Plenty to attract animal, nature lovers at Audubon

For more than 30 years, Audubon Zoo Camp has been a playground for children and young teens who enjoy nature-themed events and experiences with animals.


The 2022 Zoo Camp for children ages 4 to 10 includes eight, week-long sessions of four types of themed camps: Packs/Pods/Prides (June 6-10 or July 11-15); Super Hero Species (June 13-17 or July 18-22); Animal Friends/Foes (June 20-24 or July 25-29); and Spineless & Splendid (June 27-July 1 or Aug. 1-5). The camp runs from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily.

Zoo Camp groups are divided by age: 4- to 5-year-olds, 6- to 10-year-olds and 11- to 13-year-olds. Camp group sizes vary by camper age and are based on the supervisory ratio for each age: 1:6 ratio of counselors to campers for 4- to 5-year-olds; 1:8 ratio for 6- to 10-year-olds; and 1:10 ratio for 11- to 13-year-olds.

Cost for a weekly session is $310 for members and $350 for non-members. That includes two camp T-shirts and daily snacks.

“Summer camp at Audubon Zoo is filled with fun and meaningful experiences that connect campers to nature and demonstrate how to make a positive impact on the world around us,” said Audubon’s director of education Llewellyn Everage. “Campers will discover how their individual actions help the natural world and how we can all work together to protect the animals and habitats we love.”

Additional service camps
For the older kids, ages 11-13, there’s a service-based camp for youth who love animals and nature, said Annie Matherne, the zoo’s director of public relations. Camp dates are June 20-July 1 and July 25-Aug. 5. Both sessions run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Themes include: Habitat Heroes and Species Survival Specialists. Each Zoo Krewe Camp session is two weeks long and includes a themed, off-site field trip each Friday. Cost for each two-week session is $700 for Audubon members or $780 non-members and includes two camp T-shirts and daily snacks.

“Zoo Krewe campers will learn about conservation, environmental careers and how we can all work together to help wildlife and wild places,” Matherne said.

Registration is open for members and non-members. Campers born before April 1, 2017, must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate in camp. Campers should bring their lunch each day. (Purchasing lunches on site is not allowed.) Before- and after-care are available.

For more information, contact [email protected], (504) 913-0254 or visit audubonnatureinstitute.org/camps. 

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