Camp Zoo FAQ's |
| Q: | What is the best way to contact you? |
| A: | For questions regarding your upcoming camp, the best way to connect with Camps is through our email, camps@phoenixzoo.org.
You can also reply to your confirmation email, and any emails we send you regarding camp!
For urgent/time-sensitive assistance during your camper’s week, you may call our Camp Emergency line at (602)574-2253. This phone line is NOT monitored when camp is not in session. Please only reach out to this number during your campers' week. All non-urgent calls for general assistance will be directed to email us instead.
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Camp Zoo Registration |
| Q: | Can I cancel my registration online? |
| A: | You can cancel your registration online up to 2 weeks prior to your camp. Log back into the registration portal and click "My Reservations." Then you will select your session and cancel it on the next page. When you cancel, your payment will be listed as an account credit, and once we are informed of the cancellation, we will process a refund to the card on file. See below for our refund policy.
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| Q: | Can I switch to another week? |
| A: | You can switch sessions up to 2 weeks prior to your camp. To switch your session, you will cancel your current session, then re-register for the correct one! When you cancel, your payment will be listed as an account credit, which will then be applied to the other session.
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| Q: | What is your refund policy? |
| A: | Refund Policy:
Refunds can be obtained up to 14 days (2 weeks) before your camp begins. Cancellations made within 14 days (2 weeks) of the camp session will be subject to a $100 cancellation fee (per camper per session).
Sessions can be rescheduled. However, if you reschedule within 14 days (2 weeks) prior to the original session, a $50 rescheduling fee (per camper) will be added to your bill.
There is no refund for no-shows or missed days. If your camper’s week begins, and you decide to no longer attend camp, you will not be able to receive a refund.
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| Q: | I registered my camper for the wrong grade. Can I switch groups? |
| A: | Campers enrolled in the incorrect group can only move if the desired grade is available. You may edit your camper’s information online through our registration portal and cancel/switch sessions up until 14 days (2 weeks) prior to your camp start date.
Every group is set to a specific capacity to ensure instructor-camper ratios that align with the standards of the American Camp Association. If a session is sold out, we cannot move your camper from one group into another, no exceptions.
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| Q: | Can I sign my camper up for a different grade level? |
| A: | Camp Zoo specifically designs each grade level’s program to match the developmental needs for each age range. Campers are not permitted to join groups outside of their grade level, no exceptions.
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| Q: | I missed the window for early apparel pickup. How do I get my camp shirt? |
| A: | If you miss our early pickup window, rest assured that all apparel will be available on the first day of your session, and we start check in at 7:30 that day to accommodate for apparel pickups. Early apparel pick-ups vary from session to session, based on camp capacity and timing. We will not facilitate early apparel pick-up while camps are in session, no exceptions.
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Camp Zoo Check In/ Check Out |
| Q: | What time is check-in? |
| A: | Check-in will run from 7:45 AM to 8:00 AM every day of camp.
On Mondays, we will begin check-in at 7:30. Please allot at least 30 minutes for check-in on the first day of camp to allow for material collection, group organization, and paperwork collection.
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| Q: | What do I do if I am running late? |
| A: | Please call the camp emergency line at (602)574-2253 to let us know you are running behind.
If you are running slightly late, some staff stay behind to facilitate a late check-in from 8:00-8:15. Campers that arrive late for check-in will be asked to wait with staff until 8:15 and will then be taken to their camp group.
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| Q: | What time is check-out? |
| A: | Check-out begins at 2:45 pm and runs until 3:00 PM.
All Kindergarten Camps are half day. Check-out begins at 11:45 and runs until 12:
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| Q: | Can other people pick up my child? |
| A: | Yes, they need to be on your Authorized Pickup List! You can add additional pickup personnel online via our registration portal. Log into your account, and then scroll down the “My Account” page to select the grey tab labeled “pickup authorization.”
Please make sure the names provided match the personnel’s government issued ID. We will not release campers if the names do not match (even nicknames), no exceptions.
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| Q: | My camper needs to arrive late or leave early, what should I do? |
| A: | Camp Zoo is happy to accommodate late arrivals and early pickups!
1.When possible, please notify your camp counselor or email camps@phoenixzoo.org in advance!
2.Call the Camp Phone at (602) 574-2253 when you are 10 minutes away from the Zoo.
3.Park and walk to the Nina Mason Pullium South Gate (same gate as check in). Wait for Zoo staff to arrive.
4.Our team will sign in/out your camper at the gate. Be sure to have your ID with you if signing out!
5.We cannot facilitate timely departures during lunchtime (12:00-12:30) and up to 30 minutes before dismissal (2:15-2:45). If you need to pick up your camper during these windows, be prepared to wait longer than normal for staff or pick up your camper prior to these times. Thank you so much for your cooperation.
We will do our best to accommodate these requests according to the time you have specified, but please know that additional staff and time are needed to escort early departures within the Zoo. Thank you for being patient and allowing yourself a time buffer.
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| Q: | Is there an aftercare program where I can pick up my camper later? |
| A: | Unfortunately, we are no longer able to offer any after-care services. Please pick up your camper by 3:00 PM.
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Camp Zoo What to Bring |
| Q: | What should my camper bring to camp? |
| A: | Your Camper will need:
•Camp t-shirt, worn each day
•Closed toe shoes
•Water bottle
•2 snacks: one for the morning, and one for the afternoon
•Packed lunch (Full day camps only)
•Hat, Spray bottle, and washcloth (optional)
Campers will be expected to carry their items with them every day. We recommend campers carry a small backpack and leaving extra items at home.
A Camp shirt, a water bottle, and a hat are included in your camp registration. Additional items will be available for purchase at apparel pick-up days and check-in. Please dress each day in comfortable “play clothes” that can get dirty/wet.
Camp Zoo is no longer providing snacks with camp and asks families to bring additional snacks along with their camper’s lunch. Campers will have access to their lunch box during snack time.
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| Q: | Can my camper bring extra items with them to camp? |
| A: | Campers are more than welcome to bring an extra item that will support their day at camp (sunscreen, cooling towel, shoes for water play, a backpack, etc.). All items are the camper’s responsibility to handle and care for in a safe manner.
We ask that toys, cell phones, and electronic devices stay at home. The Phoenix Zoo is not liable for any lost, stolen, or broken items brought to camp.
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| Q: | Can my camper bring a phone with them? |
| A: | Camp Zoo focuses campers on being present in the experiences we offer. Cell phones, smartwatches, and other entertainment-based electronics are not allowed to be used during Camp hours. If found, these items will be confiscated from campers and returned to the adult picking up at the end of the day. If you need to contact your camper during the camp day, please contact camp supervisors on the camp zoo emergency phone number 602-574-2253.
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| Q: | Can my camper wear a smart watch? |
| A: | Watches are permitted at Camp Zoo; however, they must only be used as a watch. If a watch is used as a phone or entertainment-based electronic during camp hours, the camper will be asked to put the watch away. If the watch continues to distract, the item will be confiscated from campers and returned to the adult picking up at the end of the day.
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| Q: | Can my camper wear shoes with holes in them? |
| A: | Our programs may involve behind the scenes elements where fecal matter may be present. For this reason, we ask that campers wear enclosed shoes to keep fecal matter from entering their shoes. Shoes must be enclosed with no holes in them. Enclosed sandals with holes (e.g., Keens, Crocs) will not be allowed.
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| Q: | Can my camper bring shoes for water play? |
| A: | Yes! Campers are more than welcome to bring extra shoes/socks with them. We ask that campers can change shoes independently. Camp runs on a tight schedule, and we may not be able to provide extra time for campers to change shoes. Please practice changing shoes at home for a successful transition!
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| Q: | Do you provide snacks? |
| A: | We provide a light snack in the mornings and afternoons for all campers. However, campers are more than welcome
to bring additional snacks from home. We just ask that they are nut-free and stored outside of their lunchbox as
lunch boxes will be stored in a separate location.
Starting Summer 2025: Camp Zoo is no longer providing snacks with camp and asks families to bring 2 additional snacks along with their camper’s lunch. Campers will have access to their lunch box during snack time.
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| Q: | Does my camper need to bring lunch? |
| A: | Yes, all full day campers are required to bring their own lunch from home. Please note that lunches will be stored together in the lunchroom, so we recommend storing your food in a structured lunch box labeled with your camper's name.
All Kindergarten Camps are half-day. Kindergarteners do not need lunch but are asked to bring one snack!
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| Q: | Does my camper need to wear their camp shirt every day? |
| A: | Yes, we ask that campers wear their camp shirt each day. This aids in the identification of participants in our program. Additional shirts will also be available for purchase for $15.
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Camp Zoo Program |
| Q: | What will my camper do in a day? |
| A: | Campers participate in indoor and outdoor activities including games, crafts, learning activities, stories, songs, hikes, animal demonstrations, and special behind the scenes animal encounters/experiences.
To best prioritize sun and heat safety, expect that campers will have activities indoors, regardless of time of year. All Summer Camps are required to spend at least ½ day (if not more) indoors.
For specific information about your camper’s curriculum, a newsletter will be provided during your camper’s week! Keep an eye out for it in your email, one week before camp!
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| Q: | How do you accommodate high temperatures? |
| A: | Camper health and safety is our highest priority at Camp Zoo. All year long, we prioritize heat safety by limiting time outside and providing campers with regular cool downs and water breaks. Like a “rainy day schedule” Camp Zoo implements a High Temperature schedule to keep campers safe. Our schedule will vary from program to program. When temperatures reach 110 or higher, campers will spend no more than 45 minutes outside cumulatively (not all at once, including water breaks outside and going from one room to another).
We recommend campers bring a washcloth and a spray bottle to help cool down throughout the day!
All summer programs spend at least ½ the day inside (or longer), with all outside activities occurring in the early morning.
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| Q: | Do you take pictures of the campers throughout the day? |
| A: | We take photos of campers at select times throughout camp, which vary from program to program. All photos may be used for marketing purposes at the Phoenix Zoo, except for one whole-group photo to be taken each week.
Camp Zoo takes family privacy and security seriously. Please request a media release at check in or email camps@phoenixzoo.org if your camper cannot be present in any photos.
Camp Zoo places priority on camper, animal, and staff safety, and the quality of lived experiences over opportunities to document activities. We will do our best to take as many photos as we can; however, we do not guarantee a set number of photos for any given week. Photos may be taken by a variety of staff and over different devices, so quality may vary. Due to elevated temperatures, we often experience devices overheating. Thank you so much for your patience, and we are continually working to find new ways to capture moments at camp.
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| Q: | What animals will my camper see at camp? |
| A: | Every day, your camper will see many animals in a variety of ways! They will see animals on our Zoo trails, they will meet our ambassador animals in up-close animal discoveries, and they may have opportunities throughout the week to go behind the scenes of exhibits with Zookeepers for animal interactions.
To best prioritize the safety of campers and Zoo animals alike, we are unable to guarantee the presence of specific animals during camp. All hikes, animal discoveries, and animal interactions are subject to change from session to session.
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| Q: | My camper has food allergies, is there a safe space for them to eat? |
| A: | We offer a communal lunchroom and a separate “nut-free” area in which lunch boxes are checked to ensure they do not contain any products with nuts. Please be sure to communicate all your campers’ allergies on their health history form.
All snack times are nut free. Snacks with nuts eaten outside of lunchtime will not be permitted.
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