Summer camp, including Sprout Camp for three- and four-year-olds (and a parent), KinderCamp for four- and five-year-olds, Wild Weeks for six- to eleven-year-olds, begins June 8 and Adventure Camp for twelve- to fourteen-year-olds begins June 15. For the first time, Riverbanks has added both KinderCamp and Wild Weeks sessions during the holiday week of June 29 – July 3. Registration is now open.

Three- to Four-Year-Olds Grow Wild About Sprout Camp!

Sprout Camp explores the interaction of plants and animals and guides children through the joy of gardening! Kids will get a chance to discover the garden from an insect’s perspective, as they “pollinate” flowers. Sprout campers will also get to build a bird’s nest and learn fun facts about the animals in their own backyard. Each day consists of hands-on activities that capture the imagination through crafts, garden walks, explorations, stories and more.

Four- to Five-Year-Olds Can’t Wait for KinderCamp!

KinderCamp is packed with educational and fun experiences. Throughout the week, campers will discover what it is like to be an animal in all types of weather. What do ducks do when it drizzles? What do chipmunks do when it is chilly? During KinderCamp, kids will learn how animals from all over the world change with the seasons. KinderCamp will be filled with hands-on activities, animal encounters, exciting zoo walkabouts, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts and games galore!

Six- to Eleven-Year-Olds Go Ape Over Wild Weeks!

During Wild Weeks children will learn about the fascinating wildlife at Riverbanks Zoo through crafts, games, keeper talks and live animal encounters. Campers are grouped according to their ages, ensuring developmentally appropriate activities.

Children ages six and seven will become Zooper Heroes and discover the unique properties of water and the animals and plants that need it to survive. Children ages eight and nine will don lab coats as Riverbanks Rangers and explore the natural world through fun science experiments and animal observations. Children ages ten and eleven will be official ZSI’s, Zoo Scene Investigators, that is. These campers will learn how zoologists use methods of animal observation and population sampling to help them with their jobs.

Twelve- to Fourteen-Year-Olds Think Adventure Camp is Awesome!

Adventure Camp participants will become environmental leaders by teaching young campers about conservation actions like recycling, reusing and composting. When they’re not inspiring others, campers will take wild journeys to various sites throughout Columbia, discover the process of exhibit design, explore the wonders of animal enrichment and develop a basic understanding of animal husbandry at the Zoo. They will also take part in crafts, games and live animal encounters.

Additional Details

Sprout Camp meets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30am to 11:30am. KinderCamp begins at 8:30am each day, Monday through Friday, and ends at noon.  Wild Weeks and Adventure Camp both run from 8:30am to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday. Sprout Camp is $80 for Riverbanks members and $130 for the general public; KinderCamp is $110 for Riverbanks members and $180 for the general public; Wild Weeks is $175 for Riverbanks members and $245 for the general public; and Adventure Camp is $250 for Riverbanks members and $320 for the general public.   

An extended stay and play option is available for the week long summer camp programs for an additional $75.  This allows campers to play at the Zoo until 5:15pm. Early extended stay and play drop-off is at 7:45am. 

Parents may register their children for all four summer programs online. The same program is repeated throughout the summer, so campers should only sign up for one week. For more information on any of Riverbanks’ camp programs or to request a registration form, call 803.779.8717.