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!
Zooper Keepers
2nd and 3rd Grade
Camp Description
At Denver Zoo, we care for over 3,000 different animals! Your camper will think like a Denver Zoo keeper, discover the unique needs of our individual animals, and complete animal care challenges, such as designing a diet for a monkey and creating a playground for a three-legged dog. Do you have what it takes to be a Zooper Keeper? Join in on the fun and come explore the many ways Denver Zoo keepers care for our animals.
Week Overview
Daily Schedule Subject to Change
**Ask your camper the questions below to learn about their day!
Monday
- Question of the Day:
- AM: Why would you train a zoo cat like Nikita?
- PM: How would you train a zoo cat like Nikita?
- Zoo Exploration: Toyota Elephant Passage, Village Hall, The Edge
- Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
- Engineering Challenge:
- Campers design a training tool
- What did you design? What animal is it for? How does it help the animal?
- Biofact Exploration: What are biofacts? What did we see?
- Further Exploration: Predator Ridge - Lions
Tuesday
- Question of the Day:
- How can water in exhibits encourage zoo animals to show natural behaviors?
- Zoo Exploration: Stingray Cove, Tropical Discovery
- Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
- Engineering Challenge:
- Campers create an aquatic exhibit that encourages natural behaviors.
- What did you create? How does it encourage nature behaviors?
- Further Exploration: Toyota Elephant Passage, Sea Lions
Wednesday
- Question of the Day:
- How do zookeepers take care of Nigel and ensure that he has a happy, active life?
- Zoo Exploration: Predator Ridge - African Wild Dog
- Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
- Engineering Challenge:
- Campers design ways to help Nigel
- What did you create? Who is Nigel? Why does he need additional help?
- Further Exploration: African and Humboldt Penguins, Cinereous Vultures - other animals that have special needs
**City Park Fountains!
Thursday
- Question of the Day:
- How can the design of an enclosure help an animal stay (or get more) physically fit?
- Zoo Exploration: Primate Panorama and Emerald Forest
- Animal Experience: Who did I meet today?
- Engineering Challenge:
- Campers build a new enclosure that helps keep a primate physically fit
- What did you create? How does it keep primates fit?
- Further Exploration: Sheep Mountain and Monkey Island
Friday
- Question of the Day:
- How do Zoo(per) Keepers use food and enrichment to help care for animals in fun ways?
- Zoo Exploration: Outdoor Bird Exhibits, Keas, Llamas
- Engineering Challenge:
- Campers build enrichment for an animal's birthday!
- What did you make? What materials did you use?
- Further Exploration: Camper's choice! Which animals did we see?
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
- Drop-off:
- You will need to bring an ID every day for pick-up.