EARLY CLOSURE
The zoo will close early at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 28, 2024, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

CAMPS SAFETY & POLICIES

Information regarding details on the Camps Safety Policies.

POLICIES  AND SAFETY

 

Cancelation and Modification of Camp Registration

All programs require a $50 non-refundable fee which will not be returned regardless of cancelation or modification date. Below are additional important cutoffs for cancelations or modifications.

  • Registration for day camps closes 2 weeks prior to the session start date.
  • Modifications and cancelations can be made until 2 weeks prior to the session start date.
  • If a session is beginning in less than 2 weeks, the program fee will not be returned in the event of modification or cancelation (including extended care).  Example: If camp starts on Monday, July 22nd, final camp modifications or cancelations must arrive in the camps@zoo.org inbox by 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 7th.  


Late Fees 

Please make sure you are on time to pick-up your child.  We love caring for your kids, but please be respectful of our program times. If you are late picking up your camper, we will charge you a late fee. This fee will be added to your UltraCamp account to be paid online.  We will use the camp cell phone clock to determine late fee charges.

  • Camp late fees (for all camp programs): If you are 5 minutes late or more for pick-up you will be charged a fee of $5.00 per minute until you arrive.
  • Extended Care late fees: Extended Care ends at 5:30. If you arrive after 5:30 you will be charged a fee of $5.00 per minute.


Waitlist Information

If your preferred camp session is full, you may register online for our camp waitlist. If space becomes available, our waitlist system will automatically send out offers and you will have a limited time to accept or decline your camp spot.



Grouping Request 

You may request that your camper be placed with up to two other campers who are in the same age group during the registration process. If you have already registered your child and would like to submit a grouping preference, you may do so by emailing us at camps@zoo.org. Although we make every effort to honor your grouping preference whenever possible, please understand that we can never guarantee that children will be grouped together.



Kid Codes

We rely on the Kid Code system as vital to ensuring the safety of all children at camp. Thank you in advance for respecting this policy and the staff enforcing it.
  • When registering your child for camp, you will be asked to create a Kid Code. This is a secret code known only by the adults authorized to pick up your child from camp. Staff will only release a child to an adult who provides the correct Kid Code. In lieu of a Kid Code, we can also accept a valid, government-issued ID from the adult who registered your child or any of the individuals listed as emergency contacts. 
  • If an individual arrives to pick up your child without knowing the Kid Code, or if the child says the Kid Code out loud in front of an arriving adult before they are checked out, we will need to contact you or an individual listed as an emergency contact for permission before we can release your child to them.
  • If you forget your Kid Code, you can refer back to your original registration confirmation email where it is listed. For safety reasons, we are unable to give out Kid Codes over the phone. However, we can confirm whether or not the code you give us is correct. We can also remind you of your Kid Code when you drop off your child at the start of camp.


Kid Code Guidelines

  • Select a one- or two-word code or phrase, preferably in English.
  • For safety reasons, never use a child’s name, nickname or a parent name as the Kid Code (name of a pet, etc. is okay).
  • Please do not tell your child their Kid Code, or if you do, please explain the importance of keeping it secret and not saying it aloud while at camp.


COVID-19

We will follow the current guidelines from the Washington State Department of Health. To view the current guidelines, click here. For additional information on guidelines for schools and childcare visit the Washington State Department of Health's website.



Inclement Weather Plan  

Zoo Leaders will be monitoring high heat days and air quality events and will take appropriate action to keep campers and staff safe in the event of inclement weather. Actions may include but are not limited to communications with staff and campers’ caregivers, reducing vigorous outdoor activity, moving camp indoors, and canceling camp. We understand if families decide to keep campers home during inclement weather. Please note that we do not offer refunds for camp unless Woodland Park Zoo cancels camp.  



Child Safety Policies

Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing a safe and healthy program experience for children. In order to help ensure camper safety, all camp staff have undergone a background check and are trained in first aid and safety policies. We are lucky to have a team of EMTs at Woodland Park Zoo to support any first aid needs that may arise.

Staff are trained to create a supportive environment by doing the following:

  • Using a calm and respectful tone of voice, positive language, facial expressions to match child’s mood, and validating children’s feelings.
  • Using guidance techniques to assist in adapting to camp routines and activities, including coaching, role modeling, redirection, and expectation setting.
  • Providing opportunity for choice and child-led learning.
  • Encouraging positive interaction between and among children by offering collaborative activities and modeling social skills.
  • Using youth's pronouns or preferred name.


contact

Questions?

If you have additional questions or need assistance contact us at camps@zoo.org.

Our Mission

Woodland Park Zoo saves wildlife and inspires everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.

Land Acknowledgment

Woodland Park Zoo recognizes that these are the lands of the Tribal signatories of the Treaty of Point Elliott. We acknowledge their stewardship of this place continues to this day and that it is our responsibility to join them to restore the relationship with the living world around us.


5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103   |  206.548.2500  |   zooinfo@zoo.org


Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Seattle Parks & Recreation
Humane Certification