The zoo has you covered with the wildest weeks of programming available in Michigan! Each day of camp includes a variety of hands-on experiences, animal presentations, and adventures typical zoo visitors don’t have.
We have another great camp season planned for 2018! We will continue to offer both morning and afternoon sessions each week of Zookambi for kids entering grades 1-7, and two weeks of specially designed programs for students entering grades 8-12. We’ve also added a couple of exciting new classes, and we will again offer both morning and afternoon extended care.
Check out the schedule and descriptions in the tabs below!
We had a great 2018 season! Check back in March for Zookambi 2019 registration!
Cost
Membership saves you money, so if you aren’t already a member, join today!
| Regular | Member | |
|---|---|---|
| Half Day Program | $95.00 | $80.00 |
| Full Day Program | $190.00 | $160.00 |
| Extended Care (add-on) | $25.00 | $25.00 |
Entering Grades 1-2
Week 1- June 18-22
FULL Dr. Zoo-euss (morning)
We’ve got all sorts of things here at Potter Park Zoo. We’ve got lions and tigers and snow leopards too! But the one thing we don’t have (It’s sad, but it’s true), is a super fantastic great kid just like you! So hurry and join us! We’re sure you’ll have fun, as we craft and we play in the zoo in the sun!
FULL Creature Power! (afternoon)
Owl flight and Lion roar! Penguin dives and Eagle soar! Our creatures have some AMAZING powers! During our one week mission, we’ll explore some of the incredible abilities our animals use to leap, glide, hide, and hunt in the wild and see how we stack up when we test our own incredible creature powers!
Week 2- June 25-29
FULL Sense-ational Zoo (morning)
Is that snake really sticking its tongue out at me? It just might have something to do with the wonderful ways that animals see, hear, smell, touch and taste their environment. We’ll have a sense-ational week as our five senses are fully engaged while discovering how animals perceive the world and solving mysteries about animal behavior. So ssssstick with us and you just may get the answer to that snake question!
FULL All in the Family (afternoon)
Mobs of meerkats, ambushes of tigers and waddles of penguins…oh my! Get ready to dive into the wildest of families—the moms, dads and kids of the animal kingdom! With All in the Family, we’ll explore a variety of behaviors of animal families.
Week 3- July 16-20
Welcome to My House (morning)
Just like our houses, animals live in homes of all different shapes and sizes: burrows, nests, dens, caves and more! See how our animals live here at Potter Park Zoo and in the wild.
FULL Wild for Art (afternoon)
You’ve painted, used a crayon or marker before, right? Did you know that our animals have their own way of doing art right here at Potter Park Zoo? From penguins to porcupines, animals come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors! Come be inspired by the natural beauty of our animals and create your own fantastic pieces of art.
Week 4- July 23-27
FULL It’s Not Easy Being Green (morning)
Creepy, crawly, slithery, slimy…we’ll explore the world of amphibians and reptiles in this one week adventure. Be prepared to jump right in and get muddy as we explore where these creatures live, what they eat (Bugs! Ew!), and how they get around.
FULL A Bug’s Life (afternoon)
Do you love creepy crawlers, hoppers, or flyers? Come join us for a week long safari exploring the crazy, colorful, and creepy world of insects! We’ll use our explorer skills to find insect homes, learn to identify some common Michigan insects, and discover how insects interact with many of our animals at the zoo!
Week 5- July 30-Aug 3
1 spot left!! Dr. Zoo-euss (morning)
We’ve got all sorts of things here at Potter Park Zoo. We’ve got lions and tigers and snow leopards too! But the one thing we don’t have (It’s sad, but it’s true), is a super fantastic great kid just like you! So hurry and join us! We’re sure you’ll have fun, as we craft and we play in the zoo in the sun!
FULL Discover Your Spirit Animal, Jr (afternoon)
Ever wonder which member of the animal kingdom best conveys your wild soul? Ever felt like a wolf on the hunt, or a raven flying high? Come discover how the Native Americans felt about the animals among them and learn about your spirit animal through a week of fun crafts, games, and zoo exploration.
Week 6- August 6-10
FULL Now You See Me (morning)
Our animal fashionistas are dressed in many colors, shapes, and patterns. Some are flashy; others just like to blend in. Come take a closer look at these animal coverings and discover why each animal is perfectly dressed (even if you think they could use a fashion make-over).
FULL Super Animals (afternoon)
Animals have super powers that help them in their everyday survival! What’s faster than a speeding cheetah? Quieter than your quietest whisper? Able to eat a toxic bug in a single gulp? Come explore some of these incredible animal talents at Potter Park Zoo!
Week 7- August 13-17
FULL Hooray for Hooves! (morning)
Moose, rhinos, and bongos, oh my! Hoofed mammals are nature’s most stunning animals. Come explore with us and find out what makes hoofed animals so interesting through hands-on activities and projects. We’ll learn about antlers, horns, hooves and more!
FULL What’s for Lunch? (afternoon)
Anyone up for a hearty helping of mashed meal worms? If not (don’t worry, we aren’t a huge fan either), come discover how animals find food in the wild while keeping from becoming food themselves! Venture behind the scenes at Potter Park Zoo to get a glimpse of what’s on the menu this week for your favorite animals—meal worms and all.
Entering Grades 3-4
Week 1- June 18-22
Creep-tastic Creatures (morning)
Some hoppin’ good fun is guaranteed for our adventurous campers exploring the creatures living around the pond. Not only will you get the chance to sing along with the frogs and toads, but you’ll also experience the rich world of wetlands and learn how important it is that they are protected.
FULL Around the World (afternoon)
Grab your passport because we’re traveling around the globe, and you don’t even need to leave your favorite zoo! Each day will bring new adventures as we fly off to different continents to explore animal and human cultures sharing various unique habitats. To make this more of an adventure, we’ll bring back some exciting “zoo”veniers!
Week 2- June 25-29
Wildlife Detective (morning)
Do you like a good mystery? Are following clues to find answers your thing? This is the summer camp for you! Come build your skills as a wildlife detective, and learn about the different signs that animals leave behind them. You’ll find clues to solve an animal mystery right here at the zoo. Get your magnifying glasses ready!
FULL Zoolympics (afternoon)
Are you an athlete or sports fan? Want to find out who’s going to take home the gold medal in the 100 meter dash or high jump? Come learn about some of the amazing athletes of the animal kingdom and see if you can take home your own medal when you put your skills against those of the animals’ right here at Potter Park Zoo!
Week 3- July 16-20
FULL Vet Med Jr. (morning)
Love animals? Want to be a vet or vet tech? Join us for a week of fun animal health activities! You’ll get to use real surgical equipment and learn some of the many tasks that veterinarians have to do all the time! We might even get to take a peek at a real veterinarian at work!
FULL Artistic Animals (afternoon)
Animals have been a source of inspiration for artists ever since the first cave paintings. It’s time to pull out your pencils, markers, and more and search around the zoo for inspiration and create our own masterpieces!
Week 4- July 23-27
Wild for Art (morning)
You’ve painted, used a crayon or marker before, right? Did you know that our animals have their own way of doing art right here at Potter Park Zoo? From penguins to porcupines, animals come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors! Come be inspired by the natural beauty of our animals and create your own fantastic pieces of art.
Hide and Seek (afternoon)
Did you know animals play hide and seek too? It’s time to explore how animals hide from danger and how they find a delicious snack. Sharpen your eyes and learn about predators and prey as we play Hide and Seek along with the animal kingdom.
Week 5- July 30-Aug 3
Nature’s Engineers (morning)
Ever wondered how beavers build dams? Or how spiders spin webs? Or why some birds build really fancy nests but others are simple? Come unravel the mysteries behind the amazing and unique structures that animals build.
1 spot left!! Vet Med Jr. (afternoon)
Love animals? Want to be a vet or vet tech? Join us for a week of fun animal health activities! You’ll get to use real surgical equipment and learn some of the many tasks that veterinarians have to do all the time! We might even get to take a peek at a real veterinarian at work!
Week 6- August 6-10
Grossology Jr. (morning)
Animals do some weird, fascinating, and completely gross things! From lizards that can shoot blood from their eyes, and regurgitating hedgehogs, you’ll investigate with us how being gross can actually be good for animals.
FULL Survivor: Wild (afternoon)
Do you have what it takes to be named the ultimate survivor? See if you’re up for the challenge as you find out what makes our animals GREAT survivors in their natural habitats, and then test your own survivor skills in our daily survivor challenges. The tribe has spoken, and we want you to join us for this Potter Park Zookambi adventure!
Week 7- August 13-17
Water, Water, Everywhere! (morning)
Come discover a very important resource that surrounds us…water! Explore how water affects both people and animals. Learn about animals here at the zoo that live in or near water through hands-on activities and explorations. There may even be a chance to get wet!
Join the Pack (afternoon)
Join the Pack will explore the lives of wolves and their amazing abilities and behaviors! Find out how wolves hunt, why they howl, and what their families are like, as well as learn about wolves that live right here in Michigan. After this class, you just might just howl with excitement!
Entering Grades 5-7
Week 1- June 18-22
FULL Animal CSI (morning)
We need your help!! A crime has occurred at Potter Park Zoo and we need you to analyze the crime scene. Using careful observations, amazing skills of deduction, and the same type of scientific investigation methods used by real Animal Cops, help us figure out what happened and who was the dastardly culprit!
FULL So You Want to Work at the Zoo (afternoon)
Do you like asking questions, and learning why things work the way they do? Then this class is for you! Take on the role of a young research scientist, a behavioral analyst, an architect and many more exciting roles. You’ll also have the chance to meet a few animal experts and discover what it means to work at a zoo!
Week 2- June 25-29
FULL Puzzles, Piñatas, and Presents (morning)
Animals at zoos need more than food, water, and a comfortable exhibit, they need fun and stimulating activities too! We make sure all of our animals at the zoo get plenty of time to play and be themselves! Come learn about enrichment that happens at Potter Park Zoo, make treats and toys for the animals, and watch them enjoy!
Aliens Among Us (afternoon)
Have you ever had that feeling that something was lurking near you that didn’t belong? Well, you were right! Monstrous fish with creepy saw-like mouths, flying disease factories… aliens from another ecosystem! Join us here at Zookambi to discover and unearth the invaders that are living among us!
Week 3- July 16-20
FULL Grossology (morning)
Animals do some weird, fascinating, and completely gross things! From owl pellets, lizards shooting blood from their eyes, and regurgitating hedgehogs, you’ll investigate with us how being gross can actually be good for animals.
FULL Vet Med (afternoon)
So you want to be a vet? Great! Come get a head start at Potter Park Zoo! We’ll be spending the week exploring surgical techniques, lab tests, and first aid skills that real veterinarians use every day! You’ll also get to try your hand at figuring out what’s wrong with one of our animal patients in Friday’s diagnostic challenge!
Week 4- July 23-27
Discover Your Spirit Animal (morning)
Ever wonder which member of the animal kingdom best conveys your wild soul? Ever felt like a wolf on the hunt, or a raven flying high? Come discover how the Native Americans felt about the animals among them and learn about your spirit animal through a week of fun crafts, games, and zoo exploration.
Zoo Gallery (afternoon)
Wait, what? The zoo is an art gallery? You bet! From graphics on signs, landscaping, exhibit design, sculpture, and photography, there are many ways that art is used and made throughout the zoo. We will explore the art here at the zoo, and try our hand at creating some of our own! We will even have the chance to learn photography techniques from zoo staff!
Please note: campers are required to bring a digital camera or mobile device that can take pictures on the photography days.
Week 5- July 30-Aug 3
1 spot left!! So You Want to Work at the Zoo (morning)
Do you like asking questions, and learning why things work the way they do? Then this class is for you! Take on the role of a young research scientist, a behavioral analyst, an architect and many more exciting roles. You’ll also have the chance to meet a few animal experts and discover what it means to work at a zoo!
FULL Exhibit Design (afternoon)
Have you ever wondered what it takes to design and build a zoo exhibit? Do you have an interest in architecture or like building models? Come explore habitat and exhibit design at Potter Park Zoo! We will explore the different exhibits at the zoo to see how animal enclosures have improved from the days of traveling wagons or concrete cages with steel bars to the spectacular exhibits we have today, then try our hands at constructing our own model exhibits.
Week 6- August 6-10
FULL Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) (morning)
Be a conservation hero! Zoos and aquariums work together to save endangered animals, and part of that work is done through a global effort called SAFE. Learn about the animals that are part of this project, including our own black rhinos! You will also discover little ways YOU can make a big difference to wildlife, through games, projects, and more!
Grossology (afternoon)
Animals do some weird, fascinating, and completely gross things! From owl pellets, lizards shooting blood from their eyes, and regurgitating hedgehogs, you’ll investigate with us how being gross can actually be good for animals.
Week 7- August 13-17
FULL Vet Med (morning)
So you want to be a vet? Great! Come get a head start at Potter Park Zoo! We’ll be spending the week exploring surgical techniques, lab tests, and first aid skills that real veterinarians use every day! You’ll also get to try your hand at figuring out what’s wrong with one of our animal patients in Friday’s diagnostic challenge!
FULL Animal CSI (afternoon)
We need your help!! A crime has occurred at Potter Park Zoo and we need you to analyze the crime scene. Using careful observations, amazing skills of deduction, and the same type of scientific investigation methods used by real Animal Cops, help us figure out what happened and who was the dastardly culprit!
Entering Grades 8-12
FESAZ (Field Ecology Studies for Aspiring Zoologists) classes for 8th-12th grade are only offered during weeks 4 and 6 of Zookambi.
Week 4- July 23-27
FESAZ: Animal Behavior (morning)
Have you ever wondered why animals vocalize? Or why they move the way they do? This class will introduce students to basic concepts of Animal Behavior. Participants will learn about animal behavior through interactive activities, visits with professional animal behaviorists, and observing animals at the zoo.
FESAZ: Animal Health (afternoon)
Join us for an exploration of animal health here at Potter Park Zoo. We will be learning some of the basics of animal anatomy and how animal bodies differ from each other and humans. Discover how and why our veterinarians do what they do through hands-on lab simulations. Learn how veterinary medicine and animal care play a critical role in keeping our animals happy, healthy, and sometimes, safe from extinction!
Week 6- August 6-10
FESAZ: Exhibit Design (morning)
How do we meet the needs of our many diverse animal residents here at the zoo? How does exhibit design affect animal behavior and public perception? How do we design zoo exhibits to work together to provide a fun, safe, and comfortable environment for our animals, staff, and guests? Learn some of the critical components that go into designing a successful zoo exhibit, then try tackling an exhibit design challenge here at Potter Park Zoo.
FESAZ: Animal Ecology (afternoon)
In the wild in Michigan, rhinos eat… wait, there are no rhinos in Michigan! So how do Michigan zoos know what rhinos need to be happy and healthy? The answer is ecology! Ecology looks at how animals interact with each other and their environment. It can tell us what animals eat, how they use their environment to fulfill different behavioral needs, what kind of things they need in their environment, and so much more! Zoos can use that information to guide how they take care of their animals and provide them with the best possible welfare. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of ecology and how we use it here at Potter Park Zoo!