Registration Period
2009 Winter Camp registration is happening now for both members and non-members.
2010 Summer Camp registration will open for Point Defiance Zoo Society members on February 1, 2010. Registration for non-members will begin on March 1, 2010.
For information on Point Defiance Zoo Society memberships click here.
Registration process
To begin the camp registration process, please call the Education Department at 253-591-5333. The reservationist will collect your information, accept your credit card payment (you can also mail a check), answer your questions and mail you a confirmation. Please note that your reservation is not confirmed until full payment is received.
Program Participant Form
You will receive a two-sided camper information sheet via email (or regular mail by request) once your space is confirmed in a camp program. Please take the time to fill this out completely and mail back to us at your earliest convenience (or bring with you on the first day of the program). This sheet is extremely important; it contains vital information pertaining to allergies, special situations and emergency contact information, among other things. Sending this sheet back to us as early as possible will greatly reduce the check-in time on the first day of a camp session. If we have not received this completed sheet, or you do not bring it with you to the first day of camp, it will need to be completed before we can accept your child into a camp program.
Check-in/check-out process
On the first day of a camp session, the instructors and aides will meet you at the zoo entrance gate. Parents or responsible adults will complete the program participant form (if we have not received it) and sign their child in. Please make sure that all authorized pick-up adults are on the sheet and that the emergency contact information is correct and up to date. When an adult meets the instructor at the entrance gate for pick-up, he or she must show picture ID card to camp staff, who will match their name to the list of authorized adults. If the adult is not on the authorized list, we cannot release the child until a parent or responsible adult is contacted. Again, photo ID will be required to pick up a child on each day of summer camp. Please remember that these policies are in place for one reason -- the safety of children attending Zoo Camp.
Cancellation policy
NO refunds are given for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the first day of camp. For cancellations made more than 14 days prior to first day of program an 80% refund will be given. A 10% administrative fee will be charged for each program session change (program cancellations are not considered session changes - this fee does not apply to cancellations). PDZA reserves the right to cancel any program. In the event that PDZA cancels a program, all program fees will be refunded.
Accommodation Request
Metro Parks Tacoma strives toward providing inclusive programs to all community members. People of all abilities are invited to consider registering for any recreational program Metro Parks Tacoma has to offer provided they meet the minimum eligibility requirements. We can usually build customized support to suit your needs.To request an accommodation please allow 10 business days prior to the start of the course. Please call (253) 404-3631 to receive an accommodation request form (or click here to download) to be completed and mailed in. This number is for accommodation information only. For program registration and information please call (253) 591-5333.
Staff Background Check Policy
Public programs staff, volunteers and interns will be subject to the following background check policy
Section I Metro Parks Tacoma commits to providing a safe environment and will take appropriate steps in requiring those that work or volunteer with youth, vulnerable adults and/or the elderly provide criminal background checks as a condition of their employment or volunteer assignment with Metro Parks Tacoma.
Section II All potential new/rehired employees and regularly scheduled volunteers that work for Metro Parks Tacoma will be required to complete the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Request for Criminal History Information form prior to the first day of work or volunteer assignment. Employment and volunteer assignments will be contingent upon a clear background check. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring this requirement is met prior to allowing an employee or volunteer to begin assignment.
Section III Potential new/rehired employees and regularly scheduled volunteers that work in areas that have direct contact or supervision over youth, vulnerable adults and/or the elderly will be required to submit fingerprints for a more extensive background checks conducted through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in addition to the WSP background checks.
To register or request additional information, call (253) 591-5333.
* Return to 2010 Summer Camps main page.
* Return to 2010 Winter / Spring Camps main page.
To begin the camp registration process, please call the Education Department at 253-591-5333. The reservationist will collect your information, accept your credit card payment (you can also mail a check), answer your questions and mail you a confirmation. Please note that your reservation is not confirmed until full payment is received.
Program Participant Form
You will receive a two-sided camper information sheet via email (or regular mail by request) once your space is confirmed in a camp program. Please take the time to fill this out completely and mail back to us at your earliest convenience (or bring with you on the first day of the program). This sheet is extremely important; it contains vital information pertaining to allergies, special situations and emergency contact information, among other things. Sending this sheet back to us as early as possible will greatly reduce the check-in time on the first day of a camp session. If we have not received this completed sheet, or you do not bring it with you to the first day of camp, it will need to be completed before we can accept your child into a camp program.
Check-in/check-out process
On the first day of a camp session, the instructors and aides will meet you at the zoo entrance gate. Parents or responsible adults will complete the program participant form (if we have not received it) and sign their child in. Please make sure that all authorized pick-up adults are on the sheet and that the emergency contact information is correct and up to date. When an adult meets the instructor at the entrance gate for pick-up, he or she must show picture ID card to camp staff, who will match their name to the list of authorized adults. If the adult is not on the authorized list, we cannot release the child until a parent or responsible adult is contacted. Again, photo ID will be required to pick up a child on each day of summer camp. Please remember that these policies are in place for one reason -- the safety of children attending Zoo Camp.
Cancellation policy
NO refunds are given for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the first day of camp. For cancellations made more than 14 days prior to first day of program an 80% refund will be given. A 10% administrative fee will be charged for each program session change (program cancellations are not considered session changes - this fee does not apply to cancellations). PDZA reserves the right to cancel any program. In the event that PDZA cancels a program, all program fees will be refunded.
Accommodation Request
Metro Parks Tacoma strives toward providing inclusive programs to all community members. People of all abilities are invited to consider registering for any recreational program Metro Parks Tacoma has to offer provided they meet the minimum eligibility requirements. We can usually build customized support to suit your needs.To request an accommodation please allow 10 business days prior to the start of the course. Please call (253) 404-3631 to receive an accommodation request form (or click here to download) to be completed and mailed in. This number is for accommodation information only. For program registration and information please call (253) 591-5333.
Staff Background Check Policy
Public programs staff, volunteers and interns will be subject to the following background check policy
Section I Metro Parks Tacoma commits to providing a safe environment and will take appropriate steps in requiring those that work or volunteer with youth, vulnerable adults and/or the elderly provide criminal background checks as a condition of their employment or volunteer assignment with Metro Parks Tacoma.
Section II All potential new/rehired employees and regularly scheduled volunteers that work for Metro Parks Tacoma will be required to complete the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Request for Criminal History Information form prior to the first day of work or volunteer assignment. Employment and volunteer assignments will be contingent upon a clear background check. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring this requirement is met prior to allowing an employee or volunteer to begin assignment.
Section III Potential new/rehired employees and regularly scheduled volunteers that work in areas that have direct contact or supervision over youth, vulnerable adults and/or the elderly will be required to submit fingerprints for a more extensive background checks conducted through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in addition to the WSP background checks.
To register or request additional information, call (253) 591-5333.
* Return to 2010 Summer Camps main page.
* Return to 2010 Winter / Spring Camps main page.
