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OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR & FREE
OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR & FREE
Winter Break Camp
Click Here to Register for one or more days
Thursday, December 27
Friday, December 28*
Wednesday, January 2*
Thursday, January 3
Friday, January 4
*December 28 and January 2 are identical themes, so you may only register for one of those two days.
PreK-K morning sessions on January 2 and January 4 have sold out. To be added to the waitlist, please continue with registration. You will be notified via email if your child clears the waitlist. In the meantime, also consider registering for Martin Luther King, Jr Day Camp!
Come explore the wild world of animal opposites, from big giraffes and small ants to cold-thriving polar bears and heat-focused reptiles! Each camp day is independent and has a different theme so campers can choose to attend one, two, three or four days.
Winter Break Camp offers exciting exploration opportunities for animal and nature lovers in grades PreK-4th grade. Each Winter Break Camp group will explore the zoo and do activities to discover animal diversity, environmental conservation and ways Lincoln Park Zoo cares for animals at the zoo and conserves them in the wild.
Pricing | Cancellation Deadline | Scholarships | Themes | FAQs | About the Staff
PRICING
Active Lincoln Park Zoo members at any level receive a 15-percent discount on registration. Become a member today!
Full-Day Programs (First–Fourth Graders)
9 a.m.–3 p.m.
$70/day ($60/day for Lincoln Park Zoo members)
Half-Day Programs (PreK–K)
(PreK campers must be at least 4 years old at the time of Winter Break Camp.)
Morning Session: 9–11:30 a.m.
Afternoon Session: 12:30–3 p.m.
$35/day ($30/day for Lincoln Park Zoo members)
Registration includes:
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Conservation Camp T-shirt
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A healthy snack (possible snacks include veggies, fruits or crackers)
After Care
After Care is available from 3–5 p.m. for full-day and for half-day campers attending the afternoon session. Campers stay after camp to play games, watch movies and visit zoo animals. Cost is $20 per camper per day.
CANCELLATION DEADLINE
Lincoln Park Zoo adheres to a strict cancellation and refund policy. If, for any reason, you need to cancel your registration before December 17, a refund will be issued, less a 12.5 percent processing fee. After December 17, Lincoln Park Zoo will not be able to offer any refunds for cancelled registrations. If the zoo must cancel a program, full refunds will be issued.
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
Lincoln Park Zoo offers a limited number of scholarships, ranging from partial scholarships to full scholarships which cover the cost of participation. Please complete and submit an application to be considered for a scholarship.
Please note: scholarships are limited. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee a spot in a program.
Application deadline: December 7
Click here to complete the online Scholarship Application in English
Haga clic aqui para completar la solicitud de Becas en Español/Click here to fill out the online Scholarship Application in Spanish
Themes
Campers are divided by age group (PreK–K, 1st-2nd grade, 3rd-4th grade). Camp groups will explore the same themes each day but will participate in different hands-on activities appropriate to their age.
Big and Small- Thursday, December 27
Have you ever wondered why some animals seem larger than life while others could fit in the palm of your hand? Animals both big and small have a huge impact on the world around us in ways we may not even know yet! Come explore the animal kingdom from a different perspective and learn all about why the teeniest ant and the tallest giraffe are equally amazing.
Hot and Cold- Friday, December 28 and Wednesday, January 2
*December 28 and January 2 are identical themes, so you may only register for one of those two days.
From the icy cold Polar Regions to the sweltering hot desert, animals of all kinds have evolved to survive in extreme temperatures. Seals have blubber to keep them warm while hippos sweat to stay cool. In what other ways do animals manage to beat the heat and conquer the cold? Learn all about amazing animal adaptations across the globe.
Young and Old- Thursday, January 3
The life span of a mayfly is only twenty-four hours, just long enough to reproduce. On the contrary, a giant tortoise can live well over 100 years! Most animals’ life spans fall somewhere in between, so what makes all of these animals so different? Join us as we delve in to the world of young and old and find answers to these questions and more!
Quiet and Loud- Friday, January 4
When a bird sings, what is it really saying? Animals have many different ways of communicating—chirps, rattles, whoops, and roars are just a few! But sound isn’t the only way animals can “talk” to each other. They also communicate silently through gestures, facial expressions, colors, smells, vibrations, and even heat! Campers will investigate the range of animal communication and what it all means.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE CAMP STAFF
Each camp group is led by two camp instructors who have extensive professional experience working with children and a demonstrated commitment to connecting children to the natural world. All camp instructors are first aid and CPR certified. Camp instructors facilitate all educational components of the camp day, but groups also have the chance to meet zoo staff throughout the week, from zookeepers to scientists.
For more information please email Camp@lpzoo.org or call 312-742-2056.
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2001 North Clark Street • Chicago, IL 60614 • 312-742-2000
