Little Learners Program starting January 2025!
Winter Session (2025) |
Little Learners |
| Week 1: Thurs. Jan 30; Sat. Feb 1 | A is for Armadillo |
| Week 2: Thurs. Feb 6; Sat. Feb 8 | B is for Bugs |
| Week 3: Thurs. Feb 13; Sat Feb 15 | C is for Chinchilla |
| Week 4: Thurs. Feb 20; Sat. Feb 22 | D is for Donkey |
| Week 5: Thurs. Feb 27; Sat. March 1 | E is for Eagle |
Join us for our Virtual Little Learner program on Thursday and Saturday mornings starting in January 2025.
The San Francisco Zoo’s Education team will host the A, B, C’s of our Zoo Animals with a focus on fun facts and connections to science following the education frameworks and recommendations for early learners under 5.
Our Winter program (January-March) will be a free virtual zoom program hosted ‘live’ from the Little Learners Cabin on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:30am- 11:00am.
Each program will include a featured animal, our virtual program will be somewhat ‘interactive,’ as the presenter will invite toddlers and caregivers to learn and play along with the program.
Each 30-minute lesson will include:
- Introduction to the Letter of the Day
- Visual representations of animals at the Zoo that start with the letter
- Introduction to the featured animal of the day such as “A is for Armadillo”
- Fun facts and interesting information about that animal
- Meet our resident animals, in this case Maisie and Chester at the Animal Rescue Conservation Center
- Interactive content might include:
- Animal Movements and Stretches that participants can try at home
- Animal science that participants can do at home along with the presenter
- Pre-Program: Registered families will receive a zoom link, an outline of the lesson, including information about animal facts and how they can participate from home during the ‘interactive’ segments.
- Post-Program: Registered families will receive a thank you email, with a quick survey link for participation feedback, and a PDF of an art/science activity they can do at home to extend the lesson about the letter and animal of the day.
Cost: FREE
Sign-ups available by week.
Registration will open soon.
Summer 2025
Join us for our Conservation Camp with week-long Camps (Monday-Friday) with a focus on conservation, animal activism and hands-on art and science. Sign up for 1 or 2 weeks of animal/habitat exploration and wildlife fun with the team at SF ZOO and Gardens!
Conservation Camp for Summer 2025
From learning about wild animals to careers in conservation, campers will have a blast exploring and learning while making new friends!
Weeklong summer camps feature educational tours, games, creative projects, close-up animal encounters, and more. Campers will be grouped by grade level and experience the Zoo in small groups led by Zoo Camp instructors, staff, and volunteers.
Zoo Camps foster curiosity and creativity through STEM-based skills such as investigation, collaboration, problem solving, communication and more through fun hands-on art and science activities.
We believe that connecting campers of all ages to animals and nature will help to improve the outlook for both the camper and for the future of the natural world. When children grow up connected to nature, they are likely to continue to inquire, explore, and protect it.
Conservation Camp Themes for Pre-K through 6th Grade
Pre-K: Lil’ Explorers Base Camp
Explorers trek on safaris to various regions of the world to visit with amazing animals, insects, and birds at the SF Zoo. At Base Camp each day, they will engage in art and science projects related to their daily exploration discoveries.
Coming in 2025. Sign up for Zoo Camp announcements below.
3rd & 4th Grade: Junior Zoologists
Have you ever wanted to learn more about animals? Zoology is the scientific study of the animal kingdom! From behavior to habitat and anatomy to classification, campers will journey into the world of animal science while learning about the Zoo’s animals and what makes them each unique.
Coming in 2025. Sign up for Zoo Camp announcements below.
Kinder: Wild Animals Adventure Club
With over 1000 animals, there is a lot to get wild about at the SF Zoo. Campers will discover animal life from Oceania to the Plains and everything in between! Through games and activities and a variety of hands-on discoveries, our Adventure Club campers will have a wild time exploring the diverse habitats and animals this summer.
Coming in 2025. Sign up for Zoo Camp announcements below.
5th & 6th Grade: Conservation Rangers
From the smallest microbes to the largest whale, every living thing plays an important role in helping our planet thrive. Campers will discover the science of wildlife conservation as they delve into the natural diversity of the world and its inhabitants. Through discovery and teamwork, campers will learn new ways to help protect Earth’s biodiversity.
Coming in 2025. Sign up for Zoo Camp announcements below.
1st & 2nd Grade: Earth Action Heroes
Everyone can be an Earth Action Hero and take steps to help our planet. Campers will learn about our endangered species and about conservation efforts to support them. Through a variety of art and science activities, artifact investigation, and visits from wildlife experts, campers will learn the many ways that species help, survive and adapt to a changing planet.
Coming in 2025. Sign up for Zoo Camp announcements below.
Campers will be grouped by grade level.
Campers entering Pre-K (must be 4 years old) through 6th grade may register for up to 2 weeks of fun! In an effort to accommodate the most families possible, we ask that you please do not register for more than 2 weeks of Conservation Camp.
Camp Times
Dates Coming in 2025
Pre-K Campers: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Kinder – 6th Campers: 9:00am – 3:30pm
Aftercare will be available from 3:30 – 5:00pm.
Pricing
Kindergarten through 6th Grade.
To Be Announced in 2025.
Sign up for Zoo Camp announcements below
After-Care Available from- 3:30pm-5:00pm
To Be Announced in 2025.
Sign up for Zoo Camp announcements below
Pre-K, minimum age 4 by 06/01/24
To Be Announced in 2025.
Sign up for Zoo Camp announcements below
Financial Aid
Applications will open in 2025. Sign up for Zoo Camp announcements below.
Zoo Camp Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received in writing by email.
- A 100% refund will be issued for cancellation requests received within 24 hours of registration. The timestamp on your email will serve as reference for potential refunds.
- A 75% refund will be issued for cancellation requests received by April 30, 2024. The non-refundable 25% will be forfeited completely and is non-transferable.
- A 50% refund will be issued for cancellation requests received by May 31, 2024. The non-refundable 50% will be forfeited completely and is non-transferable.
- No refunds will be issued for cancellations starting June 1, 2024.
Inclusion & Camper Support
SF Zoo and Gardens Conservation Camps are traditional camps (not specialized for specific exceptionalities) that welcome all children to join in our explorations of nature at the Zoo. Our camp days are very active and engage campers in a variety of activities with quick transitions and sensory changes throughout the day. All campers are expected to follow directions, adhere to safety rules, and behave according to our Zoo guidelines. We encourage camper grownups to provide us with any information necessary to give your child the best possible camp experience! Although we cannot accommodate all needs nor provide one-on-one care for any individual camper, our team will do everything within our capacity to make each child feel welcome and included in a safe environment.
Please sign up for our zoo camp email to get updated information.
Zoo Camp Mailing List
Click here to be added to our electronic Zoo Camp mailing list.
Zoo Camp Mailing List
Click here to be added to our electronic Zoo Camp mailing list.
Have a Question? E-mail [email protected], call (415) 213-8148, check out our Frequently Asked Questions, or visit our app found in the App Store or Google Play.