- I have a Zoo membership and am trying to register but am not receiving my member discount.
Our webstore requires that you sign in with the member number that can be located on your membership card. If you are not receiving your member discount, it is possible that you accidentally created a duplicate record for your family that is not attached to your membership account. Please call our membership department at 515-974-2600 and they can help you merge the two records together.
- I just renewed/purchased a membership online but am not receive my member discount.
Online membership sales can take up to 3 days to process before they are active in our system. Please call our membership department at 515-974-2600 to expedite your membership purchase.
- What precautions are you taking to fight against COVID-19?
We are following all of the recommendations from the CDC and American Camp Association. These precautions may change as we get closer to summer. Your registration serves as agreement to comply with any changes to our COVID-19 procedures.
- Drop off & Pick up: Curbside drop off and pick up will be instituted to avoid having parents and caregivers enter the Zoo.
- Group Sizes: Group sizes will be limited to 15 participants and 2-3 instructors. There will be 2-3 additional Zoo staff that will help with animal programs and lunches.
- Masks: All campers and Zoo staff are required to wear face masks.
- Health screenings: Campers are required to complete a health screening prior to drop off of camp. If this health screening is not complete prior to drop off, campers may not be allowed to stay at camp. Zoo staff are required to complete daily health screenings.
- Activities & Supplies: Activities and games will be modified to keep campers separate as much as possible. Each camp group will have its own set of supplies to use, when possible each camper will have an individual set of supplies.
- Water Bottles & Camper Belongings: Campers are required to bring their own water bottle from home. Any belongings from home must be labeled with the camper’s first and last name. Any unlabeled items left at the end of the camp week will be discarded.
- Cleaning & Sanitizing: Cleanliness and sanitation are always top priorities at Safari Camp. We use antibacterial & antiviral solutions when cleaning. In light of COVID-19, we have increased the number of cleanings each space receives.
Animal experiences: As a part of camp, children will still be able to feed the goats, parakeets and giraffe. Campers will be required to use hand sanitizer or wash hands with soap prior to and immediately following feeding animals. There will be no touching of animals during Ambassador Animal Programs.
- What is the cancellation policy?
If a cancellation is necessary more than two weeks out from the camp start date, Blank Park Zoo will grant a refund for the registration amount minus a $50 processing fee. Any cancellations requested within two weeks of the camp start date will not receive a refund (if the child is unable to attend, please consider your payment a tax-deductible donation at this time). Switching to a different week of camp is an option but depends on availability and may only be done once.
- What if I decide to cancel due to COVID-19?
We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic is an ever fluid situation. We are taking all recommended precautions to keep our campers, Zoo visitors, animals and staff healthy. When you register for a Summer Safari Camp, you agree to follow all of our precautions and policies as they continue to change. If you decide to cancel your camp registration, we will uphold our regular cancellation policy as stated below.
If a cancellation is necessary more than two weeks out from the camp start date, Blank Park Zoo will grant a refund for the registration amount minus a $50 processing fee. Any cancellations requested within two weeks of the camp start date will not receive a refund (if the child is unable to attend, please consider your payment a tax-deductible donation at this time).
- How many students are in each age group?
Pre-K: there are 2 groups of up to 10 students in each group
Kindergarten: we have 2 groups of up to 12 students in each group
Grades 1-7: there is 1 group of up to 15 students
- What is the adult to child ratio for camps?
Pre-k: 1 adult for every 5 children
Kindergarten: 1 adult for every 6 children
Grades 1-7: 1 adult for every 8 children
- How does curbside drop-off/pick-up work?
We will have drop-off markers posted in our parking lot. Families follow signs and pull up to the first available camp educator to check in all campers in the vehicle. For pick-up, follow the same line and inform the educator which child(ren) you are picking up. Please have a photo ID ready at pick-up as we check to make sure all adults are listed on our authorized pick-up list.
- What is the lunch menu?
Children enrolled in a full-day camp will need to either bring a sack lunch or purchase a zoo lunch (if a child arrives without a sack lunch, a zoo lunch must be purchased that day). Please note that refrigeration for lunches will not be provided. Lunch is $6.50/day or $30 for the week.
Lunch Menu:
Monday – Cold turkey sandwich, yogurt and veggie
Tuesday – Cheese pizza, yogurt and fruit
Wednesday – Cold ham sandwich, chocolate chip cookie and fruit
Thursday - Pork hot dogs, chips and fruit
Friday – Breaded chicken strips, fries and veggie
*menu is tentative and subject to change
*side of fruit varies from day to day and may include grapes, apples, oranges or bananas
*side of veggies varies and may include carrots or celery
*each meal will also include a milk or juice drink
- I would like to sign my child up for one of the offsite overnight camps. Can I drive them to the overnight location and stay overnight with them?
Parents who choose to drive their children to our offsite overnight locations may do so but parents are not allow to stay at the overnight facilities with the camp group. Please note, we are on a tight schedule when we travel offsite for overnights so it is important for families traveling separate to be timely.
