Chicago Zoological Society

News Release

June 17, 2010

Contact: Sondra Katzen
Public Relations
708.688.8351
sondra.katzen@czs.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Note: Images of Brookfield Zoo’s Summer Camp program may be downloaded at www.CZS.org/pressroom.

Brookfield Zoo Offers Animal Adventures for Kids of All Ages!
Sign Up Now for Weekly Zoo Camps, Which Run Through August 14

     Brookfield, Ill.—Parents who want their children to explore the outdoors and journey into the animal kingdom this summer can register them for Summer Camp at Brookfield Zoo. Named one of the Top 10 Adventure Learning Getaways for Summer 2010 Family Vacations by HotelsCombined.com and the #1 2009 Parents’ Pick for day camps in Chicago by nickelodeon’s parentsconnect.com, Brookfield Zoo’s Summer Camp program encourages participants to explore science concepts through hands-on experiences in fun and engaging age-appropriate settings. Each summer, the zoo hosts more than 1,500 campers ranging in ages from 4 to 14 years old. The camp is led by experienced educators who connect campers with animals and the natural world through games, activities, animal encounters, nature hikes, and zoo explorations.

The weekly summer camp program runs through August 14 and offers:

Pre-Zoo Camp
At Pre-Zoo Camp, children ages 4 through 6 year enter the world of extreme animals during this week of exploration and discovery. Participants learn which creatures are the biggest, smallest, fastest, and slowest through games, songs, stories, and treks through the zoo, including some behind-the-scene adventures. Mornings (8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) and afternoons (1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.) sessions are available. The cost is $135 for members ($185 for nonmembers).

Discovery Camp
Children who have finished kindergarten through 2nd grade investigate why animals do what they do at Discovery Camp. Participants learn the link between how animals behave and how they survive in their habitats. There are hands-on activities, games, and creative projects, along with visits to different areas of the zoo. Full day (9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) and half day (8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.) sessions are available. The cost is $265 for members ($365 for nonmembers) for a full day and $135 for members ($185 for nonmembers) for a half day.

Adventure Lab
Children completing 3rd through 5th grades connect with their inner scientist as they journey into the world of conservation. During the weeklong Adventure Camp, kids investigate Species Survival Plans, which are special conservation programs for threatened wildlife. Activities, projects, and trips around the zoo, including into some behind-the-scenes areas, reveal how the zoo helps animals both at the zoo and in the wild. Only full day (9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) sessions are available. The cost is $265 for members ($365 for nonmembers).

ZooLab
Designed for children completing 6th through 8th grades, ZooLab: Animal Science gives participants an inside look at how keepers feed some 3,000 animals each day at Brookfield Zoo. They discover what happens when an animal gets sick, how zookeepers tell the penguins apart from one another, and more. The program also offers children the opportunity to meet zoo staff they would not normally see during a visit, explore some areas behind the scenes, and work on animal research projects. Only full day (9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) sessions are available. The cost is $275 for members ($375 for nonmembers).

Brookfield Zoo’s Summer Camp program is one of three zoo camps in the country to earn American Camp Association accreditation. ACA-accredited camps are evaluated for up to 300 health, safety, and program quality standards and have a demonstrated commitment to providing experiential education and learning opportunities in a safe and nurturing environment.

For more information about Brookfield Zoo’s Summer Camp program, visit www.czs.org/summercamp or call 708-688-8418.

Celebrating its 75th year, the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, inspires conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. Open every day of the year, Brookfield Zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service.

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