Summer ZooCamp

Registration Process

Registration for ZooCamp will open Thursday, January 2 at 8:00AM!

If you have questions during registration, please email us at FPZcamp@zoonewengland.org. Due to the volume of inquiries and to better help us keep track of conversations, please only reach out via email. Please allow 1-3 business days for a response regarding ZooCamp.

Scholarships

ZooCamp offers scholarships to support access for children from low-income households. To apply for a scholarship, please complete a ZooCamp Scholarship form found below.

Please note, there are two types of scholarships offered. “Partial” scholarships cover 50% of a camper’s tuition, and “Full” scholarships cover 100% of a camper’s tuition.

A select number of spots in ZooCamp are reserved for those who are awarded scholarships which allows recipients to wait until they’ve received their award to register. If you plan to register your camper(s) regardless of being awarded scholarship funds, please register them as soon as you are able.

Scholarships for the 2025 camp season will be accepted on a rolling basis. ZooCamp staff will review applications and begin offering scholarships after March 1, 2025. Please note, we will continue to accept applications after that date, but scholarships will only be awarded as funds become available.

• Digital Scholarship Application
• Printable Scholarship Application

ZooCamp Themes:

Ages 6-10:

Tails and Tales (Sessions 2, 5, 8) 
“Lions, Tigers, and Bears ... Oh My!” Whether it's books, TV, or movies, some of our favorite stories have animals in them. Campers will explore classic animal characters, discover new stories, and will even have the opportunity to write a story of their own. Paired with animal encounters and zoo walks, campers will learn how to be the main character of their own conservation story.

Wild about STEM (Session 3, 6, 9)
Are birds' bones really hollow? What kind of materials are safe to use to build animal enrichment? Campers will explore some of these questions and more during our STEM week at ZooCamp! Campers will work together to ask questions and find solutions incorporating aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics all while getting an up-close look at some of the animals that call the zoo their home.

Art Safari (Sessions 4, 7)
The natural world is full of colors, patterns, shapes, and compositions which we will explore during ZooCamp’s art week! This session will focus on creating opportunities for campers to explore the canvases of the natural world and be inspired to make art of their own. Campers will learn about the benefits of different patterns and colors in the wild and experiment with various mediums for a deep dive into how art can connect humans and the rest of life on earth.

Ages 11-14:

New in 2025: Jr. Zookeepers Expanded to age 14!

Jr. Zookeepers (Sessions 7, 8, 9)
Want to be a zookeeper, biologist, conservationist or veterinarian? This is the camp session for you. You will chat with zookeepers, meet different animals and see special behind-the-scenes areas. Campers will help prepare animals’ food, clean stalls, and even see training sessions important for animal health. The program also includes a fun and high-level curriculum consisting of games, activities and discussion. Some of the topics covered are predator vs prey populations, exhibit design, species survival plans, biology and surgery, behavioral analysis and so much more!

Please note, curriculum repeats.

Ages 4-5:

Zoo Explorers (Session 10)
Exploration is all about self-discovery and adventure. Your child will get to see the zoo’s many exhibits and interact with a wide variety of species!

2025 ZooCamp Session Dates:

Please register your camper for the age that they will be as of September 1, 2025.

Ages 6-7 and 8-10

• Session 1: June 16 - June 20 *Stone Zoo Only*
• Session 2: June 23 - June 27
• Session 3: June 30 - July 3 (Please note, camp will not be held on 7/4)
• Session 4: July 7- July 11
• Session 5: July 14 - July 18
• Session 6: July 21 - July 25

Ages 6-7 and 11-14

• Session 7: July 28 – August 1

Ages 8-10 and 11-14

• Session 8: August 4 - August 8
• Session 9: August 11 - August 15

Ages 4-5

• Session 10 (4-5 year olds): August 18 - 22*

Please note, each camp session, except session 10, is full-day from 9:00AM-3:00PM with extended care available. Session 10 is half-day from 9:00AM-12:00PM with no extended care available.

Cost

The cost of ZooCamp is based on a sliding scale of annual income. Levels 1, 2 and 3 of payment are required to send some income information to Zoo New England to confirm their status and payment. Level 4 of payment does not require any information provided. Before you begin registration, please read through our new sliding scale information. Income verification is due by May 9th, 2025.

Payment is due two weeks prior to the start date for your camper(s) session of ZooCamp. Payments can be made online in full or with a deposit and payment plan in place. Payment can also be made via cash or check.

Extended Care

• Extended morning takes place from 7:45am-8:40am. Purchase of extended morning only for the full week is $80.
• Extended afternoon takes place from 3:15pm-4:15pm. Purchase of extended afternoon only for the full week is $80.
• Purchase of both morning and afternoon extended care for the entire week is $150.
• Single day extended care (both morning and after-care) can be purchased for $30 per day. 
  Parents/guardians can purchase a maximum of three single day extended care days.

Please note: A late fee will apply for late pick-up from extended care. Please see our FAQ page for more information regarding our policy.

Required Health Forms

In order to complete your registration, Franklin Park Zoo must receive a Certificate of Immunization or letter of immunization exemption for each child registered by May 9th, 2025.

Required health forms can be uploaded to the registration site or sent:

-By mail to:

Franklin Park Zoo
Attn: Education Department
1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston, MA 02121

-By email (a scanned copy – please no photographs) to: FPZcamp@zoonewengland.org

More information about the Certificate of Immunization and Physical Report 

Massachusetts School Requirements for Immunizations

Medication Information

If your child requires medication to be administered during the camp day, you will be required to fill out a Parent/Guardian Authorization to Administer Medication form.

Please note: This form needs to be filled out only if your child may need medication administered during the camp day. If you are not sending your camper with any type of medication to Camp, this form is not required.

Health Care Policy

Franklin Park Zoo’s ZooCamp Health Care Policy includes our policies on treating mildly ill campers, plan for administering medication (prescription and nonprescription) and our emergency health care procedure. A complete copy of the policy shall be furnished to parents/guardians upon request. 

FAQ’S

You can find a list of Frequently Asked Questions here.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel your registration more than 2 weeks before the date of your camp week, a $50 cancellation fee will be charged to your account. If you cancel with less than 2 weeks’ notice, 25% of your camp cost will be refunded.

Contact Us

Please email FPZcamp@zoonewengland.org with any camp-related questions.

 

Parents/guardians may request copies of background check, health care and discipline policies as well as procedures for filing grievances.

This camp must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local board of health.

Registration Process

Registration opens Thursday, January 2nd at 8:00AM!

If you have questions during registration, please email us at SZCamp@zoonewengland.org. Due to the volume of inquiries and to better help us keep track of conversations, please only reach out via email. Please allow 1-3 business days for a response regarding ZooCamp.

Scholarships

ZooCamp offers scholarships to support access for children from low-income households. To apply for a scholarship, please complete a ZooCamp Scholarship form found below.

Please note, there are two types of scholarships offered. “Partial” scholarships cover 50% of a camper’s tuition, and “Full” scholarships cover 100% of a camper’s tuition.

A select number of spots in ZooCamp are reserved for those who are awarded scholarships which allows recipients to wait until they’ve received their award to register. If you plan to register your camper(s) regardless of being awarded scholarship funds, please register them as soon as you are able.

Scholarships for the 2025 camp season will be accepted on a rolling basis. ZooCamp staff will review applications and begin offering scholarships after March 1, 2025. Please note, we will continue to accept applications after that date, but scholarships will only be awarded as funds become available.

• Digital Scholarship Application
• Printable Scholarship Application

ZooCamp Themes:

Ages 6-10:

New in 2025: We're now offering a rotating curriculum! Join us for the session theme that interests your camper the most or try out all three!

Art Safari (Sessions 1, 4, 7) – The natural world is full of colors, patterns, shapes, and compositions which we'll explore during ZooCamp’s art week! This session will focus on creating opportunities for campers to explore the canvases of the natural world and be inspired to make art of their own. Campers will learn about the benefits of different patterns and colors in the wild and experiment with various mediums for a deep dive into how art can connect humans and the rest of life on earth.

Tails and Tales (Sessions 2, 5, 8) - “Lions, Tigers, and Bears ... Oh My!” Whether it's books, TV, or movies, some of our favorite stories have animals in them. Campers will explore classic animal characters, discover new stories, and will even have the opportunity to write a story of their own. Paired with animal encounters and zoo walks, campers will learn how to be the main character of their own conservation story.

Wild about STEM (Session 3, 6, 9) - Are birds' bones really hollow? What kind of materials are safe to use to build animal enrichment? Campers will explore some of these questions and more during our STEM week at ZooCamp! Campers will work together to ask questions and find solutions incorporating aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics all while getting an up-close look at some of the animals that call the zoo home.

Ages 11-14:

New in 2025: Jr. Zookeepers Expanded to age 14!

Jr. Zookeepers (Sessions 7, 8, 9)

Want to be a zookeeper, biologist, conservationist or veterinarian? This is the camp session for you. You'll chat with zookeepers, meet different animals and see special behind-the-scenes areas. Campers will help prepare animals' food, clean stalls, and even see training that's important for animal health. The program also includes a fun and high-level curriculum consisting of games, activities and discussion. Some of the topics covered are predator vs prey populations, exhibit design, species survival plans, biology and surgery, behavioral analysis and so much more!

Please note, curriculum repeats.

Ages 4-5:

Zoo Explorers (Session 10)

Exploration is all about self-discovery and adventure. Your child will get to see the zoo’s many exhibits and interact with a wide variety of species!

2025 ZooCamp Session Dates:

Please register your camper for the age that they will be as of September 1, 2025.

Ages 6-7 and 8-10

• Session 1: June 16 - June 20 (Please note, camp will not be held on 6/19)
• Session 2: June 23 - June 27
• Session 3: June 30 - July 3 (Please note, camp will not be held on 7/4)
• Session 4: July 7 - July 11
• Session 5: July 14 - July 18
• Session 6: July 21 - July 25

Ages 6-7 and 11-14

• Session 7: July 28 - August 1

Ages 8-10 and 11-14

• Session 8: August 4 - August 8
• Session 9: August 11 - August 15

Ages 4-5

• Session 10 (4-5 Year olds): August 18 - 22

Please note, each camp session, except session 10, is full-day from 9:00AM-3:00PM with extended care available. Sessions 10 is half-day from 9:00AM-12:00PM with no extended care available.  

Cost

The cost of ZooCamp is based on a sliding scale of annual income. Levels 1, 2 and 3 of payment are required to send some income information to Zoo New England to confirm their status and payment. Level 4 of payment does not require any information provided. Before you begin registration, please read through our new sliding scale information. Income verification is due by May 9th, 2025.

Payment is due two weeks prior to the start date for your camper(s) session of ZooCamp. Payments can be made online in full or with a deposit and payment plan in place. Payment can also be made via cash or check.

Extended Care

• Extended morning takes place from 7:45am-8:40am. Purchase of extended morning only for the full week is $80.
• Extended afternoon takes place from 3:15pm-4:15pm. Purchase of extended afternoon only for the full week is $80.
• Purchase of both morning and afternoon extended care for the entire week is $150.
• Single day extended care (both morning and after-care) can be purchased for $30 per day. A maximum of three single day extended care days can be purchased.

Please note: A late fee will apply for late pick-up from extended care. Please see our FAQ page for more information regarding this policy.

Required Health Forms

In order to complete your registration, we must receive a Certificate of Immunization or letter of immunization exemption for each child registered by May 9th, 2025.

Required health forms can be uploaded to the registration site or sent:

-By mail to:

Stone Zoo
Attn: Education Department
149 Pond Street, Stoneham, MA 02180

-By email (a scanned copy – please no photographs) to: SZcamp@zoonewengland.org

More information about the Certificate of Immunization and Physical Report

Massachusetts School Requirements for Immunizations

Medication Information

If your child requires medication to be administered during the camp day, you will be required to fill out a Parent/Guardian Authorization to Administer Medication form.

Please note: This form needs to be filled out only if your child may need medication administered during the camp day. If you are not sending your camper with any type of medication to Camp, this form is not required.

Health Care Policy

Stone Zoo’s ZooCamp Health Care Policy includes our policies on treating mildly ill campers, plan for administering medication (prescription and nonprescription) and our emergency health care procedure. A complete copy of the policy shall be furnished to parents/guardians upon request. 

FAQ’S

You can find a list of Frequently Asked Questions here.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel your registration more than 2 weeks before the date of your camp week, a $50 cancellation fee will be charged to your account. If you cancel with less than 2 weeks’ notice, 25% of your camp cost will be refunded.

Contact Us

Please email SZcamp@zoonewengland.org with any camp-related questions.

 

Parents/guardians may request copies of background check, health care and discipline policies as well as procedures for filing grievances.

This camp must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local board of health.