Denver Zoo Summer Safari Axolotl logo

Power Pack

Kindergarten and 1st Grade

Camp Description

Power up for this active class that explores animal “Zooper Powers” – fantastic features animals have that help them survive! Discover how things like sharp claws, keen eyesight, tough scales, powerful wings, and fast feet turn animals into super heroes in their environments. Power Pack campers will also discover their own, animal-like super powers!

Week Overview

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

Monday: De-cat-thlon

  • Question of the Day: 
    • Which animals would you choose for your team to compete in a Denver Zoo ‘De-Cat-thlon’ obstacle course? 
  • Zoo Exploration: Predator Ridge, Giraffes, Zebras
  • Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
  • Engineering Challenge: 
    • What are adaptations?
    • What is a De-Cat-Thlon? Which “events” did we do? Which “event” did you like the best?
  • Biofact Exploration: What are biofacts? What did we see today?

Tuesday: Ultimate Insect Eater

  • Question of the Day:
    • AM: How would you make the best insect- catcher?
    • PM: Can you design an insect to survive your insect-catcher? 
  • Zoo Exploration: Tropical Discovery
  • Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
  • Engineering Challenge:
    • Campers design an insect catcher.
    • What did you create? What type of insect does it catch?
  • Insect Exploration – Which insects came to our classroom? What did you notice about them?
  • Further Exploration: Camper choice! Where did we go?

Wednesday: Adjusting Adaptations for New Habitats

  • Question of the Day:
    • (Campers choose one) How could you change an elephant so it could survive in the arctic? OR How could you change a sea lion so it could live in the arctic?
  • Zoo Exploration: Toyota Elephant Passage
  • Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
  • Engineering Challenge:
    • How would you change an elephant to survive in the artic with either changing them or giving them something to bring to the arctic
    • What did you choose? What did you give it to help it survive?
  • Further Exploration: Pachyderms, lamas, and sheep mountain
  • Biofact Exploration: What are biofacts? What did we see today?

Thursday: Birds, Flying, and Beaks

  • Question of the Day:
    • AM: Why don’t birds at Denver Zoo fly away? 
    • PM: How do birds use their beaks differently?
  • Zoo Exploration: Outdoor Bird Enclosures
  • Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
  • Engineering Challenge:
    • Campers design a “beak” to pick up as many of the different food items as they can
    • What did you design? What was it made out of? Did it work?

Friday: Zooper Power Challenges

  • Question of the Day:
    • What Zooper powers help primates (monkeys and apes) to do 3 challenges 
      • Knock cans over 
      • Get a ball in a basket 
      • Pick something up and hold it for three seconds 
  • Zoo Exploration: Primate Panorama
  • Engineering Challenge:
    • Campers design a sooper power to comete in the 3 challenges: Knock cans over, get a ball in a basket, pick something up and hold it for 3 seconds
    • What did you create? Did it work?
  • Further Exploration: Camper choice! Where did we go?

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
    • Water bottle
  • Please note the day your child’s camp group will take a walking field trip to the City Park H20 Odyssey 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:
      • 8:45-9:00 AM – 6-8th Grade + 2-3rd Grade 
      • 9:00-9:15 AM – 4-5th Grade + K-1st Grade 
    • Pick-up:
      • 3:45-4:00 PM — 6-8th Grade + 2-3rd Grade 
      • 4:00-4:15 PM – 4-5th Grade + K-1st 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!

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Winter Hours: Open 10 AM - Last Entry 3:30 PM for All Guests & Members.