Summer Safari Camps

Explore the wonderful world of animals through Sunset Zoo’s weekly camp adventures! Each day, campers will enjoy live animal presentations, science-oriented lessons, games and crafts. Visits to zoo exhibits, animal encounters and behind-the-scenes explorations round out each week! All camps taught by Zoo staff trained in child development.  
 

Times & Fees

Weekly summer camp sessions for 2023 begin May 30 and run through August 11. Parents can drop students off as early as 7:30am and pick them up as late as 5:30pm. Snacks are provided but participants must bring a sack lunch.

 FOSZ Member RateNon-Member Rate
All Day Session
8am to 5pm		$145/weekly session$165/weekly session


Registration Information & Permission Forms

Enrollment will be taken on a first come, first serve basis. Enrolled students will receive a confirmation packet discussing schedule, dress code and camp checklist. Registration will open at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 27, 2023.

  • Online Registration - opens 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 27, 2023
     Register online from anywhere at anytime until classes fill by clicking here
  • Phone or In-Person - opens 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 27, 2023
    You can also register by phone at 785.587.2737 or in person at any Manhattan Parks & Recreation location including City Hall, the Zoo or the Flint Hills Discovery Center during regular operating hours. 

Permission Forms

Sunset Zoo's Summer Camps are licensed through the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) and require a specific set of permission forms to be completed for each camper.  If a child participated in summer camps in 2021 or Adventure Camps at Sunset Zoo during the 2021-2022 school year, we should have permission forms on file.  Please contact Sunset Zoo if you have any question regrading forms by calling 785.587.2737 or emailing sunsetzoo@cityofmhk.com.

Payment Plan & Refund Policy

Payment Policy

At time of enrollment, a minimum of 50% of each session’s fee is due to reserve a child’s spot. Sessions must be paid in full within five working days prior to the first day of each camp session. Youth will not be able to participate in a camp if fee is not paid in full by the first day of the session, no exceptions. No refunds or prorating for partially-used sessions.

Refund Policy

A full refund is provided if registration is canceled prior to one week (7 days) of start date. Partial refund given if registration is canceled between one week (7 days) and 48 hours prior to start date. No refund given if canceled within 48 hours.

Overview of Camps

Each camp is themed around a specific topic, and activities include live animal interactions, themed tours of the Zoo, crafts, games and nature hikes.  See below for more details about each camp classroom and the current session topics. 

For additional information regarding Sunset Zoo's Summer Safari Camps, check out the Parent Handbook.

Pre-Teen & Teen Opportunities

For opportunities over the summer for your pre-teens and teens, check out Sunset Zoo's Junior Conservation Crew and Zoo Teens programs.

  1. Hyena Clan
  2. Chimp Troop

Hyena Clan | Completed Kindergarten - 2nd Grade | Capacity - 30

High-energy activities interspersed with downtime and nature-based free time play take place every day. Activities include live animal interactions, themed tours of the Zoo, crafts, games and story times. Downtime and free time include coloring opportunities, word puzzles, free play in the zoo's nature playspace, and time spent exploring in the Wild Wonders Room. 

The Hyena Clan will be divided into two classrooms, Stripped Hyena Clan and Spotted Hyena Clan, to create two cohorts.  Classrooms will be established based on ages of all enrolled with the youngest half in one classroom and the oldest half in the other classroom.  If a camper is wanting to be in the same classroom as another camper, please email the Curator of Education, Jared Bixby.  Campers must have completed kindergarten.

 DateSession TopicDescription
May 30 - June 2Animal InvestigationsWhat objects can float? Do we need to float? Why is air important for floating? This session will have the Hyena Clan explore how animals live in their habitats and engage in class experiments that  show how fantastic wildlife is.
June 5 - June 9If I Owned A ZooWhat are zoos? How do zoos work? Could I be a zoo keeper? These are just some of the questions the Hyena Clan will explore in this Summer Safari Camp session.
June 12 - June 16Head, Shoulders, Knees & ToesWhether it's an owl that can turn its head with great freedom or a hyena with extremely powerful jaws, all animals have body parts specifically adapted to make them unique. During this camp session, the Hyena Clan will explore these various animal structures and just how animals use them. 
June 19 - June 23How Animals EatFrom beaks to fangs, animals have many unique ways to eat their food. The Hyena Clan will investigate the special ways that all animals eat their food. 
June 26 - June 30Animals of WaterWater is home for many animals, like turtles, fish, sharks, and much more. The Hyena Clan will dive deep into this habitat to explore the animals that call water their home.
July 3, & July 5 - 7Great ClimbersIn this Summer Safari Camp, the Hyena Clan will explore the world of animals that climb. We'll discover which animals use their climbing abilities to spend most of their time in trees away from the jungle floor and which spend their time climbing the rocks found in their habitat.
July 10 - July 14Animals with PatternsWhy do tigers have stripes? Why do cheetahs have spots?  Join the Sunset Zoo staff as we explore animals with patterns and discover how they use their patterns to survive.
July 17 - July 21Jungle AdventuresGorillas, elephants, tigers, and many more animals call the jungle home. The Hyena Clan will investigate the Jungle and the animals that inhabitant it.
July 24 - July 28Ways Animals InteractThe Hyena Clan will investigate the different animal relationships and how they work off each other. Whether it's a hippo, fish, or lion, animals all have a part to play in these relationships. 
July 31 - August 4Food ChainsDo you know the roles producers and consumers play in the animal kingdom? Join Sunset Zoo staff as we explore the different roles of producers and consumers, and learn just how important their interactions are.
August 7 - August 11Thank You NatureWhat are pollinators? How can animals educate us? Can animals provide us with services? These are just some of the questions the Hyena Clan will explore in this Summer Safari Camp session.