Red Panda
Though their names are similar, the red panda and giant panda are only very distantly related by a common ancestor that can be traced back to tens of millions of years ago. Both species were identified as pandas as the word “panda” means “bamboo eater,” and bamboo is a primary part of both the red panda’s and the giant panda’s diet.
Summer Camp
Summer Zoo Camp Information
Summer Zoo Camp is seven weeks of fun filled camp sessions geared toward specific age groups. At camp, kids participate in hands-on activities, games, and crafts and interact with animals and staff here at the zoo. Our Zoo Camp instructors are experienced, enthusiastic staff and each session has a 1:8 adult to child ratio. Zoo Camp offers your child a unique opportunity to experience all the Rosamond Gifford Zoo has to offer! These fun, educational camps fill up quickly, so don't delay!
Camp Registration
Remember, registration for Zoo members begins on April 2 and open registration begins on April 16. We strongly encourage you to register online for the fastest service. Members receive early registration and discounts for all Zoo Camp sessions. To learn more about membership, please click here.
If you would like to register via mail, please download a registration form here and mail it to the address at the bottom of the form. Mailed in registrations postmarked before April 2 will not be considered until all appropriately postmarked registrations have been processed. Mailed in registrations will be processed in the order in which they are received.
To read a brochure outlining the rights and responsibilities of campers, camp operators, and parents, please click here.
Cancellation Policy:
If your child is enrolled and you must cancel for any reason, your registration fee is nonrefundable unless a child on the waiting list can fill the space. In the event the cancelled slot is filled, a 25% processing fee will be deducted from your refund. If there is no waiting list for the program you are cancelling, no refund will be issued.
Camp Forms
The following summer camp forms must be on file at least two weeks before your child's camp session.
Forms can be hand delivered or faxed to Liz Schmidt at (315) 435-8517. They can also be mailed to:
| Rosamond Gifford Zoo |
| Attn: Camp Forms |
| One Conservation Place |
| Syracuse, NY 13204 |
Camp Fees
Half Day Camps (Entering Kindergarten only):
$115.00 Members/ $135.00 Non-members
9:00 am-12:00 pm or 1:00-4:00 pm
Full Day Camps (Entering grades 1 through 6 only):
$195.00 Members/ $215.00 Non-members
9:00 am-4:00 pm
Full Day Camp (Entering grades 7-9 only)
$270.00 Members/$280.00 Non-members
9:00 am-4:00 pm
Camp Overnight (Campers in grades 5-9)
$40.00 Members/$50.00 Non-members
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Entering Kindergarten |
Dates |
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Zoo-Zoo-Zoom! Slither, trot, swim, pounce, and prance...these are some of the ways that the animals at our Zoo move! Each day campers will explore a new area of the Zoo and see how the animals that live there get around! |
Session A
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All the Big and Small Do you know what is the zoo's smallest animal? How about the biggest? Lots of weird and wonderful creatures call our zoo home, including some of the most poisonous and the fastest animals in the world! Come explore the strange side of the Zoo in this wacky camp! |
Session B
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Entering 1st & 2nd Grade |
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Icky-ology From penguin poop to vulture vomit, the Zoo can be a pretty gross place! We'll explore the icky, yucky, gross side of working with animals, and find out why a little gross can be a good thing in this scabby camp! |
Session C This session is full. |
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Claws, Jaws, and Paws Why do red pandas need such sharp claws? Can a naked mole rat chew through concrete? How big is a lion's paw? You'll learn all about how animals use their claws, jaws, and paws to do some amazing things in this jaw-dropping camp! |
Session D These sessions are full. Session E |
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Animal Olympics! Can you lift as much weight as an elephant or run as fast as a lion? We'll compete in some Olympic games of our own as we learn all about animal athletes in this medal-worthy camp! |
Session F This session is full. Session G This session is full.
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Entering 3rd & 4th Grade |
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Yuck-ology From regurgitation to excretion, animals do some really gross things! We'll explore the grosser side of animal care through slime, poop, snot, and more and learn why sometimes gross can be good in this disgustingly fascinating camp! |
Session H This session is full. |
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Zoo-lympics! Can you leap farther than a snow leopard? Do you have the perfect aim of an archer fish? We'll find out which animals rival our human Olympians and compete in some Olympic games of our own in this medal-worthy camp! |
Session I Session J These sessions are full. Please email Lschmidt@rosamondgiffordzoo.org to be placed on a waitlist. |
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Around the World in 5 Days You don't have to travel the whole world over to experience animals from Africa, South America and Australia! Each day we'll visit a new location somewhere in the world and discover the exciting animals that live there, without ever leaving the Zoo! Join us for a whirlwind tour of the world in only five days! |
Session K This session is full. |
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Entering 5th & 6th Grade |
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A Walk on the Wild Side Did you know that turkey vultures poop on their own legs to keep them cool on hot days? Have you ever seen a bearded dragon nod its head? Animals have all sorts of interesting behaviors, just like people! Explore the world of animal behavior and act like an animal during this captivating all day camp! |
Session L This session is FULL. |
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ZSI: Syracuse Your job during this camp, if you choose to accept it, is to become a 'Zoo Scene Investigator' and unravel some of the Zoo's most intriguing mysteries! Investigate the lives of animals by learning about their behaviors, footprint patterns, different types of scat and other strategies that zookeepers use everyday to keep tabs on their animals! |
Session M Session N These sessions are FULL.
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Entering 7th, 8th, or 9th Grade |
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Jr. Zookeeper This exclusive experience is limited to only 12 campers. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a zookeeper? Are you thinking about a future career at a zoo? Join us for this one-of-a-kind camp where you'll have the chance to work behind the scenes and shadow keepers during their daily tasks caring for the animals at the zoo. Campers will also dig in to the zoo's animal artifact collection during this hands-on camp! |
Session O This session is full. |
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New This Year! Zoo Camp Overnight! Open only to 2012 campers in 5-9 grades! Spend the last night of Zoo Camp with us on an exciting overnight experience! We'll tour the zoo, play games, see animals up close, and encounter a few surprises along the way as we celebrate another season of camp! A pizza dinner, late night snack, and light breakfast are included. You must be registered for a zoo camp in 2012 to attend this overnight; registration for the overnight can be found in step 4 of the camp registration process. |
7:00 pm Friday, August 17-9:00 am Saturday August 18 |
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Working earlier or later than Zoo Camp Hours? |
Available throughout the summer |
Severe Weather Policy
All education programs, including edZOOcation, camps and overnights, will run as scheduled unless the zoo has been closed by order of Onondaga County administration. Sorry, but no refunds or rain checks will be given for "no-shows" for any reason.
