 Summer Safari
Come spend a week with Denver's wildest residents! Summer Safari is a fun-filled educational experience for animal lovers from preschool to those going into fifth grade. Campers participate in hands-on activities, animal visits and observations, crafts, games, stories, projects, and zoo tours.
Register online!
Summer Safari 2009: Call of the Wild
Howl like a wolf! Strut like a peacock! Trumpet like an elephant! Dance like a bee! Get a “wild groove” on as you discover how animals use sight, sound, smell, touch, taste, movement, body language and behaviors to send messages. Summer Safari: Call of the Wild is an exploration of the many amazing and unique ways animals communicate. The more we understand animals, the more we uncover the best ways to help them!
NEW for 2009!
Summer Safari continues to grow more and more popular with each passing year, so we have added an additional two classes every week of the summer, as well as a camp option for Grades 6-8.
- What is Session A, What is Session B?
Please note on the Class Schedule that you will see some classes labeled “Session A” and “Session B”. This means that there are two identical classes running in the same week – an “A” class and a “B” class. There is no difference in the class curriculum or activities, so if one session is full, check the other for availability.
Please review each of the following sections to gain more information about Denver Zoo’s sell-out Summer Safari camp program. Note that registration procedures are outlined in the “How to Register” section.
Summer Safari 2009 Downloads for Kids and Parents!
Download Summer Safari Confirmation Documents:
Class Descriptions
PRE-K (4-year olds)
 Growls, Grunts and Giggles
Welcome to the sometimes noisy world of animal communication! Growl, grunt and giggle along with us as we listen (and talk back!) to animals at the zoo. We know that wolves howl, monkeys screech and lions roar…but what are they really saying? Find out, as you make the same ferocious, musical, strange and silly sounds of the animal world.
I Like to Move It
“I like to move it, move it. You like to move it, move it…” Get up and move your body to the rhythm of the wild! Bob your head like a turtle. Shake your tail like a peacock. Grimace like a gorilla. Discover how animals use color, smells, touch and movement to talk to one another without saying a word.
 GRADES K-1
Say Hello
How do animals say hello? Funny faces, changing colors, unheard sounds, crazy dances and even weird smells! Investigate the ‘language’ used by mammals, birds, insects, fish, amphibians and reptiles. We’ll learn about these classes of the animal kingdom, and compare the similarities and differences in how these creatures communicate.
Keep in Touch
Sometimes communication has to travel a long distance. How do birds find each other in a dense rainforest? Do lions leave messages on the savanna? Why do whales sing underwater? Explore rainforests, savannas, mountains, deserts, polar regions, caves and oceans to uncover how animals stay in contact in these places they call home.
 GRADES 2-3
Aqua Talk
From snapping shrimp to singing whales, light-flashing fish to color-changing octopus, dive into underwater communication. Swim around coral reefs, wade through swamps and jump into ponds as you delve into the unique language of the denizens of the deep. Face mask and snorkel optional, but bring your imagination!
Signals for Survival
How do wild dogs communicate while hunting in packs? How can one bird’s call warn many different animals of danger? In the wild, survival depends on how well an animal can send and receive information. Investigate the role and diversity of communication for predators and prey…it can mean catching dinner – or escaping from it!
 GRADES 4-5
Scientifically Speaking
If animals could speak it would be easy to build their perfect zoo environment. In reality, it takes a team of professionals to decipher what animals are saying. Animal observations, special activities, tours and classroom guests will provide an in-depth investigation into the fascinating world of animal communication, and guide campers in designing the ‘ideal’ animal exhibit.
GRADES 6-8
Career Camp: Your Future is Calling!
Explore what it would be like to work with animals, with a focus on animal behavior-related careers. Campers will interact with zoo staff, see live animal demonstrations, learn about the varied career paths of the zoo’s animal behaviorists, and try their hand at some of the many responsibilities that go into the job of caring for animals.
**Please note this camp runs June 29 to July 2 only. Camp days are from 9am-4pm Monday through Wednesday, , with an optional but recommended overnight experience built into the program on Wednesday night, and a final half-day of camp from 9am-noon on Thursday July 2nd.
Class Schedule
Click the schedule below to see a
large version
SUMMER SAFARI 2009
Camp Fees & Add-On Options
FEES
Preschool (age 4) and half-day K–1 $135 members / $145 nonmembers
Full-day K–1 and Grades 2–8 $235 members / $260 nonmembers
Scholarships are available. See the How to Register section for more information.
EARLY DROP-OFF SUPERVISION 7:30-9:00 a.m. $50/week/camper
LATE PICK-UP SUPERVISION 4:00-5:30 p.m. $50/week/camper
SERVICE CHARGES/ACCOMMODATION FEES
We are happy to accommodate special situations which require your child to be dropped off or picked up while camp is in session. The following accommodation fees apply:
- Dropping off after 9:00am $5/instance/camper
- Picking up before camp end time $5/instance/camper
- Picking up child more than 15 minutes past camp end time
$10/every 15 min. late
- Online registration surcharge
$5/class
CAMP T-SHIRTS: $6 per shirt
One Denver Zoo Summer Safari t-shirt per child is included in the camp cost. For identification and safety, children are encouraged to wear the Summer Safari tee each day of camp. You may purchase additional shirts in advance, when you register. Please indicate how many extra of each size you will need.
LUNCH $30/week/camper
Participants in full-day programs must either bring a sack lunch from home every day or purchase zoo lunch for the entire week. Lunch is not included in the camp cost. Zoo lunches will vary daily but may include tacos, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers or pizza, and servings of fruit and vegetables daily.
How to Register
 Register Online at Home, or Online at the Zoo
All registration is online. If you do not have access to a computer at home, consider visiting your public library, or visit our online registration area in the Guest Services building at the zoo (at-zoo registration available Monday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm, during the month of February).
After you have reviewed all class descriptions, the class schedule, camp fees and registration guidelines, click this Register Online link.
IMPORTANT REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
- Denver Zoo Members MUST login in under their 6-digit Member ID number to receive discounted member rates for camp. Your password is your zip code, unless you have previously changed your password information in the online system.
- All registrations are entered on a first come, first served basis. Summer Safari classes fill up quickly. The system will notify you if the session you’ve selected has already been filled.
- Once you begin selecting class choices and holding spots in the system, you will have 15 minutes to complete registration before your spots are released. Being prepared with alternate class choices and add-on options (like lunches, early/late care or extra t-shirts) will help you complete registration efficiently. To save time, we recommend logging on prior to the registration opening date to ensure your login, password, email address and account information are all active and current.
- Children can only be registered by their own parent/guardian.
- Children should register for the grade they will be entering in Fall 2009. (For the 4-year old classes, children must be four by the date their class begins). We reserve the right to cancel and refund registrations for children registered in classes that do not match their age/grade.
- Pre-K through grades 2-3 have two class options. You may register for up to one week in each class option. Grades 4-5 and 6-8 have one class option, so maximum registration per child is one week.
- Please be ready to enter information about any allergies or special needs your child may have, as well as their birth date, grade entering in the fall, emergency contact numbers, and people other than yourself who are authorized to pick them up.
- NEW this year: Once your online registration is complete, you will receive all camp confirmation and information documents via email, with PDF attachments. You will not receive camp documents in the mail. Please make sure your email address is current before registering. Once your confirmation email is received, please review all confirmation documents carefully, and print your camp parking pass.
- After registration is confirmed, the Denver Zoo adheres to a NO-REFUND, NO-CREDIT, NO-SUBSTITUTION policy. If you are unable to attend, please consider your payment a tax-deductible donation.
- If you find that the class you wanted is already full and would like to be placed on the waitlist, please email us at safari@denverzoo.org with the specific class title, date, and your contact information.
Scholarships: If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, do not register online. Download the Red Apple Scholarship Fund application from our website, email safari@denverzoo.org or call us at 303-376-4888, option 8 to have an application sent to you. It is recommended you send in your application prior to the February 2, 2009 Summer Safari registration opening date. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received, beginning the last week in January. Expect a response within 7-10 days.
If I have questions regarding Summer Safari, whom can I contact?
Call 303-376-4888 option 8 or email safari@denverzoo.org. Our phone lines are very busy once registration opens, so if you reach our voicemail please leave a detailed message; we will return your call as quickly as we possibly can. Thank you!
Special thanks to Comfort Dental, a new sponsor of Summer Safari!
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