Spring Break Camps

Register online by visiting our website at CalgaryZoo.com/education/camps/. 

The website has information about available spaces. 

Once the registration is completed, you will receive an email immediately which includes confirmation of your registration. 

Camps are educational programs designed to take participants on fun and engaging week-long adventure while learning more about how to sustain wildlife in wild places. Campers will take part in lots of activities, games, crafts, interpretive programs, and tours around the zoo. Campers will see different parts of the park throughout the week and will have the unique opportunity to meet an Animal Care technician and one of our small ambassador animals up close in a classroom, plus enjoying some behind-the-scenes experiences most don’t get to see!   

Our goals are that campers have a safe, fun, and positive social and educational experience here at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, Canada’s leader in wildlife conservation.  

Camp leaders are trained adult conservation educators who develop and facilitate meaningful programs with lasting impacts on the children and youth who we are lucky to have join us each year. They are there to care for your camper, inspire curiosity, and ensure campers have a wonderful time. They will be happy to share the plans for each week with caregivers during drop-off.  

Yes. The website shows the number of spaces available in each camp. If space is available, you can register each child in the camp and you will receive immediate confirmation.  

We aim to place children together in the same age group to plan a program that is appropriate for their age and to facilitate positive social interactions. As such, we are not able to place a younger child in a camp designed for older children, however, we are able to place a child up to 1 year older in a camp designed for younger children if required. Please call us at 403-232-7732 or email summercamp@calgaryzoo.com prior to registering.  

Please note, if campers are registered in the incorrect camp our refund policy will be followed.  

We do our best to accommodate camper’s needs and abilities. Please indicate any special needs that may impact their camp experience on your registration form in full. Children who are in regular school classrooms and have an aide will generally be able to attend if they are accompanied by the aide. Please call 403-232-7732 for further information. Our staff undergo some training on a variety of different learning and behaviour needs but may not be able to make all necessary accommodations. If your campers needs are not able to be accommodated, our refund policy will be followed.    

Each camp will have an opportunity to have an animal experience with an Animal Care technician. Northern Leopard Frog camps will meet one of our smaller animal ambassadors up close. Full-day camps will enjoy meeting a smaller animal ambassador and a unique behind-the-scenes experience with one of our larger animals. In addition, camps will also witness various on-park animal spotlights throughout their week. As all our animal ambassadors, large and small, have freedom of choice in the extent they choose to participate in enrichment and educational programs, experiences on the day may differ from our initial program plans. Animal welfare and wellness is our top priority, so no animal encounters or experiences include touching or holding of any animals.   

Yes, campers must be able to use a toilet independently – this includes changing pull-ups or other necessary products independently. Staff are not able to help campers with toileting needs.  

If your child has any special needs that you would like to elaborate on, please contact 403-232-7732.  

Spring Break Camps run from 9:00am to 4:00pm. There are no Early or Late Care options available.  

When dropping off in the morning and picking up in the afternoon, you will have a 30 minute grace period in the zoo’s North Parking Lot. If you are staying longer than 30 minutes, the regular $13 fee applies unless you have a Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo membership that includes parking.

NEW IN 2024/2025: Camper drop-off and pick-up location has changed! Please arrive and depart at the WEST ENTRANCE on ZOO ROAD NE.   

• If you are driving, park in the west lot and proceed to the West Entrance. There is a 30-minute grace period for the parking lot. If you plan to visit the zoo separately from your camper, you can relocate your vehicle to the North Lot and enter via the main entrance.   

• If you are taking Calgary Transit, arrive at Bridgeland/Memorial Station. It is a 15-minute walk across the Bow River to the West Entrance via Baines Bridge and Zoo Road NE.   

• Please bring your camper to our West Entrance, where you will be met by a staff member who will allow you into the Zoo and direct you. Pick-up will be via the West Entrance at 4:00 p.m.   

• The West Entrance is different than the Security/Administration buildings. It is the entrance closest to the tiger habitat. There is a pedestrian crosswalk but be mindful, this is often a busy road.  

Parents who have not picked up their children by 4:10 p.m. (5:10 p.m. for after care) will be charged a $20.00 late fee for the first 10 minutes and $5.00 for each additional 10 minutes which must be paid before the beginning of the next camp day.  

CLOTHING: Each camp spends much of their day on zoo grounds rain or shine, so please pack weather appropriate clothing (i.e. raingear, jacket). We also recommend washable clothing since some of the activities/crafts your child may be participating in can be messy. Footwear should be sturdy and comfortable for walking. We do not recommend sandals, flipflops, slippers, or crocs. Campers are provided with a camp hat that they must wear at all times on zoo grounds. They will be able to take their hats home on the final day of camp. Please also ensure your camper has sunscreen and bug spray for use during the day.  

FOOD: Please pack a reusable water bottle every day. Campers will be very active during camp, and we recommend you pack a substantial lunch and multiple snacks for your child. Please do not include peanut or tree nut food products as many children are allergic to them. Children are not allowed to purchase food, drinks, snacks, or gifts on grounds so please do not send money with your child.”  

Please indicate any medical, mobility, or allergy concerns on your registration form. Staff are trained in first aid and will respond appropriately in an emergency situation.

Staff are not able to carry or administer any medication to campers.

Staff will support campers who are able to self-medicate if required and carry their medication with them. Staff can help by setting timer for reminders to take medication and will communicate with parents as needed.

Staff are trained in first aid and will respond appropriately in an emergency situation.

If your child has special needs that you would like to elaborate on, please contact (403) 232-7732 or email SummerCamp@CalgaryZoo.com prior to camp. All messages will be responded to as soon as possible.

Behaviour is managed appropriately to provide a fun and safe week for all campers and there is zero tolerance for bullying. If behaviour is disruptive and continuous, parents/guardians will be advised. If the behaviour continues, the camper may be asked to leave camp and no refund will be issued.

The zoo can be a busy place and safety is our number one concern for participants of Zoo Camps.

You can help us provide a safe experience for all children by:

• Ensuring your child has the necessary items for a day away from home (refillable water bottle, weather appropriate clothing, two snacks, and a peanut-free lunch)
• Advising camp staff of your child’s medications and/or allergies
• Advising camp staff of any behavioral, emotional, or physical concerns that may affect your child’s camp experience
• Asking your child not to share lunches or snacks

We strive to give each child a great experience at our camps and work with parents, guardians, and aides to enhance activities to meet each child’s needs wherever possible. However, we reserve the right to remove a camper from activities, tours, or from the camp entirely if there are repeated, unresolved concerns that put the child, other children, or zoo staff in an unsafe situation.

Our website outlines costs for each camp including the pro-rated cost for the short week of camp during April 22-25.  

Unfortunately, the Calgary Fee Assistance program cannot be applied to our Spring Camp program. 

You are able to cancel the registration within one business day of its submission with no fees applied. Otherwise, the following will apply:

A cancellation made seven days or more prior to the camp start date will be refunded less a $25  administration fee.

Cancellations made less than seven days prior to the camp start date will not be refunded.

Cancellation requests due to medical reasons must be accompanied by a doctor’s note at the time of the request.

Transferring your registration from one camp to another will result in a $25 administration fee. Because we use a secure external registration system and do not keep credit card information at the zoo, we will require the original credit card number to refund and reapply the registration to an alternate camp date.

We are not able to pro-rate the cost of a weeklong camps should your child need to miss any day(s) or portions thereof.

Yes, if the transfer is initiated 1 week or more prior to the start of camp and there is space in the new week, we can transfer your registration with a $25 administration fee.  

A transfer initiated less than 1 week prior to the start of camp is subject to a $75 administration fee as we will likely not be able to fill the original spot with a new camper.  

Because we use a secure external registration system and do not keep credit card information at the zoo, we will require the original credit card number to refund the original charge and apply the new registration and transfer fee to an alternate week.  

If you need to transfer your registration please contact us at 403-232-7732 or email summercamp@calgaryzoo.com.  

We are not able to pro-rate the cost of a camps should your child need to miss any day(s) or portions thereof.

We are not able to transfer camp registration to child who is in a different household.

Starting October 2nd 2023, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo does not offer discounts on summer or school break camps.