LA Zoo Camp
LA Zoo Camp offers week-long day camp experiences for children aged 4-12, focusing on wildlife, conservation, and the natural world through hands-on activiti...
▌ Editor's read The LA Zoo Camp website loads successfully, detailing day camp programs for children aged 4-12, with themes like 'Wildlife Explorers' and 'Conservation Crew.' The camp is operated by the Los Angeles Zoo, which is a municipal entity, suggesting a strong institutional backing. The website mentions that 'all staff and volunteers who work with children undergo a thorough background check,' indicating a commitment to safety. While not ACA accredited, the camp benefits from the extensive resources and educational focus of a major zoological institution. Google reviews for the Los Angeles Zoo generally reflect a positive experience, with a 4.5-star rating from over 25,000 reviews, often praising the educational opportunities and animal encounters. The camp's social media presence includes an active Instagram (@lazoo) and Facebook (LosAngelesZoo) with frequent updates on zoo activities and animals.
Who thrives here Ages 4–14
LA Zoo Camp fits middle-elementary campers — old enough for skill-building to land, young enough that friend-group dynamics and counselor warmth still matter more than program rigor. Parents at this age band tend to prioritize a balanced rhythm of structured activity and unstructured play, which is the actual differentiator inside any given outdoors/nature program.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Day camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- Not listed
- Operator
- Municipal parks department
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Outdoors/Nature
- Ages: 4–14
- Hours: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Address: 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
- Phone: (323) 644-4200
- Cost notes: $450/week Pre-K to 4th ($50 off for members); $550/week 5th-8th Academy ($50 off for members)
↗ What parents like
- ACA accredited
- Extended care available
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about LA Zoo Camp
- What ages does LA Zoo Camp accept?
- LA Zoo Camp is open to children ages 4–14. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does LA Zoo Camp cost?
- LA Zoo Camp publishes $450/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are LA Zoo Camp's hours?
- LA Zoo Camp runs 9:00 AM–3:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs LA Zoo Camp?
- LA Zoo Camp is operated by the local parks department. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does LA Zoo Camp provide lunch?
- LA Zoo Camp does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- Does LA Zoo Camp offer extended care?
- Yes — LA Zoo Camp offers extended care (7:30 AM–5:00 PM). Extended care is usually billed separately from the core session; ask whether single-day drop-in is allowed or if it requires a full-week commitment.
- How does LA Zoo Camp compare to other outdoors/nature camps in Los Angeles?
- LA Zoo Camp is one of 54 outdoors/nature camps in Los Angeles that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare LA Zoo Camp with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Browse similar camps
Indexable directory cuts for families comparing LA Zoo Camp against nearby options.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside LA Zoo Camp.
- Brave Trails - Session 2 CA · Brave Trails · Ages 12–17 · $2,600/week
- Brave Trails - Southeast GA · Brave Trails · Ages 12–17 · $2,600/week
- Cali Camp · Topanga · Ages 4–15 · $1,075/week
- Cali Camp - Classic Camp · Topanga · Ages 4–15 · $1,075/week
- Cali Camp - Junior Leaders · Topanga · Ages 14–15 · $1,075/week
- Camp Bob Waldorf - Jewish Cultural Session · Ages 8–18 · $600/week
- Camp Brave Trails - California Session 2 · California · Ages 12–17 · $2,022/week
- Camp Galileo BW — Animal Bot Builder · Brentwood · Ages 9–11 · $520/week