Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo Opens Registration for Spring and Summer Programs

Programs include summer camp for children of all ages

NEW Extended Care gives participants additional time at summer camp

Register online for programs at: www.prospectparkzoo.com

Brooklyn, N.Y. –– January 24, 2013 -- The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo has announced 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 6 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.prospectparkzoo.com/programs, email ppzeducation@wcs.org or call 718-399-7327. Space is limited. Programs sell out quickly.

Family/Youth Programs:

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.

Tuesday Series:

February 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2

Time:

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.

Monday Series: April 1, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20

Thursday Series: January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14

Friday Series: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, April 12

Saturday Series: March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13

*Additional Saturday Series: April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, June 1

Sunday Series: April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19, June 2

Times:

10 – 11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Fee for six sessions:

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.

Saturday Series:

March 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4

Time:

2 – 3 p.m.

Fee for six sessions:

Members: $125; Non-members: $150

NEW Family Pizza Party

Participants will join zoo staff at a night-time pizza party to learn about zoo animals and their exhibits.

Saturday, June 1; 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Time:

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Fee per adult/child:

Members: $60; Non-members: $65; (additional family participants pay $15)

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.

Spring Session: April 6, 13, 20, 27, and May 4.

Times: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Fee: Members $450; Non-members $500

Summer Session:

Monday – Friday July 8 – 26 (3 weeks)

Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Fee: Members $1,300; Non-members $1,500

Summer Camp/Program Schedule:

Toddler Camp

Ages 2 to 3 with adult (guests can register for 2 weeks of Toddler Camp)

Animals through the Seasons Sessions:

Monday, June 17 – Friday, June 21

Monday, July 1 –Friday, July 5*

Animal Orchestra Session

Monday, July 22 – Friday, July 26

Monday, Aug. 12 – Friday, Aug. 16

Times:

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: $120

Kinderzoo

Ages 4 to 5

Sessions:

Monday, June 17 – Friday, June 21

Monday, June 24 – Friday, June 28

Monday, July 15 – Friday, July 19

Monday, July 29 – Friday, August 2

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, June 24 – Friday, June 28

Monday, July 29 – Friday, August 2

Monday, August 5 – Friday, August 9

Monday, August 19 – Friday, August 23

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, August 5 – Friday, August 9

Monday, August 26 – Friday, August 30

Time:

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

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

Junior Keepers

Ages 11 to 12

Session:

Monday, August 12 – Friday, August 16

Time:

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

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

NEW Extended Care – Daily extensions of camp programs

Ages 6 to 10

Sessions:

Monday, July 8 – Friday, July 12

Monday, July 29 – Friday, August 2

Monday, August 5 – Friday, August 9

Monday, August 26 – Friday, August 30

Time:

3 - 5 p.m.

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

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo – $8.00 for adults, $6 for seniors 65 and older, $5 for kids 3-12, free for children under 3. Zoo hours are 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. weekdays, and to 5:30 P.M. on weekends and holidays, April through October. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November through March. The Prospect Park Zoo is located at 450 Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. For further information, call 718-399-7339 or visit www.prospectparkzoo.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.orgMax Pulsinelli – 718-220-5182; mpulsinelli@wcs.org