Zoo Camp Policies
Reservations:
Reservations must be paid in full prior to the program’s start date. You may make a reservation by visiting: https://www.lincolnzoo.org/education/summer-camps.html. Any changes to a reservation must be made within 2 weeks of the scheduled camp and are subject to approval and availability. Credit or refunds will not be given for no shows, missed days or cancellations. Summer Safari will be held rain or shine. If the threat of severe weather is present, the staff at LCZ will decide to end camp early or cancel. Please check your email and our social media sites for this information.
Health & Safety:
If your child is not feeling well, please keep them home. Children may be sent home if they begin to show signs or symptoms of the flu, Covid or any viral infection or communicable disease. Campers will be allowed to return to camp once they are free of symptoms for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medicine. Classrooms and areas of high touch will be sanitized before, during and after camp.
Drop off and pick up:
Pick up and drop off will be located near the main entrance of the Zoo in the FNBO Green Space. Camp instructors will be waiting outside for campers to arrive. Please look for your campers’ age-appropriate group. Camp begins promptly at 8:30 am and ends at 4:30 pm. Please have your ID ready when picking up. For your safety children will only be released to adults listed on the child’s approved adult pick up list. For early or late arrive and pick up, please visit our reception area.
Early Drop Off: You may not drop off your child prior to 8:15 am. Camp instructors are busy preparing for the day prior to the start of camp.
Early Pick Up: If you need to pick up your camper early for an appointment or scheduled commitment, please notify your child’s camp instructor at drop off on what time you will be arriving for them. We ask that you walk to pick up your child wherever they might be on Zoo grounds at that time. NOTE: early pick up between 4:00-4:15 pm is strongly discouraged. This is the time that campers are gathering belongings, cleaning up from the day’s activities and preparing for the next day.
Late Drop Off: If you are dropping off in excess of 30 minutes past the start of camp, we ask that you walk your child to meet the group wherever they might be on grounds at that time.
Late Pick Up: If you are running behind and might be late, please call 402-475-6741 to let us know.
Dress:
Each camper will receive a T-shirt with registration. Please send children in comfortable, weather appropriate clothing (that is allowed to get dirty) along with their camp T-shirt as well as close-toed shoes. We will spend lots of time outside each day exploring the zoo.
What TO bring and what NOT to bring:
- DO bring a filled reusable water bottle that is easy to carry (please avoid single use plastic)
- DO bring a small backpack with a change of clothes.
- DO bring sunscreen. Please send your camper with an initial application.
- DO bring lunch and any additional snacks (Summer Safari will supply one snack daily) Please pack a lunch that does not need to be heated up to enjoy.
- DO NOT bring outside toys. All items brought with your camper are not the responsibility of the Zoo if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.
- DO NOT bring anything of high value (money, cell phones, jewelry, iPads, etc.) We recognize that cell phones are a way to communicate with your child, however campers will not be allowed to use them during program time. If you need to get a hold of your child in case of an emergency please call the Zoo at 402-475-6741. Summer Safari encourages campers to disconnect from electronic devices, engage in their surroundings and make new friends.
Behavior:
Campers are expected to be safe, respectful, and responsible during camp. Parents/guardians will be notified if their camper’s behavior has become disruptive. Please address the behavior before the next day of camp. If disruptive behaviors continue to affect the quality of camp for the rest of the group, the Zoo may ask the camper not to return, and no refund will be issued in this case. The following behaviors will result in immediate dismissal from camp without a refund: physical violence: hitting, kicking, punching, biting or inappropriate touching, the use of inappropriate language: cursing, name calling, derogatory remarks or hate speech.
Medication:
Please adhere to the following guidelines if you are bringing medication to camp for your child.
AM/PM doses should be given before and after your child attend camp if possible. All medications must be given to a camp supervisor by an adult. Prescription medications must be in the child’s legal name and in the original bottle. Liquid medication must be accompanied by a measuring device. We cannot administer expired medication, loose medicine in an unmarked package or give meds on an “as needed” basis. Please fill out the medication consent form for each medication that needs to be administered.
Liability:
Prior to arriving at camp, please sign the camp release of liability. This form details emergency contacts, their relationship to campers, and a media release.
