At Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park in Orono, ON, Safari Zoo Camp offers a unique opportunity for young animal lovers. This immersive program features hands-on learning with wildlife, where campers work alongside Animal Care professionals. Kids help care for rescued & endangered animals, gaining understanding of their behaviour, needs, & conservation.
The camp's enriching environment blends education with adventure. Campers enjoy animal care tasks, like meal prep, & outdoor adventures like caving & wall climbing. Programming is offered in overnight sessions for kids aged 6–17 & day camps for ages 6–12.
Safari Zoo Camp is a gateway to discovering the value of wildlife conservation & forming lasting connections with the natural world.
Safari Zoo Camp at Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park offers a unique opportunity for kids to connect with wildlife in meaningful & hands-on ways. Unlike other camps, our program immerses participants in the daily care of rescued & endangered animals, fostering empathy, responsibility, & a deeper understanding of conservation. Our small group sizes allow for personalized experiences, whether campers are preparing meals for the animals, designing enrichment activities, or learning about global efforts to protect species. Adventure & exploration are also key, with activities like caving & ziplining adding more excitement. Parents & kids choose Safari Zoo Camp for its blend of education, adventure, & values rooted in respect for all living things.
Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; Safari Zoo Camp currently has 4 programs available.
Registration for Safari Zoo Camp typically begins at the end of each calendar year. Families can register through our online portal, and support is available for any questions during the process. Spaces are limited, and registration is completed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cancellations must be submitted in writing via email. Deposits are non-refundable, and no refunds are issued for cancellations after June 1 unless accompanied by medical documentation or due to uncontrollable circumstances. Families are provided with a welcome email after registration to help them prepare for camp.
Unique and memorable, a child’s time at Safari Zoo Camp won’t be forgotten. Kids with a deep love of animals will thrive at this camp, where they get opportunities to interact, learn about, and care for wild animals. In doing so, kids learn about protecting and conserving the environment as well. Campers and counselors all share a passion for the same thing—animals, so friendships are easy and lifelong. Located at the vast facilities of Jungle Cat World, where leopards, wolves, tigers, cougars, wild birds, and more call the zoo home, many kids attend this camp as a start to a career working with animals. There are activities outside of working with the animals that are exciting for all kids like treetop trekking, waterparks, and even caving. Many campers call the experience life changing and are ready to immediately go back as soon as the camp is over for the summer. The skills they learn at Safari Zoo Camp include leadership, confidence, and of course empathy.
What's unique about the program at Safari Zoo Camp that made you want to enroll your children there?
We visited Jungle Cat World one day and saw that they had a camp. Kids from all over the world come, and I love the animal aspect.
My daughter is really into animals. There's a lot of one-on-one time, there's a lot of teaching and she loves it. It's a perfect match for her.
What would you highlight about the camp's programming, counselors, or facilities?
Jungle Cat World has an amazing property. It's very large. All the animals have great spaces. The campers are involved in their feeding program, where they prepare their meals for them. They hide the food in their cages, sort of as they would have in real life.
They get to do tours and teachings to the day camps and little kids that visit Jungle Cat World. My daughter, at maybe ten years old, felt so strong and brave and knowledgeable, having the support and knowledge behind her.
It's a wonderful place! There's a lot of free time scheduled throughout the camp. There are activities, but free time is a big thing. I would joke with my daughter because she would go into the bunny pen to play with the bunnies. I would remind her that she's in a zoo with lions and tigers and incredible creatures and she always gravitated to the bunny rabbits. That was her favorite hour to spend.
How and when did you know that Safari Zoo Camp was the right fit for your child?
Shailen was six years old, a typical beginning age for an overnight camp. I, myself, went to overnight camp throughout my childhood while Shailen's dad did not. So he was apprehensive of sending her to a strange place with no communication: You don't call, you don't check in, there's no phones.
It was a great way for her to develop bravery. And she did nothing to her hair. She was just very natural, in nature, and enjoyed it. That first year, she went one week. But after that, we started going several weeks.
Now, Shailen is actually a counselor in training there. She's made her way through the entire stretch of camp, from what started as a passion and a love for animals as a little girl. They’ve been so kind to us to provide her a job.
She's going to go into the vet tech program, to maybe be a vet one day. So it's been a great building block for her.
Was there any change or noticeable personal growth that you saw in your child after time at camp?
Because she met kids from all over the place when she was at Jungle Cat World, she built these long-term friendships. Through the grace of social media, she was able to keep in touch with them year-over-year, and do things in the off-season together. They'll go to Wonderland, do the Halloween Haunt, or do other extracurricular things in friendship together outside of camp.
So it's wonderful to watch Shailen build and grow lasting friendships. It's not school, not people that you're forced to be together with. These are all children who share a passion for animals. It's beautiful.
How can parents overcome hesitancy to send their children away for a week or longer?
The no-communication factor is a bit frightening at first, for the parents only. The kids think it's fantastic! You have to trust them! What's the worst that's going to happen? They're not going to brush their teeth every morning?
It's great for them. They come home with stories. I like that you're not checking in and getting a daily update. You get one download: that car ride. When I pick her up on Sunday morning after a week, we drive about 45 minutes. It's my favorite time of the year. I love that download of information. She's so stoked to tell me everything.
What would you tell other parents about the overall value of sending kids to Safari Zoo camp?
Do it. Save up. When Shailen started, it was a little out of our price range for the few weeks that she wanted to go, but she loved it so much. So that’s what she started asking for, for birthdays and Christmas presents from her family.
And Jungle Cat World’s always amazing with gift certificates and booking. They want to make this affordable and viable. They're willing to work with you to make sure it’s something you can afford. And if you can't do it this year, do it next year, because it's a life-changing opportunity.
Final thoughts?
As a helicopter mom, you're always nervous about what they're doing. At home, I do the cooking [and] she just eats. When she goes to Jungle Cat World, she's managing the knives and they're holding the fruit. It builds character in them.
It's not just food prep, but they have crafts and they have dances. They have an open mic night, one night during the week, and they do a play. A lot of parents that I've spoken to would say, “I don't even know who that kid is!” They're up on stage dancing around with friends that they've made.
It builds character in a different situation than we as parents could provide them at home or in any situation we could give them.
"No other place like it, from the animal experiences to the people you meet. I've been there for 11 years as a camper, CIT, and staff, and there's no place else I'd rather be."
Anonymous , Parent
"2 weeks next year"
My son has loved the camp. 2 weeks next year.
Angie, Parent
"Awesome"
Awesome camp program for children and teens.
Anonymous , Parent
"they will remember for the rest of their lives"
"We have had 3 kids do Safari Zoo Camp in two different years and they loved it. We stayed in the Safari Lodge B&B at the zoo both times and we loved it just as much I think. Both the camp and the lodge are unique experiences. The kids learn a lot and get to do a lot that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Caring for the animals, handling a variety of species including baby tigers or wolves, or presumably what is present at the time, etc. They also do some excellent off site activities like a caving outing, a waterpark, a zip-lining adventure day, etc depending on the year, the weather, age of kids, etc. It's a ton of fun. Walking through the zoo at night when things are active, waking to the lions roar, I could go on and on. We're hoping they decide to go back another summer or two because we enjoy staying there at the B&B so much as well and that gives us a good excuse. ...Show More
Anonymous Camper, Camper
"Thank you so much!"
Gave me the confidence and groups skills to pursue a leadership role at my school as the head of the environmental club at my high school. Thank you so much!
MEET THE DIRECTOR:
Jamie has been a member of the Safari Zoo Camp community for 13 years. Starting as a camper, she found her second home, and continued on to become staff as a photographer at the age of just 15, working her way up to the Director position, which she has held since 2023.
Jamie holds a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Guelph and is extremely passionate about the natural world. In particular, she loves to educate about wildlife and conservation.
Although she loves each and every one of the animals at Jungle Cat World, Jamie has a particular soft spot for reptiles, owning many of her own snakes, newts and lizards! She aims to provide campers with the same unforgettable experiences that she had growing up, and is looking forward to another great summer season!
Staff and Counsellors
Safari Zoo Camp’s staff are the heart of our program, bringing expertise, passion, and a deep commitment to wildlife education. As a Rainbow Registered camp, we are proud to foster an inclusive space for campers. Each counsellor undergoes rigorous training, including certifications in First Aid and CPR, as well as specialized training in animal care and safety protocols. Our staff-to-camper ratio ensures personalized attention, fostering a safe and supportive environment. Many of our team members return year after year, creating continuity and strong connections with campers. Known for their enthusiasm and knowledge, our staff inspire campers to learn, explore, and grow, making them an unforgettable part of the Safari Zoo Camp experience.
Available for private rentals: Yes
After the Safari Zoo Camp Season (June - August), a 1-night educational and interactive "Night Safari" program begins. The adventure begins with a fascinating Wildlife Presentation in our Education Centre, an opportunity to see some amazing animals up-close and meet the professional staff that care for them. Once it gets completely dark outside, follow a Safari Guide through the zoo as they take you on an evening feeding tour.
Year-round, the property also features a Bed & Breakfast. The Bed & Breakfast has three different suites available varying in capacities.
Both of these programs allow guests to spend the night at the zoo and wake up to the wolves howling and the lions roaring.
For more information about either of these programs, please contact [email protected] or or visit https://www.junglecatworld.com
Zoo Camp has been a big influence on the person that I am today. Camp has given me once-in-a-lifetime experiences that have made me realize that anything is possible. I've become more aware of environmental issues and been inspired to try and make a difference. Some of the best days of my life were spent at Zoo Camp: cleaning up garbage at Lake Ontario (and swimming), wildlife presentations, hang gliding, building and sleeping in shelters in the forest, the hands on experience with diverse animals, and all the amazing friends I've made over the years! Zoo camp is always the highlight of my summer. -Victoria
Zoo Camp is my once-a-year satisfaction, and easily my favourite place in the universe. The moment I arrive home from Zoo Camp, I start counting the days until go back! There's absolutely no way I could chose a specific memory as my favourite, because I've had enough wonderful moments and experiences at that camp to last me a lifetime. I've learned so much about not only the brilliant and beautiful animals at Jungle Cat World, but about what kind of person I want to be, and how it's never too soon to begin. For all of this I give countless thanks to the always magnificent staff! -Paige
I have to say that it has actually changed my life. I love the camp, the people there, and the atmosphere. It's opened my eyes to the world around us... I'm more conscious about what I buy, and do... I want to make a beneficial difference in the world, I want to help people change, I want to spread the knowledge I have gained concerning our planet... Zoo camp is like nothing else, it's something really special, and has something unique that other camps don't have. You're part of a family at camp, and that is really something amazing. -Thomas
The underground world has been a place of reverence and security since the dawn of time. In many ancient cultures it is believed that our ancestors first appeared from caves. It was the Earth that gave birth to us. For thousands of years humans have made caves their homes and spiritual sanctuaries, leaving traces of their existence through century-old wall paintings, clay pottery and burial remains. As we've moved from caves to cities, the use and importance of the underground world has been lost. Safari Zoo Camp has incorporated spelunking (exploring underground passages) as part of the curriculum to show the importance of this environmentally sensitive subterranean realm. Caves are the home to countless native species, such as bats, skunks, porcupines and a variety of snakes. Many important aquifers either originate or flow through caves, so it?s important that caves remain clean and pollution free so we don?t poison our water. While campers explore the Warsaw Caves and become familiar with them, they also collect any litter left behind by the visiting public. When children leave the Warsaw Caves Conservation Area, they do so dirty and tired, but with a profound respect and admiration for the world beneath our feet.
It's funny, when she went there for the first time two summers ago, she didn't even like to look at a snake, let alone touch one. Look at her now. Holding huge snakes, she can't even hold up by herself becuase they are so heavy. Wow! I think she's become more at ease with a lot of different animals but also gained a new respect for them as well.
The variety of people from all over the country and the world that she has met is amazing. She was talking on MSN to one of the girls from Spain on Christmas Eve this year. This is quite an experience for a young person. -Denise (Megan's mom)
Safari Zoo Camp is the best camp in the world. I can say this because I have been to a few different ones, and will always come back to Safari Zoo Camp from now on. This was my 3rd year at camp and I stayed for 2 weeks. If you love animals of any shape or size this is the camp to go to. You don't just look at the critters, you actually get to handle and play with them. There are so many cool things that make this camp fun, but this was my best experience.
We got to interact with the young tigers! There was only a fence between us and these beautiful creatures but they let us pat them. They seemed to like me, because I got my hand licked by both of them. It was the neatest feeling to have such a large tongue come out through teeth that could rip anyone apart and lick my hand. I will never forget that as long as I live. -Darien
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