Zoo Camp

Thank you for enrolling your child in the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s summer Zoo Camp program!
Your child must be a paid and confirmed registrant of Zoo Camp prior to completing this form. This document does not act as Camp registration.

Program Structure

Every camp is full of up-close animal experiences, Zoo tours, activities, games, and crafts. Parents will receive a newsletter that highlights daily themes. Zoo Camp lessons and activities focus on the daily themes to encourage learning through exploration. Our staff loves Zoo Camp too! Zoo Camp teachers have a deep passion for wildlife and working with children. All of us strive for campers to come away with a strengthened love of animals and the natural world.

POLICIES

Campers must be the minimum age for the camp session by the start of the camp week. 5-year-olds cannot attend full-day camp. Program activities and lessons are designed to be age-appropriate. Campers who are enrolled in the wrong age group will be moved to their correct age group if space allows. A switching fee may be charged. If no space is available, the registration will be canceled and the camp fee will be refunded.

Campers should only attend one week of Zoo Camp. Campers may also attend one session of the specialty camp offered for their age group (Zoo Crew, Marine Scientist or Vet Camp). In the case of duplicate enrollment, one week will be canceled and a refund will be issued.

Your cooperation will ensure an enjoyable camp experience for all.

rescheduling/ cancellation policy

• If you are unable to attend camp on your originally scheduled date, please contact us at learn@pittsburghzoo.org or call us at 412-365-2528 as soon as possible to reschedule. Please note, rescheduling requests are not guaranteed as they depend on availability.  A $10 switching fee will be charged for any changes made after May 15.
• All cancellations must be made at least two (2) weeks prior to the start of your scheduled camp week. The Zoo will retain a 20% processing fee.
• There are no refunds for any cancellations made less than two (2) weeks prior to the start of your scheduled camp week.

CAMPER DROP-OFF

• Zoo Camp drop-off is located in the main Zoo parking lot (7370 Baker Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206). Please do not drop-off in the staff parking lot on One Wild Place.
• Drop-off is between 9-9:15 a.m.
• Please accompany your camper to the parking lot lawn daily for sign-in. Signage will direct you to their age group.
• If you arrive late, please escort your camper to the Education Complex by entering the Zoo through the admission gates.
• The Zoo has a strict quarantine policy that prohibits pets from entering our grounds, including the parking lot lawn. Please do not bring your pets to camp drop-off or pick-up.

camper pick-up

• Pick up is at 12pm for half day camp and 4pm for full day camp.
• Campers must stay with their respective groups until they are signed out by a parent or guardian.
• If you are late picking up your camper and no one is in the parking lot lawn area, please call 412-665-3640, press 0 for the receptionist and ask to speak with Education or go to Admission Booth #5 for assistance. In cases of an extended delay in pick up, or extreme weather, staff may escort the camper back to the Education Building. We do not offer after care, so please make every effort to pick up your camper on time.

MEDICATION POLICY

• Please indicate on your participation form any medication that your child will be taking while at Zoo Camp. We require that all EpiPens/inhalers be carried in a waist pack or backpack to be worn on the camper at all times. Please label the waist pack or backpack with your child’s name. Parents/guardians are notified immediately if their child faces an emergency and uses their EpiPen.
• A camper is allowed to carry their medication and self-medicate. All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must be stored in the original product packaging and labeled with the camper’s name. Prescription medication(s) must also include a label with the medication’s name and dosage instructions, including time of administration of medicine, as well as the prescribing physician’s name and telephone number. Zoo education staff will not be held responsible for housing/storing medication(s). Please provide a written statement from the child’s medical provider and parent/legal guardian that states that the child is capable of self- medication without assistance.
• Zoo Camp staff will not dispense medications of any type (prescription or over-the-counter) to camp participants of any age. The staff may assist in the administration of certain life-saving medications (EpiPens, inhalers, allergy medication for severe allergies), if necessary upon written consent of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and/or physician’s orders for medical emergencies.

Behavior Policy

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has the right to remove a camper from Zoo Camp at any time. If a continual behavior problem persists, one or more of the following consequences will be taken:

• Zoo Camp staff will discuss the behavior with the camper.
• Zoo Camp staff will discuss the behavior with the parent/guardian.

Snacks/Lunch

• Each day your child will be served a snack. These snacks are not intended to be meals.
• Please list any food allergies on the participation form and return it to the Zoo prior to your camp week. Parents/guardians may send special snacks for campers with allergies or with special dietary requirements.
• Full-day campers should pack a non-perishable lunch Monday through Thursday. A pizza lunch will be provided on Friday.
• Campers are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle (with a strap) to drink from throughout the day.

Attire

• Campers should dress in casual, weather appropriate clothes.
• Campers should wear comfortable, sturdy shoes. Open-toed shoes or sandals are not recommended.
• In the event of light rain campers will still tour the Zoo as planned. Please send the appropriate rain gear (jacket or poncho) with your camper. For safety reasons campers will not be permitted to carry umbrellas.

Safety

All campers are required to wear Zoo-supplied nametags during their entire Zoo Camp day. In both the Education Building and throughout the Zoo, Zoo Camp staff members carry camp rosters, participation forms, and first-aid kits with them at all times.

Injuries

The Zoo has a first-aid station on grounds and staff members who are certified in first-aid. A representative from the Zoo will both notify you and call for emergency assistance if a serious injury occurs. It is very important that you supply us with the appropriate contact numbers on your participation form should we need to reach you in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Inclement Weather

• In the event of light rain campers will tour the Zoo as planned. Campers will not tour outside if there is thunder, lightning, or dangerous wind.
• If dangerous weather occurs at departure time, we will wait inside the Education Building until it is safe to go outside. Please wait in your vehicle in the main parking lot. Once the threat of dangerous weather passes campers will walk to the main parking lot for pick-up.

AUTHORIZATION

• The Zoological Society of Pittsburgh’s Animal Adventures Summer Camp is a public service and we are unable to accept liability in case of an accident. It is necessary to have your consent for your child to participate and agreement that the sponsoring organizations and personnel will not be held liable in case of an accident. The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium reserves the rights to use any and all photographs and videotapes for television, public relations, and/or marketing efforts of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.
• The health information included below is correct as far as I know and the person herein described has my permission to participate in all class activities except as noted by me and/or my physician. Permission is given to provide medical care for this child in the event of an emergency. I hereby release the Zoological society of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, its employees, staff, instructors, and other representatives, from any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any injury to persons or property and the consequences thereof, whether known or unknown and foreseen or unforeseen, incurred as a result of participation in this activity.
• By submitting the online form below, you agree that you have read and understand the Policies and Authorization as outlined and agree to comply with the rules and conditions stated in it.
• By submitting the online form below, you agree that you are signing this form electronically and that your electronic signature is the legal equivalent to a manual signature on this form. By submitting the online form, you also agree that no certification authority or other third-party verification is necessary to validate your e-signature and that the lack of such certification or third party verification will not in any way affect the enforceability of your e-signature.

We are so excited to welcome you aboard for a fun, memory-making, animal-filled week of Zoo Camp!  Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have questions prior to the start of camp.