Summer Safari
JOIN THE WAIT LIST
Summer Safari 2024 is full! Join the wait list to be notified of any openings.
JOIN THE WAIT LIST
Summer Safari 2024 is full! Join the wait list to be notified of any openings.
Day Camp for Children
Inspire A Future Conservationist
Learn lots and have a WILD adventure on Summer Safari at the Metro Richmond Zoo!
SUMMER SAFARI
Does your child love animals and want to be a zookeeper? Need a day to yourself?
We have the perfect solution!
Register your child for Summer Safari, our day camp for children.
Each camper gets an exciting behind-the-scenes look at many animals such as the penguins and tortoises and a unique experience with the pygmy hippos. The camp includes an in-depth guided tour of the park led by a zoo educator. Campers get to meet animal ambassadors and take their photo with one of them.
JUNIOR SUMMER SAFARI
Ages 6-9- One 4 1/2 hour outdoor day camp
- 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
- In-depth guided tour of the zoo
- Behind-the-scenes look
- Exciting animal encounters (some hands-on contact)
- Arts and crafts
- Photo with an animal ambassador
- Feed the animals
- (Children up to 13 may attend, however the program is structured for 6-9 year olds)
SENIOR SUMMER SAFARI
Ages 10-13- One 6 hour outdoor day camp
- 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- In-depth guided tour of the zoo
- Behind-the-scenes look
- Exciting animal encounters (some hands-on contact)
- Arts and crafts
- Photo with an animal ambassador
- Feed the animals
- Animal enrichment project
- Brave the Junior Explorer Course, our tree-to-tree zipline and obstacle adventure
Summer Safari Discounts
Member Discount: Zoo members receive a discount voucher for 10% off Summer Safari registration. The unique voucher code is emailed to the individual who purchased the memberships. It is included at the bottom of the order receipt sent at the time of purchase. Redeem the voucher online.
Click here to see how to use the voucher.
Group Discount: Save $5 per camper when you purchase 3 or more Summer Safari reservations in the same transaction. Discount applied automatically online. Cannot be combined with other discounted tickets. All children registered will need individual permission forms signed and disclosed under which email their ticket has been purchased.
Junior Explorer Course Discount: Junior Summer Safari campers save 20% on the Junior Explorer Course when they participate at the 2:30 PM training time after camp finishes on the day of the child’s camp visit. Unlike senior camp, this course is not part of the junior camp, so the same chaperone rules and restrictions for the Junior Explorer Course pertain. Discount applied at the zoo after camp, not online.
2024 Summer Safari Calendar
No Summer Safari
Junior Summer Safari
Senior Summer Safari
MONDAY
June 3
June 10
June 17
June 24
July 1
July 8
July 15
July 22
July 29
August 5
August 12
TUESDAY
June 4
June 11
June 18
June 25
July 2
July 9
July 16
July 23
July 30
August 6
August 13
WEDNESDAY
June 5
June 12
June 19
June 26
July 3
July 10
July 17
July 24
July 31
August 7
August 14
THURSDAY
June 6
June 13
June 20
June 27
July 4
July 11
July 18
July 25
August 1
August 8
August 15
FRIDAY
June 7
June 14
June 21
June 28
July 5
July 12
July 19
July 26
August 2
August 9
August 16
No Camp
Junior Camp
Senior Camp
MON
June 3
June 10
June 17
June 24
July 1
July 8
July 15
July 22
July 29
Aug 5
Aug 12
TUES
June 4
June 11
June 18
June 25
July 2
July 9
July 16
July 23
July 30
Aug 6
Aug 13
WED
June 5
June 12
June 19
June 26
July 3
July 10
July 17
July 24
July 31
Aug 7
Aug 14
THURS
June 6
June 13
June 20
June 27
July 4
July 11
July 18
July 25
Aug 1
Aug 8
Aug 15
FRI
June 7
June 14
June 21
June 28
July 5
July 12
July 19
July 26
Aug 2
Aug 9
Aug 16
HOW TO COME PREPARED
- Purchase a camp reservation. You will be emailed the order confirmation
- Sign this permission form to register your child
- Arrive at the zoo at 9:15 AM for check-in. The camp starts at 9:30 AM.
- Bring a lunch for your camper
- Bring large water bottles filled with cool water
- Dress appropriately to be outside rain or shine: tennis shoes, hats/visors, sunscreen (no flip flops, crocs, or open-backed shoes)
- FOR SENIOR SUMMER SAFARI ONLY: Sign this waiver for the Junior Explorer Course
SUMMER SAFARI TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Registration is available online only. Due to the popularity of this program, dates will not be held until payment is received. Registration and all forms listed in the section above MUST be on file before camper can participate. By completing the forms, you declare your child is physically and mentally able to participate in this program without parents.
This is a camp for children. Parents and chaperones are not allowed to participate and/or follow the group around the zoo. This is distracting to the group and interrupts the teaching activity for all campers.
Summer Safari is an outdoor rain or shine camp. Actual camp experiences may vary based on weather or other factors. The Metro Richmond Zoo reserves the right to cancel any Summer Safari program. Participants will be notified by phone call or email. In the event of cancellation by the Metro Richmond Zoo due to extreme weather or other factors, you may reschedule to another Summer Safari date if available or request a full refund. If guests cancel their Summer Safari date or “do not show”, a refund will not be given and rescheduling will not be available.
If you have any questions concerning your child’s registration, call us at (804) 739-5666 ext. 0.