Youth Classes

Families and children will have fascinating wildlife adventures this summer through programs that are both educational and FUN at Zoo Boise!  Each program features a variety of activities that include animal close-up encounters, hands-on activities, in-depth investigations, games, art projects, and perhaps creating a diet or enrichment treat for a zoo animal.

Zoo Boise Youth Camps

Full-day Camps

Half-day Camps

Registration Information:
To register for Zoo Boise programs, contact Fort Boise Community Center at 384-4486 unless otherwise noted in program description. Registration begins April 19 for Boise residents and April 26 for non-residents. Registration for Friends of Zoo Boise annual pass holders is accepted by phone or walk-in only.

What to bring to Zoo Camps:
  • Snack (for half-day camps) or lunch (full-day camps)
  • Water bottle with your name on it
  • Close-toed and closed-heel shoes
  • Clothing for outdoors that can get messy!

FULL-DAY CAMPS

Class size: Minimum 8, maximum 25 unless noted otherwise.


Monkey See, Monkey Do:  The Primates

Monkeys, apes, lemurs – all primates but very different from each other.  We’ll make diets for the zoo’s primates, conduct a study on primate behavior, take a boat trip to visit Zoo Boise’s newest primate, and, of course, act like apes!

Cost:  FoZB annual passholder $155, Boise City Residents $165, Others $175

Dates              Day/Time                                Ages

Activity #        Instructor                                Location

6/14-6/18         M-F/9am-4pm                         7-9 (entering grade 2-4)

8018.422         Carlson/Ashton                          Zoo



Park Explorers: Art, Animals and History

Zoo Boise, Boise Art Museum, & Idaho Historical Museum

Be an active explorer of artwork, history, and animal wildlife! This camp highlights the some of the cultural institutions in Julia Davis Park and gives students a chance to learn more about each organization through hands-on activities and interactive experiences.  Each day will be spent discovering the unique features of a new location, including the Boise Art Museum, Zoo Boise, and the Idaho Historical Museum. Participants will begin and end each day at the Boise Art MuseumRegister for this camp through the Boise Art Museum (BAM) by visiting www.boiseartmuseum.org. Pre-registration deadline: Friday, June 11, 2010

 Cost: FoZB Passholders/BAM members $150, Others $180

Dates                      Day/Time                              Ages

Activity #                Instructor                              Location

6/21-6/25                M-F/9am-3pm                       7-12

BAM website          Feast/Zwolfer/Ashton/staff      Zoo, BAM, ISHM



Jr. Zookeeping

What is it like to work at a zoo?  With this program, you will learn how to make diets, identify scat, train animals, make toys for animals, and meet some of the people who work at the zoo.

Cost:  FoZB annual passholder $155, Boise City Residents $165, Others $175

Dates              Day/Time                           Ages

Activity #        Instructor                           Location

6/28-7/2           M-F/9am-4pm                   7-9 (entering 2nd-4thgrade)
8018.412         Carlson/Ashton                   Zoo



Asia: Year of the Tiger!

Idaho Historical Museum & Zoo Boise

Asia is home to a vast array of animals and habitats, as well as being rich in history and cultural traditions.  At Zoo Boise -- explore the world of the tiger as well as Asia’s other animal wildlife including pandas, snow leopards, binturongs, and dragons.  See how these animals influence the lives of Asian people.  At Idaho Historical Museum -- discover how the Chinese helped to work Idaho's mining boom, walk back in time to the 1800’s to see where the Chinese lived in Boise, investigate Chinese culture, and participate in China’s celebrations. 

Cost: $120 FoZB annual passholders & ID History Museum Members, $130 all others

Dates            Day/Time                        Ages

Activity #      Instructor                        Location

7/6-7/9          T-F/9:00 am – 4:00 pm     10-12 (entering 5th-7thgrades)

8018.420      Zwolfer/Ashton/staff           IHM AM/ Zoo Boise PM



Wild in the City

Boise Parks & Recreation, Foothills Learning Center, Boise Watershed, Boise Community Forestry & Zoo Boise

While it is a city, Boise is part of an amazing variety of habitats including deserts, forests, and rivers.  Explore the wilds of the city and experience outdoor recreational opportunities Boise has to offer.  We will hike in the Boise Foothills while learning about sagebrush deserts; float the Boise River while discovering river and riparian habitats; visit the Boise Watershed to examine the importance of Boise’s water sources; wander amongst many park trees and also investigate tree functions and identification; and safari through the zoo to explore ecosystems and animals from around the world.  Class size:  Maximum 13.

Cost:  Boise Resident: $76.00               Nonresident: $117.25

Date                Day/Time                                                   Age

Activity #        Instructor                                                   Location

7/12-7/16         M-F/9:00am-3:00pm                                  12-15

1066.431         Staff of participating organizations                 varies



Wildlife Biology – It’s a Science!

Discovery Center of Idaho & Zoo Boise

Use the tools of biologists to study wildlife.  Participants spend mornings at Zoo Boise and afternoons at DCI.  Learn how satellites, radio telemetry and maps are used to track animals and to study the habitats animals need to survive.  Explore how genetic tests help endangered animals.  Examine wild animals' intriguing anatomy and much more.  After-camp care available at Discovery Center of Idaho.

Cost: $150 Zoo annual passholders  & DCI members ($175 all others)

Dates              Day/Time                        Ages

Activity #        Instructor                        Location

7/19-7/23         M-F/9:00am – 4:00pm     9-12 (entering 4th-7th grade)

8018.424         DCI & Zoo staff               Zoo Boise AM/DCI PM



Zookeeping & Other Wild Careers

Interested in a career working with animals?  With this program, you will learn all there is to know about zookeeping (see Jr Zookeeping) and also explore other careers involving animals & wildlife conservation. Try your hand as a wildlife biologist, a zoo veterinarian, or wildlife educator!

 Cost:  FoZB annual passholder $155, Boise City Residents $165, Others $175

Dates              Day/Time                      Ages

Activity #        Instructor                      Location

7/26-7/30         M-F/9am-4pm              10-12 (entering 5th-7thgrade)

8018.413         Carlson/Ashton               Zoo



Weird Wildlife

Foxes with bat ears?  Shrews with elephant trunks? Laughing birds?  Reptiles with bad breath?  Insects that are dinner for people?  Zoo Boise is home to some weird animals.  Join us for this “strange” but FUN camp and find out why the world is full of “weird” wildlife!

 Cost:  FoZB annual passholder $155, Boise City Residents $165, Others $175

Dates              Day/Time                           Ages

Activity #        Instructor                           Location

8/2-8/6             M-F/9:00am – 4:00pm        7-9 (entering 2nd-4th grade)

8018.425         Carlson/Ashton/staff             Zoo Boise



All About Audubon: Exploring Art, Birds and Nature

Zoo Boise & Boise Art Museum (BAM)

Learn about the life and artwork of John James Audubon, artist and naturalist. Just like Audubon, students in this camp will focus on birds as a subject in art and learn about conservation and wildlife protection. Students will make prints and paintings in the field, study local bird species, keep nature journals, and engage in hands-on experiences throughout the week.  Mornings will be spent at Zoo Boise and afternoons will be spent at the Boise Art Museum.  Register for this camp through the Boise Art Museum (BAM) by visiting www.boiseartmuseum.org. Pre-registration deadline:  Friday, July 30, 2010.

Cost:  FoZB annual passholders and BAM members $150, all others $180

Dates                        Day/Time                        Ages

Activity #                  Instructor                        Location

8/9-8/13                    M-F/9:00am – 3:00 pm     7-12

(BAM website)         Ashton /Feast                    Zoo Boise AM/ BAM PM



Camp Carnivore

Are you a cunning wild animal with sharp teeth and strength? Come to the Zoo's "meat and greet" where you'll encounter some carnivorous companions. Even if you prefer plants, you can sink your teeth into this class and learn all about carnivores. 

Cost:  FoZB annual passholder $155, Boise City Residents $165, Others $175

Dates              Day/Time                        Ages

Activity #        Instructor                        Location

8/16-8/20         M-F/9am-4pm                 7-12 (entering 2nd-7thgrade)

8018.426         Ashton/Carlson/staff          Zoo Boise




HALF-DAY CAMPS

Class Size: Minimum 8, maximum 25 unless noted otherwise.

Cost per child per week:  FoZB annual passholders $90, Boise City Residents $100, Others $105


The Herps!  Reptiles & Amphibians

Become a “herpetologist”!  You’ll learn why dragons have bad breath, why frogs are important in keeping humans healthy, how long it takes for a sea turtle to grow up, observe how reptiles & amphibians eat, and much more!

Dates              Day/Time                      Ages

Activity #        Instructor                      Location

7/12-7/16         M-F/9am-12noon          7-12 (entering 2nd-7thgrade)  

8018.416         Ashton/Carlson/staff        Zoo Boise



South of the Equator Adventure

This trek will take you to the Tropical Rainforests of South America, Savannahs of Africa, and down under in Australia.  You’ll encounter boa constrictors, giraffes, wallabies and, oh, so much more!

Dates              Day/Time                       Ages

Activity #        Instructor                       Location

8/23-8/27         M-F/9am-12noon           7-12 (entering 2nd-7thgrade) 

8018.410         Ashton/Carlson/staff         Zoo Boise