Now that school is out, what can keep the kids busy, while teaching them about the animals with whom they share the great outdoors? Zoo Camps and Zoo Day Classes may be just the ticket.

    Zoo Camps and classes provided by the Pocatello Zoo are a great way for kids to experience nature up close, and offer a variety of hands-on activities around a central theme, and can get the kids out of the house and into wild side of life.

    As the Curator for Education at the Pocatello Zoo, Cory Coffman organizes special activities that give children recreation and education, and motivate children to want to spend time outdoors.

    “We hope that with each Zoo Camp, children will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for our native wildlife,” she said.  

    Coffman says that one of the participant’s favorite activities are the Enrichment Camps, especially the piñata and puppet activities.

    “We build piñatas for the animals and fill them with treats that each animal would enjoy,” she said. “For example, the black bears will get a piñata filled with fruit and honey.”

    Children also get a chance to create their own puppet shows, or act out stories and legends using the Zoo’s animal puppets.   

    Two full-day camps are being offered this year. The camps are held Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the full-day camps, children enjoy the Zoo, local field trips, and the Ross Park Aquatic Center. Prices are $125, or $106.25 for Zoo Society members. Each program has a $15 material fee. Children may also buy into the Zoo’s lunch plan for $20.

    This year’s two full-day Zoo Camps are:

    Enrichment Camp, June 24-28 — children who like to design, build or create will enjoy this camp. Zoo campers will learn about the importance of engaging with, and enriching, zoo animals. Children will also collaborate with zookeepers to learn about the interesting aspects of their job.

    Oregon Trail Adventure Camp, July 29 - August 2 — this camp will explore what it was like to travel on the Oregon Trail, and see what animals the pioneers met along the way.        

    One more half-day Camp is available for children ages 5-11, the Rockin’ It with Fossils Camp. It will be held Monday through Thursday, July 15 through 18. Times are 9 a.m. to noon, and the prices are $65, or $55.25 for Zoo Society members, plus a $10 material fee. In this half-day camp, kids will be able to take a look back into time with Dr. Bones at the Fossil Dig site, learn about rocks and fossils, and learn about animals that have gone extinct.      

    In addition to the Zoo Camps, the Pocatello Zoo also offers day classes. The classes listed below are for children ages 5 through 8. Admission to the classes is $20, or $17 for Zoo Society members.

    Furry Friends day class — June 18 at 9 a.m. to noon, or July 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Learn about the fuzzy and furry animals at the Zoo.

    Who Gives a Hoot? day class — July 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or August 6 at 9 a.m. to noon. Kids learn about the amazing abilities of the owl.

    Going Grizzly day class — July 10 from 9 a.m. to noon, or August 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This class offers a look at the bears that call the Pocatello Zoo their home.    

    The following Zoo day classes are for kids aged 9 to 13:

    Zookeeper for a Day day class — June 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., or July 22 from 9 a.m. to noon. Learn what a zookeeper does on a daily basis including enrichment, training and working on exhibits.

    Wildlife Photography day class — July 8 from 9 a.m. to noon, or August 6 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children should bring a camera of their own to use (digital or film) and they will get a great chance to photograph the animals at the Zoo.

    Animal Olympians day class — July 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., or August 8 from 9 a.m. to noon. Kids will learn about the amazing athletic abilities of animals and compete as an Olympian in some games.     

    Pocatello Zoological Society members receive free admission and other discounts at the Zoo, as well as free or discounted entrance to approximately 65 other zoos and aquariums across the United States.

    Advance registration is required for Zoo Camps. For parental convenience, extended drop-off and pick-up times are available. The Pocatello Zoo is located at 2900 S. 2nd Avenue, in Lower Ross Park. For more information about Zoo Camps, and how to become a Zoo Society member, call (208) 234-6264, or go to

www.zoo.Pocatello.us.