Chicago Zoological Society

Please read over the folowing FAQ's to learn more about registration, policies and procedures, camper life, and preparing for camp!

Registration, Policies, and Procedures

• How do I register?
  • To view the Zoo Camp summer schedule and to register, visit www.czs.org/camp and click Register Now! (A helpful hint...before selecting your Zoo Camp dates, be sure they don’t conflict with any other summer plans!)
• When does Zoo Camp registration begin?
  • Registration for Zoo Camp beings on March 13, at 9 AM.  As part of Chicago Zoological Society’s environmentally-friendly initiatives, Zoo Camp registration is only available online through our website, www.czs.org/camp.  If you experience problems while registering, please contact the Subscription Program Service Representative Elizabeth Kleist at 708-688-8361 or email her at elizabeth.kleist@czs.org.
• How many Zoo Camp sessions can I sign up for?
  • We encourage you to sign up for multiple Zoo Camp sessions!  Each week is unique and filled with new experiences with different zoo-themed topics.  Possible session topics include Animal Adaptations, Zooper Heroes, and Myth Busters, all of which allow Zoo Campers to explore Brookfield Zoo in an entirely new way.  (A special note for registration…Zoo Camp topics will not be advertised due to certain space requirements, staff availability, and spur-of-the-moment camp activities.)
• Can my camper register for the same sessions as their friend?
  • Yes!  You may select ONE friend to be in the same Zoo Camp session with your child.  Any number of friends over this amount will not honored due to space needs and staffing availability.  We always encourage Zoo Campers to make new friends at camp!
  • Make sure you have coordinated with the parents/guardians of the other group participants prior to registering. Each party must request their children be in the same group to make the registration valid If each parent does not request them to be put in the same group they will not be placed in the same group.
• When does Zoo Camp registration close for each week?
  • Registration for each Zoo Camp week session closes 10 days prior to the start of camp.  This ensures proper scheduling for space requirements, camp activities and Zoo Camp staff.
• I’we already registered.  What happens next?
  • Once you’we completed the online Zoo Camp registration, please fill out the medical waiver found at www.czs.org/camp.  This waiver must be printed, signed and brought to the first day of Zoo Camp. 
  • The Monday before your Zoo Camp session begins, you will receive an email reminder with information on where to go on the first day of camp, what campers should bring, and contact information.  (Note…this reminder can only be sent if your email address is accurately entered during registration.  Furthering Chicago Zoological Society’s green efforts, we no longer mail paper reminders.)  You will also receive information on what to bring and weekly activities, including Friday's show.
• Can I reschedule my Zoo Camp session to a different week?
  • Due to the popularity of Zoo Camp, all rescheduling must be done no less than 14 days before your original camp session and no less than 14 days prior to the start of the new desired camp session.  Due to space requirements and staff availability, there are no exceptions to this policy. 
  • To register for a new date, please register your child for the correct date and send an email to adventuresinlearning@czs.org requesting a cancellation and refund for the original registration.
  • You may also change your registration date over the phone for a $10 service fee for each participant that is rescheduled. This fee will be collected the first day of camp.
• What is the Zoo Camp cancellation and refund policy?
  • Zoo Camp registration fees (not including the $50.00 non-refundable deposit) can be refunded if cancellations are made at least 14 days prior to the start of the session.  If a late cancellation is due to a medical emergency, a written, physician-authorized note is required before a full refund can be issued.
  • To register for a new date, please register your child for the correct date and send an email to adventuresinlearning@czs.org requesting a cancellation and refund for the original registration. You may also change your registration date over the phone for a $10 service fee for each participant that is rescheduled. This fee will be due the first day of camp.
  • Zoo Camp participants that do not show up for their registered session will not be granted a refund.  If participants leave early on one or more Zoo Camp days, they will not receive a refund. 
    

Preparing for Camp

• What if my child has special needs?
  • During the Zoo Camp registration process, please note any special needs your child has as well as leave a message on the Camp hotline at 708-688-8473 and a staff member will get back to you.
• What if my child has allergies?
  • If your child requires allergy medication or EpiPens, please send it with them.  Camp Counselors are not trained on the administration of EpiPens and are not permitted to carry any type of medication on them.  However, Brookfield Zoo has licensed paramedics on zoo grounds at all times, who have an emergency response time of less than 45 seconds.  Each paramedic also carries EpiPens. The Brookfield Zoo paramedics are licenced under Loyola Hospital, and the Brookfield Zoo has its own Ambulance.   
• Is there anything my Zoo Camper needs to bring every day?
  • Every zoo camp participant should bring:
    • a backpack
    • a reusable water bottle
    • sun block (which they must be able to apply themselves)
    • lunch (if Zoo Camp food hasn’t been pre-purchased)
  • Please note, counselors can’t apply sunscreen or bug spay to Zoo Campers.  If you choose to, please apply sun screen and bug spray before Zoo Campers arrive.  You may send extra sunscreen and bug spray, but participants must be able to apply it themselves.
• Is there anything my Zoo Camper should not bring?
  • Zoo Campers should not bring electronic games, laptop computers, iPods, MP3 players, or CD players as electronic devices detract from the benefits of being in a natural environment.
  • Cell phones are allowed but they must remain off during camp.  Campers should also avoid bringing jewelry or other irreplaceable items.  These things can be placed in a safe place and sent home with the camper at the end of the day.  However, if these items are left elsewhere on zoo property, we are not responsible for loss or damage.
  • Please do not send money with Zoo Campers as they are not permitted to purchase any items from concession stands or gift shops. Of course, you may purchase items after you pick up the participant.Zoo campers should not bring sporting equipment, weapons, drugs or alcohol. If this occurs, the parents we be contacted for immediate dismissal and pick up with out a refund.
• What should my Zoo Camper wear?
  • On the first day of camp, all participants will receive one Zoo Camp shirt.  Additional shirts can be purchased on line as well as on the first day of camp. Please have the Zoo Camper wear this shirt every day. 
  • Avoid sending Zoo Campers in their nicest clothes.  They should instead wear clothes that can get wet and dirty.  We also ask only old sneakers, keens, or boots are worn as there is often lot of outdoor actives and walking.  Please take into consideration the weather forecast and dress your Zoo Camper appropriately.
  • We strive to provide a caring and respectful Zoo Camp experience, so we all clothing be respectful and of appropriate length.  Final authority on all attire appropriateness lies with the camp administration.
    

Zoo Camper Life

• Will lunches and/or snacks be provided for Zoo Campers?
  • Zoo Camp provides a free cheese pizza lunch for all full day participants on Friday, the last day of camp.  For Monday through Thursday, you can choose to send lunches with your Zoo Camper or purchase them through catered events department for $30 per week.
  • Zoo Camp provides one light snack per day for all campers.
    • If your child has any food allergies, you may contact us for a list of snacks and their ingredients. You are always welcome to send your own snacks as well. For information please send an email to BZCAMP@czs.org
• What are your bathroom policies?
  • All Zoo Campers must be fully potty-trained and need no assistance when using the restroom.
  • When in public restrooms, a Zoo Camper is always accompanied by two camp counselors or one camp counselor and one other Zoo Camper.  Children are allowed to enter the restroom alone if it is a Zoo Camp area only or is a single restroom. 
  • Bathroom breaks are taken frequently throughout the day.
• Can you tell me more about Zoo Camp activities?
  • All Zoo Camp activities are subject to change due to weather, instructor and zoo keeper availability, as well as animals rotating off exhibit at Brookfield Zoo.
  • For the safety of our participants and our animals direct contact with exhibit animals is not possible. All exhibit animal care including the feeding and cleaning is done by professionally trained zoo keepers.   
  • Brookfield Zoo is home to many animals that can be touched such as stingrays, goats, chicks and chickens, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals that are used for educational programming.
  • Zoo Camp provides a unique experience for making new friends, having fun, learning, teaching responsibility, creating independence and decision making skills, as well as connecting participants to the natural world. 
• Can you tell me more about the Zoo Camp staff?
  • All Zoo Camp staff must meet or exceed the following standards:
    • Minimum of one year college or equivalent combination of training and experience required.  This includes course work in education, biological sciences, communication, or other directly related fields such as public speaking, interpretation, theater, or art.
    • Must be at least 18 years of age.
    • Minimum of one year working with children in a formal or non-formal education setting such as day care, summer camps, student teaching at public/privates schools, park districts, or cultural institutions.
    • Ability to work in a team environment is required
    • Strong organizational and communication skills is required
    • Teaching experience in a formal or non-formal education setting is preferred.
    • Supervisory experience is preferred.
    • Spanish fluency is a plus, but not required.
  • All camp staff must pass an interview screening, background check, as well as participant in staff training and review sessions.  These standards are required by Chicago Zoological Society and the American Camp Association.
  • Many of Zoo Camp Counselors are previous Brookfield Zoo Youth Volunteer Core participants and have progressed through a career ladder to become staff members. 
• Who are the Camp Counselor Assistants (CCA’s)?
  • Camp Counselor Assistants have come up through the Brookfield Zoo’s career ladder program.  This means they were Youth Volunteer Core participants and have been recommended for hire by the program coordinator.
  • Camp Counselor Assistants receive the same training as Camp Counselors.  They spend the summer shadowing different Camp Counselors, observing teaching styles. They must also pass an interview screening, background check, as well as participant in staff training and review sessions. 
• How does Zoo Camp handle discipline?
  • Zoo Camp staff members set realistic expectations for campers to maintain the health and safety of all children in the program.  To promote positive behavior, emphasis is placed on guidance into constructive activities while adequate time is allowed for free choice and self-expression.
  • Verbal warnings, discussions of undesired actions/behavior, brief time-outs, or the removing of privileges are used for Zoo Campers that display inappropriate behavior or refuse to follow an established rule.
  • In the event of a repeat problem, parents/guardians will be contacted for a phone conference to give guidance and establish mutually agreeable solutions for their child’s behavior.
  • We rarely send Zoo Campers home for disciplinary reasons, but if the child’s behavior is repeatedly abusive (physically or verbally) towards other campers or staff; if the child’s actions pose a threat to the safety of others or themselves; or if the child commits a criminal action, parents/guardians will be responsible for picking up the child immediately.
  • We reserve the right to dismiss a child from Zoo Camp who continues to misbehave without a refund. In these extremely rare instances, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to pickup their child from Zoo Camp immediately.
• How do you handle bullying at Zoo Camp?
  • Zoo Camp has zero tolerance for bullying. Participants that bully which includes, but is not limited verbal abuse, physical abuse (hitting, punching, pinching, spitting, kicking), emotional abuse and destruction of property will have proper disciplinary actions taken.  Bullying will result in immediate dismissal and, if applicable, the contacting of authorities.
  • Please discuss this with your child.  Let them know if they feel bullied or harassed to immediately tell a camp counselor.
• What is the American Camp Association (ACA)?
• The American Camp Association® (ACA) shares our camp’s commitment to the growth of youth through the camp experience. In 2004, an independent research firm completed the largest research study of camper outcomes ever conducted in the United States with over 3,000 families from 92 camps across the U.S. participating.
   
  Results confirmed that camp builds many of the skills necessary to prepare campers to assume roles as successful adults. Parents, campers, and camp staff independently reported growth in areas such as self-confidence, learning new skills, getting along with others, making friends, and making healthy decisions. Indeed, camp provides growth experiences for youth that can reap results through adulthood.
   
• ACA Accreditation means that the camp you are considering for your child cares enough to undergo a thorough (up to 300 standards) review of its operation — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. American Camp Association® collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at the camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Camps and ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety.
  ACA helps accredited camps provide:
   
• Healthy, developmentally-appropriate activities and learning experiences
• Discovery through experiential education
• Caring, competent role models
• Service to the community and the environment
• Opportunities for leadership and personal growth