Summer Zoo camp frequently asked questions

No. SF Zoo’s Summer Camp is a daily education program that runs on weekdays and does not involve overnights.

SF Zoo’s Summer Camp is held from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. Pre-K is held from 9 a.m. – 12 noon on Mondays through Fridays.

Zoo Camp does not provide lunch for our campers. Please pack a low-waste lunch for your camper(s) every day of camp. Also, try to pack two snacks (three if signed up for after care) and water.

For Summer Zoo Camp, please sign your child up according to the grade that they will be entering in the Fall NEXT school year.

SF’s Summer Zoo Camp is based on a one-week curriculum to ensure opportunity for all children in the Bay Area. Campers can be registered for up to two weeks of Camp, but note there may be some duplicate subject matter and activity.

Your camper will learn about animals, conservation, animal habitats and ecosystems. All campers will engage in a mix of structured and unstructured activities, make art, do science, and play! Weather permitting, campers will spend the majority of their time outdoors exploring the Zoo.

Activities will vary depending on the day and age group, but the basic structure of the day is consistent. Here’s an example of what a day at Camp might look like for your camper:

• 8:45 – 9:15 am: Camper drop-off
• 9:15 – 9:40 am: Morning overview session
• 9:40- 10:30 am: Campers explore SF Zoo & Gardens
• [Snack time]
• 10:45 – 12:00 pm: Educational Programming
• [Lunch and free play]
• 1:00 – 2:30 pm: Animal close-ups
• 2:30 – 3:00 pm: Organized games and activities
• [Snack time]
• 3:15 – 3:30 pm: Camper pick-up

Yes, children are never left unsupervised while on Zoo grounds. Children must arrive and leave Zoo Camp with an authorized adult.

No. For benefit of the classes and the campers we follow strict guidelines on age ranges and grade levels.

Yes, when you register you will have the option to enter a friend’s name as a “buddy request”. We will do our best to accommodate requests, but cannot make guarantees.

No, privacy laws do not allow us to share enrollment information.

Aftercare will be available for Summer 2026 for Kinder – 6th graders. Aftercare will be provided from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. every camp day for a fee of $175/week. Online registration for Aftercare will be open during registration.

We provide a variety of activities in aftercare. Activities include puzzles, word searches, coloring pages, group projects, board games, books, coloring, nature shows, and/or Disney movies.

There are between 10 – 20 children in each camp group depending on the age of the campers. Each group has at least 2 adult instructors and usually has 1 or 2 teen volunteers.

Fees are listed on the Zoo camp webpage.

You need to become a member before registering for camp. We are unable to retroactively apply the membership discounts, so please make sure that you know your member number before registering. Learn more about San Francisco Zoo Memberships here.
If you have a specific membership question, please email membership@sfzoo.org or call 415-753-7097.

Yes, we offer full and partial scholarships for Summer Zoo Camp. We will be accepting scholarship applications until April 1, 2026. The application link will be open for submission on our Zoo Camp website. Applicants will hear back from Zoo Camp staff at the first week of May. If you are applying for a scholarship, please do not “pre-register” for your camp, as we are unable to reimburse scholarship Camp Families for registrations that have already been processed. You can email any questions to zoocamp@sfzoo.org

No, we provide complimentary parking to the adult drivers who drop off or pick up summer campers.

Yes, as long as there is availability, but a $50 administrative fee applies each time you switch weeks after registering. There is a 24-hour grace period after registering where transfers are free.

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, 2027. 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, 2027. The non-refundable 50% will be forfeited completely and is non-transferable.
• No refunds will be issued for cancellations starting June 1, 2027.

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens offers a safe atmosphere for your child to learn and grow. We have adapted the program to meet local or state directives and will continue to modify protocols as recommendations evolve. Below are a few examples that illustrate our commitment to safety:

• Masking at the Zoo is not required, unless otherwise required by state or local health
  officials or mandated by local ordinance(s). 
• If your camper tests positive for COVID-19 while attending camp, please let us know
  immediately. We will send out potential exposure emails to groups if known cases arise.
• If your camper tests positive or has any symptoms of illness, please keep them home.
• If symptoms arise while at camp, we will call the primary guardian listed to pick them up
  as soon as possible. In the interim, we will ask the child to wear a mask, remove them
  from the camp group and have them stay with an adult supervisor. We ask that ill
  campers remain at home until symptoms subside.
• As always, regular handwashing and sanitizing will occur throughout the day.

Our non-profit entity is “San Francisco Zoological Society,” and our tax ID is 94-1429538.