Summer camps

For current and graduate preschoolers (ages 4-5). Max. 12 kids/session.
Download the visual calendar.

• MEMBERS ($60)
• NON-MEMBERS ($65)

I Spy (NEW)

Super-fun scavenger hunts await! Explore the zoo high and low to find fun, friends, and tons of cool animals. I spy adventure in your future…

June 25-26: 9am-12pm (SOLD OUT)
July 2-3: 9am-12pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 20-21: 9am-12pm (SOLD OUT)

Super Sea Stars 

They are spiny, squishy, flippered and finned, but most of all they are spectacular! Learn why animals that live in the sea are super.

June 25-26: 1-4pm (SOLD OUT)
July 9-10: 1-4pm
July 23-24: 1-4pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 20-21: 1-4pm

Animal Tales (NEW)

Just like us, every animal has a story. We’ll read wild stories and get to know some of the animals here at the zoo.

July 2-3: 1-4pm
July 16-17: 1-4pm
July 30-31: 1-4pm
Aug. 13-14: 1-4pm (SOLD OUT)

Sharks and Friends 

One fish, two fish, sharks, and rays! Learn about fish and the fantastic ways they live their lives in the sea.

July 6-7: 9am-12pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 10-11: 9am-12pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 24-25: 9am-12pm (SOLD OUT)

Spots and Stripes (NEW)

What would a leopard be without spots? How about a tiger without stripes? Learn all about colors and patterns in this fun, colorful camp!

July 9-10: 9am-12pm (SOLD OUT)
July 16-17: 9am-12pm (SOLD OUT)
July 30-31: 9am-12pm
Aug. 13-14: 9am-12pm (SOLD OUT)

Fluffy Friends 

Why are some animals covered in feathers and fur and others are covered with scales and slime? Meet some of our furred and feathered friends at the Zoo for the answers.

July 6-7: 1-4pm
July 20-21: 1-4pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 10-11: 1-4pm (SOLD OUT)

Buggin’ Out 

Connect with animals that some would call creepy, but are really just cool! Meet interesting insects and awesome arachnids and learn to appreciate these amazing creatures.

July 13-14: 9am-12pm (SOLD OUT)
July 27-28: 9am-12pm
Aug. 17-18: 9am-12pm

Nature Play (NEW)

Bring your curiosity to explore, touch, hear, see, and smell the many wonders of nature! We’ll have fun in the zoo and our forest nearby and learn about some of the plants and animals who share our home.

July 13-14: 1-4pm*
July 27-28: 1-4pm*
Aug. 17-18: 1-4pm
Aug. 24-25: 1-4pm

*Fewer than four spots left.

MEMBER BOOKINGS HERE>

Open for non-members March 1.

Camp full? Get on the waiting list! Email comments@pdza.org

For kindergarten graduates. Max. 12 kids/session.
Download the visual calendar.

• MEMBERS ($85)
• NON-MEMBERS ($90)

Things with Wings 

Birds, bats, and bugs all fly, but do you know why? Uncover the mystery of how they use their wings to find food, shelter, and other flying friends.

June 24-26: 9am-12pm*
Aug. 26-28: 9am-12pm

Awesome Adaptations (NEW)

Every animal has the tools it needs to survive in its habitat. But not all animals that fly have feathers and not every Arctic creature is covered in fur. Biodiversity is breathtaking!

June 24-26: 1-4pm
Aug. 10-12: 1-4pm

Ocean Commotion (NEW)

From snails to sea lions, octopuses to otters, sea life is amazing. Imagine living life in the ocean as you see sharks, wonder about wolf-eels and peer at puffins.

July 6-8: 1-4pm*
July 20-22: 1-4pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 3-5: 1-4pm

Just Like Me

Lots of animals have eyes, ears, and noses just like we do, but we might have more in common with other members of the animal kingdom than we know. Learn about all the ways we are alike!

July 8-10: 9am-12pm*
Aug. 12-14: 9am-12pm

Wild Sounds (NEW)

Roar, squawk, growl, and chirp your way here to meet lots of noisy animals! Discover the different sounds animals make, then learn how and why.

July 13-15: 1-4pm*
July 27-29: 1-4pm
Aug. 24-26: 1-4pm

Zoo Journey (NEW)

Take a walk on the wild side as you travel to tropical forests, the Arctic tundra, rocky shores, and under the sea. Find out who lives in these wild places and meet wild friends!

July 15-17: 9am-12pm*
July 29-31: 9am-12pm
Aug. 5-7: 9am-12pm

*Fewer than four spots left.

MEMBER BOOKINGS HERE>

Open for non-members March 1.

Camp full? Get on the waiting list! Email comments@pdza.org

For 1st & 2nd grade graduates. Max. 15 kids/session.
Download the visual calendar.

• MEMBERS $145
• NON-MEMBERS $160

Under the Sea (NEW)

Explore the amazing undersea world in this marine-themed camp adventure. Feel shark skin, see fish being fed, explore Owen Beach at low tide, and meet our magnificent marine mammals.

June 29-July 3: 9am-12:30pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 3-7: 9am-12:30pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 17-21: 9am-12:30pm (SOLD OUT)

Beastly Behaviors 

Why do animals do what they do? A beastly behavior may seem bizarre, but it may be the difference between life and death.

June 29-July 3: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Under the Sea 9am-12:30pm)
Aug. 3-7: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Under the Sea 9am-12:30pm)
Aug. 17-21: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Under the Sea 9am-12:30pm)*

Wacky Wildlife 

Wacky and weird is where it’s at! Which animals have the strangest adaptations for survival? You decide!

July 6-10: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Budding Biologists 1-4:30pm)
July 20-24: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Budding Biologists 1-4:30pm)

Budding Biologists (NEW)

Animals, plants, and even mold are all alive but different in almost every way. Biologists use some amazing tools, such as microscopes and binoculars, to learn about living things. You can too!

July 6-10: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Wacky Wildlife 9am-12:30pm)*
July 20-24: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Wacky Wildlife 9am-12:30pm)
Aug. 24-28: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with All Around the Zoo 9am-12:30pm)

Happenin’ Habitats

What is a habitat? Take a journey around the world in the zoo to explore five different types of habitats and the animals that live there.

July 13-17: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Animal Superheroes 1-4:30pm)
July 27-31: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Animal Superheroes 1-4:30pm)

Animal Superheroes (NEW)

Who are your favorite superheroes? Every animal has its own superpower to help it to survive! What kind of super powered animal would you like to be?

July 13-17: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Happenin’ Habitats 9am-12:30pm)
July 27-31: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Happenin’ Habitats 9am-12:30pm)
Aug. 10-14: 1-4:30pm (SOLD OUT)

All Around the Zoo (NEW)

How do you make a toy for a tiger? What is a sea anemone’s favorite food? Where does a puffin go to bed? Learn how zoo staff work together to make sure that the animals have everything they need.

Aug. 10-14: 9am-12:30pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 24-28: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Budding Biologists 1-4:30pm)

*Fewer than four spots left.

MEMBER BOOKINGS HERE>

Open for non-members March 1.

Camp full? Get on the waiting list! Email comments@pdza.org

For 3rd & 4th grades graduates. Max. 15 kids/session.
Download the visual calendar.

• MEMBERS $145
• NON-MEMBERS $160

Investigating Invertebrates 

Some animals do just fine without a spine. Discover some of the unique ways that jellyfish, octopuses, insects, spiders and crabs stay alive.

July 6-10: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Animal Grossology 1-4:30pm)
July 20-24: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Animal Grossology 1-4:30pm)

Animal Grossology

Spend a week learning about the wacky, wild, crazy, yucky, and gross biology of the animal kingdom!

July 6-10: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Investigating Invertebrates 9am-12:30pm)
July 20-24: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Investigating Invertebrates 9am-12:30pm)*

What’s for Dinner?

It’s an eat-or-be-eaten life in the wild! Discover the challenges of being a predator and the risks of being prey. Find out about food webs and how each organism has an important role to play.

July 13-17: 9am-12:30pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 10-14: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Zany Zoology 1-4:30pm)

Zany Zoology (NEW)

Learn about the tools and techniques that real scientists use to study animals in the lab and in the wild.

July 13-17: 1-4:30pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 10-14: 1-4:30pm (SOLD OUT)

Aquatic Adventures (NEW)

Explore both of our amazing aquariums, collect plankton to view under microscopes, get to know our Rocky Shores residents, and explore the beach at low tide.

Aug. 3-7: 9am-12:30pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 17-21: 9am-12:30pm (SOLD OUT)

Caring for Creatures 

Learn what we do to take care of animals here at the zoo and in the wild. Find out about the importance of enrichment, take some behind the scenes tours and design your own exhibit.

Aug. 3-7: 1-4:30pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 17-21: 1-4:30pm (SOLD OUT)

*Fewer than four spots left.

MEMBER BOOKINGS HERE>

Open for non-members March 1.

Camp full? Get on the waiting list! Email comments@pdza.org

For 5th-7th graduates. Max. 15 kids/session.
Download the visual calendar.

• Ocean Explorers and Wild Science: Members $145; non-members $160
• Wild Photographer and Wild Artist: Members $170; non-members $185
• Jr. Zookeeper (all-day): Members $300; non-members $315

Ocean Explorers

Visit Owen Beach during low tide and uncover some rarely-seen intertidal organisms. Collect microscopic plankton samples from the docks and explore the Pacific Seas Aquarium.

June 29-July 3: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Wild Science 1-4:30pm)
Aug. 3-7: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Wild Science 1-4:30pm)
Aug. 17-21: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Wild Science 1-4:30pm)

Wild Science 

Venture out into the field and the Zoo to practice real scientific techniques for studying animals and their natural behaviors. You’ll use microscopes, look for birds in the park, and learn about conservation.

June 29-July 3: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Ocean Explorers 9am-12:30pm)
Aug. 3-7: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Ocean Explorers 9am-12:30pm)
Aug. 17-21: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Ocean Explorers 9am-12:30pm)

Jr. Zookeeper (NEW ALL-DAY FORMAT)

Go behind the scenes, design an exhibit and learn about animal enrichment as you discover how much fun (and work) working at a zoo can be.

July 13-17: 9am-4:30pm (SOLD OUT)
July 27-31: 9am-4:30pm (SOLD OUT)

Jr. Zookeeper sold out? Sign your kid up for Teen Keeper for a Day instead! Details here.

Wild Photographer

Learn how to take great digital pictures of animals. Enjoy special photo opportunities, make a mini-animal studio, and organize a photo show. Note: Students must provide their own digital cameras, memory card(s), and batteries.

July 20-24: 9am-12:30pm
Aug. 10-14: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Wild Artist 1-4:30pm)*

Wild Artist

Art is wild! We’ll draw every day, learn new techniques, “capture” our favorite animals in artwork, and put on an art show.

Aug. 10-14: 1-4:30pm (SOLD OUT)

*Fewer than four spots left.

MEMBER BOOKINGS HERE>

Open for non-members March 1.

Camp full? Get on the waiting list! Email comments@pdza.org

For 8th-11th grade graduates. Max. number varies per session.
Download the visual calendar.

• MEMBERS $170
• NON-MEMBERS $185
• Except: Marine Biologist for a Week, which includes an Eye-to Eye shark dive (members $220; non-members $235)

Marine Biologist for a Week

Max. 5 teens/session.

Spend time with the sharks, prepare food for tropical fish, and meet marine mammal trainers in this one-of-a-kind career exploration. At the end of the week you’ll join our scuba dive team to dive eye-to-eye with the sharks in the South Pacific Aquarium. Get detailed information about our cage dives.

June 29-July 3: 9am-12:30pm (SOLD OUT)
Aug. 3-7: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Wild Researcher 1-4:30pm)*
Aug. 17-21: 9am-12:30pm (SOLD OUT)

Marine Biologist sold out? Sign your kid up for Teen Marine Biologist for a Day instead! Details here.

Wild Researcher

Max. 8 teens/session.

Explore field biology by using the Zoo and Point Defiance Park as your personal laboratory. Learn scientific techniques, use modern technology to track species, and practice observing and recording animal behavior at various exhibits.

June 29-July 3: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Marine Biologist for a Week 9am-12:30pm)
Aug. 3-7: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Marine Biologist for a Week 9am-12:30pm)
Aug. 17-21: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Marine Biologist for a Week 9am-12:30pm)

Keeper for a Week

Max. 6 teens/session.

Scoop poop, prepare animal diets, and visit some behind the scenes areas as you discover all of the fun (and work) of life as a zookeeper.

July 6-10: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Jr. Veterinarian 1-4:30pm)
July 20-24: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Jr. Veterinarian 1-4:30pm)*
Aug. 24-28: 9am-12:30pm

Jr. Veterinarian

Max. 10 teens/session.

Thinking of becoming a veterinarian or veterinary technician? Explore the medical side of the zoo and learn what it takes to be a zoo doctor and how they take special care of the animals.

July 6-10: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Keeper for a Week 9am-12:30pm)
July 20-24: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Keeper for a Week 9am-12:30pm)

Teen Wild Photographer

Max. 15 teens/session.

Learn how to take great digital photos of animals. Enjoy special photo opportunities, make a mini-animal studio and organize a photo show. Note: Students must provide their own digital cameras, memory card(s) and batteries.

July 27-31: 9am-12:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Teen Wild Artist 1-4:30pm)

Teen Wild Artist 

Max. 15 teens/session.

Art is wild! We’ll draw every day, learn new techniques, “capture” our favorite animals in artwork, and put on an art show.

July 27-31: 1-4:30pm (create an all-day adventure with Teen Wild Photographer 9am-12:30pm)

MEMBER BOOKINGS HERE>

Open for non-members March 1.

Camp full? Get on the waiting list! Email comments@pdza.org

Combine programs for an ALL-DAY experience 9:00-4:30. Please provide a sack lunch for your child. We’ll provide lunchtime supervision.

See each grade tile for bookings.

1st-2nd Grade Graduates

June 29-July 3: Under the Sea and Beastly Behaviors
July 6-10: Wacky Wildlife and Budding Biologists
July 13-17: Happenin’ Habitats and Animal Superheroes
July 20-24: Wacky Wildlife and Budding Biologists
July 27-31: Happenin’ Habitats and Animal Superheroes
August 3-7: Under the Sea and Beastly Behaviors
August 10-14: All Around the Zoo and Animal Superheroes
August 17-21: Under the Sea and Beastly Behaviors
August 24-28: All Around the Zoo and Budding Biologists

3rd-4th Grade Graduates

July 6-10: Investigating Invertebrates and Animal Grossology
July 13-17: What’s for Dinner? and Zany Zoology
July 20-24: Investigating Invertebrates and Animal Grossology
August 3-7: Aquatic Adventures and Caring for Creatures
August 10-14: What’s for Dinner? and Zany Zoology
August 17-21: Aquatic Adventures and Caring for Creatures

5th-7th Grade Graduates

June 29-July 3: Ocean Explorers and Wild Science
July 13-17: Jr. Zookeeper (all day camp)
July 27-31: Jr. Zookeeper (all day camp)
August 3-7: Ocean Explorers and Wild Science
August 10-14: Wild Photographer and Wild Artist
August 17-21: Ocean Explorers and Wild Science

8th-11th Grade Graduates

June 29-July 3: Marine Biologist for a Week and Wild Researcher
July 6-10: Keeper for a Week and Jr. Veterinarian
July 20-24: Keeper for a Week and Jr. Veterinarian
July 27-31: Teen Wild Photographer and Teen Wild Artist
August 3-7: Marine Biologist for a Week and Wild Researcher
August 17-21: Marine Biologist for a Week and Wild Researcher