EDUCATION
One Day of Zoo Camp One Lifetime of Memories By Amy Feinstein, Education Specialist
What are your favorite memories of camp as a kid? Do you close your eyes and recall lazy days floating on your back in a lake? Maybe you smile when you think about taking archery lessons or tromping into the dining hall after a long hike. I bet you are absolutely ecstatic when you remember the day you made friends with snakes and tarantulas, right? No? Just me? Well, if your kids attend Zoo Camp at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, getting up close and personal with the creepy crawlies may turn into an experience they will treasure for the rest of their lives. Each day of Zoo Camp has an educational focus, but campers are often having so much fun they do not even know they are learning! During Winter Zoo Camp we might test out a blubber glove to demonstrate how some animals stay warm; during Summer Zoo Camp we might peek inside of a pitcher plant to see what insects it has caught and digested. Zoo walks are coordinated with the theme of the day, so if we are talking about animals who live in groups, do not be surprised if our travels take us to the gorilla or elephant exhibits. On an extra special day, we might even get to chat with a keeper or visit a behind-thescenes area.
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WILD MAGAZINE • WINTER 2020–2021 • JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS
One of the highlights of Zoo Camp is getting to see (and often touch) animals that are not on exhibit out in the Zoo. Campers enjoy daily encounters with our Education Animal Ambassadors, from adorable “aww-inducing” mammals such as skinny pigs and tenrecs to somewhat divisive pythons and roaches. There is nothing like feeling fur or scales under your fingers to inspire a special connection with the natural world. A day at Zoo Camp can spark a lifetime of love for animals and plants. We cannot wait to have you join us on our environmental adventures!
