Summer Camp
Select a camp experience below for more information!
QUEENS ZOO SUMMER CAMP LAUNCHING JANUARY 2026!
Explore nature, learn about our planet and get close to animals! Wildlife Conservation Society summer camps are for all young adventurers, from toddlers to teens. Recognized as industry leaders, WCS Education was the first department of its kind to offer zoo camps and continues to provide award-winning programming. Join us at the Queens Zoo for a week of animal adventures, outdoor exploration, and endless fun. From up-close wildlife encounters to hands-on science, it’s a summer camp experience your child will go WILD for!
Can't wait for Summer Camp 2026? Explore our School Break Camps with full‑day adventure options at all locations and stay connected with our animals.
Schedule
Our summer camps run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily (with the option to extend until 5:00 PM) through the first week of September. Please note, Toddler Time and Zoo Tykes have different schedules.
*Toddler Time: 9:30am-11:00am and Zoo Tykes: 9:00am-12:00pm (with the option to extend until 3:00pm).
| June 15 — June 19 |
Toddler Time: Learning your ABZ's (18 months - 3 y/o & caregiver)* |
| June 22 — July 26 |
Toddler Time: Under (Animal) Wraps (18 months - 3 y/o & caregiver)* Zoo Tykes: Summer Zoo-cation (3 to 4 y/o & PreK)* |
| June 29 — July 3 |
Week of Wildlife: Animal Caretakers (K-2nd grade) Zoo Explorer: Eco-Investigators (3rd-5th grade) |
| July 6 — July 10 |
Week of Wildlife: Mysteries of the Animal Kingdom (K-2nd grade) Zoo Explorer: STEM Stewards (3rd-5th grade) |
| July 13 — July 17 |
Week of Wildlife: Animal Caretakers (K-2nd grade) Zoo Explorer: Eco-Investigators (3rd-5th grade) |
| July 20 — July 24 |
Zoo Tykes: Animal Tales (3 to 4 y/o & PreK)* Week of Wildlife: Mysteries of the Animal Kingdom (K-2nd grade) |
| July 27 — July 31 |
Week of Wildlife: Animal Caretakers (K-2nd grade) Zoo Explorer: Eco-Investigators (3rd-5th grade) |
| Aug 3 — Aug 7 |
Junior Scientists: Animal Transformations (6th-8th grade) Zoo Explorer: STEM Stewards (3rd-5th grade) |
| Aug 10 — Aug 14 |
Week of Wildlife: Animal Caretakers (K-2nd grade) Zoo Tykes: Summer Zoo-cation (3 to 4 y/o & PreK)* |
| Aug 17 — Aug 21 |
Week of Wildlife: Animal Caretakers (K-2nd grade) Zoo Explorer: Eco-Investigators (3rd-5th grade) |
| Aug 24 — Aug 28 |
Week of Wildlife: Mysteries of the Animal Kingdom (K-2nd grade) Zoo Explorer: STEM Stewards (3rd-5th grade) |
| Aug 31 —Sept 4 |
Week of Wildlife: Animal Caretakers (K-2nd grade) Zoo Explorer: Eco-Investigators (3rd-5th grade) |
| June 16 — June 20 5 day camp |
Toddler Time (age 18 mo to 3 yrs): Animal Senses* CLOSED |
| June 23 — June 27 5 day camp |
Toddler Time (age 18 mo to 3 yrs): Home Sweet Home* CLOSED Zoo Tykes (age 3-4 yrs / pre-K): Barnyard Bonanza* CLOSED |
| June 30 — July 3 4 day camp* |
Week of Wildlife (grades K-2): Animals Like Us CLOSED Zoo Explorers (grades 3-5): Forces of Nature CLOSED |
| July 7 — July 11 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades K-2): Wild Animal Music CLOSED Zoo Explorers (grades 3-5): Wild by Design CLOSED |
| July 14 — July 18 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades K-2): Animals Like Us CLOSED Zoo Explorers (grades 3-5): Forces of Nature CLOSED |
| July 21 — July 25 5 day camp |
Zoo Tykes (age 3-4 yrs / pre-K): Birds of Play CLOSED Week of Wildlife (grades K-2): Animals Like Us CLOSED |
| July 28 — August 1 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades K-2): Wild Animal Music CLOSED Zoo Explorers (grades 3-5): Wild by Design CLOSED |
| August 4 — August 8 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades K-2): Animals Like Us CLOSED Zoo Explorers (grades 3-5): Forces of Nature CLOSED |
| August 11 — August 15 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades K-2): Wild Animal Music CLOSED Zoo Explorers (grades 3-5): Wild by Design CLOSED |
| August 18 — August 22 5 day camp |
Zoo Tykes (age 3-4 yrs / pre-K): Birds of Play CLOSED Junior Scientist (grades 6-8): Conservation Scientists CLOSED |
| August 25 — August 29 5 day camp |
Week of Wildlife (grades K-2): Animals Like Us WAITLIST ONLY Zoo Explorers (grades 3-5): Forces of Nature |
Camp Pricing
$225 members / $250 regular (Toddler Time)
$315 members / $350 regular (Zoo Tykes half-day camp)
$585 members / $650 regular (5-day camp)
$185 members / $205 regular (Extended Care 5-day)
$270 members / $300 regular (Zoo Tykes Extended Care 5-day)
Booking Tips:
- If you attended camp last summer, update your family and camper(s) profile in the Parent Dashboard or create a New Family Profile now so you’ll be set when registration opens.
- Enter the camper's date of birth and select the correct grade. This ensures that only summer camps appropriate for their age/grade level are available for purchase.
- You cannot edit once you move onto the next step in registration.
- If you entered the incorrect camper DOB and/or grade, please email qzeducation@wcs.org.
- Sessions are expected to fill quickly, so be sure to plan ahead and have backup camp dates and sessions ready.
- WCS Members, please have your membership ID# ready. Entering it will unlock access to exclusive membership pricing.
Ages 18 months - 3 /w caregiver
Monday - Friday, 9:30 am-11:00 am
Toddler Time - Learning your ABZ's
Join us as we adventure through the alphabet at the Zoo! Each day, you and your toddler will explore animals, crafts, and activities that bring our Letter of the Day to life. Together, you’ll enjoy up-close encounters, create letter-inspired art, and discover how Zoo critters and nature fit into the ABCs.
DATE
6/15/2026 - 6/19/2026
$250 non-member / $225 member
This is an early childhood camp program for a child (18 months to 3 years) and grown up.
Ages18 months - 3 /w caregiver
Monday - Friday, 9:30 am-11:00 am
Toddler Time - Under (Animal) Wraps
Fur, feathers, and scales! Oh my! Get ready to explore the amazing world of animal coverings, from soft fur to scaly skin and everything in between. Each day features hands-on sensory play, thematic crafts, and up-close animal encounters that connect you and your toddler to the natural world.
DATE
6/22/2026 - 6/26/2026
$250 non-member / $225 member
This is an early childhood camp program for a child (18 months to 3 years) and grown up.
Ages 3 & 4 / Pre-K
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Zoo Tykes - Summer Zoo-cation
Pack your bags for an unforgettable Summer ZOO-cation — no passport required! Join Chami the Chameleon puppet on a global adventure as we discover habitats around the world. During this week, we will conduct hands-on exploration in nature, observe wildlife through up-close encounters, and work as a team to explore wild places far and wide.
DATES
6/22/2026 - 6/26/2026
8/10/2026 - 8/14/2026
$350 non-member / $315 member
This is a program aimed at 3K/ pre-K children who are 3 - 4 years old and NOT going into Kindergarten in the fall.
Ages 3 & 4 / Pre-K
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Zoo Tykes - Animal Tales
Time to let your imagination run wild with wildlife as we meet the animal inspiration behind classic children’s tales. Each day we will highlight a different story and discover that every living thing plays an important role in nature through up-close animal encounters, dramatic play, hands-on art experiences, and outdoor exploration.
DATE
7/20/2026 - 7/24/2026
$350 non-member / $315 member
This is a program aimed at 3K/ pre-K children who are 3 - 4 years old and NOT going into Kindergarten in the fall.
K - 2nd Grade
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Week Of Wildlife - Animal Caretakers
Step into the world of animal care careers! From feeding and cleaning to creating enrichment, we’ll discover what it takes to care for animals and explore the exciting jobs of zookeepers, veterinarians, and field biologists! Each day will include upclose animal encounters, exhibit exploration, and hands-on exploration.
DATES
6/29/2026 - 7/3/2026
7/13/2026 - 7/17/2026
7/27/2026 - 7/31/2026
8/10/2026 - 8/14/2026
8/17/2026 - 8/21/2026
8/31/2026 - 9/4/2026
$650 non-member / $585 member
This is a drop off camp. Campers that are 4 and entering K are eligible for Week of Wildlife.
K - 2nd Grade
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Week Of Wildlife - Mysteries of the Animal Kingdom
Calling all wildlife detectives! We’re stepping into the role of animal investigators on a mission to solve some seriously wild mysteries. Each day, we’ll collect clues, examine evidence, and uncover the secret identity of our mystery animal! With close-up animal encounters, creative crafts, and plenty of games, we’ll connect the dots and crack the case one clue at a time!
DATES
7/6/2026 - 7/10/2026
7/20/2026 - 7/24/2026
8/24/2026 - 8/28/2026
$650 non-member / $585 member
This is a drop off camp. Campers that are 4 and entering K are eligible for Week of Wildlife.
3rd - 5th Grade
Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Zoo Explorers - Eco-Investigators
Become a super sleuth and join us for an exploration of the animals that live in various ecosystems in the Americas. Through experiments, observations of animal adaptations, habitats and habits, we will investigate what makes these animals super survivors. Each day includes up-close animal encounters, visits to exhibits and hands-on activities!
DATES
6/29/2026 - 7/3/2026
7/13/2026 - 7/17/2026
7/27/2026 - 7/31/2026
8/17/2026 - 8/21/2026
8/31/2026 - 9/4/2026
$650 non-member / $585 member
This is a drop off camp.
3rd - 5th Grade
Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Zoo Explorers - STEM Stewards
Join us as we explore how our actions can help protect the places we live and amazing animals we share it with. We’ll engage in hands-on experiments, community science projects, and up-close animal encounters that show how we can make a real difference for the environment right from our own neighborhoods!
DATES
7/6/2026 - 7/10/2026
8/3/2026 - 8/7/2026
8/24/2026 - 8/28/2026
$650 non-member / $585 member
This is a drop off camp.
6th - 8th Grade
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Junior Scientist - Animal Transformations
From paramecium to pumas, we will explore the evolutionary tree of life and learn how animals diversified from single celled organisms to become what they are today! Using the tools of a scientist, we will get a closer look at animal species to see how they have adapted to environmental influences like climate change, animal interactions and human impacts.
DATE
8/3/2026 - 8/7/2026
$650 non-member / $585 member
This is a drop off camp.
Extended Care
Extended Care is a great add-on option for caregivers who need a later pick up time. Extended Care includes free play, exhibit visits, and nature play exploration (weather permitting). Minimum number required to run the program. Add on items like Extended Care and additional summer camp t-shirts when adding your selected camp purchase to your cart
K - 8th Grade
Monday - Friday, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Extended Care
Extended care campers go out to an exhibit each day, then return to the Discovery Center for snack and free play/activities. Participants will go on exhibit visits, play games, enjoy playtime in our Discovery Center. The zoo closes at 5pm and Extended Care will run until 5pm.
DATES
6/29/2026 - 7/3/2026
7/6/2026 - 7/10/2026
7/13/2026 - 7/17/2026
7/20/2026 - 7/24/2026
7/27/2026 - 7/31/2026
8/3/2026 - 8/7/2026
8/10/2026 - 8/14/2026
8/17/2026 - 8/21/2026
8/24/2026 - 8/28/2026
8/31/2026 - 9/4/2026
$205 non-member / $185 member
This Extended care option does not include Zoo Tykes. Extended care does not provide lunch or snacks, but caregivers may provide one for their camper. Lunch must be provided.
Ages 3 & 4 w/ Pre-K
Monday - Friday, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Extended Care (Zoo Tykes Only)
Extend your child’s Zoo Tykes experience to a full day! Campers enjoy additional crafts, play, and zoo exploration in a relaxed, engaging environment. Ideal for children ready for a longer camp experience. Campers must be use the bathroom independently to attend.
DATES
6/22/2026 - 6/26/2026
7/20/2026 - 7/24/2026
8/10/2026 - 8/14/2026
$300 non-member / $270 member
This Extended care option includes Zoo Tykes campers only. Participants must be enrolled in camp to be eligible for extended care. Extended care does not provide lunch or snacks, but caregivers may provide one for their camper. Lunch must be provided.
