Summer Safari Camp

Our youngest campers will learn about wildlife and wild places in a way that is experiential and collaborative. Throughout each week, Junior Ranger campers will:

• Explore the Zoo
• Participate in hands-on activities to support the weekly themes
• Connect with their fellow campers and Camp Educator
• Meet some of our amazing Ambassador Animals
• Engage in a project that they can share with the rest of Camp at the end of each session!

Our 1:10 educator-to-camper ratio will give children a small and interactive space to learn, grow, and get excited about the natural world around them as they engage in thematic weekly programming.

Young explorers will expand their learning about wildlife and conservation to new levels! Trek campers will engage with Zoo Atlanta by:

• Exploring the Zoo grounds, including behind-the-scenes areas
• Participating in interactive activities that connect them to conservation and ecological principles
• Collaborating with their Camp Educator and fellow campers to dive more deeply into the vital work Zoo Atlanta does to protect wildlife and wild places

With a 1:10 educator-to-camper ratio, our campers will spend the summer immersed in five dynamic themes designed to help them better understand the natural world and discover how they can play a role in ensuring a future where humans and wildlife thrive together.

At the apex of Zoo Atlanta’s Camp programming, Quest campers will further inspire their passion for wildlife conservation by joining us for an exciting week of exploring what providing exceptional animal care looks like in an AZA-accredited facility. Throughout the summer, Quest campers will:

• Engage with a variety of Zoo team members to learn how we provide exceptional care to over 200 species of animals, including invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals from a wide range of ecosystems.
• Explore animal care spaces and learn how our care teams adjust for changes in animal abilities and behaviors over time.
• Gain insights into meeting the mental and physical needs of individual animals and discover how to design and maintain habitats.
• Meet with unique Zoo teams each week and engage in experiences and activities tailored to those care teams.
• Deepen their knowledge of Zoo Atlanta’s commitment to protect wildlife and their habitats in the wild through conservation projects and partnerships.

Quest campers will gain a more profound understanding of wildlife care and conservation through interactive discussions, hands-on simulations, and live demonstrations of animal and habitat care in action. Each week this summer, Quest campers will meet and learn from different Animal Care Teams and explore corresponding behind-the-scenes areas.

Junior Rangers (Ages 5 - 7)

Elevating Ecosystems: Join us for a week-long exploration of the ecosystems that the wonderful wildlife of Zoo Atlanta represent! Campers will learn about the different biomes we find across the globe, how Zoo Atlanta recreates them for our wildlife residents, and end the week with a persuasive presentation on which ecosystem is the most exceptional! 

Trek (Ages 8 - 11)

Brilliant Biomes: How Naturalistic Habitat Design Educates Humans and Benefits Wildlife: From snow-capped mountains to sun-scorched deserts, Earth contains a wide range of unique biomes that form its global ecosystem. This week, we will investigate the wild homes of some of Zoo Atlanta's animal ambassadors. What makes them unique? How do their animal inhabitants interact with them? How do we recreate them to educate guests and support animal well-being? We will answer these questions and more as we explore Zoo grounds, go behind the scenes, and engage in hands-on activities! At the end of the week, campers will design a biome that boasts some of the most extreme elements of all the biomes represented at Zoo Atlanta. Who can come up with the most brilliant biome? Join us to find out! 

Quest (Ages 12 - 14)

Animal Care Explorations: Reptiles, Amphibians, and Feathered Friends!: Soar into a week of exciting collaborations as we peek behind the scenes at how our Animal Care Specialists provide top-notch care for our reptiles, amphibians, and birds! We will spend our time doing hands-on simulations, learning some of the ins and outs of life as an Animal Care Specialist from the Herpetology and Bird Care Teams, and enjoying perks like Treetop Trail! Campers should wear closed-toed, closed-heeled shoes (ie: sneakers or hiking shoes) that can get dirty (just in case!). We will take as many opportunities as we can to work with our Animal Care Teams; however, just like with humans, sometimes our animals do something unexpected. We ask that you keep an open mind and a go-with-the-flow attitude as we go about our week. We can't wait to ssssee you soon!   

Junior Rangers (Ages 5 - 7)

Marvelous Mammals: Tour the Zoo with us as we shine the spotlight on some of the magnificent mammals who call Zoo Atlanta home! We will engage in activities throughout the week that will help campers better understand the traits that mammals share, discover some of the exciting exceptions in some of our smallest mammalian residents, and compare and contrast mammals to some of the Zoo's non-mammal residents. At the end of our week together, campers will compete in the ultimate mammal showdown by debating which mammal would win in a range of ridiculously creative contests until only one mammal reigns supreme! 

Trek (Ages 8 - 11)

Mammalian Mysteries: How Did Modern Mammals Evolve from their Prehistoric Counterparts?: Modern day mammals make up some of Zoo Atlanta's most memorable wildlife experiences! This week, we will meander the Zoo to compare our marvelous mammals to some of the other classes of animals in residence. As we explore, we will also be taking a look into the past. Why are modern-day sloths so much smaller than their prehistoric counterparts? How did mammoths change from wooly behemoths to sparsely-haired grazers? Campers will explore these questions, and round out the week by sharing with their fellow campers how one mammal of their choosing has changed through history into the animal we see today in a presentation that should prove to be as informative as it is entertaining! 

Quest (Ages 12 - 14)

Wildlife Care Explorations: Plants & Primates!: Amble into a week of exciting collaborations as we peek behind the scenes at how our Animal Care Specialists provide top-notch care for our plants and primates! We will spend our time doing hands-on simulations, learning some of the ins and outs of life as an Animal Care Specialist from our Primate Care Team, exploring all of the ways the plants at Zoo Atlanta benefit our animals and guests with our Horticulture Team, and enjoying perks like Treetop Trail! Campers should wear closed-toed, closed-heeled shoes (ie: sneakers or hiking shoes) that can get dirty (just in case!). We will take as many opportunities as we can to work with our Animal Care and Horticulture Teams; however, just like with humans, sometimes our animals do something unexpected. We ask that you keep an open mind and a go-with-the-flow attitude as we go about our week. We can't wait to grow with you this week! 

Junior Rangers (Ages 5 - 7)

Brilliant Birds: Be a part of our fabulous flock as we soar into the world of birds! What makes them so unique compared to the Zoo's other residents? What roles do they fill in their natural habitats? Why don't they all fly? Answer these questions and more with us during a week of hands-on learning and play. At the end of the week, campers will design their very own bird wings based on their favorite flying skills. Will their bird be the fastest? Able to stay aloft the longest? Be the quietest (or loudest) bird in the flock? We can't wait to find out! 

Trek (Ages 8 - 11)

Winged Wonders: What Can We Learn From a Wing?: How do birds soar to the highest heights, dive at dizzying speeds, and turn with grace? By using their unique and wonderful wings! This week, we will explore the basics of what makes a bird a bird, and take a deep dive into how wing size, shape, and texture can help us learn about our favorite feathered friends. At the end of our week together, campers will present on the bird species with the most unique wing. What does it look like? How does it stand out against all the other wings? What does it tell us about its birdy-owner? Take flight with us to find out! 

Quest (Ages 12 - 14)

Animal Wellbeing Explorations - Carnivores and Learn-ivores!: Calling all cat lovers, bear lovers, and question lovers! This week, we will be pouncing on an opportunity to learn about what research looks like in modern, accredited zoos AND how our Animal Care Specialists provide purrrfect care to carnivores! We will spend our time doing hands-on simulations, learning some of the ins and outs of life as an Animal Care Specialist from our Carnivore Care Team, exploring how our Research Team supports Zoo Atlanta's mission and vision, and enjoying perks like Treetop Trail! Campers should wear closed-toed, closed-heeled shoes (ie: sneakers or hiking shoes) that can get dirty (just in case!). We will take as many opportunities as we can to work with our Animal Care and Research Teams; however, just like with humans, sometimes our animals do something unexpected. We ask that you keep an open-mind and a go-with-the-flow attitude as we go about our week. We can't wait to learn with you this week! 

Junior Rangers (Ages 5 - 7)

Raving Reptiles: Lizards, snakes, and turtles, oh my! This week is all about our scaliest friends. We will explore the Zoo, looking for ways our reptilian residents are similar to and different from the other classes of wildlife that call Zoo Atlanta home, discover how much diversity there is in the world of reptiles, and learn about the many wonderful features that they bring to the animal kingdom. To finish up our week together, campers will design a new reptile species that has all of the reptilian world's most epic traits! They will share their most extreme reptiles with their fellow campers in an end of week show-and-tell! Slither on over to registration and we will see you soon! 

Trek (Ages 8 - 11)

Radical Reptiles: How Do Reptiles Fit Their Environment?: Lizards, snakes, and turtles exist across most of the globe! This week, we will explore the Zoo to see how different reptiles compare to other animal classes. As we burrow into what makes reptiles unique, we will focus in on how reptiles vary to fit their environment. From scale texture to defense skills, reptiles can fill (literally) a wide range of niches in their ecosystems. At the end of the week, campers will decide which reptilian adaptation is best suited for survival in the wild (for that particular reptile). Will it be venom? Inflation? Mimicry? Slither along with us and see! 

Quest (Ages 12 - 14)

Animal Care Explorations: Elephants, Snakes, and Birds, OH MY!: Are you ready to rumble?? This week, we will be bounding into an opportunity to learn about how our Animal Care Specialists meet the very tall order of providing exceptional care to Elephants and Ambassador Animals (birds, snakes, and goats, oh my!). We will spend our time doing hands-on simulations, learning some of the ins and outs of life as an Animal Care Specialist from our Elephant and Ambassador Animal Teams, and enjoying perks like Treetop Trail! Campers should wear closed-toed, closed-heeled shoes (ie: sneakers or hiking shoes) that can get dirty (just in case!). We will take as many opportunities as we can to work with our Animal Care Teams; however, just like with humans, sometimes our animals do something unexpected. We ask that you keep an open-mind and a go-with-the-flow attitude as we go about our week. We can't wait to scurry through the week with you! 

Junior Rangers (Ages 5 - 7)

Amazing Amphibians and Incredible Inverts!: What's small, camouflaged, and can be found near water? Insects! Not to mention their predators the frogs. Hop along with us as we explore the interconnected world of amphibians and invertebrates. As we talk about the diverse range of wildlife at Zoo Atlanta, we will highlight some of our smallest residents by learning about what makes them unique, how ecosystems rely on them, and what we have learned from them over the years. On Friday, our campers will compete in a array of challenges to see how their skills compare to the skills we can find in the wonderful world of insects and amphibians. 

Trek (Ages 8 - 11)

Flies and Food Webs: Exploring Amphibians, Invertebrates, and How They Thrive Together: Amphibians and invertebrates are great examples of animals who are both predators and prey! This week, we will explore some of the vivid and unique insects and amphibians that call Zoo Atlanta home. We will talk about how they rely upon one another, what each one can tell us about an ecosystem, and how human activities can impact wild populations. As we zone in on our smallest residents, campers will come up with a habitat design that can house a new-to-the-Zoo amphibian species alongside at least one insect. How will we meet the needs of both residents? How will we ensure one doesn't endanger the other? What will we share with guests about the invertebrate and the amphibian to inspire wonder? Let's explore! 

Quest (Ages 12 - 14)

Animal Care Explorations: Scaly, Slimy, and Climbing!: Climbers unite! This week, we will be scaling an opportunity to learn about how our Animal Care Specialists meet the challenge of providing ssssspectacular care to Primates, Reptiles, and Amphibians! We will spend our time doing hands-on simulations, learning some of the ins and outs of life as an Animal Care Specialist from our Herpetology and Primate Teams, and enjoying perks like Treetop Trail! Campers should wear closed-toed, closed-heeled shoes (ie: sneakers or hiking shoes) that can get dirty (just in case!). We will take as many opportunities as we can to work with our Animal Care Teams; however, just like with humans, sometimes our animals do something unexpected. We ask that you keep an open mind and a go-with-the-flow attitude as we go about our week. We can't wait swing through the week with you! 

Junior Rangers (Ages 5 - 7)

Elevating Ecosystems: Join us for a week-long exploration of the ecosystems that the wonderful wildlife of Zoo Atlanta represent! Campers will learn about the different biomes we find across the globe, how Zoo Atlanta recreates them for the animals, and end the week with a persuasive presentation on which ecosystem is the most exceptional! 

Trek (Ages 8 - 11)

Brilliant Biomes: How Naturalistic Habitat Design Educates Humans and Benefits Wildlife: From snow-capped mountains to sun-scorched deserts, Earth contains a wide range of unique biomes that form its global ecosystem. This week, we will investigate the wild homes of some of Zoo Atlanta's animal ambassadors. What makes them unique? How do their animal inhabitants interact with them? How do we recreate them to educate guests and support animal well-being? We will answer these questions and more as we explore Zoo grounds, go behind the scenes, and engage in hands-on activities! At the end of the week, campers will design a biome that boasts some of the most extreme elements of all the biomes represented at Zoo Atlanta. Who can come up with the most brilliant biome? Join us to find out! 

Quest (Ages 12 - 14)

Wildlife Care Explorations: Head, Shoulders, Trees and Leaves!: What do giraffes and trees have in common? They are both the tallest residents of the Zoo! This week, we will be strolling through the Zoo as we learn about how our Horticulture and Hoofstock Teams care for some of our most interconnected living things. We will spend our time doing hands-on simulations, learning some of the ins and outs of life as an Animal Care Specialist from our Hoofstock Team, learning about how our Horticulture Team cares for the plants that keep our animals and our guests engaged in the Zoo, and enjoying perks like Treetop Trail! Campers should wear closed-toed, closed-heeled shoes (ie: sneakers or hiking shoes) that can get dirty (just in case!). We will take as many opportunities as we can to work with our Animal Care Teams; however, just like with humans, sometimes our animals do something unexpected. We ask that you keep an open mind and a go-with-the-flow attitude as we go about our week. We can't wait to roam the Zoo with you! 

Junior Rangers (Ages 5 - 7)

Marvelous Mammals: Tour the Zoo with us as we shine the spotlight on some of the magnificent mammals who call Zoo Atlanta home! We will engage in activities throughout the week that will help campers better understand the traits that mammals share, discover some of the exciting exceptions in some of our smallest mammalian residents, and compare and contrast mammals to some of the Zoo's non-mammal residents. At the end of our week together, campers will compete in the ultimate mammal showdown by debating which mammal would win in a range of ridiculously creative contests until only one mammal reigns supreme! 

Trek (Ages 8 - 11)

Mammalian Mysteries: How Did Modern Mammals Evolve from their Prehistoric Counterparts?: Modern day mammals make up some of Zoo Atlanta's most memorable wildlife experiences! This week, we will meander the Zoo to compare our marvelous mammals to some of the other classes of animals in residence. As we explore, we will also be taking a look into the past. Why are modern-day sloths so much smaller than their prehistoric counterparts? How did mammoths change from wooly behemoths to sparsely-haired grazers? Campers will explore these questions, and round out the week by sharing with their fellow campers how one mammal of their choosing has changed through history into the animal we see today in a presentation that should prove to be as informative as it is entertaining! 

Quest (Ages 12 - 14)

Animal Care Explorations: Vital Veterinarians: From the tallest to the smallest, the Vet Team does it all! This week, we will zoom into what caring for a wide range of wildlife entails as we team up with our Vet Team to learn about their work in the Zoo! We will spend our time doing hands-on simulations, learning some of the ins and outs of life as a zoo veterinarian, and enjoying perks like Treetop Trail! Campers should wear closed-toed, closed-heeled shoes (ie: sneakers or hiking shoes) that can get dirty (just in case!). We will take as many opportunities as we can to work with our Veterinary Care Team; however, just like with humans, sometimes our animals do something unexpected. We ask that you keep an open mind and a go-with-the-flow attitude as we go about our week. We can't wait to show you how our Vet Team is fur-ever reaching new heights in egg-ceptional animal care! 

Junior Rangers (Ages 5 - 7)

Brilliant Birds: Be a part of our fabulous flock as we soar into the world of birds! What makes them so unique compared to the Zoo's other residents? What roles do they fill in their natural habitats? Why don't they all fly? Answer these questions and more with us during a week of hands-on learning and play. At the end of the week, campers will design their very own bird wings based on their favorite flying skills. Will their bird be the fastest? Able to stay aloft the longest? Be the quietest (or loudest) bird in the flock? We can't wait to find out! 

Trek (Ages 8 - 11)

Winged Wonders: What Can We Learn From a Wing?: How do birds soar to the highest heights, dive at dizzying speeds, and turn with grace? By using their unique and wonderful wings! This week, we will explore the basics of what makes a bird a bird, and take a deep dive into how wing size, shape, and texture can help us learn about our favorite feathered friends. At the end of our week together, campers will present on the bird species with the most unique wing. What does it look like? How does it stand out against all the other wings? What does it tell us about its birdy-owner? Take flight with us to find out! 

Quest (Ages 12 - 14)

Animal Wellbeing Explorations - Elephants Never Forget (Because They Do Their Research!): Join our herd this week as we explore how our Animal Care Specialists meet the challenge of looking after the wellbeing of our amazing African elephants, and how we partner with our Research Team to continually grow in our knowledge and understanding of all the animals entrusted to Zoo Atlanta! We will spend our time doing hands-on simulations, learning some of the ins and outs of life as an Animal Care Specialist from our Elephant Team, learning how we seek new knowledge from our Research Team, and enjoying perks like Treetop Trail! Campers should wear closed-toed, closed-heeled shoes (ie: sneakers or hiking shoes) that can get dirty (just in case!). We will take as many opportunities as we can to work with our Animal Care and Research Teams; however, just like with humans, sometimes our animals do something unexpected. We ask that you keep an open mind and a go-with-the-flow attitude as we go about our week. We can't wait to learn with you throughout the week! 

Junior Rangers (Ages 5 - 7)

Raving Reptiles: Lizards, snakes, and turtles, oh my! This week is all about our scaliest friends. We will explore the Zoo, looking for ways our reptilian residents are similar to and different from the other classes of wildlife that call Zoo Atlanta home, discover how much diversity there is in the world of reptiles, and learn about the many wonderful features that they bring to the animal kingdom. To finish up our week together, campers will design a new reptile species that has all of the reptilian world's most epic traits! They will share their most extreme reptiles with their fellow campers in an end of week show-and-tell! Slither on over to registration and we will see you soon! 

Trek (Ages 8 - 11)

Radical Reptiles: How Do Reptiles Fit Their Environment?: Lizards, snakes, and turtles exist across most of the globe! This week, we will explore the Zoo to see how different reptiles compare to other animal classes. As we burrow into what makes reptiles unique, we will focus in on how reptiles vary to fit their environment. From scale texture to defense skills, reptiles can fill (literally) a wide range of niches in their ecosystems. At the end of the week, campers will decide which reptilian adaptation is best suited for survival in the wild (for that particular reptile). Will it be venom? Inflation? Mimicry? Slither along with us and see! 

Quest (Ages 12 - 14)

Animal Care Explorations: Caring for the Tallest of These and the Smallest with Ease!: Come one, come all, the tall and small! Together, we have an opportunity to learn about how our Animal Care Specialists meet the challenge of providing incredible care for zebras, giraffes, birds, ferrets, and more! We will spend our time doing hands-on simulations, learning some of the ins and outs of life as an Animal Care Specialist from our Hoofstock and Ambassador Animal Teams, and enjoying perks like Treetop Trail! Campers should wear closed-toed, closed-heeled shoes (ie: sneakers or hiking shoes) that can get dirty (just in case!). We will take as many opportunities as we can to work with our Animal Care Teams; however, just like with humans, sometimes our animals do something unexpected. We ask that you keep an open-mind and a go-with-the-flow attitude as we go about our week. We can't wait to fly through the week with you! 

Junior Rangers (Ages 5 - 7)

Amazing Amphibians and Incredible Inverts!: What's small, camouflaged, and can be found near water? Insects! Not to mention their predators the frogs. Hop along with us as we explore the interconnected world of amphibians and invertebrates. As we talk about the diverse range of wildlife at Zoo Atlanta, we will highlight some of our smallest residents by learning about what makes them unique, how ecosystems rely on them, and what we have learned from them over the years. On Friday, our campers will compete in a array of challenges to see how their skills compare to the skills we can find in the wonderful world of insects and amphibians. 

Trek (Ages 8 - 11)

Flies and Food Webs: Exploring Amphibians, Invertebrates, and How They Thrive Together: Amphibians and invertebrates are great examples of animals who are both predators and prey! This week, we will explore some of the vivid and unique insects and amphibians that call Zoo Atlanta home. We will talk about how they rely upon one another, what each one can tell us about an ecosystem, and how human activity can impact wild populations. As we zone in on our smallest residents, campers will come up with a habitat design that can house a new-to-the-Zoo amphibian species alongside at least one insect. How will we meet the needs of both residents? How will we ensure one doesn't endanger the other? What will we share with guests about the invertebrate and the amphibian to inspire wonder? Let's explore! 

Quest (Ages 12 - 14)

Animal Care Explorations - Talented Talons and Pouncing Predators!: Calling all talented talons to an exciting week of pouncing into the amazing care that our birds and carnivores receive from Zoo Atlanta's Animal Care Specialists! We will spend our time doing hands-on simulations, learning some of the ins and outs of life as an Animal Care Specialist from our Bird and Carnivore Teams, and enjoying perks like Treetop Trail! Campers should wear closed-toed, closed-heeled shoes (ie: sneakers or hiking shoes) that can get dirty (just in case!). We will take as many opportunities as we can to work with our Animal Care Teams; however, just like with humans, sometimes our animals do something unexpected. We ask that you keep an open mind and a go-with-the-flow attitude as we go about our week. We can't wait to swoop into this wonderful week with you!