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OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR & FREE
OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR & FREE
Summer Conservation Camp 2019
Conservation Camp offers exciting exploration opportunities for animal and nature lovers entering grades preK–4. Each Conservation Camp group explores the zoo and participates in activities to discover animal diversity, environmental conservation, and ways Lincoln Park Zoo cares for animals at the zoo and conserves them in the wild.
Looking for summer opportunities for youth entering fifth–eighth grade? Check out Zoo Crew!
Registration | Pricing | Cancellation Deadline | Scholarships | Add-on Lunch| Dates and Themes | Inclusion at Camp | Teen Volunteers | Open House and Gear Pick-Up | FAQs | About the Staff | Camp Safety
registration
Registration begins in February, so mark your calendars and check back here then!
Members and donors eligible for early registration will receive an email with the registration link prior to their early registration date.
Conservation Camp Pricing
Active Lincoln Park Zoo members at the Individual level and above receive a 15% discount on registration. Become a member today!
The following information represents prices from summer 2019. Prices for future programs are subject to change.
Full-Day Programs (Grades 1-4)
9 a.m.–3 p.m.
$350/week ($300/week for Lincoln Park Zoo members, Individual level and above)
Half-Day Programs (Grades PreK–K)
(PreK campers must be at least 4 years old by Monday of their first registered camp week. PreK–K campers cannot combine a morning and afternoon session.)
Morning Session: 9–11:30 a.m.
OR
Afternoon Session: 12:30–3 p.m.
$175/week ($150/week for Lincoln Park Zoo members, Individual level and above)
Registration includes:
· Daily healthy snack
· Conservation Camp T-shirt
· Conservation Camp backpack
After Care
3–5 p.m.
$100/week
After Care is available from 3–5 p.m. for full-day campers and for half-day campers attending the afternoon session. During this time, campers will enjoy additional time on zoo grounds and within the classroom while participating in a variety of activities, including going to animal buildings and playing games. Instructors may utilize educator resources, such as videos and online games. Campers will receive an additional healthy snack during After Care.
Cancellation Deadline
Lincoln Park Zoo adheres to a strict cancellation and refund policy. If the zoo must cancel a program, full refunds will be issued. If for any reason you need to cancel your registration before the deadline, a refund will be issued, less a 12.5 percent processing fee. Lincoln Park Zoo will not be able to offer any refunds for cancelled registrations after the deadline date.
Conservation Camp Scholarships
Lincoln Park Zoo offers partial and full Conservation Camp scholarships that cover the cost of one week of participation. Please complete and submit an application to be considered for a scholarship..
Please note: Scholarships are limited, and applying for a scholarship does not guarantee a spot in a summer program.
Optional: To guarantee your child a spot in camp, you may choose to register your child once registration opens. If your child is later granted a scholarship, we will refund the amount of the scholarship from the registration fee.
Scholarship applications will be available on this page when registration opens.
add-on lunch
Add on a pre-made lunch to your camp week! All lunches are peanut free and made in a nut-free facility. Vegetarian and gluten-free diets are welcome.
An add-on lunch is optional for students entering grades 1–4. Those who do not purchase a lunch are responsible for supplying their own camper with lunches. This option is not available for campers entering preK–K.
The following information represents menu options and prices from summer 2019. Menu options and prices for future programs are subject to change.
Early bird special:
$30/week
Regular rate:
$35/week
All lunches come with a juice box, fresh fruit, sunflower seeds, and a cheese stick. Lunches also come with dried fruit or applesauce. Below is the standard menu. Vegetarian lunches are listed below the daily menu when applicable. Gluten-free wraps will be provided for campers who have indicated a gluten-free allergy or need in their registration.
Monday: Sun butter and jelly wrap
Tuesday: Chicken salad wrap
Vegetarian option: Cheese pizza roll up
Wednesday: Hummus and corn chips
Thursday: Barbeque chicken salad wrap
Vegetarian option: Sun butter and jelly wrap
Friday: Cheese pizza roll up
conservation camp dates and themes
Conservation Camp is a week-long camp offered in three themes. Your camper can attend each individual theme once, for a total of up to three weeks. The themes are independent and non-cumulative, so you can enroll in any theme at any time, so long as the themes are not repeated. Perhaps you’d like to take a few weeks off between themes—the choice is yours.
The dates and themes from 2019 are listed below:
Rising Grades PreK–K
Theme A: Camouflages and Coverings
June 10—14
July 8—12
July 29—August 2
August 19—23
From the smooth scales of snakes to the warm fur of black bears, animals protect themselves from the elements in many ways. Come explore the different coverings of some of your favorite zoo animals and how these coats help them survive!
Theme B: Storybook Safari
June 17—21
July 15—19
August 5—9
Discover the zoo through the pages of some of your favorite books! Amazing animals have inspired many wonderful stories over the years. Come meet some of the magnificent animals that make the stories come to life! From the fuzzy bat in Stellaluna to the big bear in Bear Wants More, share in their stories while you learn about animals!
Theme C: Artistic Animals
June 24—28
July 22—26
August 12—16
Did you know that some animals, such as humpback whales, sing beautiful and complex songs to impress a mate? Bees do a waggle dance to help other bees find food, peacocks and Himalayan monals use their brightly colored feathers to attract females, and spiders weave intricate webs to catch their prey. Come learn about these animals and other artists of the natural world.
Rising Grades 1–2
Theme A: Homes, Holes, and Hideaways
June 10—14
July 8—12
July 29—August 2
August 19—23
Where would you look to find your favorite animal? From the frozen tundra to toasty deserts, birds, bears, bugs, and other animals live in every corner of the earth. Join us as we investigate a variety of animal habitats, and the critters themselves, from around the world!
Theme B: Animals Around the Clock
June 17—21
July 15—19
August 5—9
What’s your bedtime? And when do you feel the most wide awake? While some animals snooze all day, some sleep hardly all the time! Discover the unique behaviors and sleep habits of some of the most interesting animals, from hibernating bears to nocturnal bats!
Theme C: Leaders of the Pack
June 24—28
July 22—26
August 12—16
In the animal world, males are often dominant. But within groups of Japanese macaques, it’s the females who make the rules. In a colony of ants, one female lays all the eggs and is protected by an army of male soldiers. Other groups are ruled by a male-and-female pair that lives as a family and works together to raise its young. Explore the different groups animals form and learn about the real leaders of the pack.
Rising Grades 3–4
Theme A: Wild Within
June 10—14
July 8—12
July 29—August 2
August 19—23
Giraffes stand almost 20-feet tall, but did you know they have the same number of neck vertebrae as you? Learn about other awesome similarities between you and the wild inhabitants at Lincoln Park Zoo, starting from the inside out!
Theme B: Grossology
June 17—21
July 15—19
August 5—9
Are you fascinated by the weird but true, wild and wacky, gross and yucky? Animals can be delightfully disgusting! Come explore how the waste of some animals helps others survive, how scat can help you identify animals, how animal blood colors vary, and how slime helps some creepy creatures to move, digest food, or defend themselves!
Theme C: Animal Architects
June 24—28
July 22—26
August 12—16
In the heart of Chicago, it’s impossible not to notice the massive skyscrapers towering above your head. These man-made structures are certainly impressive, but they’re nothing compared to the giant mounds built by termites in Africa or the complex nests that weaver birds construct out of twigs and straw. Join us to learn all about the amazing homes animals create and how these models have inspired some of our modern building practices.
Zoo Camp for all! We work with campers, their families, and our staff to create an environment where all campers, with and without disabilities, engage in camp together. Our camp inclusion specialist supports individual campers and our camp instructors in providing an inclusive summer camp experience. During the registration process, parents/guardians will be asked to share any information about their camper that can help us provide individualized support, and whether our camp inclusion specialist should get in touch prior to camp for further discussion. We are committed to providing each child with a fun and memorable experience at Zoo Camp!
Camp Teen Volunteers
In February 2020, we will begin recruiting a limited number of teens (ages 13–18) to support Conservation Camp. Participating teens will have the chance to work with children and gain professional experience. All interested teens will be required to apply and interview for this selective position.
Open House and Gear Pick-Up Days
Dates for these events will be released in your confirmation email upon completing the online registration for camp.
The camp team will host an open house for registered parents and campers. At the open house, you can meet camp staff, see classrooms, and pick up and purchase camp gear, including T-shirts and backpacks.
Already familiar with Lincoln Park Zoo camps? Parents of campers who have previously attended Lincoln Park Zoo camp programs are welcome to drop by on one of the gear pick-up days to pick up and purchase camp gear, including T-shirts and backpacks.
Can’t make an open house? Camp families can also pick up camp gear on their first day of camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Conservation Camp Staff
Each camp group is led by two first aid- and CPR-certified instructors who have completed rigorous staff and leadership training. Camp instructors facilitate all educational components of the camp day, and groups have the chance to meet zoo staff throughout the week, from zookeepers to zoo educators to scientists. Many groups also include trained camp teen volunteers who provide additional support. A dedicated camp leadership team of five manages all aspects of the camp program.
For more information, please email camp@lpzoo.org or call 312-742-2056.
camp safety
Lincoln Park Zoo Camp continually assesses and strengthens measures needed to ensure the safety, health, and security of the campers, staff, and volunteers who are in our programs. We maintain close and ongoing working relationships with local police and emergency personnel who support the day-to-day safety of our site. Here are more ways Lincoln Park Zoo Camp keeps our campers, staff, and teens safe.
In Our Buildings:
• Controlled access
• Security cameras
• Two camp instructors in each classroom
• Background-checked staff
• Camp instructors are CPR-, AED-, and first aid-certified
• Camp instructors complete an exhaustive staff and leadership training
• Up to two camp teen volunteers in each classroom
• Camp teen volunteers complete mentorship and safety training
• Class size capacities are as follows:
o Grades PreK–K 7:1
o Grades 1–4 9:1
o Grades 5–8 8:1
• Group bathroom visits supervised by camp staff, or campers are escorted to and from the bathroom by a member of the camp team
• Authorized camper pick-up list and picture identification needed to check out a camper
On Zoo Grounds:
• EMT and security on site during camp hours
• Camp instructors carry radios and first aid Kits
• Campers, staff, and camp teen volunteers wear specific color t-shirts for easy identification
Policies and Procedures:
• Comprehensive emergency action plan
• Regular emergency response drills during staff training
• Two fire drills during the summer camp season
• Accredidation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Sponsor
Sponsor
Program Partners
Midwest Foods, Official Produce
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2001 North Clark Street • Chicago, IL 60614 • 312-742-2000
