Summer Nature Camp at the Buffalo Zoo is back and wilder than ever! Through exciting weeks of games, songs, crafts, and close encounters with the animals, campers will explore the lives of both predators and prey, and explore complex animal societies as they learn to work together as a team. With multiple weeks to choose from make sure your little camper doesn't miss any of these exciting new camp experiences!

Days: Monday through Friday
Dates: July 5th through August 19th
Times: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Explorer Groups:
Giraffes: Ages 5 - 6
Rhinos: Ages 7- 8
Elephants: Ages 9 -12

Please provide copy of Birth Certificate for registration purpose either by fax or mail.

Summer Nature Camp Topics

Week 1: July 5 - 8 (Shortened because of Independence Day)
Talk Like the Animals
We're starting the summer off with our most exciting theme! Spend four fun-filled days learning how to talk like the animals through sound, display, and body movement. While we use cell phones, instant messaging, and Facebook to keep in touch with our friends, animals rely on body language, scent, and elaborate displays. Learn to read the clues animals give us to understand why they do what they do.

Week 2: July 11 - 15
Predatory Instincts
Hunt. Stalk. Feed. Experience life through the eyes of a predator as we explore the adaptations and behaviors belonging to some of the world's top hunters.

Week 3: July 18 - 22
Eat or be Eaten
Learn all about prey animals and the many ingenious ways they protect themselves from predators. Test your own skills at avoiding capture through games and crafts that emulate the amazing animals at the zoo.

Week 4: July 25 - 29
The Social Network
Explore animal societies and uncover the many benefits of living in groups. As we investigate the complex relationships found in the Animal Kingdom, we'll develop our own skills through team building activities and camp-wide team competitions.

Week 5: August 1 - 5
Predatory Instincts
Hunt. Stalk. Feed. Experience life through the eyes of a predator as we explore the adaptations and behaviors belonging to some of the world's top hunters.

Week 6:  August 8 - 12
Eat or be Eaten
Learn all about prey animals and the many ingenious ways they protect themselves from predators. Test your own skills at avoiding capture through games and crafts that emulate the amazing animals at the zoo.

Week 7: August 15 - 19
The Social Network
Explore animal societies and uncover the many benefits of living in groups. As we investigate the complex relationships found in the Animal Kingdom, we'll develop our own skills through team building activities and camp-wide team competitions.

** To provide a stimulating environment for campers, we recommend that campers avoid repeating weeks. The curriculum and activities for those weeks will be identical.

General Information
Arrival/Departure times are 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. respectively. Campers must arrive at the Magnet School entrance on Meadow Drive by 9:00 am and be picked up at the same entrance at 3:00 p.m. Campers will not be allowed to leave the Zoo without a parent or guardian signing for their child. Please be prepared to show ID upon request.

To better accommodate the needs of our campers' parents, we do offer a fee-based Before and After Care Program between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. sharp. Please be respectful of the drop-off and pick-up times of this program. Parents will be assessed a fee of $5.00 for every 5 minutes past 5:00 that their child remains at the zoo.

Appropriate clothing must be worn. This includes sturdy shoes and appropriate outerwear labeled with the camper's name.  We recommend sending a change of clothing with your child. Each camper will receive a camp t-shirt courtesy of the Buffalo Zoo at the beginning of each week of camp.  Campers are encouraged to wear their t-shirts for the remainder of the week.

Activities will include a combination of exhibit visits, animal information, games, songs, stories, activities and live animal contact. Students will have the opportunity to interact with a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods from our Education Department animal collection.  This provides each camper with the experience and thrill of live animal contact under well supervised conditions.

NO LUNCHES OR SNACKS ARE PROVIDED due to individual food preferences, allergies and dietary restrictions.  Campers must bring a bag lunch each day. If your child has special dietary needs, we ask that you provide him/her with a snack from home and provide the Zoo with details of your child's dietary requirements and limitations. Please note: due to the potential for severe allergic reactions, peanuts and tree nut products are not allowed at camp.

Any additional questions or information should be directed to the Education Department at (716) 995-6128.
 

Registration Information
To register for the Spring Nature Camp, complete the application indicating whether you are registering for one week, or more. Be sure to indicate all of your choices.

Become a Zoo Member and save on Summer Nature Camp fees. For information on Zoo Membership, call 995-6131.

Registration fee:

MULTIPLE WEEK & CHILD DISCOUNT-Receive a five (5) percent discount if you register for multiple weeks and/or if you have multiple children enrolled.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS may be available to a limited number of applicants thanks to a grant from the Children’s Foundation of Erie County. To request more information, please call (716) 995-6124.

Single Child Enrollment Multiple Child Enrollment   Member Non-member Member Non-member Week 1(July 5-8) $122 per child $135 per child $117 per child $130 per child Single Week $150 per child $165 per child $142 per child $157 per child Multiple Weeks $142 per week $157 per week $135 per child/week $150 per child/week Before Care from 7:45 - 9:00 a.m. add $25/week After Care from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. add $25/week

LATE REGISTRATION-Registration must be received at least ten (10) days prior to the first day of camp. Registrations received after that deadline will be assessed a late processing fee of $15.00.

Only completed registration forms will be accepted.  Your camper is considered enrolled in the Summer Nature Camp once you have received a written confirmation letter from the Buffalo Zoo. Once the Zoo has received a completed registration and payment for Camp, a confirmation letter will be sent out within 14 days.

How to register…
a) Mail your registration - Payment MUST accompany your registration and may be made in cash, by check, American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover. Please make checks payable to the Zoological Society of Buffalo. Mail the completed form and registration fee to:

Education Department/Summer Nature Camp
Buffalo Zoo
300 Parkside Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14214-1999

- OR -

b) Fax your registration - You may also fax completed registration with credit card payment to (716) 834-1106.

- OR -

c) Download an On-line registration form
Click here to download form

b) Register on-line
Click here for on-line registration (Coming Soon)

To provide the campers with individual attention, group size is limited. Register early to save your camper’s spot!

Registration must be received at least ten (10) days prior to the first day of the camp week your child is registering for. Registrations received after that deadline will be assessed a late processing fee of $15. If you are registering after this deadline, please call 995-6128 to ensure there are still spots in that week available.

Cancellation requests must be made in writing at least one week prior to the start of the Summer Nature Camp to receive a refund. All refunds will be assessed one administrative charge of $25.  Fees will NOT be refunded for any reason after the first day of camp.

Any additional questions or information should be directed to the Education Department at (716) 995-6128.