Program Participant Form
You will receive a two-sided participant information sheet in the mail once your space is confirmed in the program. Please take the time to fill this out completely and mail back to us at your earliest convenience -- 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 program. If we have not received this completed sheet, or you do not bring it with you on the program day, it will need to be completed before we can accept your child into the program.Check-in/check-out process
On the program day, the instructors and aides will meet you at the zoo entrance gate. Parents or responsible adults will complete the information sheet (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 programs.
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.
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.
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