Topeka Zoo is excited to offer Fall and Winter Adventure Camps!

Fall/Winter Camp registration is now open!

This camp is for children ages 6-12 (can be 5 if currently in kindergarten), and registration is on a DAILY basis—so you can sign up for as many days as you’d like.

Camp runs from 9:00-3:00 and is held in the zoo's Gary Clarke Education Classroom. Each camp day will include a live animal education program, behind-the-scenes tour, crafts, games, and more! There is no stay-late option for fall or winter camp.

The cost is $35/student/day for FOTZ members ($40 starting Jan 1, 2025) and $40/student/day for non-members ($45 starting Jan 1, 2025).

Capacity: 25 students/day

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2024-2025 Fall/Winter Camp Days

October 11^th: A Bunch of Hocus Pocus

• Oh look, another glorious camp day – makes me SICK! Just kidding! Join the Sanderson sisters and learn about Fall superstitions.

November 25^th: Cider Days

• Smell the apples and don your flannel shirt – it’s a fall celebration! Come with us to enjoy all our favorite fall things.

November 26^th: Inside Out

• Feel all the feels and gratitude as we gather with friends from the Inside Out universe.

December 23^rd: Bluey Down Under

• Bluey, Bingo, Chili, and Bandit want you to join them down under to teach us all about Australia!

December 27^th: Snowy Social

• Ever wonder what goes on under the snow? Let’s get bundled up and find out!

December 30^th: Walk this Way

• Don’t walk, run to camp! Whether it’s on two or four feet – or maybe more – you’re not going to want to miss this!

December 31^st: Unmasking the New Year

• You are cordially invited to a masquerade party! We’ll learn about masked animals and even make our own.

 

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Camp Details

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel your camp registration 15 or more days before the start date, the Zoo will refund the registration fee, except for $10 for single-day camp registrations ($15 starting Jan 1, 2025) and $25 for the week-long registrations ($30 starting Jan 1, 2025). This fee is applied per child per camp you cancel. The Zoo will not refund any registration fees if cancellation occurs within 14 days of the start date. If space is still available, you may transfer your registration to another camp week for no additional fee. If transferring, it must be to a camp within the same season (i.e. spring camp to spring camp). Cancellations due to Covid-19 will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please contact (785)368-9137 or education@topekazoo.org to cancel or questions. Updated: August 2023

Code of Conduct and Removal Policy:

CODE OF CONDUCT:

• • Respect-be respectful to yourself, your camp counselors, your peers, the facility, animals, other Topeka Zoo staff, and guests. Always listen to your counselor’s instructions and ask questions if needed. Respect the personal space of others and keep your body to yourself. Use appropriate recycling and garbage receptacles. Use kind language when talking to others.
  • Safety-stay with the summer camp counselors at all times. Always listen to your counselor’s instructions and ask questions if needed. Use walking feet and remain on all designated pathways, unless taken off path by Camp Counselors.

Examples of Unacceptable Behavior:

• Failing to follow the Code of Conduct (above)
• Disrupting programs (includes being asked multiple times to follow code of conduct/directions, etc.)
• Using inappropriate language (such as racial/ethnic slurs, swearing, etc.)
• Bullying, threatening, or physical abuse
• Mistreatment of animals, property, peers, Camp Counselors, or equipment

We believe that all children deserve a chance to change problematic behaviors with proper guidance from both our staff and support from their parents/guardians. We utilize behavior management techniques beginning with positive reinforcement for good behavior, redirection followed by verbal warnings, reduce free time, time outs, daily reports from staff, and communications with parents/guardians.

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior:

The Topeka Zoo has the right to remove a camp participant from the program at any time.  Consequences for inappropriate behavior will be administered in the following order. *

1. Verbal Warning — Reminder of behavior expectations.
2. Cool Down — Time out of next activity.
3. Reset with Camp Counselors — Separated from the group.
4. Phone Call Home — Camp Counselor calls parent/guardian.
5. Dismissal — Participant must leave Zoo premises with parent/guardian.

*If a child’s actions are severe, steps may be skipped within this sequence. For example, physical violence toward anyone (peers, animals, Camp Counselors, other Topeka Zoo staff, etc.) is a zero-tolerance event. No refunds will be offered for expulsion from the program. The Director of Education will make a final decision for expulsion from a program.

If your child's registration in camp is revoked due to behavioral and/or non-compliance issues, then your ability to register for future camps will be forfeit for at least one calendar year from the date of the incident. The zoo reserves the right to extend this policy on a case-by-case basis.

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