ZOO CAMPS

What do Stuart Little, Charlotte, and Stellaluna all have in common? They’re all stars of great stories! In this imaginative camp, young writers will dive into beloved animal tales and discover how animals can inspire unforgettable adventures. Campers will explore classic stories, then unleash their creativity by writing their own animal-centered stories. Along the way, they’ll keep a special journal filled with illustrations, playful poetry, and story ideas—perfect for budding authors and artists alike. At the end of the week, we’ll celebrate their creativity by sharing selected pieces on our social media channels, so friends and family can cheer them on. Come write, draw, imagine, and let your favorite animal be your muse—because every great story starts with a little imagination and a lot of heart!

Calling all creative explorers! Young artists will turn the Pueblo Zoo into their very own outdoor studio. Campers will discover stunning art displayed throughout the zoo, learn fun and easy techniques for drawing animals, and even watch animals create art of their own during an enrichment session - because inspiration comes alive here! Whether your child is just beginning or already loves to draw, this camp welcomes all skill levels. Surrounded by amazing wildlife, campers will sketch, create, and experiment while building confidence and creativity. The grand finale? A Pueblo Zoo Camp Art Show on Friday, June 12 at 3pm, where families can admire the incredible animal-inspired artwork created by our talented campers. Grab your pencils, open your imagination, and let the zoo be your canvas! 

Get ready to unlock some super senses! In Animal Super Powers, campers will dive into the weird, wild, and wonderful ways animals see, hear, smell, taste, and feel the world around them. Kids will look through bee-eye lenses, follow a scent trail using their noses, try on different “animal ears,” and explore touch and taste just like wildlife does. Every day is packed with hands-on science, silly discoveries, and “whoa!” moments as campers learn how animal senses are true super powers. By the end of camp, your young explorer will experience nature in a whole new way - with super senses and imagination! Come discover the science of the senses and see the world like our animals do.

Calling all snake lovers, frog fans, and curious critter kids! Get ready to dive into the scaly, slimy, and seriously cool world of reptiles and amphibians. In this action-packed camp, explorers will discover what makes these animals so unique - from being cold-blooded to having amazing adaptations that help them survive. Campers will meet the Herps of the Pueblo Zoo, learn the differences between reptiles and amphibians, and explore why these creatures are anything but creepy (okay… maybe a little creepy - but in the coolest way!). Through hands-on activities, up-close encounters, and fun science discoveries, kids will see that cold-blooded doesn’t mean cold-hearted. If you love animals that slither, hop, crawl, and climb, this camp is un-frog-gettable. Come explore the wild side of nature with the most radical reptiles and awesome amphibians around!

At the top of the food chain, only the smartest, strongest, and fastest survive! Campers will investigate the powerful animals that rule their ecosystems - from stealthy hunters to strategic pack leaders. Campers will discover how apex predators help keep ecosystems healthy and balanced, and why these animals face big challenges in finding food and protecting their habitats. Through exciting games, simulations, and up-close Zoo experiences, campers will think like predators and learn why the wild needs them.

Ever wonder what it takes to care for endangered animals and help save them from extinction? Campers will go behind the scenes to explore what a real zookeeper’s day looks like and how zoos play a vital role in conservation through the Save Animals From Extinction (S.A.F.E.) program. Campers will investigate some of Pueblo Zoo’s rarest animals - from the striking Bali Myna to the incredible axolotl - to uncover why these species are in trouble and how people can make a difference. This camp empowers kids to think like conservationists and take action for wildlife.

Campers will discover how animals and plants work together to help people and wildlife every day. From fluffy sheep and busy chickens to curious rabbits and gentle cattle, kids will meet the domestic animals that share a home with the wildlife at the Pueblo Zoo. Campers will have a hands-on week as they make butter, spin yarn with a drop spindle, sprout seeds, meet vermiculture worms, and feed the contact yard animals. Campers will dig into gardening, explore how food grows, and learn how animals help provide wool, milk, eggs, and even farm work. By the end of the week, young farmers will proudly share the harvest they helped grow with our Zoo animals! Welcome to the farm—Zoo style! 

Campers will spread their wings and dive into the amazing world of birds. From soaring raptors to waddling penguins, campers will explore how birds fly, communicate, and survive in habitats around the world. Through creative experiments, close-up animal encounters, and outdoor exploration, budding ornithologists will sharpen their observation skills and discover how they can help birds thrive right in their own backyards.Campers will learn to use binoculars and field guides to identify local species. They will go on daily birding walks in the zoo to start their own “life list.” Calling all bird lovers and future scientists!