GRADES K-8

ZooCamp

Explore nature. Join us for ZooCamp.

Whether you’ve been to ZooCamp before or you’re joining us for the first time, we’re so excited to share our love of exploring and learning at our in-person school-break and summer camps! ZooCamp is a space where life is celebrated and nurtured. We respect the diversity of life we find reflected in our people, our plants, and our animals. Our goal at ZooCamp is to provide a physically and emotionally safe environment in which campers and staff alike develop and practice our skills of communication, compassion, teamwork, and scientific thinking. Through hands-on exploration, play, and community building campers will deepen their connections to themselves, each other, and our natural world.

FAQRegistration Portal

Explore our camps.

winter zoocamp logo

Grades K-5

Winter Break ZooCamp

Stay tuned for 2025 dates.

Session 1

Monday–Friday, Dec 30–Jan 3

(HALF DAY New Years Eve, NO CAMP New Years Day)

Session 2

Monday–Friday, Feb 17–21 (President’s Week)

Session 1, Theme A

Monday–Friday, Dec 30–Jan 3

Session 2, Theme B

Monday–Friday, Feb 17–21 (President’s Week)

Session 3, Theme A

Session 4, Theme B

No Camp

Session 5, Theme A

Session 6, Theme B

Session 7, Theme A

Session 8, Theme B

Session 9, Theme A

Before care:

8:00 am–9:00 am*

Drop-off window:

9:00 am–9:30 am

Pick-up window:

3:00 pm–3:30 pm

After care:

3:30 pm–5:30 pm*

Session 1

Members

$

315

Nonmembers

$

350

Before Care*

$

80

After Care*

$

120

Session 2

Members

$

450

Nonmembers

$

500

Before Care*

$

100

After Care*

$

200

*Extended care is a separate add-on for the week. We do not prorate days for before or after care.

Financial aid applications are now closed.

Registration is now open for Session 1 through December 23, and for Session 2 through February 10!

Session 1

Furry Friends (1st Grade) now waitlisting. All other grades still available.

Session 2

All grades still available.

spring zoocamp logo.

Grades K-5

Spring Break ZooCamp

Stay tuned for 2025 dates.

Session 1

Monday–Friday, Mar 31–Apr 4

Session 2

Monday–Friday, Apr 7-11

Session 1, Theme A

Monday–Friday, Mar 31–Apr 4

Session 2, Theme B

Monday–Friday, Apr 7-11

Session 3, Theme A

Session 4, Theme B

No Camp

Session 5, Theme A

Session 6, Theme B

Session 7, Theme A

Session 8, Theme B

Session 9, Theme A

Before care:

8:00 am–9:00 am*

Drop-off window:

9:00 am–9:30 am

Pick-up window:

3:00 pm–3:30 pm

After care:

3:30 pm–5:30 pm*

Session 1

Members

$

450

Nonmembers

$

500

Before Care*

$

100

After Care*

$

200

Session 2

Members

$

Nonmembers

$

Before Care*

$

After Care*

$

*Extended care is a separate add-on for the week. We do not prorate days for before or after care.

Registration opens on Wednesday, Jan 29 at 8:00 am.

Summer ZooCamp logo

Grades K-8

Summer ZooCamp

Stay tuned for 2025 dates.

Session 1

Monday–Friday, Jun 2–6

Session 2

Monday–Friday, Jun 9–13

Session 1, Theme A

Monday–Friday, Jun 2–6

Session 2, Theme B

Monday–Friday, Jun 9–13

Session 3, Theme A

Monday–Friday, Jun 16–20

Session 4, Theme B

Monday–Friday, Jun 23–27

No Camp

Week of July 4

Session 5, Theme A

Monday–Friday, Jul 7–11

Session 6, Theme B

Monday–Friday, Jul 14–18

Session 7, Theme A

Monday–Friday, Jul 21–25

Session 8, Theme B

Monday–Friday, Jul 28–Aug 1

Session 9, Theme A

Monday–Friday, Aug 4–8

Before care:

8:00 am–9:00 am*

Drop-off window:

9:00 am–9:30 am

Pick-up window:

3:00 pm–3:30 pm

After care:

3:30 pm–5:30 pm*

Session 1

Members

$

455

Nonmembers

$

505

Before Care*

$

100

After Care*

$

200

Session 2

Members

$

Nonmembers

$

Before Care*

$

After Care*

$

*Extended care is a separate add-on for the week. We do not prorate days for before or after care.

Priority registration* opens Monday, Mar 3 at 8:00 am.

General registration opens Wednesday, Mar 5 at 8:00 am.

*Due to high demand for our camp, we are continuing our practice of priority registration for returning campers. If your child attended ZooCamp in the 2024 calendar year for summer and/or break camps, we will email the priority registration link to the email address(es) on file one week prior to the opening of registration. This link is not to be forwarded to or shared with any other households. The priority registration link will be active only from Monday, Mar 3 at 8:00 am until general registration opens on Mar 5 at 8:00 am.

Fall Break ZooCamp logo

Grades K-5

Fall Break ZooCamp

Stay tuned for 2025 dates.

Session 1

Session 2

Session 1, Theme A

Session 2, Theme B

Session 3, Theme A

Session 4, Theme B

No Camp

Session 5, Theme A

Session 6, Theme B

Session 7, Theme A

Session 8, Theme B

Session 9, Theme A

Before care:

8:00 am–9:00 am*

Drop-off window:

9:00 am–9:30 am

Pick-up window:

3:00 pm–3:30 pm

After care:

3:30 pm–5:30 pm*

Session 1

Members

$

270

Nonmembers

$

300

Before Care*

$

60

After Care*

$

120

Session 2

Members

$

Nonmembers

$

Before Care*

$

After Care*

$

*Extended care is a separate add-on for the week. We do not prorate days for before or after care.

Registration information will be published in 2025.

contact us Icon

Contact

Lioness, ZooCamp Director

Roly Poly, Assistant ZooCamp Director

510-632-9525 ext. 210

zoocamp@oaklandzoo.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the Zoo closes for weather?

ZooCamp will be canceled. Oakland Zoo is built on a hill, and extreme weather may create unsafe conditions for guests or staff. The safety of our animals, staff, and guests are of utmost priority. We will communicate weather closures as early as possible. If the Zoo does close for weather, ZooCamp will be cancelled, and we will issue prorated refunds.

What is the cancellation/refund/transfer policy?

Cancellation within 7 days of camp: Not eligible for refund

Cancellation 7-14 days before camp: 50% refund

Cancellation 15+ days before camp: 90% refund

Other cancellations due to emergency or illness will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

If you would like to cancel or transfer sessions, please email us at zoocamp@oaklandzoo.org. To maintain a balanced teacher:camper ratio, we cannot overbook groups, but if there are spots available, we will do our best to accommodate a transfer. Campers are allowed 1 free session transfer, per season (space permitting). Additional transfers are subject to the cancellation fees detailed above.

Are there late fees?

If you are running late to pick up your camper, please call the ZooCamp cell phone number provided to you as soon as you can. ZooCamp provides a 30-minute pick-up window from 3:00-3:30 for regular pick-ups. Campers who have not been picked up by 3:30 will be brought to aftercare. Aftercare is a separate add-on that ends promptly at 5:30. ZooCamp reserves the right to charge a fee of $1/minute for late pick-ups.

What do campers do all day at camp?

Campers do a wide variety of activities throughout the day at ZooCamp, including Zoo tours, animal close-ups, educational lessons, games, nature play, story times, song sessions, assemblies, and exclusive Behind-the-Scenes experiences with a zookeeper. There are two snack times and an hour of lunch with free play time each day. ZooCamp is fairly active and campers will spend much of their time outdoors.

Activities will vary depending on the day and age group.

What do campers do in before care/aftercare?

We provide a variety of activities in before care and aftercare. Activities include puzzles, word searches, table games, board games, books, coloring, nature shows (aftercare), and/or Disney movies (aftercare).

Can we register for multiple sessions of ZooCamp?

For break camps with two weeks: you are welcome to register for both weeks, just note there might be some activity overlap.

For summer camp: due to high demand, each camper may only attend one A session and one B session for a total of two (2) sessions to extend the opportunity to other households. Summer sessions are designated either A or B.

What is the difference between A and B sessions?

Each session is designated either A or B. These sessions have different themes, lessons, and activities. Click here for a full list of A and B themes!

Is there a sibling discount?

Yes. There is a 10% discount for registering two or more campers from the same household. This should automatically be reflected in portal when you register. Please contact us if you believe you should receive this discount and don’t see it in your account.

Is there financial aid available?

ZooCamp is proud to provide financial aid opportunities for each season. Links to the applications can be found under each season's webpage. Applications close one week prior to registration. If you submitted an application, you must still register your camper in order to receive funds. We will reach out and let you know if funds become available for you, even if your camper(s) is waitlisted. Scholarship funds are limited and applications do not guarantee funds.

What are the ZooCamp COVID-19 protocols?

As of Spring 2023, we are no longer requiring ZooCamp staff and campers to wear masks while indoors, although it is always encouraged. All Zoo staff are vaccinated. We will continue to follow Alameda County Department of Public Health guidelines for day camps and update protocols accordingly.

What do campers need to wear and bring to camp?

Campers should bring a refillable water bottle, a lunch, two snacks, and sunscreen in a bag that they can carry as groups move from place to place. When campers arrive at camp they should be wearing sunscreen, closed-toed shoes, and clothes suitable for outdoor play. It’s also a good idea to pack a hat, face masks, and extra clothes and dress in layers as the temperature can change throughout the day. Labeling your camper’s items with their full name is extremely useful! Specific information about how to prepare for camp will always be sent out to registered families in the weeks leading up to the start date of their session. *The Zoo is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items. However, if we recover lost items, we will put it in our ZooCamp Lost & Found. After each session, unclaimed items will be brought to the Zoo’s Lost & Found located in the Public Safety Building.

My child has unique needs. How can I communicate these to camp staff or check in about specific accommodations?

It’s our goal at ZooCamp to be a safe and accessible space. Our registration process requires a medical form where you can list specific conditions, medications, allergies, etc. and write instructions or notes for camp staff.

For children with increased physical or emotional support needs: if your child usually works with a support person at home or school, we ask that you send them to ZooCamp with a support person. Support people/aides/helpers are always welcome at camp (as long as the person is vaccinated and passes a background check) and can work closely with camp directors and teachers to make sure your child has the best possible experience at camp. Please let us know if your camper requires a support person as soon as possible so that there is enough time for background checks to clear. If you have questions or want to check in about your camper’s needs at any point, please email zoocamp@oaklandzoo.org.

Can my camper request to be in the same group as their friend?

There will be an opportunity to list a friend request during registration. Please note that we organize campers by grade level, so if the friend/sibling/cousin is in a different grade, there is a chance that they will not be grouped together. Due to privacy laws, we cannot share the registration status of campers outside your household.

Are parents/guardians allowed to hang out with ZooCamp?

No. All adults who spend time with our camp must undergo a background check. This includes staff, volunteers, and personal support people. If you would like to visit the Zoo while your kid is at camp, you must purchase a ticket online as a regular Zoo guest.

If you were an animal, which animal would you be?

Wow, thanks for asking. I’m just a website so I don’t know what it’s like to have a body at all, but I think I’d like to try out being an octopus.