Submitted by Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
There’s nothing like a summer at the zoo.
As school ends and break begins, parents look for an enjoyable way for kids to spend the summer. Camps at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium provide memorable experiences that kids will be talking about long after school resumes in the fall.
The camps provide both learning and fun for campers of any age — all while making (both human and animal) friends.
Every camp offered at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium encourages a deep understanding of animals and conservation.
The zoo’s unique location in Point Defiance Park, just above Puget Sound, provides an excellent location for kids to experience the world that surrounds them.
Some campers make trips to the beach and park, where they can explore the nature that is in their own backyard.
“Kids from preschool through high school can develop a wonderful understanding of the natural world, and learn more about their place in it,” said Erin O’Hagan, the zoo’s Summer Camp Coordinator. “It’s incredibly fun for the kids.”
With camps offered every weekday from June 15 to August 21, kids have the opportunity to learn and grow in both half-day and full-day adventures.
“We have a great variety in the programs we offer,” said Craig Standridge, the zoo’s Public Programs specialist. “All 39 programs we provide include a unique animal encounter, and we’re one of the only zoos in the U.S. to offer this level of program diversity.”
Some of the most popular camps offered are the “Junior Zookeeper” and “If I Ran the Zoo,” both for middle-school-aged children. These camps offer participants the chance to get up close and personal with zoo animals, and work side-by-side with animal keepers and other staff members.
A new program this year, Zombie Rangers, highlights animals that act like “zombies” in the wild. Kids will have the chance to run a Zombie Survival Course, a sure-fire way for any zombie-obsessed student to get the full experience.
Every camp at the zoo also features the brand new Jammin’ with Jellies exhibit, a music-filled insight into the world of jellyfish and their habitats.
“With these camps, we hope to inspire love for wild animals and wild places,” Standridge said.
Extended child care and financial aid are available. Spaces are limited, so visit www.pdza.org/camps for more information, or call 253-591-5333.