
Summer Safari – Summer Camp for Children
Summer Safari is the Metro Richmond Zoo’s summer camp for children. Each camper gets an exciting behind-the-scenes look at many animals such as the rhinos, cheetah, and penguins. The camp includes a tour of the zoo led by our education department staff. Junior Summer Safari is for children ages 6-9, and is a 4.5 hour day camp. Senior Summer Safari is for children ages 10-13, and is a 6 hour day camp.
Junior Summer Safari (Ages 6-9)
- One 4.5 hour Day Camp for Children Ages 6-9 (9:30 am to 2:00 pm)
- Children up to 13 may attend, however the program and its activities are structured for 6-9 year olds
$65*
Includes:
|
2022 Junior Day Camp Dates:
9:30 am to 2:00 pm
Mon. | Tues. | Wed. | Thurs. | Fri. |
June 7 | June 9 | June 10 | ||
June 13 | June 14 | June 16 | ||
June 21 | June 23 | June 24 | ||
June 27 | June 29 | |||
July 5 | July 7 | |||
July 11 | July 12 | July 14 | July 15 | |
July 19 | July 20 | July 21 | ||
July 26 | July 28 | July 29 | ||
Aug 1 | Aug 2 | Aug 3 | Aug 4 | |
Aug 9 | Aug 11 | Aug 12 |
If you wish to participate on the Junior Explorer Course AFTER THE camp there is a discounted price for any child who participated in Summer Safari that day. The discount is 20% off and is only available for immediate participation at 2:00 pm training time on the day of your camp visit. Unlike the senior summer safari group, this course is not a part of their day of camp, thus, the same rules and restrictions for chaperones on the Junior Course pertain.
* If your child has a 2022 zoo membership they will receive a discount on their day camp. (5% off for silver members and 10% off for gold and gold+ members) To receive the discount please call the Zoo at 804-739-5666 ext. 0 to book over the phone or book at the zoo. You must have an active membership to receive the discount.
* Group discount! Junior Summer Safari costs $60 per camper when you register 3 or more kids in the same transaction. All children purchased will need individual permission forms signed and disclosed under which email their ticket has been purchased
How to come prepared:
- Purchase a ticket. You will be emailed the order confirmation
- Sign this permission form
- Bring a lunch for your camper
- Bring large water bottles filled with cold water
- Dress appropriately: tennis shoes, hats/visors, sunscreen. (NO FLIP FLOPS, CROCS, OR OPEN BACKED SHOES) They will be outside rain or shine
- Fill out and bring with you a Pick-Up Authorization form if you require another person besides you to pick up your child
Senior Summer Safari (Ages 10-13)
- One 6 hour Day Camp for Children Ages 10-13
- This program’s activities are structured for children ages 10-13. Although we understand maturity transitions are different for each child this camp is only for those who are currently 10 years old or older.
$85*
Includes:
|
2022 Senior Day Camp Dates:
9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Mon. | Tues. | Wed. | Thurs. | Fri. |
June 8 | ||||
June 15 | June 17 | |||
June 20 | June 22 | |||
June 28 | June 30 | |||
July 6 | July 8 | |||
July 13 | ||||
July 18 | July 22 | |||
July 25 | July 27 | |||
Aug 5 | ||||
Aug 8 | Aug 10 |
* If your child has a 2022 zoo membership they will receive a discount on their day camp. (5% off for silver members and 10% off for gold and gold+ members) To receive the discount please call the Zoo at 804-739-5666 to book over the phone or book at the zoo. You must have an active membership to receive the discount.
* Group discount! Senior Summer Safari costs $80 per camper when you register 3 or more kids in the same transaction. All children purchased will need individual permission forms signed and disclosed under which email their ticket has been purchased
How to come prepared:
- Purchase a ticket. You will be emailed the order confirmation
- Sign this permission form.
- Sign this waiver for the Junior Explorer Course
- Bring a lunch for your camper
- Bring large water bottles filled with cold water
- Dress appropriately: tennis shoes, hats/visors, sunscreen. (NO FLIP FLOPS, CROCS, OR OPEN BACKED SHOES) They will be outside rain or shine
- Fill out and bring with you a Pick-Up Authorization form if you require another person besides you to pick up your child
Take a picture with your favorite animal ambassador!

Book Now Registration is available online or in person. Due to the popularity of this program, dates will not be held until payment is received. Registration and Emergency forms MUST be on file before camper can participate. This is a camp for children. Parents and chaperones are not allowed to participate and/or follow the group around the zoo. |
Upon purchase you must agree to the following terms:
Completion of the Permission and Medical Release form immediately upon purchase of camp. Declaring that your child is physically and mentally able to participate in this camp that is away from his/her parents.
**Parents/guardians are not allowed to walk with nor follow the group throughout the zoo during the SUMMER SAFARI. This is distracting to the group and interrupts the teaching activity for all the campers.
The Metro Richmond Zoo reserves the right to cancel any Summer Safari program. Participants will be notified by phone call or email. In the event of cancellation by the Metro Richmond Zoo, you may reschedule to another available Summer Safari date or request a full refund. Since all activities take place outdoors, cancellation may occur in the event of inclement weather. In the event of campers who cancel their Summer Safari date or “do not show” without prior notification, a refund will not be given.
If you have any questions concerning your child’s registration please give us a call at (804) 739-5666
COVID-19 Update
As of July 1, 2021, all executive orders placing COVID-19 restrictions in the State of Virginia have expired. The following are our 2022 COVID-19 guidelines for Summer Safari:
● Children with symptoms of COVID-19 are not permitted to attend Summer Safari. If your child misses camp due to symptoms of COVID-19, we will try to reschedule him or her for a later date.
● Unless fully vaccinated, masks are recommended for campers indoors.
● Please be aware that by allowing your child to attend camp you acknowledge that there will be participants in the group that are not wearing masks
● Hand sanitizer is always provided during Summer Safari. It will continue to be accessible during the duration of the camp.
● Lunches have always been brought by each camper, and there will be no sharing of food. All campers will be seated in a large building with plenty of room when eating.
● At the end of each session, all surfaces used during the day will be properly sanitized before the next Summer Safari group.