1

This manual is full of information

that will guide you through the

entire Zoo Camp Experience.

Please read all materials carefully. If

you have any questions that are not

answered in these pages, refer to the

camp contact information to connect

with the person who can best assist

you with additional information.

We can’t wait to share our camp

with you!

Welcome to Zoo Camp!

Table of Contents Camp Contact

Information

2

Camp Themes

and

Registration

Information

3-5

Frequently Asked

Questions/ What

to Bring

6-7

Important Info

A-Z

8-13

Drop–off &Pick-

Up

Information

14-15

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CAMP CONTACT INFORMATION

Charlotte Page

Zoo Camp Director

Desk: 504-212-5357

Camp Cell Phone: 504-239-4571

Please note: (weekend calls will not be received until 7:00 am on Mondays)

cpage@auduboninstitute.org or campsandscoutprograms@auduboninstitute.org

Brenda Walkenhorst

Director of Education Projects

504-212-5472

bwalkenhorst@auduboninstitute.org

Lindsey Legros

Program Registrar– all registration, payment and Before and After Care questions

504-212-5380

zooedadmin@auduboninstitute.org

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CAMP PROGRAMS

Zoo Camp 4-10 years—entering PrK4-4th grade (camper must be 4 by June 1)

$255 per week for members, $305 per week for nonmembers

Perfect for budding scientists, zoologists, explorers, artists, and animal lovers! Days (9am-3pm)

are filled with crafts, hands on and inquiry driven activities, encounters with animal

ambassadors and guided zoo tours. Each day also includes free play and nature play!

Zoo Explorer Summer Camp (entering 5-7th grade)

$305 week for members, $355 per week for nonmembers

This is the perfect program for our older campers as it has all the fun of regular zoo camp with

the addition of weekly field trips, teambuilding and other leadership activities. Week 4 and

week 8 of Explorer Camp include a campout at the Zoo!

2017 Weekly Themes Zoo Camp Explorers

May 30-June 2 * Habitat Happenings Habitat Happenings

June 5-9 Conservation Superheroes Conservation Superheroes

June 12-16 Animal Engineers Animal Engineers

June 19-23 Extreme Animals Wilderness Adventure

June 26-30 For Pet’s Sake Animal Care

No Camp Week of July 4

July 11-15 Fantastic Beasts of Fantastic Beasts of

Audubon Zoo Audubon Zoo

July 18-22 Animals in Art

July 25-29 Wild Adventures Week Wild Adventures Week

For detailed descriptions see next page.

*There is no camp on Memorial Day, Monday May 29th. Week 1 of camp will be held from Tuesday May 30th to Friday

June 2nd.

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2017 CAMP THEMES

Habitat Happenings: From wetlands to rainforests and everything in between, there are so many wonderful

habitats all over the world. These week we will explore different habitats and why certain animals thrive in

each.

Conservation Superheroes: Learn what it takes to be a conservation superhero! Learn how you can save

wildlife in your own backyard and around the world. Every camper will earn and make their own conservation

crusader cape and participate in other fun activities throughout the week.

Animal Engineers: Animals are some of the greatest engineers on the planet- from bird nests to beaver

dams. Campers will learn about the many engineering marvels and try a hand at creating their own.

Animal Extremes (Zoo Camp Only): What animal is the fastest on earth? Which one is the tallest? Campers

will learn all the great adaptations that make "extreme" animals.

Wilderness Adventures (Explorer’s Only): This week is about appreciating and preserving nature and the

wilderness. Campers will learn Leave No Trace principals, survival skills, and how to use a compass and GPS.

For Pet’s Sake (Zoo Camp Only): Zoo animals do not make good pets, but this week campers will learn about

what does make a good pet and how to take good care of your pet. Campers will make their own pet toys to

take home.

Pet Care (Explorer’s Only): This week campers will learn the importance of understanding animal care before

they make pet choices. What does it take to keep a healthy snake? Does a hedgehog make a good pet? How

is proper nutrition important for all animals in captivity? Field trip this week will be to the Audubon

Aquarium of Americas.

Fantastic Beasts of Audubon Zoo: This week is for witches and wizards interested in the study of

magizoology. We will learn about some of the "magical" beasts of the zoo and enjoy some spells,

potions, games and activities.

Animals in Art: Some of the greatest masterpieces in art feature our four-footed friends, some of our zoo

animals are so colorful and beautiful they are their own masterpieces. This week we will seek out the beauty

in the residents of the zoo and do projects that focus on these living artworks.

Wild Adventures Week: Explore extreme terrains as an animal, go on the prowl like a top predator. This week

is about the physical ability of animals and we will get dirty!

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REGISTRATION

Registration for summer begins on March 1 and ends one week prior to the desired week of

camp (or when the session is filled). Holiday Camp registrations begin 1 month prior to the

camp session. Camp applications can be found our website at

www.audubonnatureinstitute.org or by calling 504-212-5380.

To Register You will need a credit card and an email ad-dress to register and make full payment through our secure server, before receiving confirmation of registration. Please have all contact information, your membership number and each camper’s medical information on hand before you begin registration. Discounts Members receive discounts on all Zoo Camps. To receive this discount, a valid membership number must be entered at time of registration. To become a member, visit our website or call 504-861-5105 Mon-Friday. Cancellations & Refunds

If you cancel before May 1, you will receive a 90% refund. If you cancel after May 1, but be-

fore May 17, you will receive a 50% refund. If you cancel after May 17, we are unable to offer you a refund. This policy is in effect for all weeks registered of summer camp. To request a cancellation, send an email to bwalken@auduboninstitute.org, include the week of camp, name of the child and name on the credit card. To prevent misunderstandings or mistakes ALL cancellations must be in writing. To reschedule another date from your original program, please send an e-mail to bwalken@auduboninstitute.org include the week of camp, your name, and the week you want to change to. Waiting Lists

If a session is full you can still go ahead and register online which will put you on the wait list without charging you tuition. You will be notified by email when you are moved off the waiting

list. If you checked before or after care you will be charged. This will be refunded to you if you

are not moved off the waiting list.

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Can I register my camper for more than one week?

Yes, campers may register for as many weekly sessions

as your schedule allows.

May I register other family members and friends?

NO. Children must be registered by a parent, legal

guardian or grandparent. Please do not register

friends, neighbors etc. as this will make you the

primary emergency contact and responsible for all

medical and registration information.

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, scholarships are offered on an as needed basis

and application can be found online.

Can my child and their friend/sibling/relative be in

the same group?

All Zoo Campers are divided into their camp groups by

birthdate only. We cannot accommodate friend and

family requests. Summer camp is a unique opportunity

for children of all ages to make new friends.

What if I want my child to only come for two or three

days instead of all five?

If you don’t want your child to attend all five days of a

session that is your choice but you will have to pay the

full session fee. We do not prorate or offer daily rates.

What does my child do all day?

We have a weekly schedule of activities to keep your

child stimulated. Each week offers one behind-the-

scenes tour, an hour of animal encounter, arts and

crafts that are nature and animal related, science

discovery time, visits throughout the zoo that are

theme related, life science games, once a week

auditorium movie time that follows the theme. We

also encourage free play in an outdoor environment

as part of each day. Please ask your child’s counselor

for the weekly schedule. You can also see daily

updates on our Camp Facebook Page!

What if my child needs special

accommodations? While we do not have the staff to accommodate

campers with behavioral, emotional, or cognitive

impairments, or who are extremely medically fragile,

campers with those needs are welcome to attend

when accompanied

by their aide,

caregiver, or respite

provider. Please con-

tact the Zoo Camp

Director, Charlotte

Page (504-212-5357)

to discuss your child’s

needs and ensure

that Zoo Camp will be

a good match as part of your child’s summer schedule.

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ZOO CAMP INFO

WHAT TO BRING

What to Bring Each camper should bring a backpack that contains all the following items:

A reusable water bottle

A lunch every day. Lunches will not be re-frigerated or heated. We suggest that lunches be packed in reusable containers to minimize waste.

A complete change of clothing

Rain gear just in case!

Towel and Bathing Suit

Sunscreen To Leave at Home Books, toys and stuffed animals. We are not responsible for lost items Money for food or gifts. Concessions and gift areas will be off limits during camp. Cell phones, iPod or other electronics To Wear Zoo Camp t-shirts will be distributed during open house and during the first day of each session. These shirts must be worn daily. Closed toed shoes– NO FLIP FLOPS Shorts or pants! Campers get dirty!

BE SURE TO LABEL ALL OF YOUR CHILD’S BELONGINGS! Beating the Heat at Camp We have many ways of staying cool on scorching hot days:

Groups rotate through indoor, climate controlled areas.

Outdoor activities, lunch and snack take place in shady areas.

Stops are made at misting areas when out in zoo.

Each group takes 2-3 trips to Cool Zoo or Monkey Hill each week where they really get to cool off!

Games involving water, such as Drip Drip Drop are often played in afternoon

Camper water bottles are refilled frequently and staying hydrated is encouraged.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

ZOO CAMP A-Z

Information on all camps is covered in these pages. Please read carefully and share any

necessary information with your camper. We are looking forward to a great year of Zoo Camp!

Quick Tips for a great camp experience

Clothing should always be appropriate for the weather– all camps spend at least some time outdoors every day!

Shoes should always be closed-toe and fit well! We do a lot of walking each day of Zoo Camp! NO FLIP FLOPS, sandals or Crocs please.

Meals– See Snacks and Lunches for details.

Late Arrivals or Early Departures disrupt camp and cause staff to be pulled away from programming. Please make every effort to respect the camp schedule.

Absent Campers

If your child will be absent, please leave a message at 504-861-5103 or email

campsandscoutprograms@auduboninstitute.org. There are no refunds or make up days for

days missed.

Arriving Late and Leaving Early

Late arrivals or early departures disrupt camp and cause staff to be pulled away from

programming, and result in missed tours, animal encounters, or other activities for your

camper. Please make every effort to respect the camp schedule. If necessary, late arrivals or

early departures must be arranged in advance.

Animal Contact

Campers in all Zoo Camps will have up-close encounters with education animals. With

many, touching is permitted if the situation allows. If at any time a camp counselor feels their

group is not following camp expectations, the animal encounter may be ended.

Each Camper will also have to opportunity to feed the goats and sheep in the Watoto Walk

Exhibit. For the safety of all, direct contact with other exhibit animals is not possible. All animal

care is done by professionally trained zoo keepers.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Before Care & After Care

Before and After Care is not an extension of the camp program, but is a supervised

playtime designed for those who need additional time to get to and from work or other

commitments.

In all camp seasons, After Care is offered Monday-Friday 3:15-5:30 pm. Campers may be

pre-registered or register Monday –Friday morning. There is a $10 fee per day and a $1/ per

minute additional fee after 5:30 pm. Before Care is offered from 7:30-9:00 am and is $7 per

day per child. We strongly recommend that your child be preregistered so we have adequate

staffing.

Camper Information & Special Needs

Audubon Nature Institute strives to accommodate all interested children. Please

understand that our camps are very active, with multiple transitions and sensory changes

throughout the day. All campers are expected to follow directions and safety rules. While we

are a traditional camp (not specialized for specific special needs), we welcome all children and

do our very best to accommodate every child.

Please provide us with the tools necessary to give your child the best possible

experience at Zoo Camp by informing us of all special considerations prior to your child's first

day of camp. This may include information on allergies, accessibility concerns, behavioral,

psycho-logical or emotion conditions or other special needs.

Details of any Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Behavior Plans used with your child at

school can often be helpful.

To best enable our staff to provide your child with a valuable experience, the

information you provide will be shared with Zoo Camp Staff and Volunteers unless you request

otherwise. De-tails will not be shared with other camp participants.

While we make every effort to accommodate all considerations, it is not possible for us

to offer 1:1 attention. If your child requires an aide at school or a PASS worker, he/she may not

attend camp without a pre-authorized aide or worker.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Expectations

Audubon Zoo is committed to ensuring that all children who attend Zoo Camp are

provided an atmosphere where they can learn together free of harassment or intimidation.

Fun and safe-ty are only possible when there are behavior guidelines that all campers agree to

follow. All participants are expected to show respect for all animals, teachers, fellow students,

them-selves, Zoo staff, Zoo guests and Zoo facilities. Disruptive or dangers behaviors and

physical aggression are not acceptable. The following expectations are required of all zoo

campers.

Be Safety Conscious

Walk! Don’t Run!

Keep off the top rails of all exhibit areas.

Do not push others.

Keep hands and feet to yourself.

No horse play in the bathrooms.

Keep Animals Healthy

Do not feed Zoo animals because they are on a strict diet

Do not tap on the glass. It disturbs the animals in their homes

Do not throw things into the exhibits. The animals could get hurt.

Put trash where it belongs. Animals could mistake trash for food.

Do not scream or yell at the animals. No one likes to be yelled at and this includes the

animals.

Do not chase any free roaming animals including the peacocks and chickens.

Keep Plants Healthy

Use paths and walkways only.

Let everyone enjoy the flowers. Please do not pick them!

Have Fun and Be Kind

Kindness is contagious, so be nice! It’s a simple rule to follow!

Respect fellow campers, counselors and volunteers.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Our teachers are professionals and they will use sound, positive management tools

within their classes. If any camper does not respond to these measures, the camper will be

taken to the Zoo Camp Director's office for a reminder of the Zoo Camp expectations. If the

problem behavior persists, we will communicate with the parents or guardians and the

participant may be removed from the program. Extreme infractions may result in immediate

dismissal at the discretion of the Camp Director.

This policy will be reviewed with all campers on their first morning of camp. Please also

dis-cuss camp expectations with your camper before that time as your understanding of these

expectations, and your support of them, are integral to your camper’s positive experience.

Grouping

To ensure that all campers receive age-appropriate opportunities, campers are grouped

by age. Camper of varied ages will NOT be placed in classes together. There will be occasions

throughout the day when siblings and friends from different groups will be participating in

activities together.

Illnesses

Audubon Zoo Camp reserves the right to refuse entrance to zoo Camp if a child is

exhibiting symptoms listed below. In the event a camper becomes ill, camp staff will notify the

registering parent/guardian, followed by those listed as emergency contacts. For the well-

being of your camper and the safety of other campers in our program, if your child shows any

of the following symptoms, you will be asked to pick up your child immediately.

Fever of 100 Degrees or more

Severe/persistent coughing

Pink Eye

Sore Throat

Severe headache

Vomiting

Ringworm

Other contagious illnesses

Lice

A doctor’s note must be provided before campers with signs of any contagious illness or

lice may return to camp.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Lunches and Snacks

The zoo does not provide lunch for campers. Please pack a healthy lunch in eco-

friendly pack-aging. We cannot refrigerate or microwave any food for your child. Your

child must bring a water bottle every day. If you do not send a water bottle we will give

bottled water to your child for 1.00 per bottle. It is extremely important for your child to

have water all day of camp. We take breaks every few hours to refill water bottles.

We will provide a morning snack for your camper each day. If your child has

allergies or dietary restrictions, please send your own snack each day. Most camps will eat

lunch and snack in outdoor areas.

In most instances, Zoo Camp does not place restrictions on the types of food that

can be sent to camp. However, if a high number of participants scheduled to attend a

week of camp have food allergies, parents may be asked in advance to refrain from

sending the item in question for that week. We appreciate your understanding of these

requests.

Medications

We do not administer medications of any kind during Zoo Camp. If you have a

medical need please contact the Camp Director to discuss.

Schedule

What does my child do all day? We have a weekly schedule of activities to keep your

child stimulated. Each week offers one behind-the-scenes tour, an hour of animal

encounter, arts and crafts that are nature and animal related, science discovery time, visits

throughout the zoo that are theme related, life science games, once a week auditorium

movie time that follows the theme. We also encourage free play in an outdoor

environment as part of each day. Please ask your child’s counselor for the weekly

schedule.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Shopping

Campers are not permitted to purchase any items from the zoo concession stands, gift shops, or restaurants during camp sessions. PLEASE DO NOT send money to camp with your child for any reason. You may purchase items from concession stands or gift shops after you pick up your camper. We do have a small camp store that is open each morning during check in that carries camp necessities and a few Audubon logo items.

Staff

Staff are screened for excellence in programming for children. Camp staff are required to have previous experience with children and many staff return year after year. All staff work-ing with children undergo a federal background check and drug test prior to employment. To ensure high quality supervision, the camper to staff ration is 8:1 or better.

Supervision and Safety

At no time is any child left unsupervised. The Zoo’s First Responder and Security team is on site from 9-4 each day.

T-shirts

Summer campers are required to wear Zoo Camp t-shirts every day. This is a safety precaution and allows us to recognize campers easily among other visitors. Each child receives on shirt with each week’s registration and extra shirts are available for purchase. T-shirts will be distributed the first day of camp or at the camp open house.

Available Sizes: Youth S, M, L, Adult S, M, L, XL

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PICK UP AND DROP OFF

7:30-8:45 Early Care Drop Off -Education Gate (Behind statue of Audubon in front of zoo)

Please walk your child to the gate and buzz security. Tell them you are there for

camp and they will buzz you in. Follow the signs to the early care classroom. Staff will be

there to greet your child and to record his/her attendance. After your child is recorded,

you are free to leave.

Be prepared to confirm your pick-up list and sign up for After Care if needed.

For your safety, please do not remain in the Zoo after dropping off your camper. Prior to

the zoo opening, preparations are underway that require the Zoo to be free of Visitors. If

you would like to visit the Zoo, please enter through the main admission gate at 10:00 am.

8:45-9:15 Regular Drop Off

Option 1– Park in front of zoo at curb and walk your camper in. Then follow

instruct ions above to check your camper in.

Option 2– Carpool Drop Off. Pull up to the curb and one of our Zoo Camp staff

will greet you and walk with your camper to their classroom. Please note that on

Mondays of each week there is no carpool and all campers must be walked in and

signed in.

3:00-3:15 Pick up at Education Gate

Option 1– Park in front of zoo and come in to check out your camper.

Campers will be in their class areas. Be prepared to show your pick-up card and be

checked off an approved list. Please DO NOT take your child without first checking

out with camp staff.

Option 2– Carpool Pick Up– pull up to curb and one of our staff will greet you

and check your pick-up card and verify it with our approved pick up list. Once

approved the staff member will walk in and get your camper and bring them to your

car.

3:15-5:30 After Care Pick Up– Education Gate

Same as Early Care drop off. Buzz security at the education gate and once buzzed in

proceed to the camp classroom. A staff member will greet you, check your id and then

sign your camper out. Campers must be picked up by 5:30. A $1 per minute fee applies to

all pickups after 5:30.

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IMPORTANT PICK UP INFORMATION

Campers will not be released to any individual not on the pre-approved pick-up

list created at time of registration, open house or the first day of session. When

providing this list, please ensure ALL pertinent individuals are included,

including yourself, parents, grandparents, etc. For the safety of all campers, NO

EXCEP-TIONS TO THIS POLICY WILL ME MADE. Individuals may be added to the

list by providing the Zoo Camp Director with a signed note at drop off.

All approved individuals, including parents, must

present a name and Zoo Camp Pick Up Card at time

of pick up. Please have Blue Card ready to save

time. Campers will not be released to anyone

without a Pick-Up Card. Thank you for your

cooperation; these policies are for the safety of all.

YOU MUST HAVE BLUE PICK UP CARD IN ORDER TO PICK UP YOUR CAMPER!

If someone else is picking up your camper, they need to have a pick-up card to

do so. We will not release any campers without a pick-up card.