ROYAL OAK, Mich., June 2, 2006 – As the start of the Detroit Zoo’s Summer Safari fast approaches, registration for the popular camp is nearing capacity.  Parents are encouraged to register their children now so as not to miss out on this wild adventure.  Sessions begin June 19 and continue through August 18. 

At Summer Safari, children ages 4-13 can explore the wonders of the animal kingdom through tours of the Detroit Zoo, hands-on activities, games, and arts and crafts.  The camp is designed to spark an interest in and respect for wildlife, conservation and animal welfare.  Campers can choose from a variety of half-day, all-day, overnight and week-long sessions geared toward specific age groups. 

Overnight adventures allow campers to spend a night at the Zoo’s Ford Education Center and discover what nocturnal animals do while the rest of the world is asleep.  “Zoo Snoozzz,” for ages 8-10, includes a late-night wandering, bug search, craft project,   marshmallow roast, zookeeper talk, and breakfast with the giraffes. 

“Overnight Extreme,” for 11-13 year olds, includes a late-night tour of the Zoo, an animal enrichment session and zookeeper encounter at breakfast, in-depth animal observations, field sketching, simulator ride, behind-the-scenes tours of exhibits, and meetings with animal care staff. 

This year’s camp includes new half-day adventures such as “Butterflies and Bugs,” “Hiding Out,” “Bear Tracks” and “Animal Care 101,” and new all-day adventures such as “Survivor Styles” and “ZSI: Carnivores.” 

Parents can drop daytime campers off early or pick them up late and let them enjoy before- and after-camp activities with the Early Bird and Late Owl groups.  Campers will play games, have snacks, watch short animal-related films, and listen to stories while supervised by camp staff in the Ford Education Center’s themed interpretive studios.  Early Bird drop-off starts at 7:30 a.m. and Late Owl pick-up runs until 5:30 p.m. 

Registration forms, costs and other information are available on the Zoo’s web site at www.detroitzoo.org, by emailing education@detroitzoo.org, or by calling (248) 541-5717x.3800. 

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization responsible for the operations of the Detroit Zoological Institute, comprised of the Detroit Zoo and the Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily April through October, with extended hours 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August.  Admission is $11.00 for adults 13 to 61, $9.00 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7.00 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 398-0900 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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