Safari Camps

Summer Safari Camps
 
2013 SUMMER SAFARI CAMPS
 
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR CAMPS.   NEW: Please remember to use Promotional Code SAFARIMEM if you are member to receive your discount.  Note: If you are registering for multiple children, please register for 1 child at a time.
 
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE FULL WEEK BEFORE AND AFTER CARE.  **To purchase individual sessions of before and after care, please see your confirmation letter or call 515-974-2588.**
 
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A BLANK PARK ZOO MEMBERSHIP ZOO PASS TO SAVE MONEY ON SAFARI CAMPS

CAMP DESCRIPTIONS
 
AGES 3-4
Camps are 9:00am - 11:30am, Monday-Friday OR 1:30pm-4:00pm, Monday-Friday.

Amazing Africa – Can you hear the call of the wild? Come and meet all the new zoo animals from Africa!  African crafts and activities will keep you busy and teach you all about the animals and people of one of the world’s most amazing continents.
Camp Dates: June 10-14, July 15-19
Cost: $90 member/$128.57 non-member

Animals Two by Two – Learning to count is fun, but with animals it is even better!  How many penguins do you see?  How many fish does a sea lion eat in a day?  How far can a wallaby hop?  Let’s find out together by exploring the zoo!
Camp Dates: June 17-21, July 22-26
Cost: $90 member/$128.57 non-member

Singing and Swinging - Let’s sing to the birds and swing with the monkeys!   Animals talk to each other in special ways even if we don’t always know what they are saying.  This week we learn how animals talk to each other and if we can understand some of what they are saying.  We will also learn how different animals move and we will walk the walk and talk the talk of the wild!
Camp Dates: June 24-28, July 29- August 2
Cost: $90 member/$128.57 non-member

Monkey See, Monkey Do – Have you seen the baby Snow Monkey at the zoo?  Come learn about her and all the other monkeys around the zoo.  We will do lots of funny monkey activities and crafts and try to act like the monkeys do!  This 3 day camp will make you wild about monkeys!
Camp Dates: July 1-3 (no camp on July 4-5)
Cost: Pro-rated for 3 days: $54 members/$77.14 for non-members

Leapin’ Lizards – Leap into this week with some color changing, tail losing, skin shedding, tongue flicking friends at the zoo! We will learn about how lizards stay warm, protect themselves and look for food. We will visit some of the zoo’s unique leapin’ lizards and some of their reptile relatives!
Camp Dates: July 8-12, August 5-9
Cost: $90 member/$128.57 non-member

Ages 5-6
Half day camps are 9:00am-11:30pm, Full day camps are 9:00am-4:00pm

Things with Wings – Floating on the breeze or buzzing around a flower all things with wings are pretty amazing.  Let’ “fly” around the zoo and check out all the animals with wings.  We might also find a few surprises, like birds that have wings but can’t fly and animals that can fly but don’t have wings!
Camp Dates: June 10-14, July 15-19
Cost: Half Day- $90 member/$128.57 non-member, Full Day-$180 member/$257.14 non-member

African Safari – Roar, Stomp, Whistle!  The sounds of Africa will be all around us this summer as the new African exhibit will be open for all to enjoy.  During this camp we will learn all about the amazing animals and people of Africa, get an up close look at highly endangered Blank Rhinos and check out all the other new African animals!
Camp Dates: June 17-21, July 22-26
Cost: Half Day- $90 member/$128.57 non-member, Full Day-$180 member/$257.14 non-member

I Wish I was a Fish – In the hot summer, do you ever wish you were a fish?  Let’s find out all about water animals and have some fun doing what they love to do: play in the water!  We will enjoy water games and activities to cool off while learning about water and why animals love it!
Camp Dates: June 24-28, July 29 – August 2
Cost: Half Day- $90 member/$128.57 non-member, Full Day-$180 member/$257.14 non-member

Let’s Monkey Around – What is the difference between a monkey and an ape?  Come find out while we explore the zoo and see all the primates, big and small!  You will get to make a surprise for the monkeys and even get to talk to a zookeeper who helped take care of the zoo’s baby Snow Monkey.  This 3 day camp will be a swinging good time!
Camp Dates: July -3 (no camp on July 4-5)
Cost: Half Day- Pro-rated for 3 days: $54 member/$77.14 non-member, Full Day-$108 member/$154.28 non-member

Hide and Seek – Small or big animals have a way of hiding in the trees, on the ground, and even in the water.  We will learn all about camouflage and why animals have to play hide and seek for survival.  We will also learn about the different types of camouflage and look at the animals at the zoo to see what kind of camouflage they use.
Camp Dates: July 8-12, August 5-9
Cost: Half Day- $90 member/$128.57 non-member, Full Day-$180 member/$257.14 non-member

Grade 1 & 2
Camps are 9:00am – 4:00pm, Monday-Friday

Where in the World? – Tell me, where in the world do all these animals come from?  Travel to different regions of the zoo to find where in the world the Amur tiger uses his excellent night vision to catch his prey, where our black rhinos’ favorite mud holes are, where the kookaburra’s laugh is a “bushman’s alarm clock,” and more!  We will even meet some animals from our part of the world and ones that could be right in your backyard!
Camp Dates: June 10-14, July 15-19
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

Flippered Friends – Cool off with us this week as we learn about our finned and flippered friends who know how to play in water.  We will find out how seals, sea lions, fish and rays move and play and what the keepers do to keep them healthy and happy.  Of course, we can’t let them have all the fun; we will play water games and even do some slippin’ and slidin’ of our own!
Camp Dates: June 17-21, July 22-26
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

The Most Gross – Squishy meets science this week as we discover the ooey, gooey truth behind some of our animals’ not-so-pleasant quirks!  Why do giraffes drool so much?  Why do frogs feel so slimy?  Join us this week to learn the facts about the disgusting ways of our animal friends.
Camp Dates: June 24-28, July 29-August 2
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

Animal Vacations – North, South, East and West – animals go where they know best!  Animals like the Monarch butterfly travel for miles, some birds fly south for the winter.  During this 3 day camp we will find out how and why animals take vacations and travel from one place to another.
Camp Dates: July 1-3 (no camp July 4-5)
Cost: Pro-rated for 3 days: $108  members/$154.28 for non-members

African All-Stars – The tallest, the largest and the most venomous – Africa has some of the coolest animals in the world.  Let’s see which ones are the All-Stars and have some friendly competition of our own.  Plus meet the zoo’s newest All Star, the Black Rhino!
Camp Dates: July 8-12, August 5-9
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

Grade 3 &4
Camps are 9:00am – 4:00pm, Monday-Friday

Strange but True - Dare to be strange? Step into the world of one-eyed sharks, high jumping crocodiles, spitting birds, and crows that blow up frogs! We are going to explore the animal kingdom’s most extreme freaky and strange members you will never forget!
Camp Dates: June 10-14, July 15-19
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

Scales and Tails - Can you identify an animal by their scales or even their tails? This week we will put you to the test to see how well you know your animals and why their scales or tails are so important. As you venture through the zoo, our animals would love to show off how they use these great features to live!
Camp Dates: June 17-21, July 22-26
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

Creatures of the Night – The night is full of creatures, even if you don’t always see them.  During this camp we will learn all about the nocturnal animals that thrive at night. As an additional option, you can spend the night at the zoo! See details below.
Camp Dates: June 24-28, July 29-Aug. 2
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

Optional Overnight for Night Crawlers Camp – Spend the night at the zoo.  Instead of going home Thursday, stay the night with your fellow campers!  Do extra fun activities and sleep in the Discovery Center overlooking the rainforest.
Date: June 28, Aug.2
Cost: $45 per camper.  Dinner and breakfast will be provided.

Fun in the Sun! – What’s your favorite thing to do on a sunny summer day? Whether it be taking a nap in the shade, playing in the water, rolling around in the mud, or panting, animals like to do these too! We will learn all about what animals like to do these activities and other things they do to stay cool and happy! Slip ‘n’ Slide your way to the zoo and enjoy this three day fun in the sun camp!
Camp Dates: July -3 (no camp on July 4-5)
Cost: Pro-rated for 3 days: $108  members/$154.28 for non-members

Rockin’ Rhinos – Have you ever wondered how fast rhinos can run or why they like to charge? Let’s roam into Africa to discover why our black rhinos are so unique and why their horns are endangering them. It’s time to rock ‘n’ roll with these rockin’ rhinos!

Camp Dates: July 8-12, August 5-9
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

Grades 5 &6
Camps are 9:00am – 4:00pm, Monday-Friday

Photo Safari – Have you ever noticed how pictures sometimes can tell a story?  Can you capture details of animals with the click of a button?  Gain inspiration for your own photographs by exploring some famous photos of animals in the wild.  This week we will create a blog to share the animal’s stories and feature your work.
Camp Dates: June 17-21
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

 
Santa in July – Animals need toys too.  Enriching the lives of animals at the zoo is not always easy but it is an important part of what zookeepers do.  During camp you will get a chance to work with a zookeeper and make toys for all sorts of animals and then of course watch the animals play!
 Camp Dates: July 8-12
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

BPZ’s Shark Week – Let’s talk about sharks!  Sharks are unique, powerful creatures.  This week we will learn all about the types of sharks and what makes them so awesome.  And since  Blank Park Zoo does not have sharks we will travel to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo for a special overnight trip!
Camp Dates: July 22-26
Cost: $260 member/$371.43  non-member

Zoo Tycoon – Have you ever wondered how YOU would run a zoo?  Well, now’s your chance!  This week, you’ll learn all about how Blank Park Zoo operates and then work as a team to design your very own zoo!  You’ll meet some of the staff and animals at the Zoo and discover lots of behind-the-scenes secrets that make the Blank Park Zoo Iowa’s wildest adventure!
Camp Dates: August 5-9
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

Grade 7
Camps are 9:00am – 4:00pm, Monday-Friday

Junior Zookeeper -Want to learn how to be a zookeeper?  Making diets, cleaning and keeping animals enriched are all part of what a zookeeper does every day.  You will get a chance to tour some behind-the-scenes areas and help take care of the very animals that you get to see every day at the zoo!
Camp Dates: June 24-28, July 15-19
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

Animal Careers – Do you want to work with animals when you grow up?  Each day during this camp you will get the chance to talk to a person who works with animals.  A vet, a zookeeper, an animal trainer and more!  This is a great time to learn about opportunities in the animal field!
Camp Dates: July 29-August 2
Cost: $180 member/$257.14 non-member

Camps at a Glance

Things to Know
Age and Grade Level
It is important to us that your child receives the best experience. As such, we hope that you will help us by honoring the age and grade level guidelines. Each camp is for children entering that grade level in the fall of 2013. Your child MUST be potty-trained to be a part of the camp.

Supervised Additional Care
Before and after care is available from 7:30 to 9:00 am and from 4:00 to 5:30 pm for full-day campers age 5-6 and in grades 1 to 7. It is not an extension of the camp. The cost for each supervised additional care session is $5/day am, and $5/day pm. A $5 late fee will be charged for every 15 minutes after 5:30 pm. There are no refunds for cancelling prepaid sessions.

Snack and Lunch
A snack will be provided for our half-day and full-day camps. Children participating in a full-day camp will need to bring a sack lunch. Please note that refrigeration for lunches will not be provided. For your convenience, we are also offering lunches through the Zoo. You will receive more information about the Blank Park Zoo lunch options/menu in your confirmation package. 

Drop-off/Pick-up
Check-in for each class begins 10 minutes before the start of class. Please honor our pick-up time.
For the safety of your children, we will only release your child to the person/s you list at drop-off each day. If there are emergencies/last-minute changes, please notify our camp instructors. 
3-4 Year Olds: Drop-off and Pick-up will occur at the Banker's Trust Classroom.  Directional signs will be posted to direct you to the classroom.
5-6 Year Olds: Drop-off will occur in Pavilion 1, located next to the Bald Eagle Exhibit.  For half day pick-up, please enter the zoo through Admissions and you will be directed to the Dove Room in the Discovery Center.  Full day pick-up will occur in Pavilion 1.
Grades 1 to 7: drop-off and pick-up will occur in Pavilion 1, located next to the Bald Eagle Exhibit.

Registration, Confirmation and Cancellation
Pre-registration is required for all classes. All registrations must be received at least 7 days before class starts. After we process your registration, we will send you a confirmation letter. Please note that your registration is not confirmed until you receive this confirmation letter. Cancellations will not receive a refund.

T-shirts will be available for purchase the week of camp.
 
For questions, please call 515-974-2550.
 
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR CAMPS.  NEW: Please remember to use Promotional Code SAFARIMEM if you are member to receive your discount.   Note: If you are registering for multiple children, please register for 1 child at a time.
 
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE FULL WEEK BEFORE AND AFTER CARE.  **To purchase individual sessions of before and after care, please see your confirmation letter or call 515-974-2588.**
 
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A BLANK PARK ZOO MEMBERSHIP ZOO PASS TO SAVE MONEY ON SAFARI CAMPS