Zoo camp will immerse your keiki in the vast and unique world of animals. Campers will gain a wealth of knowledge about different animals and the environments in which they live. A different theme is highlighted each session/week and campers learn through hands-on lessons complete with bio-artifacts, interactive activities, crafts and games. Our camps are broken up into three age groups and curriculum is designed to meet national science standards.
2023 Zoo Camps
Summer Camp 2023
Registration:
- HZS Members: Opens Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 12 noon
- Non-members: Opens Friday, April 7, 2023 at 12 noon
| Week | Dates | Groups | Capacity | Theme | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 30 – June 2* (4-day camp) |
Menehune `Imi Loa Koa |
20 20 10 |
Wild Hawai`i | Discover how some animals crossed an entire ocean to make Hawai‘i like no other place on Earth, and explore how you can help protect Hawaii’s native species. |
| 2 | June 5 – 9 | Menehune `Imi Loa Koa |
20 20 10 |
Under the Sea | Underneath the ocean lies another world – a vast majority left undiscovered. Learn about all the different species we know of and their roles in this week of an underwater journey! |
| 3 | June 12 – 16 | Menehune `Imi Loa Koa |
20 20 10 |
Animal `Ohana | `Ohana means family, but family can mean many different things depending on what kind of animal you are. Learn all about `ohanas around the world and ours here at the Zoo! |
| 4 | June 19 – 23 | Menehune `Imi Loa Koa |
20 20 10 |
Summer Science | What purpose does the sun serve in the food chain? How does the sun effect our lives? What chemical reactions take place when seemingly neutral materials mix together?! Discover your inner scientist and question all things. |
| 5 | June 26 – 30 | Menehune `Imi Loa Koa |
20 20 10 |
Keiki Keeper | Caring for animals means more than just feeding them. Learn how to build strong bonds with our animal `ohana through training and enrichment, and discover what it takes so that they don’t just survive, but thrive. |
| 6 | July 3 – 7 | Menehune `Imi Loa Koa |
20 20 10 |
What’s for Lunch | What’s the difference between a food web and nutrient cycle? Let’s uncover the impact that animal diets can have on the ecosystem while learning about some of the enrichment eats enjoyed by animals at the Honolulu Zoo! |
| 7 | July 10 – 14 | Menehune `Imi Loa Koa |
20 20 10 |
Wild Hawai`i | Discover how some animals crossed an entire ocean to make Hawai‘i like no other place on Earth, and explore how you can help protect Hawaii’s native species. |
| 8 | July 17 – 21 | Menehune `Imi Loa Koa |
20 20 10 |
Under the Sea | Underneath the ocean lies another world – a vast majority left undiscovered. Learn about all the different species we know of and their roles in this week of an underwater journey! |
| 9 | July 24 – 28 | Menehune `Imi Loa Koa |
20 20 10 |
Summer Science | What purpose does the sun serve in the food chain? How does the sun effect our lives? What chemical reactions take place when seemingly neutral materials mix together?! Discover your inner scientist and question all things. |
| 10 | July 31 – Aug. 4 | Menehune `Imi Loa Koa |
20 20 10 |
Keiki Keeper | Caring for animals means more than just feeding them. Learn how to build strong bonds with our animal `ohana through training and enrichment, and discover what it takes so that they don’t just survive, but thrive. |
| HZS Member | Non-member |
|---|---|
| 5-Day Camp session: $360 | 5-Day Camp session: $400 |
| After-care: $100 | After-care: $120 |
*4-day Camp sessions will be prorated.
What to Expect
When you enroll your child in Zoo Camp they’ll be immersed in fun educational activities all day long. Activities revolve around a unique featured weekly theme. Our Camp Leaders work hard to create exciting national Next Generation Science Standards-geared lesson plans that meet K-12 requirements. Schedule varies from day to day depending on the activities and encounters planned for that week.
Tips for Campers
- Remember to wear the Zoo Camp t-shirt each day of camp!
- 2023 camp shirts are on their way! We will notify all registered camp families once the shirts have arrived and are available for purchase.
- If you prefer to pick up your order before camp begins, please email education@honzoosoc.org to schedule a pick-up date and time Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
- There are discounted 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022 shirts available in our e-store.
- Pack a lunch, snack (for those that need an extra snack), and filled water bottle
- Wear sunscreen, mosquito repellant and pack a hat just in case!
Zoo Camp FAQs
Drop off each morning is from 8-8:30am and pick up is at 2:30pm. Optional after-care is available with pick up times at 4pm or 5:30pm.
All members receive a discount on all camp programs.
Members will be eligible to register early. To check your membership status, call the membership hotline at 808.926.3191 ext.153. Make sure you join or renew your membership prior to early registration!
No. You must be an active member at time of registration to receive a discounted rate and to be eligible for summer camp early registration. To learn more about becoming a member, or renewing your membership, visit honoluluzoo.org!
If purchasing a new membership online, the membership number is on the PDF file sent in the confirmation email; it is the ID number located under the barcode.
If they have a membership card, it is on the back of the card.
If they have a membership and have no documents, please email membership@honzoosoc.org
No. Registrations must take place in advance and participants must be of the appropriate age for the program. Honolulu Zoo Camps fill quickly, and we cannot accommodate day-of registrations.
No. Please be aware that only the legal guardian may register campers. If a camper is registered by someone other than a legal guardian, that camper may be removed from the camp roster.
No. Due to confidentiality concerns, we cannot provide the names or registration information of other Honolulu Zoo Camp participants.
No. We are unable to rearrange group rosters and registrants once the camp week has started. Camp sessions historically fill up and for safety reasons we are unable to have more than the maximum number of campers in each session.
- Once you register for camp, the Honolulu Zoo Society adheres to a strict cancellation and refund policy. If for any reason you need to cancel your registration, you must do so prior to the cancellation deadline.
- If parents/guardians cancel:
- Two weeks or more before the first day of your registered camp session = full refund minus $25 processing fee
- Within two weeks of the first day of your registered camp session = 50% refund minus $25 processing fee
- Within one week or less of the first day of your registered camp session = $0 refund
- If the Honolulu Zoo Society cancels:
- If camp has not yet begun = full refund minus $25 processing fee
- If camp has already began = full refund minus $25 processing fee + days spent at camp ($72/day for members, $80/day for non-members)
No. All programs are specifically designed with the age and grade group in mind, and we require campers to enroll with their own age/grade group.
Summer Camps:
Campers attending the K-1 camps must be 5 years old by the Monday of their first registered camp week. Your camper must be enrolled in the class that matches the grade they will be entering in fall of that year (rising grade).
Spring, Winter and School Holiday Camps:
Campers attending the K-1 camps must be 5 years old by the first day of the program. Your camper must be enrolled in the class that matches the grade they are currently attending. This ensures your camper will enjoy a grade-appropriate program and provide them with the best overall experience.
Camp is designed to encourage interaction among participants of the same age, without caregivers. Due to space limitations, we are unable to accommodate caregivers. Some campers will perhaps experience a moment of anxiety, overcome their fears and participate more quickly without a caregiver present. If you think your camper cannot remain in class without you, please consider waiting another year.
All Zoo Society staff are first-aid and CPR certified. Zoo Security is another first-aid responder on zoo grounds.
If you have an emergency or an urgent question while your camper is attending camp please call 808.554.7173. All other inquiries, call 808.926.3191 ext. 3.
Your camper’s safety and well-being are our top priority. All our staff must submit to background checks and are trained to work with children. For their safety, we ask that your camper wear the camp T-shirt everyday so they can be clearly identified. All camp instructors, camp teen volunteers, and additional camp staff will also wear easily identifiable T-shirts and carry radios to keep in contact with each other. Camp check-in and check-out procedures are specifically designed with your camper’s safety in mind. If you have additional concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Campers may have the opportunity for up-close encounters with some of our small program animals (snakes, lizards, and more). For the safety of all, direct contact with exhibit animals is not possible. All exhibit animal care, including feeding and cleaning, is done by professionally trained zookeepers and/or veterinarians.
Honolulu Zoo Society Zoo Camp is all about respect. We expect that all campers will respect themselves, other people, the zoo and nature. Respectful behavior will help to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone at camp. At the beginning of every camp session, each camp group will further discuss the group’s expectations for good camp behavior. Parents will be required to sign a Keiki Code of Conduct as a part of registration. Honolulu Zoo Society reserves the right to suspend any camper that does not abide by our expectations for good camper behavior.
Yes. We strive to accommodate and include campers of all need levels. We do ask that all of our campers are able to provide their own personal hygiene care and are able to travel throughout the zoo with little to no additional assistance. Please contact the Zoo Camp crew if you have any questions or concerns prior to registering for Honolulu Zoo Camps. We can be reached at 808.554.7173 or education@honzoosoc.org.
No. Due to the prevalence of tree nut and peanut allergies we ask that parents NOT send campers with anything that contains nuts, peanuts or nut products. This includes, but is not limited to, peanut butter, cookies or baked goods containing peanuts, trail mix, Nutella, or any Nutella-based items, etc. (Note: “soy nut” butter and sunflower seed butter are great alternatives to peanut butter). Nut products will not be included in any Honolulu Zoo Camp activities.
We offer one healthy snack per day for each camper. All snacks are nut-free and prepared in nut-free facilities. Possible snacks include fruit, pretzels, goldfish crackers, and fruit twists. For campers with dietary restrictions, we offer vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free alternatives for snack. Additional fresh fruit is available to all campers during lunch. Parents are encouraged to reach out to zoo staff in advance to discuss specific dietary needs.
We cannot provide alternatives if a camper does not like a snack or lunch item. Additional fresh fruit will always be available during lunch and as an option for snack.
Mahalo nui to our Camp Sponsor
