Campers in the same camp theme will spend most of the day together. The group will be split into smaller sections by age occasionally, as needed for certain activities. We do our best to group campers with others that they would get along with, but cannot guarantee that any campers will always be in the same group.

Are there scholarships available for Brandywine Zoo Camp

Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to offer camp scholarships.

Are there food restrictions for lunch/snack time?

  • No foods are prohibited. However, campers will be asked to change seats if their lunch contains an allergen for a nearby camper.
  • No microwave or refrigeration is available for camper lunches, so all food items should be non-perishable. 
  • Lunches and snacks should be portable and easily stored in a cubby.
  • To minimize waste, please pack food in reusable containers.

Does my camper have to wear the camp shirt every day?

Yes. Campers are required to wear a Brandywine Zoo camp shirt everyday of camp. One free shirt is included with each registration. Additional t-shirts may be purchased for $10.

What should my camper bring?

  • Campers should wear their Zoo Camp shirt, clothing appropriate to the weather, and closed toed and closed heeled shoes that are comfortable to walk and run in (such as sneakers).
  • Campers should also bring a packed lunch, a reusable water bottle, and a face mask (these are required for behind the scenes activities). 
  • We recommend campers bring two snacks to eat during snack times and a full change of clothing (including shoes/socks) in case of games involving water/mud as well as bathroom accidents.

Will my camper interact with the animals?

  • Campers will have opportunities for up-close encounters with Education Ambassador Animals each day. While some Ambassador Animals are able to be touched in a controlled setting, not all animals may be touchable based upon the species, number of campers, and camper behavior.
  • For the safety of all there is no direct contact with exhibit animals other than the animals in the Barnyard area (goats, chickens) when the Barnyard is open to guests.
  • Campers may go on a couple of age-appropriate behind the scenes tours. For ages 4-5 and 6-8, this will only include non-animal areas such as the commissary. Behind the scenes area tours are not guaranteed.

Would this camp suit my camper?

  • As a parent, you know your child best, so only you can make this decision.  The Brandywine Zoo Camp strives to meet the needs of all campers.  However, our camp takes place in a highly stimulating environment both in the classroom and on zoo grounds. Children are expected to stay and cooperate with a group, follow directions, care for their own basic needs, and participate in camp activities with their peers. We host an active, outdoor camp and thus our program might not be suitable for every camper.
  • Junior Zoo Keeper camp and Zoology 101 camp include hands-on activities in behind the scenes areas that will involve dirty and smelly tasks that are often outside and in cramped spaces.  These camps require campers to be able to work cooperatively with peers and adults, and to be able to follow directions promptly.

Any other questions?

If you have any other questions, please check the Camp Handbook, or email us at camps@brandywinezoo.org.