Camp Zoofari

We do not offer drop off or pick up outside of camp hours, 8:45 am-4:15 pm. If you are looking to drop off a camper late or pick up early, please see the question below.

We plan our days to make full use of our time. As such, late drop-offs or early pick-ups may lead to missed activities for your camper.

We can accommodate late drop-offs or early pickups from 10 AM – 3 PM. Please contact our camp team at 713-533-6739 to arrange late drop-offs and early pick-ups. We cannot accommodate these between 3:00 – 3:45 PM as it is too close to the end of the normal camp day.

A lane on Hermann Park Dr. will be designated for drop-off and pick-up. At drop-off, each car will follow the line past the camp gate to be met by camp staff, who will screen each vehicle and escort campers into our Education Center. At pick-up, we will call your camper out once you have pulled though the line past the camp gate and they will not load into the car until we have screened your vehicle and you’ve signed them out. For the safety of our staff and campers, we are asking all caregivers to remain in their vehicle during this process.

Additionally, families are invited to park in Lot G and walk up to our camp gate. Caregivers will not be admitted beyond the camp gate to maintain the integrity of the camp space. In advance of each camp week, a welcome video will be sent with additional camp information and a map showing where to go upon arrival.

Please do not illegally pull over or park in the accessible parking or fire lane by the camp gate for pick-up or drop off. HPD assists us with pick-up and drop-off and has expressed this is a both a large safety/accessibility hazard and clogs traffic flow.

A regular camp day varies by theme but will include tours throughout the Zoo. Information and stories will be shared that relate to each camp’s theme. Games and activities will further support each theme. Throughout the week, campers will have visits from our Animal Ambassadors, as well as opportunities to feed the giraffes or ride the carousel.  The days for these activities vary based on camper age.

Typical Daily Schedule

Our camp staff, or Camp Guides, come from a variety of backgrounds, but all are experienced in working with kids in science and nature exploration. We select our camp staff based on their educational experience and scientific background. Many of our camp educators are full-time teachers during the year. They are supported each season with our teenage program participants, the Zoo Crew.

Both Guides and Zoo Crew undergo training ahead of each camp season on topics including animal information, positive behavior management techniques, critical and scientific thinking, and Zoo procedures.

Camp Zoofari operates under a Single Skill Exemption from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Camp Zoofari is not a child-care facility, day care center, or licensed before- or after-school program. Risks associated with participating in Camp Zoofari may include, but are not limited to, trips and falls, insect bites, heat exposure, splinters, and minor first aid injuries resulting from supervised outdoor play.

Age requirements are not negotiable and are strictly enforced. Campers must fall within the specified age category on the first day of the camp session they are attending.  Each topic is developed with age-appropriate techniques and measures. We divide the campers by their birthdate into smaller groups for Zoo tours and activities.

Due to the high demand for camp spaces, all sales are considered final. Patrons who provide a written notice of cancellation to education@houstonzoo.org two weeks before the camp date will receive a 50% refund of their camp registration fees. No refunds will be issued after this date, including participants who miss all or partial programs due to illness. T-shirt purchases are not refundable. The Houston Zoo reserves the right to cancel any program due to minimum enrollment, inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, in which case a full refund will be issued. Cancellations are official upon receipt of confirmation from the Houston Zoo.

Camp Zoofari Packing List:

• Camp shirt (provided per week of registration)
• Closed-toes shoes
• Reusable water bottle
• Lunch (fridges & microwaves are not available)

Additional items campers are welcome to bring:

• Weather-appropriate gear like hats, coats, rain coats, sunglasses, etc.
• Sunscreen or bug spray; Please apply before dropping off your camper, we are not able to apply these once they’ve been checked in.
• Cameras

Camp Zoofari asks that campers do not bring the following items:

• Anything you or your camper would be upset to lose
• Stuffed Animals
• Personal Electronics
• Smart Watches
• Food or snacks for other Campers

A secure space is made available for each camp group to store their belongings throughout the day, but items can be lost if left on Zoo grounds. We recommend labeling belongings like water bottles and cameras with a camper name and/or camp group in the event they are misplaced, especially on Zoo grounds, as these items will be sent to the general Zoo-wide lost-and-found if turned in. Ultimately, we recommend leaving valuables and unnecessary belongings at home.

Camp Zoofari is a high energy experience! You can help us make it a successful experience by providing your camper a solid breakfast before camp and sending a solid lunch that you know they will eat. Camp Zoofari is not an ideal place to expose campers to new foods or test out new lunch options. Additionally, we do not have the facilities to microwave or reheat camper lunches.

Yes, a camp t-shirt must be worn each day of Camp Zoofari. One shirt is included in the registration fee per week.  You may purchase additional shirts at the time of registration for $20 apiece. Sizes are Youth XS (2-4), S (6-8), M (10-12), L (14-16), and Adult S, M, and L. If you are unsure of what size to order, please order a size larger to allow room for your camper to grow.

If Houston Zoo is open, Camp Zoofari is operating. To determine if camp is in session, please visit the Houston Zoo main page. Any closings will be announced on the homepage of our website and through Bloomz, our communication platform. Closings will also be communicated via the Houston Zoo Facebook page. Please send campers in appropriate weather gear each day.

In the event of severe weather while campers are on grounds, they will be escorted into our indoor camp spaces. Activity times will shift to allow campers to continue to enjoy their day while waiting for the worst of the weather to pass.

“He said that it was his favorite camp. He said, “Zoo camp makes everything better!” Wow! Quite a statement from him”

“This was her first Camp Zoofari – and she loved every minute, couldn’t wait to go back each day. She feels like she is a “zoo expert” now, which is fantastic!”

“My daughter LOVES Zoo Camp!! She chatters non stop about everything she learns each day. She is never this talkative and excited about other things. She is a walking, talking animal referencer book. We are recycling now and doing outside projects based on her interest from what she has learned.”

Camp Zoofari is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to community members in need of assistance. The application for 2025 scholarships will be opened on March 18, 2025, and all scholarships will be notified and awarded by April 18, 2025.

To contact any members of our Camp Zoofari team, please email Camp@Houstonzoo.org or call us at 713-533-6739.

Although a member of our camp leadership team is typically available at the gate during drop-off and pick-up for quick questions, it is preferable to call or email us for longer conversations or concerns so we can give you our undivided attention– if you call or email after camp, we will be able to get back to you that afternoon or the next morning well before drop-off.