Zoo Camp
Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center, 293 Sumner Ave, Springfield, MA 1108
About
Zoo Camp includes daily Animal Circle time to meet a new highlighted animal, Diet Prep Demonstrations to see how diets are prepared for over 200 animals at The Zoo, and Enrichment Activities where campers create toys and foraging games for goats, sheep, birds and other animals. Campers also hike Forest Park, participate in STEAM activities, and spend time creating and writing, along with arts and crafts projects. For teens, Zoo Camp offers Keeper-in-Training and Counselor-in-Training programs that involve hands-on experience in animal care and child care.
• Ages: 6–17 years old
• Schedule: Zoo Camp takes place during school breaks and nine weeks in the summer; Vacation Zoo Camp runs for two weeks, one week in February and one week in April, with camp days on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and optional before-care beginning at 8 a.m.
• Price: Vacation Camp costs $340 per week for non-members and $315 per week for members (discount applied at checkout); before-care is $12 per day; a $15 discount is available when paying by check.
The Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center began in the late 1800s and continues to be part of the region’s cultural and educational environment. Its mission is to inspire the community to respect and value the natural world through education, conservation and rehabilitation. The Zoo is home to over 225 native and non-native animal residents representing a large variety of species and offers educational programming including Kids Go Wild, Wildlife on Wheels, Zoo Camp, Guided Tours and Discovery Programs, which have received awards. The organization works with wildlife rehabilitators across the United States to provide care to animals that have been deemed non-releasable to the wild due to injury, illness, permanent disability, habituation to humans or other factors.
Zoo Camp is part of a team led by Executive Director Sarah Tsitso, Assistant Executive Director Gabry Tyson, Director of Animal Care Emily G. Bouwer, Director of Education Patrick Gallagher, Assistant Director of Education Savannah Marcotte, Animal Care Manager Gina Sciartilli-Jorud, Customer Relations Manager & Development Associate Isa Wang, Bookkeeper Mary Lou Rice, Zookeepers Rachel LeMontagne, Courtney Pilon and Brianna Heon, Facilities staff member Ben Poli, and a board that includes President Rebecca Connolly along with Alison Bartlett-O'Donald, Esq, Nathan Bazinet, Nunzio Bruno, Daniel Burack, Jeanne Elin, Elizabeth Ginter-Healy, Richard Greco, Theodore Hebert, Joan Kagan, Carol Levine, Nancy Piela and Alfonso Santaniello. When paying by check, families are asked to include the camper’s name in the memo.
One parent from Springfield reported that their 11-year-old child has attended Zoo Camp for four summers, discovered a love for many types of animals, learned a lot, and not complained of a boring day, and also described the staff as helpful, patient and attentive. Another parent described Zoo Camp as an “absolutely perfect first camp experience” for their 6-year-old, noting that the child interacted with animals, had fun with new friends, and continued to share stories and memories many weeks after camp.
Last updated January 26, 2026.
• Ages: 6–17 years old
• Schedule: Zoo Camp takes place during school breaks and nine weeks in the summer; Vacation Zoo Camp runs for two weeks, one week in February and one week in April, with camp days on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and optional before-care beginning at 8 a.m.
• Price: Vacation Camp costs $340 per week for non-members and $315 per week for members (discount applied at checkout); before-care is $12 per day; a $15 discount is available when paying by check.
The Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center began in the late 1800s and continues to be part of the region’s cultural and educational environment. Its mission is to inspire the community to respect and value the natural world through education, conservation and rehabilitation. The Zoo is home to over 225 native and non-native animal residents representing a large variety of species and offers educational programming including Kids Go Wild, Wildlife on Wheels, Zoo Camp, Guided Tours and Discovery Programs, which have received awards. The organization works with wildlife rehabilitators across the United States to provide care to animals that have been deemed non-releasable to the wild due to injury, illness, permanent disability, habituation to humans or other factors.
Zoo Camp is part of a team led by Executive Director Sarah Tsitso, Assistant Executive Director Gabry Tyson, Director of Animal Care Emily G. Bouwer, Director of Education Patrick Gallagher, Assistant Director of Education Savannah Marcotte, Animal Care Manager Gina Sciartilli-Jorud, Customer Relations Manager & Development Associate Isa Wang, Bookkeeper Mary Lou Rice, Zookeepers Rachel LeMontagne, Courtney Pilon and Brianna Heon, Facilities staff member Ben Poli, and a board that includes President Rebecca Connolly along with Alison Bartlett-O'Donald, Esq, Nathan Bazinet, Nunzio Bruno, Daniel Burack, Jeanne Elin, Elizabeth Ginter-Healy, Richard Greco, Theodore Hebert, Joan Kagan, Carol Levine, Nancy Piela and Alfonso Santaniello. When paying by check, families are asked to include the camper’s name in the memo.
One parent from Springfield reported that their 11-year-old child has attended Zoo Camp for four summers, discovered a love for many types of animals, learned a lot, and not complained of a boring day, and also described the staff as helpful, patient and attentive. Another parent described Zoo Camp as an “absolutely perfect first camp experience” for their 6-year-old, noting that the child interacted with animals, had fun with new friends, and continued to share stories and memories many weeks after camp.
Last updated January 26, 2026.
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