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For 18-36 months olds
Our world is full of places to discover and explore and our toddlers are doing just that! Join us for a four week series as we explore our world by getting out into the Zoo and looking up, down, and all around! You and your child will explore the outdoors, meeting animals who live in the water, underground, in the soil, and way up into the sky. Each week we'll discover these animals through live encounters, Zoo hikes, and dramatic and exploratory play, in our own Education back yard.

Dates: Saturdays, June 7, 14, 21, 28 9:30-10:15am or 11:00-11:45am

Note: Plan for one adult to stay with your child during these classes.

For 18-36 months olds
Just like us, the plants are soaking up this summer sun! Join us as we work our way from root to stem to petal; learning about the different parts of plants and what they need to grow! Each week we will learn more about plants and the animals who interact with them through live animal encounters, Zoo hikes, hands on activities, songs. 

Dates: Saturdays, July 12, 19, 26, and Aug 2: 9:30-10:15am or 11:00-11:45am

Note: Plan for one adult to stay with your child during these classes.

For 3, 4 and 5 years old not in kindergarten
It's time to use our own creativity to explore the great outdoors! Come outside with us to create our own art projects and discover the fascinating art palette nature has to offer! Each week of our series we will meet animals face-to-face inside and around the Zoo, as we get hands-on with nature in our own backyard.

Dates: Saturdays, June 7, 14, 21, 28: 10:00-11:00am

Note: Plan for one adult to stay with your child during these classes.

For 3, 4 and 5 years old not in kindergarten
Can you hoot for mom like the Owl Babies? Are you as colorful as The Mixed Up Chameleon? Can you move your body like an animal From Head To Toe? Through animal encounters, hands-on activities, and exploring the Zoo, your Zoo Trooper will begin to understand how the animals in these books are connected to the animals in the world around us!

Dates: Saturdays, July 12, 19, 26 and August 2: 10:00-11:00am 

Note: Plan for one adult to stay with your child during these classes.

Many animals (including humans) have close relationships with their mothers.  From the gentle jaws of an alligator to the comfy pouch of an opossum, come learn about our Zoo moms as we prepare to celebrate all mother figures on tomorrow's holiday just for them.

Note: All attendees 3 years + must register. One adult required per group. Children under 3 years free. Price is per person.
 

We're so glad to have animal dads! Fathers in the animal world might fill the role of protector, nurturer, teacher, food-provider, playmate, and so much more.  Join us as we celebrate the father figures in your life by seeing special animal encounters, playing games together, and taking a hike around the zoo as we learn what wild dads are all about! 

Note: All attendees 3 years + must register. One adult required per group. All ages welcome. Children under 3 years free.
 

Zoo lovers of all ages can join us each season for a special night hike around the Zoo.

March, April & May: Zoo Families Discover the diverse and fascinating ways animals care for their young in Zoo Families! In this engaging program, you’ll explore how creatures from around the globe nurture, protect, and teach their babies to survive in the wild. Through hands-on activities, up-close animal encounters, and fun facts, you’ll uncover the incredible strategies of nature’s most devoted parents.

June, July & August: Hot Weathered Wildlife Different animals (including humans) have different strategies for staying cool in the summertime. Pigs wallow, goats get rid of heat through their ears and horns, snakes and lizards seek the shade and African penguins swim to keep cool! There are many ways to beat the heat in the summer! Join us as we learn about which animals enjoy the heat, and how they find ways to cool down. During this Family Night Hike, we will hike to see our warm-weathered-loving Zoo animals and meet some of our hottest animal ambassadors up-close and personal! 

Note: All attendees 3 years and above must register. At least one adult must register per group. Children under 3 years are free. Price is per person.

Spend the Night at the Zoo!

Florida is full of diverse habitats that are bursting with thousands of animal species, from walking-on-water basilisks to slow-and-steady manatees. We’ll dive headfirst into the astonishing biodiversity of these habitats, centering around the lives of our resident manatees who are a part of a rehabilitation program. Throughout the night we’ll explore a few places in the Zoo, participate in fun, educational activities, get a behind-the-scenes sneak peek, including our amazing science and research center CREW, and meet some of our animal ambassadors up-close and personal! When the night ends, you’ll doze off at our Manatee Springs building in the big open-spaced exhibit area.

 

Note: All program attendees must be 5 years and older and be registered. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. 

This program sleeps in the Manatee Springs building. This is a beautiful open-spaced room that will be shared with other families/groups. So you will be combined with other groups for the program and sleeping.

 

How well do YOU know your Cincinnati Zoo? The honor of "second oldest Zoo in the nation" comes with a lot of history and some pretty epic tales. Step back in time with Zoo animal care and trainer veteran of 50 years, Gary Denzler, as he leads you on a fun and factual story-based historical tour of the Cincinnati Zoo, sharing tales of the people and animals that have made this zoo what it is today.

This program is geared towards participants 16 years and older.

A truly one-of-a-kind experience, these overnights make a great date night, friend group outing, or (adult) family adventure!

An interactive social hour will start the night with two drink tickets, light bites, strange zoo games, and a visit from a unique animal. Then, we will break out into small tour groups led by Zoo Educators to traverse through Africa. On our Zoo safari, we will go behind the scenes of Hippo Cove and uncover the secrets of our world-famous bloat. We'll finish up our night at our Twiga Tents, gathered around a roaring campfire roasting s'mores. Then, this unique adventure ends with a relaxing night in our safari tents on cozy cots and waking up to breakfast overlooking Giraffe Ridge. And it doesn’t end there! One last special animal guest will join us in the morning to say goodbye.

Half Day Camp
for 4-5 year olds and those entering Kindergarten in the fall.

Are all animals covered in skin like ours? No way! Animals have different coverings that help them slither, hide, hover, and so much more! Campers will fly, flutter, slither, and scurry through the week as they experience up-close animal encounters, Zoo hikes, songs, games, and crafts!

Note: Before and After Care are not available for half-day camps.

Half Day Camp
for 4-5 year olds and those entering Kindergarten in the fall.

Animals move their bodies in lots of different ways—just like your child! Some animals (and children) might hop, run, crawl, swim, climb, and more. Each day, we’ll explore animal locomotion with hikes in the Zoo, crafts, games, and close encounters with some live animal “movers.” No matter how they move, your little one will enjoy this action-filled summer Zoo adventure.

Note: Before and After Care are not available for half-day camps.

Full Day Camp
for children entering 1st or 2nd grade in the fall.

Are you extreme enough? Animals are out of this world, equipped with outrageous abilities such as being able to dive a MILE deep into the ocean! Join us as we meet these extreme animals and discover why they must act the way they do. Your camper will explore the animal and plant kingdoms by meeting our ambassadors face to face! They will identify their features and decide who is the fastest, strongest, or largest of them all!
 

Full Day Camp
Get your detective hats ready—you’re on the case! Who left those paw prints behind while trespassing? Does a cheetah need a speeding ticket? A rat snake shakes his tail pretending to be a rattler...is that identity theft? Tackle “Who dun it’s” around the Zoo as you learn how to study animal behavior and animal clues in this fun and immersive camp experience!

This full day camp is for children entering 1st or 2nd grade in the fall.

Full Day Camp
for children entering 3rd or 4th grade in the fall.

We have an action-packed week planned for your camper. Campers will choose adventures that require teamwork to understand animal populations and what information should be collected to help rescue these animals. Every day, campers will rescue a different animal, make measurements, take weight, and estimate population sizes using field techniques. It's a real child-led adventure without leaving Cincinnati!

Full Day Camp
for children entering 5th or 6th grade in the fall.

Studying an animal’s behavior in the wild or a in zoo can help us get to know them better as individuals AND give scientists valuable insight into the nature and habits of their species. This knowledge can lead to improvements to their care and conservation. During this week-long camp, we’ll utilize Zoo hikes and special animal visits to focus on learning the basics of animal observation and investigate the questions that come up.

Full Day Camp
for children entering 5th,6th,7th,or 8th grade in the fall. Groups will be subdivided based on grade.

Campers will embrace their wild side as they spend a week outside exploring fields, forests, and wetlands at the 700-acre Bowyer property! Participants will learn to protect our wild spaces through activities such as bird watching, creeking, animal tracking, and so much more. Our camp will encourage your child to build confidence and skill as a naturalist in our native ecosystem. On Friday, your camper will lead you on a nature hike to show off their new skills.

This camp takes place at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's Bowyer Farm, 2210 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040. 

Note: Before and After Care is not available for camps hosted at Bowyer Farm.  Campers will spend all their time outside and immersed in nature. Please dress accordingly and plan to get dirty or wet!

Full Day Camp
for children entering 7th or 8th grade in the fall.

Running a zoo involves a lot more than meets the eye. Join us for a week of exploring the many jobs involved in taking care of the Zoo’s animals and creating a great experience for Zoo visitors. You’ll get a chance to get down, dirty and creative with hands-on activities, animal encounters, and Behind-the-Scenes tours. We’ll also round out the experience with some guest speakers who will give you a better understanding of the variety of zoo careers that we have here at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

All t-shirts are for pickup only, at the Harold C Schott Education Building at 56 Erkenbrecher Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45249 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, or Saturday 9am-12pm. Call 513-559-7730 when you arrive. All orders will be held for 4 business days, and then returned to inventory if not picked up. 

Gildan Brand 100% Cotton. See size chart. Get your vintage camp tshirt! Youth and Adult sizes for the whole family!

Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Gift Certificates expire 5 years from purchase.
 

​Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Expires 5 years from order date

​Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Expires 5 years from order date

​Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Expires 5 years from order date

For the best elves in your life. 

​Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Expires 5 years from order date

Put a little Zoo in their stocking!

​Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Expires 5 years from order date