Camp Essentials

Zoo Camp Information

Everything you need to know.

Coming to Zoo Camp? Here’s everything you need to know in one easy place.

What to bring

A completed Camp Participant Form and signed Waiver (page two of the form) for each camper must be handed to camp staff on the first day of camp. Do NOT email us your form in advance. Without the form and waiver, we cannot admit a child to Zoo Camp.
- If you do not have access to a printer: we can provide a blank printed copy of the Camp Participant Form when you arrive at camp – please plan to spend a few extra minutes filling it out when you get here.
Backpack or easily carried bag containing at least:
- Lunch and 1-2 snack items. Lunch and snack are NOT provided. We encourage the use of reusable lunch bags and containers. Camp participants will not have the opportunity to purchase food from the Plaza Café or any food carts at any time during camp programs.
- A refillable water bottle. There are water bottle filling stations throughout the Zoo grounds and in each learning space.
- Clothing appropriate for weather and outdoor activities, including comfortable, water resistant, closed-toed footwear. We recommend bringing layers to stay comfortable in our unpredictable weather!
Cameras are welcome. If the camera becomes a distraction during camp operations, camp staff reserve the right to ask the child to put the camera away at any given time. If the camera’s flash cannot be turned off, campers will not be allowed to take pictures in the aquariums.
Phones will be allowed for taking pictures and communication with family members/guardians only. If the phone becomes a distraction during camp operations, camp staff reserve the right to ask the child to put the phone away at any given time.
Prescription Medication: If children require prescription medication during camp hours, you must provide written instructions on the Camp Participant Form for medication time(s) and amount(s). Staff are not authorized by Parks Tacoma to physically administer medication; we will provide the opportunity for the child to take the medication.
- If your child has an EpiPen, please bring it in a clear bag labeled with your child’s name. Staff are not trained/authorized by Parks Tacoma to physically administer injectable medication; we can assist the child in the following way, if needed: take the medication out of their backpack and baggy, hand it to them and support them additionally if needed.

Camp Participant Form

What NOT to bring

Gum
Games or toys
Sandals/open-toed shoes

Drive-Thru Check-in/Check-out

Follow signs to Zoo Camp Check-in/Check-out Please note:
- All Winter Camps will check in at the white tent just before the Zoo entrance.
- Please stay in your car until a Zoo staff member gets to your vehicle to accept your completed Camp Participant Form.
- Zoo Camp participants cannot be checked in at the front gate entrance.
Please stay in your vehicle (if getting to the Zoo by car) during check-in/check-out unless directed by staff.
Please avoid dropping off campers early/late or picking them up early/late.
- Children visit a variety of locations within the Zoo during their camp day. It can be very difficult to coordinate alternate pick-up and drop-off times.
Please be a Polar Bear Pal and turn off your engine if you are waiting for more than 30 seconds. (Learn about EPA – Idle-Free Programs)
Only authorized adults or teens listed on the Camp Participant Form will be allowed to sign-out a child, after providing photo identification. This is done for your child’s safety, and photo identification is required every day!

DRIVE-THRU CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT TIMES

Camp	Age/Grade	Check-in	Check-out
Little Winter Explorers	Kindergarten	9:25 - 9:40 a.m.	3:10 - 3:25 p.m.
Junior Winter Explorers	1st - 2nd Grades	9:10 - 9:25 a.m.	3:25 - 3:40 p.m.
Wild Winter Explorers	3rd - 4th Grades	8:55 - 9:10 a.m.	3:40 - 3:55 p.m.

If you are running late for check-in or check-out, please contact camp staff at (253) 888-2746. This phone is only checked during camp operating hours (8:30 am-4:00 pm). Please be sure to leave a voicemail. You can also send a text to this number.

LATE PICKUP FEE

After a 10-minute grace period after the end of the check-out window, a late pickup fee of $1.00 per minute per child will apply. For example, if the checkout window ends at 3:10, and a child is picked up at 3:33, $13.00 would be charged.
This fee is applicable each program day.

Directions to the Zoo

Pearl Street Entrance:

No Zoo access due to Loop Trail construction project – use Mildred Street entrance only.

Pearl Street northbound to Mildred Street Entrance:

Follow Pearl Street northbound.
Turn left on North 51st Street and drive to Mildred Street.
Go around the right-hand curve, down and up the hill and turn right into the park.
Make another right turn at the stop sign.
Follow signs to drive-thru Zoo Camp check-in/check-out.

Schuster Parkway to Mildred Street Entrance:

From I-5, take exit 133 for I-705 and follow signs to Schuster Parkway, then Ruston Way.
Follow Ruston Way for 2.8 miles along the waterfront, and at the second traffic circle take the second exit onto North 51st Street.
Continue straight at the traffic light.
Continue straight at the stop sign.
Go around the right-hand curve, down and up the hill, and turn right into the park.
Make another right turn at the stop sign.
Follow signs to drive-thru Zoo Camp check-in/check-out.

Taking Pierce Transit Bus to the Zoo:

Take Route 10 PT DEFIANCE via PEARL ST.
Get off at Pearl St & Park Wy Stop ID: 2151.
From the bus stop, walk towards the traffic circle and turn left.
Use caution – walking route from this stop to Zoo Camp check-in/check-out area travels along trafficked route without sidewalks.
Follow the road uphill past Northwest Native Garden (on the left), then turn right to follow signs to Zoo Camp check-in/check-out.

Google map to Zoo

ACCESSIBILITY & ACCOMMODATIONS

Parks Tacoma provides reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If your child may need an accommodation to participate in a Parks Tacoma program, please complete and submit the Accommodation Request Form.
We are unable to provide 1:1s, staff administration of medications, hands-on personal care in the bathroom, or restraint as a behavior response for participants. Those requiring this kind of support can request a caregiver attend with their participant.
Requests should be made at least two (2) weeks prior to the date the program begins.
Accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Accommodation Request Form

SOCIAL STORY

A Social Story can help to reduce anxiety about new experiences by explaining what to expect in an unfamiliar environment or situation. Download the Social Story guide to help you and your child prepare for their Zoo Camp experience.

2025 Camp Social Story

Health Guidelines

To Protect Everyone’s Safety:

If anyone in your family feels ill or has symptoms that could be due to a contagious illness, please keep your child(ren) at home.
If a child is going to miss camp, please let staff know the day before or call or text 253-888-2746 as soon as possible.
Campers will be encouraged to wash their hands as often as possible. When hand washing is not available, hand sanitizer will be supplied.
Each camper will be provided with their own set of supplies to use for the duration of camp.
We reserve the right to isolate and require an adult to come pick up a camper that has shown symptoms of a contagious illness.

Cancellations & Contact Information

CONTACT INFORMATION – PRIOR TO CAMP:

If you have questions before your child’s camp session, call the Zoo’s main line at (253) 404-3800. Press 0 (zero) to bypass the menu or leave a message. Administrative office hours are 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday.
OR email [email protected]. Allow at least 1 business day for a response.

CONTACT INFORMATION – THE DAY OF CAMP:

If you are running late for check-in or check-out or if your camper will be absent that day:

Please call or text camp staff at (253) 888-2746. This phone is only checked during camp operating hours (8:30 am – 4:30 pm). Please be sure to leave a voicemail.

You will receive more details and any updates in an email at least one week before your camp session.

CANCELLATION POLICIES:

Please notify us as soon as possible if your child is no longer able to attend so that we can offer the spot to another child.
No refunds for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the program start date.
For cancellations requested more than 14 days prior to the program start date an 80% refund will be given.
Camp date changes (if available) will be charged a 20% rescheduling fee.
PDZA reserves the right to cancel any program. If it is necessary for PDZA to cancel a program, all program fees will be refunded.
Contact us at [email protected] for cancellation or change requests.

Email us

Developing Behavior Using Restorative Practices

We are committed to providing an inclusive, safe, fun, and educational experience for all our campers while ensuring the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, and animals. Our camp staff are trained to utilize Restorative Practices. This means that:

We will use community building tools and techniques to help create and foster a safe and inclusive camp culture.
Community behavioral agreements will be discussed at the beginning of each camp day.
Steps will be taken to seek mutually beneficial and camper centered resolutions when actions negatively affect one’s own or others’ experiences.
If a resolution cannot be achieved and a camper’s actions continue to pose risks to the safety and/or wellbeing of other campers or staff or is interfering with camp operations, we reserve the right to:
- Require an adult to come pick up a camper whose behavior is posing risks to the safety and/or wellbeing of other campers or staff or is interfering with camp operations.
- At the discretion of a PDZA representative, ask that a camper not return to camp the next or any following days based on the impact to camp operations.
- Turn away a camper at check-in at the discretion of a PDZA representative.