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.

  • No refunds will be issued after June 1st
  • After June 1 at 9:00 a.m. PST, no program fees will be returned in the event of modification or cancellation to your registration. This includes but is not limited to Basic Fees, Non-refundable Fees, and Registration Fees, as well as extended care.
  • Modifications and cancelations can be made until June 1.
  • No refunds, make-ups, or credits will be issued for missing camp days or weeks due to illness, scheduling conflicts, or violation of camp policies.  

Late Fees 

Please make sure you are on time to pick-up your child. 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.

Buddy Request 

During registration, you may enter one mutual grouping request. To be placed together, both campers must be in the same program and have each other listed in their UltraCamp account. 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.

Respect and Conduct Policy

At our zoo camps, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our campers, staff, and animals. To maintain a positive and inclusive environment, the following inappropriate behaviors will not be tolerated from either campers or caregivers.

  • Rude or aggressive language
  • Acts or threats of violence
  • Insults based on identity (e.g., race, gender, ability, religion, or background)
  • Persistent bullying or intimidation

We reserve the right to dismiss campers whose behavior, or that of their caregivers, we deem to have violated this policy.

Questions?

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