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Summer Safari Schedules 2021

Denver Zoo Summer Safari Wild Dog Logo

Animal Olympics

2nd and 3rd Grade

Camp Description

Who’ll come out on top in this year’s Animal Olympics?  Will it be an elephant by a nose?  In these games, we’ll examine habitats and adaptations to discover why some animals thrive when others can’t compete.  No doubts about it - this camp is a winner!

Week Overview

Daily Schedule Subject to Change

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

 

Monday

  • Question of the Day:
    • AM: Can you use water like an Archer Fish, to hit the farthest target, a moving target, or knock back a target the greatest distance?
    • PM: How do fish and other animals hunt in unique ways? 
  • Zoo Exploration: Tropical Discovery, archer fish - animals that aim and hit their targets
  • Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
  • Engineering Challenge: 
    • Campers attempt an Archer Fish challenge – try to hit their targets by shooting or spraying water
    • What enabled people to hit their targets?
  • Further Exploration: Camper's choice - where did we go? Did we find other animals that carefully pounce or aim and get their targets?

Tuesday

  • Question of the Day: 
    • AM: Why are some animals so good at balancing, swinging, and jumping?
    • PM: Can you build something (based on an animal) that will make you better at brachiating or balancing (or jumping)?
  • Zoo Exploration: Primates and Gibbons in Toyota Elephant Passage, and other “gymnastic” animals, look at what makes some animals good at balancing, swinging, and jumping
  • Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
  • Engineering Challenge:
    • Campers design an animal-based way to make themselves better at brachiating, balancing, or jumping
    • What did you design? How did it help you?
  • Further Exploration: Camper's choice - where did we go?

Wednesday

  • Question of the Day: 
    • AM: How can we keep ourselves warm when swimming long distances in very cold water? 
    • PM: What can you design for yourself, based on an animal adaptation, which could help you swim better?
  • Zoo Exploration: Northern Shores, look at animals for natural insulators
  • Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
  • Engineering Challenge:
    • Campers build something using natural (and other) materials that will keep themselves warm after they get wet
    • What did you design? How did you test it? Did it work?
  • Further Exploration: Other swimming animals

**City Park Fountains!

Thursday

  • Question of the Day: What makes an animal good at running either really fast for a short time, or really far for a long time? 
  • Zoo Exploration: Predator Ridge, look at bodies of Wild Dogs, Lions, for comparison, and hooved animals
  • Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
  • Engineering Challenge:
    • "Time Crunch" team building challenges
    • What were our challenges? What did you build?
  • Further Exploration: Kudus, Bongos, and Addax, Tigers, or Wild Horses, look for body types and what makes these animals good or bad at running long distances

Friday

  • Question of the Day: Can you use what you learned this week to create and complete an animal-inspired decathlon?
    • AM: Can you work together to create a series of Olympic events as a relay course?
    • PM: Can you complete the course?
  • Zoo Exploration: Camper's choice! Where did we go?
  • Engineering Challenge:
    • Campersdesign a series of Olympics events as a relay course
    • What did we build? What was in the animal decathlon?
  • Further Exploration: Penguins, Llamas, and Animal Recess, think about which Olympic Events they are best suited for

Taking It Home

How are animal adaptations similar to the abilities of human Olympic athletes?

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!