Due to an overwhelming response, we have closed the waitlist for Summer Camp 2026.

• Yes! The window for 2026 Zoo Summer Camp scholarship applications has passed.
• Scholarship criteria – Child must be living in Pierce County AND parent/guardian must be currently enrolled in one of the following programs: EBT/Washington Quest, WIC nutrition program, foster parenting & kinship care.
• Applications are approved on a first-come, first served basis.
• At this time, we cannot provide scholarships to families that live outside Pierce County.

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 an Accommodation Request Form. 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.

• Please notify us immediately should you need to cancel or change your camp registration. We want to be able to offer open spots to those on the waiting list.
• Contact us at [email protected] or 253-404-3800 (M-F 8:00 am-4:30 pm) to request cancellation or change.
  • 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.
  • Requests to have your child moved to a different camp date (if available) will be charged a 20% rescheduling fee.

Visit the Camp Essentials page for detailed directions to the Zoo and to locate the check-in/check-out time frame for your child’s camp session.

When you arrive at the Zoo, follow the signs for Zoo Camp check-in/check-out. Check-in/check-out takes place in the parking lot south of the main entrance to the Zoo. We cannot check-in campers at the front gate.

There are two (2) check-in/check-out stations:

• Station A
• Station B

See the check-in/check-out table below for more information.

To drop off or pick up your child outside of the scheduled time, please make prior arrangements with camp staff so that they can schedule 2 staff members to bring your child to the check-in/check-out area by the requested time.

If you must drop off your child past check-in, please let staff know the day before or call or text 253-888-2746 as soon as possible that morning.

If you must pick up your child before check-out, please let staff know the day before or when you drop them off in the morning.

We require a separate Participant Form and signed Waiver for each child attending camp. Please do not put information for more than one child on a Participant Form.

Due to limited staff and space and to ensure child safety, we can only check-in or check-out one age group at a time.

If the children are close in age, you can try to come close to the end of one time frame, and the beginning of the other.

We cannot provide care for your child outside the operating hours of their camp session.

Please do not register your child for more than two weeks of camp. All camp activities are the same each week. We have found that even children who love Zoo Camp get bored after more than two weeks.

There are two themes for 1st-2nd grade graduates. Some of the experiences may be the same, but lessons will be based on the theme.

A completed Participant Form is only required to be turned in on the first day of the first week of camp your child is attending.

Yes. Camp staff are not trained or authorized to change diapers or assist with toileting for a child of any age.

Yes. If you wish for your teenager (age 13+) to check themselves in/out from camp each day, please complete this Teen Self-Check-out Form and bring it with you and your camper on their first day of camp, along with a completed Participant Form and signed Waiver. A parent or guardian must accompany the teen only for the first day of camp to turn in the documents.

• Each group will have a designated indoor learning space in the Zoo’s Education Center or the Environmental Learning Center (SAMi High School) on Zoo grounds.
• Each camper will have their own cubby or designated bin for storing backpacks and other belongings.
• Camps will visit various indoor and outdoor areas of the Zoo including the aquariums.
• Camps may also visit various outdoor areas outside of the Zoo including the forest in Point Defiance Park, the Northwest Native Plant Garden, and the Docks at Point Defiance Marina.
• Not every camp group will get to visit every part of the Zoo or other outdoor areas.

• Tiny Turtles: 16
• Little Lemurs: 16
• Budding Biologists: 15
• Animal Investigators: 15
• Wild Explorers: 15
• Science Explorers: 15
• Eco Explorers: 15

There are 3 staff members assigned to each camp group.  

No. As government employees, our staff are not authorized to accept any form of tip or gift.

However, if you would like to donate to the Zoo’s efforts, you can learn more about the Dr. Holly Reed Conservation Fund.

To protect our animals who are vulnerable to Covid and other viruses that can be transmitted from humans, there will be limited or no behind the scenes access for camp participants.

You will receive an email 1-2 weeks before your camp session with any updated information.

A completed Camp Participant Form and signed Waiver (on the back of the form) for each camper must be handed in to camp staff on the first day of camp (please 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.

The Camp Participant Form includes the following:

• Parent/Legal Guardian and Emergency Contact Information
• List of adults with authorization to pick-up your child
• Any medical information that will help our Zoo Camp staff understand and support the needs of your child
• Any behavioral concerns that will help our Zoo Camp staff understand and support the needs of your child
• Waiver for camp participation

If you think your child may benefit from any additional support, please submit an online Accommodation Request through Parks Tacoma at least two (2) weeks in advance of your child’s camp program.