ROYAL OAK, Mich., June 25, 2007 – Space is still available for the Detroit Zoo’s Summer Safari camp, which started June 25 and runs through August 17.  Children ages 4-14 can explore the wonders of the animal kingdom through tours of the Zoo, hands-on activities, games, and arts and crafts.  Summer Safari is designed to spark an interest in and respect for wildlife, conservation and animal welfare.  

Half-day adventures include “Animal Care 101,” “Animal Enrichment,” “Bear Tracks,” “Butterflies and Bugs,” “Dino Digs,” “Enrichment 101,” “Frog Hop,” “Hiding Out” and “Serengeti Trek.”  The cost for a half-day adventure is $30 for Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) members and $35 for non-members.  New all-day adventures are “Survival Styles” and “ZSI: Carnivores.”  All-day adventures are $75 for DZS members and $85 for non-members.

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 7-10 includes a late-night wandering, craft project, marshmallow roast, zookeeper talk and breakfast at an animal habitat.  The “Zoo Snoozzz” adventure is $75 for DZS members and $85 for non-members.  “Overnight Extreme” for 10-14 year olds includes a special early-evening tour of the Zoo, animal enrichment session and zookeeper encounter at breakfast.  The “Overnight Extreme” adventure is $115 for DZS members and $125 for non-members.

This year’s all-day week-long adventures are “Earth Trek” for ages 6-9 and “Destination Exploration” for ages 10-14.  Campers will explore the Zoo’s many habitats and observe animal adaptations and behaviors firsthand.  The cost is $225 for DZS members and $235 for non-members. 

The first half-day week-long adventure is “Wild Things,” where campers will observe the fascinating behaviors of a variety of animals from aardvarks to zebras.  The second half-day week-long adventure is “Animal Creativity,” where campers will explore the innovative ways animals communicate and behave in their native habitats.  The cost for the half-day week-long adventures is $105 for DZS members and $115 for non-members.

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

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and 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 daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October – with extended hours until 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August – and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March.  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) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March, and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 

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