2013 Camp Descriptions

For Campers Entering Grades 2-3

Week 1: June 17-21: Around the World

Wilderness Explorers
Suit UP for an adventure as a Zoo Wilderness Explorer. Earn badges as you help animals at the Zoo and around the world. You may even discover the creature of Paradise Falls. Adventure is out there!
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

U.S.A (United States of Animals)
This land was made for you and me…and the animals! Explore the Zoo in your backyard and say “hello” to your neighbors on the new American Trail including gray wolves, sea lions, and the iconic bald eagle. Then learn how you can help keep America beautiful.
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Out of Africa
There’s no need for a passport when you can explore the savanna at the National Zoo! Take part in crafts and games as you learn about African animals and culture. We’re not lion, it’s going to be a wild time!
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Week 2: June 24-28: Lights, Cameras, Animals

Kung Fu Panda FULL
Help kick extinction! Become a part of the Furious Five and earn a black belt in conservation. Travel Asia Trail and uncover the mystery of the giant panda, clouded leopard, red panda, and more. This camp is sure to be a knockout!
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

The Lion King FULL
It’s time for the mane event! We’re beaming with pride over our lions! Learn about the kings and queens of the National Zoo and visit with their cat cousins:, cheetahs, tigers, and leopards. Pounce on this camp. Register meow!
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Week 3: July 1-3, 5: The Animal Kingdom

Moo at the Zoo
Spend the week as Old MacDonald. Meet a keeper and plow headfirst into learning how we care for cows, goats, donkeys, and more at the National Zoo’s Kid Farm, sponsored by State Farm®.
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Great to be a Primate
You’ll go ape in this class! Learn all about our primate cousins: monkeys, apes, and prosimians. Meet the Zoo’s collection and learn why it is great to be primate.
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Fantastic Frogs
It can be easy being green and we’ll show you how. Jump to it and learn what you can do save the frogs. You’ll be hoppy in this class!
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Week 4: July 8-12: Zoomagination

Zoo Dunnit FULL
Grab your binoculars and venture through the Zoo to solve clues about the animal kingdom. Test your newly acquired knowledge of Zoo animals and scientific methods to solve the mystery and claim the reward!
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Fairy Tails
We’re jumping into the pages of our favorite “tails.” Meet Jack’s giant (octopus), huff and puff with the big bad wolf, pucker up to frogs, and pay a visit to the home of our three bears. Become a part of the story and learn about the real animals behind the critter characters.
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Week 5: July 15-19: Zoo-credibles

Swamp Thing
Many people think crocodiles, snakes, and creepy crawlers have a serious yuck factor. We’ll get down and dirty learning about their fascinating behavior and why it can be great to be gross.
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Superman-imals
Find the nearest phone booth and change into your cape; we’re meeting the Zoo’s most incredible creatures! Join the squad as we uncover animals with powers of speed, strength, flight, and more, then transform into a hero yourself!
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Aquaman
Dive deep into exploring our underwater animals. Otters, octopus, turtles, and more. Sea for yourself! It’s sure to be a splash (formerly Go Fish)!
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Week 6: July 22-26: Book Worms

Charlotte's Web
Terrific is not only Charlotte’s word for Wilbur—it’s how you’ll feel about this class! Meet Wilbur’s radiant cousins, our Ossabaw hogs, learn about Templeton’s smarts, and admire Charlotte’s talented distant relatives, the tarantulas.
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Dr. Zoo-euss
Turtles, elephants, and tigers, too. Where can you find them? At the National Zoo! You're sure to have a fabulous time, making crafts and reading rhymes. So come to the park, take a look, and see an animal from a Dr. Seuss book!
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Week 7: July 29-Aug 2: The National Zoo Games

Golden Medal Tamarins
Get to know your cousins from itsy-bitsy monkeys to awesome apes. Learn about the O Line and how it enables orangutans to travel high above the Zoo. Plus, there’s no denying you’ll adore our golden lion tamarins! Monkey around with us all week long.
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Leapers Creepers
Visit the Zoo’s Reptile Discovery Center and meet fascinating creatures lurking behind every corner. From poison dart frogs to the Komodo dragon, slither on over if you dare! Learn about the global amphibian crisis and hop into action to save our froggy friends!
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Week 8: Aug 5-9: Zoology 101

Zoo MD FULL
Imagine what it takes to care for a toothy tiger or slimy salamander. How do you x-ray a stingray or give a shot to a shrew? Zoo veterinarians have one of the toughest jobs around. Visit the Zoo's animal hospital and meet the vets who care for our over 400 different species of animals.
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium

Home Sweet Habitat FULL
There’s no place like home! Visit the National Zoo and explore the homes and habitats of our natural builders. Learn more by digging into the animal world before becoming busy bees, beavers, and birds, yourself. Join the crew (formerly Extreme Home Makeover: Zoo Edition)!
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Morning Meeting Location: Visitor's Center Auditorium