Animal Expeditions

2nd and 3rd Grade

Camp Description

Pack your bags for a zoo-wide expedition!  Follow the map to diverse ecosystems, cultures, and animals from around the world.  What wonders might you discover?

Week Overview

**Ask your camper the questions below to learn about their day!

 

Monday

• Question of the Day:
  • AM: What Asian rainforest animal has the best adaptation for climbing or camouflage? 
  • PM: Can you design a new tropical creature that combines several of these adaptations? (week-long project)
• Zoo Exploration: Toyota Elephant Passage, Village Hall, look for rainforest adaptations
  
• Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
• Engineering Challenge: 
  • Campers design and build a new type of tropical creature that combines several rainforest adaptations that we observed
  • What did your creature look like? What kind of adaptations did you give it?
• Map Activity: Discovery the hidden map piece and Decipher Clues
• Further Exploration: Camper’s choice! Where did we go?

Tuesday

• Question of the Day: 
  • AM: Which North American animal is the best swimmer?  Best at surviving in the cold? 
  • PM: Can you add a new North American animal’s feature to your new animal?
• Zoo Exploration: Sheep Mountain, Northern Shores, Harmony Hill, look for adaptations that make an animal a good swimmer
• Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
• Engineering Challenge:
  • Campers add a new feature to their week-long animal build – this time, using an adaptation from an animal from North America, or one that helps keep the animal warm
  • What did you add? How do these new features help your animal?
• Map Activity: Discovery the hidden map piece and Decipher Clues
• Further Exploration: Other North American animals not seen in the AM

**City Park Fountains!

Wednesday

• Question of the Day: 
  • AM: Which Australian animal is the weirdest? 
  • PM: Can you add a new Australian animal’s feature to your new animal?
• Zoo Exploration: Kangaroos, Emu, Cassowary, and Lorikeets, look for bizarre adaptations
• Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
• Engineering Challenge:
  • Campers add a new feature to their week-long animal build – this time, using a weird adaptation from Australia, or one using venom or poison
  • What did you add? How does this new feature help your animal?
• Map Activity: Decipher Clues
• Further Exploration: Australian animal games! What did we play?

Thursday

• Question of the Day: 
  • AM: Which Central or South American animal has the best defensive adaptation? 
  • PM: Can you add a new Central or South American animal’s adaptation to your creature?
• Zoo Exploration: Primate Panorama or Tropical Discovery, look for defensive adaptations
• Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
• Engineering Challenge:
  • Campers add a new feature to their week-long animal build – this time, using an adaptation from a Central or South American animal
  • What did you add? How do these new features help your animal?
• Map Activity: Discovery the hidden map piece and Decipher Clues
• Further Exploration: Primate Panorama or Tropical Discovery (opposite of AM), look for defensive adaptations

Friday

• Question of the Day: 
  • AM: What do animals that live in the savanna all have in common? 
  • PM: Can you add a final feature of one of the Africa’s “Big Five” to your new creature?
• Zoo Exploration: Predator Ridge and Ranges
• Engineering Challenge:
  • Campers add a new feature to their week-long animal build – this time, using an adaptation from one of Africa’s Big Five – and finalize your creatures!
  • What did you add? How did your animal turn out?
• Map Activity: Put all the map pieces together!
• Further Exploration:  Map activity – go out and find the treasure!  Where was it?

Taking It Home

How are people connected to animals all around the world?  What traits do humans cherish or fear in animals?

Reminders

• Camp runs in rain or shine. Make sure your camper is dressed for the weather.
• Campers are required to bring:
  • Backpack
  • Sack lunch + 2 snacks
  • Face Mask (cloth or disposable)
  • Water bottle
  • Craft Supplies: Scissors, colors, glue
• Please note the day your child’s camp group will take a walking field trip to the City Park Fountains. While playing in the fountains, campers must keep their camp shirt and pants/shorts on – quick dry shoes and shorts are recommended on this day, but not required. Campers are welcome to bring a change of clothes, but are usually dry by the time we return to the zoo.
• Drop-off and Pick-up occurs at the Special Programs Entrance (Gate 1), according to their designated time window. 
  • Drop-off:
    • 8:30-8:45 AM — 6-8th Grade + 4-5th Grade 
    • 8:45-9:00 AM – K-1st Grade 
    • 9:00-9:15 AM – 2-3rd Grade 
  • Pick-up:
    • 3:45-4:00 PM — 6-8th Grade + 4-5th Grade 
    • 4:00-4:15 PM – K-1st Grade 
    • 4:15-4:30 PM – 2-3rd Grade 
• You will need to bring an ID every day for pick-up.

Contact Us

If your camper liked Summer Safari, they will LOVE Fall, Winter, and Spring Safari Mini-Camps! When school is out, Safari Camp is in! These camps run from November through March. There’s a Safari for every season!

Email Us