Programs include Zoo Camp for children of all ages

NEW Extended Care gives participants additional time at Zoo Camp

Register online for programs at: www.queenszoo.com

Flushing, N.Y. –– January 24, 2013 -- The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Queens Zoo has opened registration for 2013 spring and summer education programs.

The zoo has created a variety of interactive programs for toddlers to teens. All programs include age-appropriate hands-on science activities, animal encounters, exhibit visits, and arts-and-crafts. Some programs, including the spring and summer Teen Internship include meeting zoo keepers.

Due to popular demand, the Education Department has expanded the Zoo Camp. Campers can now come to the zoo for two-week sessions and the new Extended Care program for children ages 4 to 10 helps working parents by providing kids with engaging activities until 5 p.m.

For more information or to register for a program, visit www.queenszoo.com/programs, contact qzeducation@wcs.org or call the registrar at 718-271-7361. Space is limited. Programs sell out quickly.

Family/Youth Programs:

Overnight Adventures

Ages 5 and up with adult

Participants will explore the zoo at night by going on late- night walks in the aviary and meeting zoo animals close up.

Available Sessions:

Saturday, May 18 into Sunday, May 19

Saturday, June 8 into Sunday, June 9

5 p.m. – 10 a.m.

Fee per person:

Members: $85; Non-members: $100

NEW Little Hatchlings

Ages 10 to 23 months with adult

Participants will explore the zoo with their kids by singing songs, doing arts-and-crafts and visiting animal exhibits.

Wednesday Series:

March 6, 13, 20 and April 3, 17, 24

Available Times:

10 – 11a.m.

Fee for six sessions:

Members: $125; Non-members: $150

Toddler Time

Ages 2 to 3 with adult

Participants will meet a variety of zoo animals and take part in interactive classes. Each session consists of six classes.

Saturday Series:

April 6, 13, 20, 27 and May 11, 18

Wednesday Series:

Session 1: March 6, 13, 20 and April 3, 10, 17

Session 2: April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Times:

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

12 – 1 p.m.

Fee for six sessions per person:

Members: $125; Non-members: $150

Kinder Kritters

Ages 4 to 5 with adult

These interactive classes include hands-on activities, animal encounters and visits to animal exhibits.

Sunday Series:

March 10, 17, 24 and April 7, 14, 28

Time:

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Fee for six sessions:

Members: $125; Non-members: $150

Mini Camp

Ages 5 to 9

Children will discover the natural world around them in this camp program that includes animal presentations and more.

Mid-Winter Camp:

Monday, February 18 and Tuesday, February 19

Spring Camp:

Wednesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 28

Time:

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Fee per person:

Members: $125; Non-members: $150

NEW Spring High School Internship

Ages 13 to 17

Teens will get in-depth experience working at a zoo by meeting vet technicians, conducting animal behavior studies and learning about zoo keeping.

Internship Dates: Sundays, Feb. 24, March 3, 10, 17 and 24

Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Fee: Members $450; Non-members $500

Summer Camp/Program Schedule:

Toddler Camp

Ages 2 to 3 with adult

Sessions:

Monday, June 17 – Friday, June 21

Monday, June 24 – Friday, June 28

Monday, July 1 –Friday, July 5*

Time:

10 – 11 a.m.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Fee:

Members: $125; Non-members: $140

*Four-day camp excludes Fourth of July holiday: Members: $110; Non-members: $125

Kinderzoo

Ages 4 to 5

Sessions:

Monday, June 17 – Friday, June 21

Monday, June 24 – Friday, June 28

Monday, August 19 – Friday, August 23

Monday, August 26 – Friday, August 30

Time:

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Fee: Members: $300; Non-members:$325

Week of Wildlife

Ages 6 to 7

Sessions:

Monday, July 8 – Friday, July 12

Monday, July 15 – Friday, July 19

Monday, August 19 – Friday, August 23

Monday, August 26 – Friday, August 30

Time:

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Fee: Members: $300; Non-members: $325

Zoo Explorer

Ages 8 to 10

Sessions:

Monday, July 8 – Friday, July 12

Monday, July 15 – Friday, July 19

Time:

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Fee: Members: $300; Non-members: $325

Junior Keepers

Ages 11 to 12

Session:

Monday, July 22 – Friday, July 26

Time:

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Fee: Members: $300; Non-members: $325

Teen Internship

Ages 13 to 17

Session:

Monday, July 29 – Friday, August 16 (3 weeks)

Time:

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Fee: Members: $1,000; Non-members: $1,250

NEW Extended Care – Daily extensions of camp programs

Ages 4 to 10

Sessions:

Monday, July 8 – Friday, July 12

Monday, July 15 – Friday, July 19

Monday, August 19 – Friday, August 23

Monday, August 26 – Friday, August 30

Time:

3 - 5 p.m.

Fee: Members: $125; Non-members: $150

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Queens Zoo – Open every day of the year. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 65 and older, $5 for kids 3-12, free for children under 3. Zoo hours are 10am to 5pm weekdays, and 10am – 5:30pm weekends, April through October, and 10am – 4:30pm daily, November through April. The Queens Zoo is located at 53-51 111th Street in Flushing Meadow’s Corona Park in Queens. For further information, call 718-271-1500 or visit www.queenszoo.com.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.

Contact:

Barbara Russo – 718-265-3428; brusso@wcs.org

Max Pulsinelli – 718-220-5182; mpulsinelli@wcs.org