The recent sunshine and warmer weather we’ve been experiencing is making us excited for summer; Utica Zoo has a lineup of signature events to host in the warmer months but has just recently announced their zoo camp topics for summer 2026! Registration is now open.
Utica Zoo summer camps are available for students K-12 and even offer topics for children as young as 3 years of age. This year, camps host a series of 10 topics over the course of ten weeks: June 29th to August 28th
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All camps are based on zoo grounds surrounded by wildlife and have indoor classrooms and outdoor pavilions for educational lessons or presentations. All camp counselors are highly qualified and trained by Utica Zoo education staff. Social-emotional learning focuses on leadership development, collaboration, ethical decision-making, and discovering personal strengths while working toward a shared mission of wildlife conservation. Campers this year will be able to enjoy Utica Zoo’s newestexhibit, details of which they haven’t released with the public yet. Construction is currently underway.
These 10 fascinating topics with their corresponding dates and recommended grade levels include:
▪ From June 29th to July 10th is Zoo Crew 101 – Teen Conservation Leadership for grades 9th – 12th
▪ From July 6th to July 10th is Zoo Crew 101 – Foundations of Conservation for grades 7th and 8th
▪ From July 13th to July 24th is Wildlife Conservation Guardians – Protecting our Planet for grades 6th – 8th
▪ From July 20th to July 24th is Beautiful Bomes – Exploring Earth’s Habitats for grades 1st – 4th
▪ From July 27th to July 31st is Becoming a Zookeeper – Little Keepers in Training for grades K – 3rd
▪ From August 3rd to August 7th is Safari Adventures – A Journey Through the Wild for grades K – 3rd
▪ From August 10th to August 14th is Marine Magic – Wonders of Water Worlds for grades 1st – 4th
▪ From August 17th to August 21st is Sensational Senses – Discovering the World Through Five Senses for ages 3 – 7
▪ From August 34th to August 28th is Feeding Frenzy – Food Chains and Animal Diets for grades 1st –4th
For more information regarding zoo camps and booking, one can head to http://www.uticazoo.org/zoocamp
The Utica Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is the Best of Mohawk Valley Community Choice Award Winner for 2025. It is a regional destination that inspires and promotes the appreciation of wildlife through education, conservation, and recreation. Situated in the heart of Central New York, the zoo features a diverse collection of animals from around the world and offers various educational programs and events for visitors of all ages. It is home to approximately 200 exotic and domestic animals, welcoming nearly 100,000 visitors annually and is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm
363 days a year, with only the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For more information on this, and all things Utica Zoo, visit UticaZoo.org or follow them on Facebook,
