Let Your Kids Have a Wild Summer at the Louisville Zoo

Summer is just around the corner, and you may be wondering what you're going to do to keep your kids busy while they are out of school. After all, you don't want them sitting around watching TV or playing video games all day. Why not let them have a wild summer? The Louisville Zoo will offer a variety of fun activities for kids of all ages during the summer of 2007. Its Education Department plans many activities throughout the year, but there are even more programs going on during the long hot days when schools have closed their doors.

All programs are designed to fit the developmental needs of children. Therefore, children are placed in groups according to their ages. Groups are kept small so each child can receive individual attention from camp counselors. Kids who participate in the programs will be encouraged to investigate, explore, and become curious observers of the world around them. All activities are "hands-on" and "minds on." Here you will find an example of some of the programs that kids will be able to attend.

Two By Twos . This program is geared towards a two-year-old child and a parent or grandparent. The program lasts four days and involves interactive learning. The goal is to help the child develop positive feelings concerning the world around her. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and the child must have turned two years old by the first day of the class. Only one adult is permitted to attend with the child. The Two By Twos program will be called Head to Tail. This camp will help kids learn to identify parts of the body while learning about animals. The first session is June 4-7 from 9 to 10 a.m. The second session is August 6-9 from 9 to 10 a.m. Members pay $80 per session while non-members pay $95 per session. Each camper will receive a t-shirt.

Two By Threes. This four-day program is designed for three year olds and a parent or grandparent. Participants gain hands-on experience with crafts, animals, and a zoo walk. All children must be accompanied by only one adult. The child must have reached his third birthday by the time the first class meets. The Two By Threes program is entitled Super Senses. Kids learn about animals that can see in the dark or communicate through smell. Participants will have the chance to touch some of the animals and learn about how animals use their senses. The first session is June 18-21 from 9 to 10 a.m., while the second session is July 2-3 and 5-6 from 9 to 10 a.m. Members pay $80 per session, and non-members pay $95. Each camper will receive a t-shirt.

Zooper Kids. Zooper Kids camp programs are developed for 4 and 5 year olds. Kids have the opportunity to enjoy Zoo walks, make fun crafts, eat snacks, and interact with animals. Zooper Kids features story times as well. There are three types of sessions. One is called Habitat Sweet Habitat. Kids learn about the variety of animal habitats and how animals survive in their specific environments. The first session is June 4-8 from 9 to 11:45 a.m. Session 4 is July 9-13 from 9 to 11:45 a.m. Finally, Session 7 is July 30 to August 3from 9 to 11:45 a.m. Stalk Swim & Soar is a Zooper Kids program highlighting how animals move. Kids will learn that some animals walk, others fly, and some even swim. Campers will discover the special characteristics that help various animals move throughout their environments. Session 2 is June 11-15 from 9 to 11:45 a.m. Session 5 is July 16-20 from 9 to 11:45 a.m.
Quills, Growls, and Camouflage is a program that teaches children how animals defend themselves from predators. Session 3 is June 25-29 from 9 to 11:45 a.m. Session 6 is July 23-27 from 9 to 11:45 a.m. Members pay $100 per session while non-members pay $115. Each camper will receive a t-shirt.

Kids between the ages of 6 and 12 can participate in Safari Day Camp. Campers are grouped by age. Some of the activities provided by Safari Day Camp are arts and crafts, zoo walks, nature study, interaction with animals. Each camper receives a special Safari Day Camp t-shirt. The all day sessions run Monday through Friday (excluding the week of July 4) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each participant must bring a sack lunch and drink. There are various sessions to choose from. A Classification camp allows children to investigate how living organisms are similar and different. Campers will learn about the five animal kingdoms and the invertebrates. They w ill also learn to distinguish between the five classes of vertebrates. The Adaptations camp will help kids to learn about how animals adapt to their environments through camouflage, echolocation, and other ways. Campers will discover various techniques animals employ to survive in their habitats. Planet of Plenty camp will teach kids about the variety of animals and cultures around the world. Kids will have the opportunity to investigate the "biodiversity of ecosystems". The More About Zoos and YOU program is geared towards kids who are 9 to 12 years old and who are interested in learning about careers within a zoo. Kids will learn about the importance of zoos, why they exist, how animals are trained and enriched, and what they can do to help protect animals and the environment. The program consists of zoo walks, tours, nature hikes, and interaction with animals. All Safari Day Camp sessions meet at different dates and times. Contact the Louisville Zoo for more information. Half-day campers who are members pay $100 while half-day non-members pay $115. Full-day campers who are members pay $165, and half-day non-members pay $180. The special 4-day session offers members the rate of $132 while non-members pay $144.

The Louisville Zoo doesn't leave out teenagers, offering a Teen Safari for teens aged 13 to 15. The program features hands-on activities geared towards teens who are interested in zoology and conservation. Older campers will interact with animals and get a sneak peak of behind-the-scenes zoo activities. Teen Safari provides two sessions. Campers meet Monday through Wednesday from 9 to 4 p.m. Night Safari is held every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. and ends on Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. The zoo will provide a nighttime cook-out and breakfast. Each teen is expected to bring a sack lunch and drink Monday through Wednesday. Members pay $165 and non-members pay $180. For more information concerning days and times, contact the Louisville Zoo.

If your child is crazy about animals, and you need fun and educational activities to keep them busy, consider a day camp such as the ones offered at they Louisville Zoo. They can have a wild summer, and gain a healthy respect for animals and the environment. Sessions fill up quickly, so visit http://www.louisvillezoo.org/education/public/summer.htm to receive further details.