2023 Zoo Camps
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.
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.
Fall Camp 2023
Registration:
- HZS Members: Opens Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 12 noon
- Non-members: Opens Friday, September 1, 2023 at 12 noon
Dates: October 9 – 13, 2023
Times: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., optional aftercare until 5:30 p.m.
Theme: Myths & Legends
Cost: $360 for Honolulu Zoo Society members and $400 for non-members; aftercare, $100 for members and $120 for non-members
Three age groups for the week:
- Menehune (5-6 years old)
- ʻimi Loa (7-8 years old)
- Koa (9-11 years old)
| 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.
How to Register
We’re gearing up for Fall Camp 2023! To register for camp, please click on your child(ren)’s age group above. Once you submit your enrollment, you will receive an email confirming your completed enrollment with your order number. Please keep a record of your order number so that we may best assist you if you need to make changes to your enrollment.
If you are a Honolulu Zoo member, sign in or register an account using the email address associated with your membership to receive your discount and access priority enrollment. If you do not register and sign in with the email address associated with your membership account or if you do not have an email linked to your account, you will not be able to receive these member perks. If you are interested in becoming a member to unlock these and other special perks, become a member here!
For all questions and concerns, please contact education@honzoosoc.org so that we may assist you.
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 a Zoo Camp t-shirt each day of camp!
- There are discounted 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022 shirts available in our e-store.
- 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 10:30 am – 2:30 pm.
- Pack a nut-free 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 or email membership@honzoosoc.org. 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 priority registration. To learn more about becoming a member, or renewing your membership, visit our Membership page at honoluluzoo.org. To check your membership status, call the membership hotline at 808.926.3191 ext.153 or email membership@honzoosoc.org.
When you begin enrollment, sign in or register an account using the email address associated with your membership to receive your member perks. If you do not register and sign in with the email address associated with your membership account or if you do not have an email linked to your account, you will not be able to receive these member perks. Contact education@honzoosoc.org if you encounter problems during enrollment.
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 group. Campers must meet the minimum age required by the first day of their registered camp session.
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.
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 us if you have any questions or concerns prior to registering. We can be reached at 808.926.3191 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, 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. Parents are encouraged to reach out to zoo staff in advance to discuss specific dietary needs.
Mahalo nui to our Camp Sponsor
