Camp Zoo FAQ's |
| Q: | Can I switch to another week? |
| A: | Yes! Just log into your account, and click "My Reservations." Then select the session you want to change. You will cancel this session, and enroll for the new week. Changes to sessions can be made up until 2 weeks (14 days) prior to your camp start date.
All camp groups maintain a 10:1 camper-instructor ratio. We cannot move campers into sold out sessions, no exceptions.
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| 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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| 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 time is check-out? |
| A: | Check-out begins at 2:45 pm and runs until 3:00 PM. Please make arrangements to pick up your camper in this window.
All Kindergarten Camps are half day. Check-out begins at 11:45 and runs until 12:00
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| Q: | My camper needs to arrive late or leave early, what should I do? |
| A: | If you are running slightly late, some staff stay behind to facilitate a late check-in from 8:00-8:15. Campers at late
check-in will be asked to wait with staff until 8:15 and will then be taken to their camp group.
Please communicate early pickups at check-in with the expected time you will be picking up. Then, call us on the
camp phone at (602)574-2253 when you are 10 minutes away from pick-up. Additional staff and time are needed to
escort early departures from the Zoo. We will do our best to facilitate timely pickups. Thank you for being patient and allowing yourself a time buffer.
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, we recommend picking them up prior to then. Thank you so much for your cooperation.
If arriving late, please tell us on the camp phone at (602) 574-2253 at least 30 minutes before your arrival, and then again when you are 10 minutes away so we can arrange for staff to check in your camper.
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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).
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. Families may opt
in to have their camper’s photo taken during camp. If so, then their child’s image 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 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 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!
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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 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 have a circumstance that requires you 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: | How are campers grouped? |
| A: | Campers are grouped by grade level: Kindergarten, 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8
NOTE: When registering for Summer Camps, please enroll your camper in the grade level they are entering in the
fall.
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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 lunch room, 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 welcome to bring an additional
snack!
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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.
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| Q: | Why does my camper need close-toed shoes? |
| 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: | 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 $10.
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| Q: | I missed the window for early apparel pickup. How do I get my camp shirt? |
| A: | Every camp will have a window for families to pick up their apparel early, to ensure a smooth check-in process. 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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| 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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| 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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