Summer Camps
In light of COVID-19, the Lehigh Valley Zoo has implemented guidelines and requirements to provide safe programs for our guests, staff, and animals. Summer camps are conducted in compliance with all CDC, state, and local guidelines.
Lehigh Valley Zoo COVID-19 Camp Safety Protocols
Summer Camp
Lehigh Valley Zoo invites campers for an exciting week of nature discovery, animal adventures and Smart FUN! Week-long camps run for half days for ages 4-5 (with two sessions available each day from 9:00AM – 11:30AM, and 1:00PM – 3:30PM), and full days for ages 6-11 (available Mon-Fri from 9:00AM – 3:30PM).*
Each camp is adapted to the theme of the week, as well as the varying age groups. Campers of all ages will enjoy age-appropriate activities, adventures, and games. From up-close encounters with our Ambassador Animals and visits to our zoo animals, to creek studies and nature hikes, campers will become fully immersed in zoo life and will leave camp wanting to come back!
*Extended Care is available for purchase for week-long, full-day camp sessions only (ages 6-11):
Before Care: 7:30AM – 9:00AM
After Care: 3:30PM – 5:00PM
Click to Register for a Program
All campers receive a snack and a camp t-shirt to wear each day! For full day camps, campers need to provide their own lunch. Additional T-shirts are available for purchase.
Our Zoo camps are offered during the summer. For more information, please contact our Education Department at edureservations@lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171 and dial extension 228, 229, or 247.
2023 Zoo Camps
Bookings open early 2023!
(Ages 6-8 and 9-11 years old)
Price: $275.00
Splash into Summer
June 12 – June 16
Dive into this week of wonderful water habitats! We will be learning about some of our stellar swimmers that live in both freshwater and ocean environments. From reptiles to mammals, campers will discover what it is like to be a different aquatic animal every day! By exploring the creek and enjoying exciting educational games, we will realize what makes these underwater ecosystems so special. Through fun activities on water pollution and conservation, campers will also learn about ways to help our underwater friends!
Magnificent Mountains
June 19 – June 23
The mountains are filled with an abundance of animals, whether on the ground or in the sky! This is an adventure your young explorer won’t want to miss. Campers will learn about various mountains and mountain ranges, the animals that inhabit them and will dive into conservation topics relating to these Magnificent Mountains. It will be a week filled with adventures, from hiking in the preserve to admiring the birds of prey living behind the scenes. It will be such a fun and action-packed week that the campers will not even notice they’re learning!
Polar Explorations
June 26 – June 30
Summertime can’t stop us from learning about the coldest places on earth! This week, we will find out more about animals from both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Our activities will help campers understand these frosty environments, and fun experiments will show them how flippered and feathered creatures stay toasty in such chilly environments. We will also have a blast with games that emphasize conservation ideas by learning about some of our coolest animals: penguins!
No camp July 3-7 for Independence Day break
Jungle Journeys
July 10 – July 14
Journey into the tropical rainforest during this wild week of camp! This week will focus on the biodiversity of rainforests and the amazing creatures that live there. We will learn why conserving these forests is important for the health of the entire planet! Campers will discover just how much we depend on the rainforest through tropical fruit picnics, craft projects, and jungle-themed games. We will also get to meet several of our animal ambassadors who depend on healthy rainforests – including Bean, our two-toed sloth!
Woodland Adventures
July 17 – July 21
Prepare to adventure into the great outdoors right in the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s backyard! Campers will spend the week trekking through the neighboring Trexler Nature Preserve to learn why our local forests are vital ecosystems. We will be getting know our native plant and animal species through woodland hikes, studying our local waterways, and getting up close and personal with our ambassador animals! Campers will be learning about soil, predators and prey, and scat as they gain an appreciation for nature through hands-on activities, games, crafts, and engineering projects.
Wildlife Warriors
July 24 – July 28
Immerse yourself in the natural world and learn how to protect its beautiful resources! Meet zoo keepers and educators throughout the week to learn about the important issues that animals are facing in the wild, and learn how to combat those issues by becoming a Wildlife Warrior yourself!
Days in the Desert
July 31 – August 4
Our campers will immerse themselves in the world of desert wildlife! They will be exposed to amazing adaptations that animals living in this unique environment must have. Each day they will be learning through the eyes of a special animal. The campers will be able to answer questions such as: Are all deserts hot? How does an animal survive with almost no water? The answers may surprise the campers and leave them wanting to learn more each day!
Jungle Journeys Session II
August 7 – August 11
Journey into the tropical rainforest during this wild week of camp! This week will focus on the biodiversity of rainforests and the amazing creatures that live there. We will learn why conserving these forests is important for the health of the entire planet! Campers will discover just how much we depend on the rainforest through tropical fruit picnics, craft projects, and jungle-themed games. We will also get to meet several of our animal ambassadors who depend on healthy rainforests – including Bean, our two-toed sloth!
Jr. Zoo Keeper Camp
(Ages 12-14 years old)
Price: $375
Junior Keeper Camp
Session I: June 19 – June 23
Session II: August 14 – August 18
Have you ever wondered what is was like to be a zookeeper? Is your camper interested in a career as a keeper, educator or a vet? This week of camp is for you! Come get behind the scenes of the day to day life of an animal caretaker! Campers will get the opportunity to assist in the husbandry of our ambassador animals, learn about training through hands on practice, and even get to give educational presentations to an audience! Aspiring zookeepers will get a taste of the experience needed to pursue an animal related career!
Pre-Zoo Camp
(Ages 4-5 years old)
Price: $175.00
Penguins and Friends
June 26 – June 30
9:00AM – 11:30AM
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a penguin? What kind of animal friends do penguins have? Come along on an adventure to the Southern Hemisphere to discover and meet some penguin friends. Campers will learn about the different species of penguins and who their friends are while enjoying animal encounters, crafts, interactive games, zoo tours and a creek study.
Animals A-Z
July 17 – July 21
9:00AM – 11:30AM
Aardvarks, quetzals, takins and more! Have you ever wondered if there is an animal for every letter of the alphabet? Campers will discover funny names some animals have as they venture through the alphabet. Each day is packed with fun filled activities that include animal encounters, crafts, interactive games and zoo tours.
SENSE-ational Animals
July 31 – August 4
9:00AM – 11:30AM
Super sniffers, fascinating feelers, extraordinary eyesight; animals have some truly incredible senses! Join us in learning all about animal senses and how these amazing adaptations allow animals to survive and thrive in their habitats. Campers will explore their five senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch throughout the week.
DISCOUNTS
- 20% off once per child if more than one camper is registered for a camp. Campers must live in the same household to qualify.
- Zoo Members will receive a 10% discount on our Zoo Camps; please reach out to the Education Department at edureservations@lvzoo.org to confirm your membership and receive a discount code!
- Discounts cannot be combined.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I register?
You can register on the Lehigh Valley Zoo camps page via CampBrain!
When should I register?
Camp sessions can fill up quickly, so register as soon as possible! Full payment is required to complete camper registration.
Can I register for just a day or two of camp?
Camps are designed to be a full week learning experience so we recommend attending the full session. If you are unable to do so, the camp is still full cost.
Can I pick up my camper early?
Any arrangements for early departure should be made with the Education Department prior to the start of the camp week by emailing edureservations@lvzoo.org, or by calling (610) 799-4171 ext. 228, 229, or 247. Please keep in mind that camps involve learning about working as a team, and you should do your best to not withdraw your camper early.
Can I register for multiple camps?
Yes, Pre-Zoo (ages 4-5) has three camp sessions, while Bugs (ages 6-8) and Roos (ages 9-11) have seven unique camp sessions. In each session, campers will learn new and exciting topics while still encountering animals and learning what it’s like to be a zookeeper or zoo educator.
Can they bring a cell phone?
If you would like your child to have a cell phone for communication purposes, they may bring it to camp with them, but they must keep it in their bags unless designated otherwise. If you need to reach your child, you may do so through 610-799-4171. If your child is using the cell phone or any other technology at inappropriate times, it will be confiscated by the counselor until the end of the day.
Will they go swimming?
Weather permitting, each camp will include a Creek Day with time spent in the Jordan Creek. Please send your camper with a change of clothes and a towel as well as closed toed shoes for entering the creek, i.e. water shoes or old sneakers. Flip flops, sandals, or bare feet are not permitted. Your camper may wear a swimsuit on this day too. The creek is shallow enough to be wading and splashing while exploring the aquatic ecosystem rather than fully swimming.
Who is running the camp?
Camp Counselors are seasonal staff trained by the Education Department with a background in natural sciences and environmental education. All counselors have their PA Child Abuse History Clearance, PA Criminal Record Check (ChildLine), and FBI Criminal Background Check (fingerprinting).
Will the campers have contact with animals during camp?
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Campers will have the opportunity to meet some of our ambassador animals and may be permitted to touch in some cases (these are not the exhibit animals). BioFacts, such as feathers, pelts, and bones will be used to enhance the learning experience
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In learning about becoming a zookeeper, campers may have the opportunity to assist in cleaning enclosures and feeding some ambassador animals.
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*UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, touching/feeding any of the animals or any of the materials used by the educators is prohibited.
How do I register for Extended Care?
You will be able to register for Extended Care through your Camp Brain portal. Please recall that this is for week-long, full-day camps only (ages 6-11).
Have another question not listed here?
For more information, please contact our Education Department at edureservations@lvzoo.org!
Click to Register for a Program
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