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When School Is Out, Safari Camps Are In!
Safari Camps provide the perfect adventure for campers that have the drive and desire to discover an affection for animals. Camps feature animal experiences, zoo expeditions, engineering authentic solutions to real-world challenges, and hands-on, camper-driven exploration.
Already registered? Click here to access the Camp Portal:
You should use the same log in information that you used to purchase your camp to access the Camp Portal.
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Spring Safari
REGISTRATION
Opens February 3, 2025!GRADES
K–4DATES + TIMES
Single day camp experiences offered 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, March 24- Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Late Care is not offered during Spring Safari Camp.COST
$85 per camper/dayACCESS TO AWE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Scholarships are available through DZCA’s Access to Awe Scholarship Fund. Please click here to apply for financial assistance prior to registering online.CONTACT US
Questions or concerns? Contact our Safari Camp Team at SafariCamps@denverzoo.org- Programming
Portions of all camps may take place outdoors. Please ensure your camper is prepared for outdoor exploration!
Get ready for a sense-sational adventure at Safari Camp! How do bright colors, funny smells, and wild sounds help animals communicate with each other, stay safe or find their next snack? From stripes that say, “stay away” to calls that shout, “I’m over here,” we’ll explore how animals use their senses to survive.
Join us for one day or all four—it’s sure to be a hoot and a howlin’ good time!
- Monday, March 24: Critter Chatter: Explore how animals use sound to communicate!
- Tuesday, March 25: Hoots & Howls: Uncover some wild ways animals hear the world around them!
- Wednesday, March 26: Silent Signals: Reveal secrets about how animals communicate without sound!
- Thursday, March 27: Sharp Sight: Discover unique animal sight superpowers!
- Things to Know
Full-Day camps are offered for children currently enrolled in Kindergarten – Grade 4. Campers who have not started Kindergarten as of Fall 2024 are not eligible to attend. Campers must be registered for the grade level they are currently in. All camp curricula are designed with specific activities appropriate for each developmental stage.
Parents/Guardians must register their own children, using their own DZCA account, to participate in Safari Camp. Booking for other children, requiring bookings to be transferred between families/accounts, will result in a $50 transfer fee.
- Campers will need to bring:
- Sack lunch + 2 snacks
- Backpack
- Water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing and footwear
- Registration Information
IMPORTANT: Do not check out as a guest. Please sign in or create an account to purchase camps and complete waivers and other important steps in the Camp Portal.
- Cancellation Policy + Service Fees
- Cancellation Policy: All sales are final, unless the Zoo must cancel the program.
- Service Fees: With advance notice, children may be dropped off or picked up during lunchtime (12:00–1:00 p.m.) at no charge, as campers are always in a pre-defined area during the lunch hour. At other times of the day, campers may be anywhere within the 80-acre Zoo property (or on a field trip), making late arrivals and early departures complicated, resulting in a $5 service fee per camper.
- Programming
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Summer Safari
REGISTRATION
Our registration process looks a little different since the last time you might have registered! We’ve put together a quick set of instructions to guide you—whether you’re registering for multiple camps or have campers of different ages in the same week, we’ve got you covered!Please make sure you have created an account, or recently updated your password, at my.denverzoo.org before registration! If you attempt to check out as a guest, you may lose your spot in camp.
GRADES
Weekly Programs for Kindergarten Through 9th GradeDATES + TIMES
Running Weekly: May 28–August 8, 2025, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A limited number of Late Care spots are available for pre-registered campers.
Late Care is available from 4:15–5:30 p.m.
Before Care is not offered.
All Camps are not offered every week. Please check the Camp Schedule for availability.COST
5-day Camps – $395
4-day Camps (June 30-July 3)- $315
3-day Camps (May 28-30) – $240
6-9 Grades “Conservation” Camps – $425
8-9 Grades “Animal Care 101” Camp – $425
Late Care – $100 for 5-day Camps, $80 for 4-day camps, $60 for 3-day Camps2025 Summer Safari Camps are available at the above rates for both members and the general public. We appreciate your support!
ACCESS TO AWE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Scholarships are available through DZCA’s Access to Awe Scholarship Fund. Please click here to apply for financial assistance prior to registering online.CONTACT US
Questions or concerns? Contact us at guestcare@denverzoo.org.- Programming
KINDERGARTEN AND 1ST
My Wild Home
Explore the diverse habitats that animals and people call “home.” Travel to plains, mountains, rainforests, deserts, and oceans all without leaving Denver! Discover where children from other places live, learn, and play, and find out how we are all connected.
My Animal Planet
There’s no need to trek across the planet when the coolest creatures call the Zoo home. Explore how animals survive and thrive, and what makes them unique. As a wildlife scientist, you’ll investigate animal characteristics – what makes a mammal a mammal, how reptiles are different, and more!
Nature Play the Zoo Way
Your camper will have an unbe-LEAF-able week connecting with animals and the natural world in this nature play camp. Young explorers will engage their sense of wonder and discovery as they literally dig into nature on the Zofnass Barclay Family Nature Play Trail; climb under bushes, find bugs, balance on stumps, and get their hands dirty. This camp is sure to ROCK – come play with us!
2ND AND 3RD GRADE
Wildlife Champions
Who’ll come out on top? Is it an elephant by a nose? An orangutan swinging into first place? In these games, we’ll examine physical advantages and adaptations, behaviors, and habitats to discover why some animals thrive while others can’t compete. No doubt about it – this camp is a winner!
Animal Expeditions
Pack your bags for a zoo-wide animal expedition! Learn about diverse ecosystems and make connections with animals around the world as you trek from habitat to habitat. What wonders will you discover on this adventure into the animal kingdom?
Nature Play the Zoo Way
Your camper will have an unbe-LEAF-able week connecting with animals and the natural world in this nature play camp. Young explorers will engage their sense of wonder and discovery as they literally dig into nature on the Zofnass Barclay Family Nature Play Trail; climb under bushes, find bugs, balance on stumps, and get their hands dirty. This camp is sure to ROCK – come play with us!
4TH AND 5TH GRADE
World Wildlife Investigators
The game’s afoot…or a-hoof! Hot on the Zoo trail, campers will conduct their own investigations to get to the bottom of real animal mysteries. Gather evidence by observing creatures from around the globe and uncovering the connections they have with us and each other. Can you crack the case?
4TH THROUGH 6TH GRADE
Working for Wildlife
Did you know that Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is like a mini city, made up of many teams who work together to help wildlife? Taking the best care of our animals is top priority, but you’ll explore the Zoo through a lot of different lenses in this camp. Learn how a Zoo cares for for animals, plants, and people – and dream up your own Zoo or nature preserve!
6TH THROUGH 9TH GRADE
Conservation Camp
Join Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance in its commitment to save wildlife. Meet conservationists at the Zoo and delve into the challenges, successes, and partnerships to save animals like bison, Lake Titicaca frogs, and big horn sheep. Then take your knowledge on the road! Do your part to build a world where wildlife thrives by participating in REAL field conservation in Colorado. One day of this camp involves a field trip doing conservation work in the Denver metro area.
8TH AND 9TH GRADE
Animal Care 101
In this special week of camp, students entering 8th grade will interact directly with the Zoo’s animal care staff! Our team of Animal Ambassador zookeepers will teach campers the ins and outs of how they care for and train (small) animals. Campers will discover how keepers set goals for their animals, and how to create fun enrichment that helps our animals show off their impressive, natural behaviors. If your soon-to-be 8th-grader is curious about working at a zoo someday, this camp will demonstrate what caring for the animals is all about! - Things to know
Campers must turn 5 years old by October 1, 2025
Cancellation Policy: All sales are final, unless the Zoo must cancel the program.
Campers must be registered for the grade level they will enter in Fall 2025. All camp curricula are designed based on Colorado Academic Standards and NGSS with specific activities appropriate for each developmental stage. Registering a camper for the wrong age/grade group will result in a dropped registration without refund or, in the rare situation where a transfer to the correct age group is available, a minimum administrative fee of $50 per transferred camp. Note, transfers are not guaranteed and rarely available.
Campers are not allowed to attend more than one camp with the same title. This prevents children from attending camp where they repeat the same curriculum and activities. Registering campers for camps with the same title will result in dropped registrations without refund or, in the rare situation where a transfer to an alternative, qualifying camp is available, a minimum administrative fee of $50 per transferred camp. Note, transfers are not guaranteed and rarely available.
Campers need to bring the following each day:
Lunch + 2 snacks: Nut-free is encouraged. Heating and refrigeration are not available.
Backpack
Water bottle
Weather appropriate clothing and footwear:
Camp issued t-shirt must be worn everyday. Campers will receive their camp shirt on Day 1. Flip flops are not recommended. - Registration InformationRegistration opens for members: Tuesday, January 14
Registration opens for non-members: Wednesday, January 15Our registration process looks a little different since the last time you might have registered! We’ve put together a quick set of instructions to guide you—whether you’re registering for multiple camps or have campers of different ages in the same week, we’ve got you covered!
IMPORTANT: Do not check out as a guest. Please sign in or create an account to purchase camps and complete waivers and other important steps in the Camp Portal. - Cancellation Policy + Service Fees
NEW for Summer 2026!
- Cancellation or Transfer Policy: Transfers are not available. If you need to release a camp spot, here is the timeline:
- Before February 1st, 2026: 100% refund
- February 1st – March 31st, 2026: $50 cancellation fee (refund less $50)
- April 1st – April 30th, 2026: 50% refund
- May 1st, 2026 and beyond: all sales final, no refunds.
- Service Fees:
- With advance notice, children may be dropped off or picked up during lunchtime (12:00–1:00 p.m.) at no charge, as campers are always in a pre-defined area during the lunch hour.
- At other times of the day, campers may be anywhere within the 80-acre Zoo property (or on a field trip), making late arrivals and early departures complicated, resulting in a $10 service fee per camper.
- Cancellation or Transfer Policy: Transfers are not available. If you need to release a camp spot, here is the timeline:
- Programming
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Fall Safari
IMPORTANT: Do not check out as a guest. Please sign in or create an account to purchase camps and complete waivers and other important steps in the Camp Portal.
GRADES
Full-Day camp sessions for each program and date are provided for campers currently in Grades K–4.DATES + TIMES
November 24th and 25thEach camp runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Late Care is not offered during Fall Safari Camp.COST
$85 per camper/dayACCESS TO AWE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Scholarships are available through DZCA’s Access to Awe Scholarship Fund. Please click here to apply for financial assistance prior to registering online.CONTACT US
Questions or concerns? Email the Camp Team at safaricamps@denverzoo.org- Programming
Portions of all fall and winter camps may take place outdoors. Please ensure your camper is prepared for outdoor exploration!
Fall Into Nature: November 24th
Fall into Nature at DZCA. Learn, play, and connect with all your senses! Campers will literally dig into the world around them and engage their senses to investigate and develop connections to animals and the natural world. Come explore with us!
Weathering the Wild: November 25th
Explore how animals thrive through changing seasons! We’ll head into the Zoo to see how DZCA animal care teams help animals adjust, like warming up on toasty rocks or cooling off in shady spots. Campers will also step into the wild world of Colorado’s native animals to discover how they handle seasonal changes, from growing thick winter coats to finding clever hiding spots. They’ll head home inspired with ways to help animals in their community!
- Things to Know
Full-Day camps are offered for children currently enrolled in Kindergarten – Grade 4. Campers who have not started Kindergarten as of Fall 2025 are not eligible to attend. Campers must be registered for the grade level they are currently in. All camp curricula are designed based on Colorado Academic Standards and NGSS with specific activities appropriate for each developmental stage.
Parents/Guardians must register their own children, using their own account, to participate in Safari Camp. Booking for other children will result in cancellation of your camp enrollment without a refund.
Campers will need to bring:
- Sack lunch + 2 snacks
- Backpack
- Water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing and footwear
- Registration Information
IMPORTANT: Do not check out as a guest. Please sign in or create an account to purchase camps and complete waivers and other important steps in the Camp Portal.
- Cancellation Policy + Service Fees
- Cancellation or Transfer Policy: Transfers are not available; all sales are final.
- Service Fees:With advance notice, children may be dropped off or picked up during lunchtime (12:00–1:00 p.m.) at no charge, as campers are always in a pre-defined area during the lunch hour. At other times of the day, campers may be anywhere within the 80-acre Zoo property (or on a field trip), making late arrivals and early departures complicated, resulting in a $10 service fee per camper.
- Programming
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Winter Safari
GRADES
Full-Day camp session for each program and date are provided or campers currently in Grades K-4.DATES + TIMES
Check back at the end of summer 2025 for Winter Safari Camp dates!Each camp runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Late Care is not offered during Winter Safari Camp.COST
$85 per camper/dayACCESS TO AWE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Scholarships are available through DZCA’s Access to Awe Scholarship Fund. Please click here to apply for financial assistance prior to registering online.CONTACT US
Questions or concerns? Email the Camp Team at safaricamps@denverzoo.org.- Programming
Portions of all fall and winter camps may take place outdoors. Please ensure your camper is prepared for outdoor exploration!
Habitat Hijinks: December 23rd
Do you think Colorado critters could settle on the island of Madagascar and swap homes with the lemurs who live there? Would island animals enjoy our mountains and plains? Explore the wild world of adaptations and how they help animals survive in the places they live and discover how they “paws” and adjust to new digs.Too Cold to Hold: December 30th
Brrr! Remember your mittens (or fur and blubber) –you are going to need them! Chill out and discover the built-in tools some animals have for toughing it out in the coldest of conditions.Too Hot to Handle: December 31st
Is it getting hot in here? Don’t sweat it – the animals you’ll meet in this camp can take the heat! Find out what it takes for warm weather animals to keep their cool.Under the Sea: January 2nd
Dive in headfirst to meet animals from beneath the ocean waves! Discover how animal care specialists take care of aquatic critters and learn what you can do to help them. Will you brave the tide of this ocean-themed camp? We can’t wait to “sea!”Roaming the Rainforest: January 3rd
Step into a wild Zoo adventure and see if you have what it takes to thrive in a rainforest. Get ready to “leaf” your worries behind as you explore tropical creatures and their amazing adaptations. Put your skills to the test to help solve a survival challenge and see if you can “branch out” and master the mysteries of the rainforest! - Things to Know
Full-Day camps are offered for children currently enrolled in Kindergarten – Grade 4. Campers who have not started Kindergarten as of Fall 2024 are not eligible to attend. Campers must be registered for the grade level they are currently in. All camp curricula are designed based on Colorado Academic Standards and NGSS with specific activities appropriate for each developmental stage.
Parents/Guardians must register their own children, using their own account, to participate in Safari Camp. Booking for other children, requiring bookings to be transferred between families/accounts, will result in a $50 transfer fee.
Campers are not allowed to attend more than one camp with the same title. This prevents children from attending camp where they repeat the same curriculum and activities.
Campers will need to bring:
- Sack lunch + 2 snacks
- Backpack
- Water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing and footwear
- Registration Information
IMPORTANT: Do not check out as a guest. Please sign in or create an account to purchase camps and complete waivers and other important steps in the Camp Portal.
- Cancellation Policy + Service Fees
- Cancellation Policy: All sales are final, unless the Zoo must cancel the program.
- Service Fees: With advance notice, children may be dropped off or picked up during lunchtime (12:00–1:00 p.m.) at no charge, as campers are always in a pre-defined area during the lunch hour. At other times of the day, campers may be anywhere within the 80-acre Zoo property (or on a field trip), making late arrivals and early departures complicated, resulting in a $10 service fee per camper.
- Programming
Important Information
Medication Administration Permission Form
If your child requires emergency, prescription, or over-the-counter medication during camp, a parent/guardian and the child’s physician must complete and submit a Medication Administration Permission Form two weeks prior to your child’s first day of camp. Any medication for a chronic illness such as asthma, allergies, or diabetes must be accompanied by a Care Plan written and signed by the child’s physician. Upon review of your camper’s forms, it may be necessary to meet with the parent/guardian to develop a Health Plan.
Accommodations for Special Needs
Campers of all abilities are welcome to register for camp. In order to meet our goal of setting all campers up for success, we ask that you please contact us if your child has any special needs of which we should be aware. We happily work with parents/guardians to make Safari Camp accessible to children with varying needs in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities act; however, we are unable to provide one-on-one or supplementary services. If your child needs to attend camp with his/her full-time care provider, special arrangements can be made but must be scheduled several weeks in advance for security purposes. After undergoing a background check, the adult caregiver may attend at no charge.
