Summer Camp Program Information and FAQ’s

You can register online by visiting our website at calgaryzoo.com/education/camps/

This page has up to date information about available spaces. 

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

Summer camp registration closes on the Thursday prior to the week of camp at 12:00 pm. This allows us to prepare for the upcoming week.

Camps are educational programs designed to take participants on a 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. 

We aim to place children together in the same age group so that each program is age-appropriate and encourages a positive social experience for all. 

Campers must be specified age for each session by the first day of camp. Campers 1 year older can be registered if their caregivers determine it best for their time with us. 

Northern Leopard Frog Morning/Afternoon (Half Day) Age 4-5 preschool aged (not yet completed Kindergarten) 

Mountain Bongo – Age 5-6 (completed Kindergarten) 

Burrowing Owls and Greater Sage Grouse – Age 6-7 

Whooping Crane – Age 7-8 

Black-Footed Ferret – Age 8-9 

Marmot – Age 9-10 

Hippo – Age 10-11 

Swift Fox – Age 11-12 

Fisher – Age 13-14 

You can register your 5 year old who has completed kindergarten in either Northern Leopard Frog or Mountain Bongo.

As Mountain Bongo is a full-day camp, we recommend children who have not experienced full-day programs be enrolled in Northern Leopard Frog.

If campers have not completed kindergarten, they are only eligible for Northern Leopard Frog Camp.

No, each year new programs are planned by our trained conservation educators to ensure that new themes, activities, crafts and games are incorporated.  

Yes. A child may attend as many camps as they want in their age range. However, our camp program plans for individual camps (Sage Grouse, Hippo, etc.) include repeated activities which may be less impactful to returning campers. If you are planning on registering for more than one week of camp you may wish to consider choosing a different camp within your camper’s age range for each week. 

Yes, you are welcome to register for both camps, however we are unable to provide supervision between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm. 

An approved adult on that camper’s pick-up list is required to pick up the camper once the morning program is completed and drop off again for the afternoon program. 

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 in order 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 the 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, the week of June 30th–July 4th (including Canada Day) will be a full 5 day week of camps. However, August 4th–8th will be shortened due to the holiday Monday (Heritage Day) and will begin on the Tuesday instead. As this week will be one day shorter, the price will be pro-rated for four days. 

No, our system does not do waitlists for summer camp.

Our website has up to the minute availability for all camps. Please check back often as available spots are reflected as soon as we receive a cancellation or transfer.

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.

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 label all your camper’s belongings with their first and last name. We will contact you if a labelled item is found or turned in. At the end of the week, check the summer camp lost and found for items that may have been misplaced during the week. Unlabeled items in the summer camp lost and found for more than 2 weeks following the camp will be donated to charity.

*Please do not send valuable items (cameras, phones, money, etc.) to camp with your child. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Full-day zoo camps (ages 5-14): 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Northern Leopard Frog Mornings: 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Northern Leopard Frog Afternoons: 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Camp staff will begin to sign-in and sign-out campers at the times posted above. 

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.

Full-day campers should be dropped off and signed in with the camp leaders at the bus loop near the North Entrance (the bus loop is located outside between the North Parking Lot and the C-Train tunnel). Parking is in the North Parking Lot. There will be a 30-minute free grace period for Summer Camp drop-off and pick-up.

*Please note that 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*

Northern Leopard Frog Camp (both morning and afternoon camps) drop off and pick up is at the Karsten Discovery Centre entrance. You can follow the sign once through the tunnel and in the zoo to be shown to the front door.  

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.

If you have an event planned, please notify us by email and speak to the summer camp leaders on the first day of camp. Please note that we are unable to provide partial refunds for any days missed.

If your child will be missing any part of the camp (arriving late, leaving early, or missing a day), please text or call and leave a message with the leader of your child’s camp, indicating your child’s name and the details of their absence. Please give us as much warning as possible so that we can be prepared.

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

Before care runs from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. before camp starts in the morning. 

If you plan on arriving after 8:45 a.m., please take your camper to their designated meeting location in the bus loop where camp staff will begin signing campers into camp at 9:00 a.m. 

After care runs from 4:10 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the end of the camp day. Both will be located in the Karsten Discovery Centre across from the Penguin Plunge. There will be a maximum of 40 spots available each week. 

Before and after care is located at the Karsten Discovery Centre (across from Penguin Plunge). This is the first building on the right as you exit the tunnel after entering the zoo.

Parents/Guardian will walk their camper to this location to sign their child into Early Care or out of Late Care each day if purchased as part of their registration.

If you arrive and the gates are closed, please contact security using the call box located to the left of the entrance gates, and the same process applies thereafter.

Continue to the Karsten Discovery Centre (first building on your right as you exit the tunnel).

Before care leaders will be waiting outside the Discovery Centre to sign your camper in.

Before and After Care phone (monitored during work hours through Summer Camp season only): 403-561-6875 

Proceed to the entrance gates and check in with the information desk staff member who will have a list of you and your child’s names.

Campers are to be picked up by 5:00 p.m. Please call should you experience circumstances out of your control that may cause you to be late.

Before and After Care phone (monitored during work hours through Summer Camp season only): 403-561-6875 

Hot lunch will not be purchasable in 2025. 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.

No. Please send snacks to be eaten during the day as well as a refillable water bottle

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 prior to camp. Any voicemails left 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.

Our professional staff are selected on their previous experience working with children and their experience in programming for children. Most are university graduates or are currently working on a degree, frequently in education, the sciences, or both. All staff members receive training which helps them to excel in their positions. All staff are also required to undergo police security checks and possess current standard first aid certification.

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, rain gear, 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.

Weekly Camp Programs: 

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

Before/After Care: *prorated cost for August 5-8, 2025 – $44/child per week 

You are able to cancel the registration within 1 business day of its submission with no fees applied. Otherwise, the following will apply:

· A cancellation made 3 weeks or more prior to the camp start date will be refunded (less a $25 administration fee).

· A cancellation made between 1 – 3 weeks prior to the camp start date will be refunded (less a $75 administration fee).

· A cancellation made less than 1 week prior to 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.

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

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 are able to 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.