Brandywine Zoo - Zoo Camp

Celebrating the Wild in Every Child!

The Brandywine Zoo provides children a chance to spend the summer at the Zoo learning about animals, zoos, and wildlife conservation! Each week is filled with Zoo visits, live animal presentations, crafts, games, songs, stories, learning projects and much more! More importantly each child will learn the importance of having fun and making new friends!

Information about Full Day Summer Camps, Mini Day SummerCamps, Special Holiday Zoo Camps and Spring Zoo Camp below.

Sessions run one week

Children must be within the age/grade level listed at the beginning of the program date.

Camp is geared toward children who are eager to learn, follow directions, and have fun.

Campers bring their lunch and drink.

PLEASE NOTE: All information regarding Spring Zoo Camps and Summer Zoo Camps can be found in the Zoo Camp Handbook. Please print the handbook out and save for future reference.

If you have questions or need additional Zoo Camp information please email us.

Confirmation will be sent within 10 business days of receiving registration packet and payment. Please note that your confirmation letter is your receipt for camp and tax purposes. Please keep your copy as we do not keep copies of this letter and therefore cannot forward one to you.

Attention: Delaware Zoological Society Members receive a special member DISCOUNT on ALL camps! Not a member? Become a zoo member today to receive the same special member discount! Member Information is located in our Camp Registration Packet.

Saturday, February 4: 9:30am - 11:00am

Zoo Camp Open House

The early bird gets the worm, so be one of the first to sign up for our popular zoo camps! Register for holiday, spring and summer camps and receive a $5-10 discount. Enjoy live animal presentations, a make-and-take zoo camp craft, and a warm snack to make you wish for summer! Open House takes place in the Education Building, located next to the Exotic House. Fee: Free!

Special Holiday Zoo Camps

Throughout the year, the Brandywine Zoo hosts a series of special Zoo Day Camps geared to specific holidays or other times when school is not in session. Designed for children 4-13, these day-long camps give children a new look at animals and their habitats, as well as up-close and personal introductions to our own Zoo animals. Campers must be potty trained to attend.

Cancellation Policy
There will be no refunds for those that cancel within 14 days of the Holiday Camp Date. Those who wish to cancel their registration 15 days or more out from the Holiday Camp date may receive a Zoo Camp credit. Any Zoo Camp credits given must be used within 365 days or less of the cancellation date.

Monday, January 16: 8:30am - 4:00pm

MLK Holiday Day Camp

Ages 4-13
Morning drop off from 8 - 8:30am Aftercare available until 5:30pm
Our world is richer because of biodiversity! Come and learn why every living thing has a special place and purpose on our earth. Through fun activities, stories, and crafts you'll discover how to be a better animal ambassador! Fee: $35 per participant/$30 per participant, Delaware Zoological Society Members. Aftercare fee: $10 per person. Pre-registration required. Deadline for registration is January 12th. Campers must dress for the weather and bring a lunch and beverage. Snack will be provided. To register click here.

Monday, February 20: 8:30am - 4:00pm

Presidents Day Camp

Ages 4-13
Morning drop off 8:00 - 8:30am. Aftercare available until 5:30pm
We've had some awesome, animal-loving Presidents! Come to this camp to find out about some special Presidents and what they have done to help animals and wildlife! Through fun activities, stories, and crafts you'll discover some pretty terrific presidential pet-lovers! Campers must be potty trained and come dressed for the weather. Campers must bring a bag lunch and water bottle, snack provided. Fee: $35 per participant/$30 per participant, Delaware Zoological Society Members. Aftercare fee: $10 per person. Pre-registration required. Deadline for registration is February 15th. To register click here.

Monday, October 8, 8:30am - 4:00pm

Columbus Day Camp: Animal Explorers!

(morning drop off 8-8:30am and aftercare until 5:30pm available)
Ages 4-13 yrs.
Come explore the wilds of the Brandywine Zoo. Spend the day like Columbus, discovering new worlds as we learn about the different habitats from around the globe. Campers must be potty trained and come dressed for the weather. Campers must bring a bag lunch and water bottle, snack provided. Fee: $35 per participant/$30 per participant, Delaware Zoological Society Members. Aftercare fee: $10 per person. Pre-registration required. Deadline for registration is October 3rd. To register click here.

Spring Zoo Camps

The Zoo will be hold two Spring Zoo Camps, March 19 - 23 and April 9 -13.

Ages 4-13
Morning drop off 8:00 - 8:30am
Camp starts promptly at 8:30am
Aftercare available until 5:30pm, Monday-Thursday only!

Have a WILD spring break at the zoo! Each day will have a different zoo-related theme and the week will be filled with zoo visits, live animal presentations, crafts, games, songs, stories, learning projects and more! Register in advance for a whole week or any combination of days.

Camp Fee: $175.00/week/child or $40/day/child; $145/week/child or $35/day/child for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Aftercare Fee: $35/week or $10/day (Mon.-Thurs. only) To register, click here.

Cancellation Policy
There will be no refunds for cancellations on or after March 5th. Those who wish to cancel their registration before March 4th may receive a Zoo Camp credit. Any Zoo Camp credits given must be used within 365 days or less of the cancellation date.

Summer Zoo Camps

Check out Zoo Camp at a Glance!

Full Day Summer Camps

Camp Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm.
Drop-off: 8:00am - 8:30am
Fee: $145/Delaware Zoological Society Members, $175/non-members

Special DAILY Camp Rates
Register per day or for the whole week! (Applies June 6, 7, 8 and July 2, 3, 5, 6 ONLY): $29/day for Delaware Zoological Society Members, $35/day for non-members.

Cancellation Policy
A $15.00 fee will be charged for all cancellations up to April 30; 1/2 refund for cancellations after May 1; No refunds after June 1.

Aftercare
Aftercare is available from 4:00 - 5:30pm. Monday - Thursday, no aftercare available on Fridays. Aftercare Fee: $35/week or $10/day

Reading Rascals

Ages: 4 - 9
Camp Dates: June 6-8 (Special DAILY Camp Rate Applies)
Each day we will read and discuss an exciting animal tale then immerse ourselves in the story's theme; including meeting animals from each tale! To register click here!

Happenin' Habitats

Ages: 6 - 9
Camp Dates: June 11-15
Learn about what's happenin' in some of nature's hippest habitats and meet animals from each! To register click here!

Creature Classes

Ages: 6 - 9
Camp Dates: June 18-22
There's no school going on at the zoo this summer but there IS Class! Discover five different classes of backboned animals and how you can tell them apart! Meet amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, and of course...mammals at the zoo this summer! To register click here!

Toad-ally Hip Herps

Ages: 6 - 9
Camp Dates: June 25-29
Frogs, Salamanders, Snakes, and turtles are just a few of the Toad-ally terrific members of this cold-blooded group! Learn all about various reptiles and amphibians and what makes them such hip herps! To register click here!

Fun in the Sun!

Ages: 4 - 13
Camp Dates: July 2, 3, 5 and 6 (Special DAILY Camp Rate Applies)
Join us for a fun and recreational week at the zoo! We'll spend each day playing games, exploring the zoo, and other fun in the sun activities! To register click here!

WILD Artists

Ages: 6 - 9
Camp Dates: July 9-13
Set your creative side free and learn about beautiful shapes, patterns, colors, and shades that occur naturally and follow up by creating a few masterpieces of your own! To register click here!

Extreme Zoo

Ages: 10 - 13
Camp Dates: July 9-13
Go to the WILD extreme by discovering the zoo in a whole new light...from the inside out! Learn what it takes to run a zoo full of animals and people! To register click here!

Animal Maniacs!

Ages: 6 - 9
Camp Dates: July 16-20
Join us for this exciting week of camp where we will explore the animal-human bond and how animals are a big part of our lives! To register click here!

Weird, Wacky and Wild!

Ages: 6 - 9
Camp Dates: July 23-27
Animals come in all shapes, sizes, colors for a variety of reasons. Learn about some of earth's strangest creatures and why they happen to be so wonderfully weird! To register click here!

Rock-n-Roll Rainforest

Ages: 6 - 9
Camp Dates: July 30 - August 3
Rainforests are rich in animals and culture! Learn about the amazing animals that spend the majority of their life in the rain...and love it! To register click here!

Animal Jeopardy

Ages: 6 - 9
Camp Dates: August 6-10
What is a new camp for Summer 2012? Learn all about the larger animals that roam our fragile earth...and falling in love with these gorgeous giants is sure to follow! To register click here!

Animals Around the World

Ages: 10 - 13
Camp Dates: August 6-10
Take a traveling trek across the various continents right here at the zoo and discover the wild and weird animals that you may never have heard of before! To register click here!

Your Backyard Zoo

Ages: 10 - 13
Camp Dates: August 13-17
It may not have exhibits but it does have a keeper...YOU! Your own backyard is or could be home to a wide variety of wildlife! Discover the zoo in your backyard! To register click here!

Insect Zoo

Ages: 6 - 9
Camp Dates: August 13-17
Insects are the most plentiful class of animals but are often the most misunderstood. Discover the incredible world of insects in this camp that crawls with excitement and fun! To register click here!

Mini Day Summer Camps

Mini camps are 1/2 day camps, of either an AM or PM session, for ages 4-7.
**Must be "potty" trained to attend**

Mini Camp Times
AM Session: 8:30am - 11:30am
Drop-off from 8:00am - 8:30am

PM Session: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Drop-off from 12:30pm - 1:00pm

Mini Camp Fee
One week session: $75/Delaware Zoological Society Members, $95/non-members.
Both AM and PM sessions/week: $155/Delaware Zoological Society Members, $175/ non-members.

Cancellation Policy
A 15.00 fee will be charged for all cancellations up to April 30; 1/2 refund for cancellations after May 1; No refunds after June 1.

After Care
Aftercare is available from 11:30am to 1:00pm Monday through Friday AND 4:00pm to 5:30pm Monday through Thursday; no aftercare available from 4:00pm to 5:30pm on Fridays. Aftercare Fee: $35/week or $10/day

Between Session Care
Offered FREE from 11:30am to 1:00pm only to those that register for both AM and PM sessions of camp!

Summer Safari

AM Session: 8:30am to 11:30am
Ages: 4 - 5
Camp Dates: June 11 - 15
Travel the world on safari during our week long imaginary trip around the world! We'll explore amazing places like: South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Poles! To register click here!

Animals: Head to Hoof

PM Session: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Ages: 4 - 5
Camp Dates: June 11 - 15
From the top of their head to the tip of their hooves (or toes) - animals are different! Discover what makes each animal unique and special. To register click here!

ZOOper Heroes

AM Session: 8:30am to 11:30am
Ages: 4 - 5
Camp Dates: June 18 - 22
Wonder what it takes to be a super, ZOOper hero? Learn about "super-human" abilities that animals have and how they have inspired the super heroes we know and love. To register click here!

Color Me Wild!

PM Session: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Ages: 4 - 5
Camp Dates: June 18 - 22
Animals come in all shapes, sizes, and COLORS! Learn about our many colorful creatures, each day focusing on a different color! To register click here!

Crazy Cool Cats!

AM Session: 8:30am to 11:30am
Ages: 4 - 5
Camp Dates: June 25-29
Leopards, Tigers, and Bobcats - oh my! Come to this cool camp dedicated to wild cats! Learn about what they eat, where they live, and how they survive. To register click here!

Zoo Senses

PM Session: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Ages: 4 - 5
Camp Dates: June 25-29
Spend a week learning about the fantastic 5 senses and how both animals and people use them to explore their world! To register click here!

Zoo Directions: Camp Drop-Off & Pick-Up Route - Summer Camp Only!

The Brandywine Zoo
1001 North Park Drive
Wilmington, DE 19802

Directions from North and South of Wilmington

Take I-95 (North if coming from the South and South if coming from the North) to the exit for Route 202 South (Concord Pike).
Go South on Rt. 202/Concord Ave.
Turn RIGHT onto N. Broom St. (Kreston Liquors on right hand corner of first intersection)
Follow several blocks to a "T" intersection with a traffic light
Turn LEFT onto W. 18th St. (This is right past Salesianum High School)
Turn RIGHT onto Franklin Drive (across from Franklin St.) There will be signs.
Follow Franklin Drive through the park and around to the LEFT. If you stay left this will loop you around to the Brandywine Zoo's Education Parking lot. This is where you will need to drop off your camper in the morning. Here an education staff member will greet you and you will be able to drop-off your camper(s) right from your vehicle!

From Downtown Wilmington

Take Delaware Ave. to Van Buren St.
Cross the Van Buren St. Bridge. (cobblestone road)
Follow Van Buren St. all the way up the hill to the intersection of 18th St.
Turn LEFT onto 18th St.
Drive past playground and turn LEFT onto Franklin Drive (across from Franklin St.)
Follow Franklin Drive through the park and around to the LEFT. If you stay left this will loop you around to the Brandywine Zoo's Education Parking lot. This is where you will need to drop off your camper in the morning. Here an education staff member will greet you and you will be able to drop-off your camper(s) right from your vehicle!

Also, please note that the Education Parking lot will NOT be accessible by vehicle off of Van Buren Street (cobblestone road that separates the zoo) during the camp drop-off hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. If you are walking to the zoo, you may just walk with your camper to the Education parking lot for drop-off.

Public Transportation
Dart First State Bus Routes for the Brandywine Zoo: Routes 2, 11, 12, 21, & 35 Please visit www.dartfirststate.com for more information.