Zookambi Summer Camp | Potter Park Zoo

It is with great disappointment that we announce we will not be holding Zookambi summer camp at Potter Park Zoo summer of 2020.

As you may have heard, the governor’s latest executive order has allowed the resumption of summer day camps. Many of you are wondering if we will be reconsidering the decision to cancel Potter Park Zoo’s Zookambi summer camp this year. Sadly, we have to confirm that Zookambi will not be held this summer.

This decision was not made lightly. Our dedicated and talented staff love providing such a wonderful experience for the children of mid-Michigan. Our primary goal for Zookambi is for all of our campers to have a safe, fun and educational experience. However, meeting the safety protocols recommended by the CDC and other authorities would require extremely small classes, limit access to key buildings,and eliminate many of the most popular classes. In addition, several key staff have had to be furloughed for the summer. In order to make camp financially feasible under these constraints, we would have to substantially increase the registration fees –and in these economic times that is not something we would do.

We are so looking forward to Zookambi in 2021 and we will be going above and beyond to make it the best summer camp season ever. Until then, we are excited to see your family at the zoo when we reopen. Please follow all of the safety precautions which keep us all safe, and have a wonderful and healthy summer!

Virtual Camps

If your child is eager for some zoo or aquarium learning, please consider checking out some of the virtual camp offerings from other AZA accredited zoos and aquariums across the country!

WAVE Foundation at Newport Aquarium, – https://wavefoundation.org/education/campwave/summer-camp/

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicgao, IL- https://www.lpzoo.org/fun-day-camps-chicago-kids

Brevard Zoo, Melbourne, FL- https://brevardzoo.org/education/virtual-zoo-camps/

Virginia Living Museum, Newport News, VA- https://thevlm.org/education/kids/summer/

Times

All of our programs run Monday through Friday. Zookambi kids can attend in the morning, afternoon, or all day! All sessions will have a snack provided.

Morning classes are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Afternoon classes are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Full day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Drop off times with no additional charge are 8:30 a.m. for morning sessions, and 12:45 p.m. for afternoon sessions. Pick up must be promptly at 12 p.m. or 4 p.m. Extended care is available for your convenience for a small additional fee. If your child is enrolled in both morning and afternoon classes, lunchtime supervision is provided by zoo staff. All you have to do is pack a lunch for your camper!

Cancellation Policy

The Potter Park Zoological Society reserves the right to cancel a program due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances. Every effort will be made to contact students and refunds will be issued if this occurs.

Anyone canceling more than 14 days prior to the first day of class will be able to apply their registration to another session of camp (if available) OR will be issued a refund, less a $20.00 processing fee.

Anyone canceling less than 14 days prior to the first day of camp may apply their registration fee to another session of camp (if available) OR will be issued a refund of 50% of the registration fee.

Cancellations less than 5 days prior to the first day of camp or no-shows are not eligible for a refund.

Special arrangements may be made on a case by case basis if a child cannot attend due to illness or injury.

Questions? Please call the education department at (517) 342-2713 or (517) 342-2769.