America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College is now accepting enrollment applications for its Junior Safari Summer Camp.

The program will begin on June 20 and run through August 5 for first through sixth grade students. While the regular camp hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., early bird runs 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and night owl from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

With special access to the back areas, barns, classrooms, zoo kitchen and wildlife theater, there are many unique opportunities for each camper. Campers will clean and feed some of the animals in the zoo’s care and meet other professionals in the field along with the guest animals they bring to share, said Zoo Operations Assistant Kris Romero.

“Each day, animals and their trainers will present special ‘trainer talks’ for the campers, they will tour behind the scenes and all campers will end their week performing a show for their families with their favorite animal on our Wildlife Theater stage!” said Romero.

Romero says campers will also participate in traditional camp activities such as games, arts and crafts, songs and water play—activities one can only experience at the zoo.

Themes and dates for each grade level are listed below:

• Grade 1st and 2nd: Zoo-keeping 101 on June 20 to 24
• Grade 3rd and 4th: Wild in the City on June 27 to July 1
• Grade 1st and 2nd: Planet Superheroes on July 4 to 8
• Grade 3rd and 4th: Zoo-keeping 101 on July 11 to 15
• Grade 1st and 2nd: Animal Detectives on July 18 to 22
• Grade 3rd and 4th: Animal Dream Jobs on July 25 to 29
• Grade 5th and 6th: Zoo-keeping 101 on Aug. 1 to 5

Romero said each year is different because the zoo subscribes to the theory that education should be child centered.

“The campers’ energy level, interests and abilities will guide the choice of activities,” said Romero. “There are some things we do not change though, safety is also first in our minds and providing the camper with a genuine conservation experience is important to us.”

The Junior Safari staff consists of four professional counselors with experience working with children and animals and three teenagers from the Counselors in Training program. They are all overseen by Romero and a staff member of the college, Zoo Operations Supervisor Michlyn Hines.

Romero hopes the campers end their summer at the zoo with a deeper understanding of peoples’ role in the environment, what their families can do personally to help conservation efforts and, of course, have an unforgettable, fun experience.

“The campers, CITs and counselors consistently report that it is the best summer they have had!” said Romero. “Who wouldn’t want to spend every summer day experiencing animals close up!?”

For detailed information, camp availability, and registration forms, please visit the link below or contact Kris Romero, zoo operations assistant, at (805) 378-1441 or [email protected].

http://zoo.moorparkcollege.edu/events/