Spring Break Camp

Camp Themes

Join us on a spring break safari to Africa! We will explore the ins and outs of habitats from across Africa and get to know more about the animals that call these places home.

Grades PreK-K

Creature Powers Safari

Experience the wild side of Africa by crawling through a life-size termite mound, smelling an aardvark and listening for bird calls. Kids will have a blast learning about some of their favorite African animals at the Zoo!

Grades 1-2

African Adventure

Join us for this three-day exploration of African habitats, from savanna to jungle to desert. We’ll discover how each habitat provides a perfect home for unique African animals such as giraffes and hippos.

Grades 3-4

Scientists on Safari

Lincoln Park Zoo scientists travel to Africa every year to study animals in the wild. Learn about field research projects that focus on everything from rhino poop to chimpanzee termite fishing. Then step into a field scientist’s shoes by conducting your own animal-behavior study!

2022 Safety Measures and Policies

Check-in and Checkout

• For all age levels, check-in will take place each morning from 8:45–9:10 a.m. and checkout will take place from 2:45–3:10 p.m. For both check-in and checkout, caregivers should park in the designated parking spaces on Cannon Drive and proceed to the camp table outside the Judy Keller Education Center. At checkout, caregivers must show ID in order to pick up their camper. Camp staff will escort campers in and out of the building, and caregivers are not allowed inside.
• Campers will be asked a series of questions at drop-off to check for symptoms of infectious illness before they are allowed to enter camp.

Lunch and Snacks

• If you chose not to purchase lunches during the registration process, your camper must bring a non-refrigerated and nut-free lunch.
• Snacks will be provided only for campers who have purchased a lunch. If you have not purchased a lunch for your camper, please also provide a nut-free snack.
• Campers MUST bring their own refillable water bottle.

Aftercare

• Unfortunately, Lincoln Park Zoo is unable to offer Aftercare for Spring Break Camp. All campers must be picked up by 3:10 p.m. each day.

Group Sizes and Spacing

• Campers will be in groups of no more than 10. Each camp group will be supervised by two adult instructors. There will be one group for PreK–K, one group for grades 1-2, and one group for grades 3-4.
• Camp groups will not mix or share classroom spaces or supplies. Campers will be instructed to keep six feet away from other campers and adults, especially when in indoor spaces.
• Many Spring Break Camp activities will take place outdoors if weather allows, so please dress appropriately.

Camp Gear

• Camp registration fees will include one camp T-shirt that campers will receive on the first day of camp. They should wear it every day they attend. Please carefully consider your camper’s T-shirt size during registration. Once camp gear is in the camper’s possession, we will not be able to make swaps or change sizes.
• Because we will be spending time outside, campers should dress for the weather.

Face Coverings

• All campers and staff are required to wear a face covering at all times while on zoo grounds unless they are medically unable and can supply a doctor’s note to that effect. The only exception is when campers and staff are eating and drinking.
• Caregivers should supply at least two masks per camper per day so that campers may change their masks at midday. We recommend that campers bring a third mask in case one accidentally gets soiled.
• If your camper is not used to wearing a mask, please practice with them at home before they come to camp.

Being Healthy and Ready for Camp

• Caregivers are the zoo’s most important partners in keeping our camp community healthy and safe. If your camper feels unwell, shows any signs of infectious illness (sore throat, new cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, severe headache, or a fever at or above 100.4 degrees) or has been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, please do not send them to camp!
  • We will not be able to issue a refund if your camper cannot come to camp because they have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Campers are not required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to attend Spring Break Camp. However, if a camper shows symptoms of infectious illness while at camp, that camper will be sent home and will need to show a negative COVID-19 test result in order to return to camp.

Can I register for a single day of Spring Break Camp?

• Spring Break Camp is a three-day program. Families may not register for each day individually.

What Happens If a Camper Gets Sick at Camp?

Lincoln Park Zoo will follow the CDC guidelines if a camper becomes ill while at camp.

• If campers begin to feel unwell or show symptoms of infectious illness while at camp, they will be taken to an isolation area to rest under the supervision of a staff member. Caregivers will be called to pick up their camper and advised to consult with their family’s healthcare provider to determine if testing for COVID-19 is warranted.
• If the camper has had no known contact with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and their healthcare provider does not recommend testing for COVID-19, the camper may return to camp once their symptoms improve and they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
• If the camper has had contact with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and/or they receive a positive COVID-19 test result, the camper should remain at home for at least 14 days. They may return to camp after their symptoms have improved and they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing drugs. Lincoln Park Zoo will notify the caregivers of campers who had close contact with the camper who has COVID-19.
• If the camper has had contact with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and they receive a negative COVID-19 test result, the camper should remain at home for 14 days after their last contact with the person who has COVID-19.

Sharing Supplies