Exploring Life as a Zoo Veterinarian. 

The N.C. Zoo's own veterinarians, staff and residents lead our camps and students attending N.C. State University School of Veterinary Medicine serve as our counselors. These camps are open to English-speaking students from around the United States and the world. 

In 2010 we will offer four, new and improved Wild Veterinary Science Camps.

Sessions are hands-on, and engage campers in learning veterinary first aid (campers practice on working, lifelike mannequins), giving  physical exams, using high-tech equipment (endoscopes and microscopes) , handling animals and having fun with people who share a passion for nature and wildlife.

Day Camps for Students, Ages 12  up to 15 

Our Girls Only, Saturday Day Camp (April 17th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) is full - Applications are for Waiting List only.

Our May 15th camp has been changed to a Co-ed camp and we have a few openings for boys. Applications for girls are for waiting list only.
 This Saturday Day Camp is held on May 15, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

To see what we have planned for the campers, download a draft schedule.

Want to Know More?
Download a Day Camper Flyer here.  Download a Day Camp Brochure here.

Want to Apply?
Download the Health Form component of the camp application by clicking here.  Fill out an online Day Camp  Application by clicking here.

The cost for day camps is $230 for Zoo Society members and $279 for non-members. (Payments may be scheduled over two months.)

Three-day, Overnight Camps for Students, Ages 15 - 18

Girls Only, 9 a.m., Friday, July 16 - 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 18

Boys Only, 9 a.m. Friday, July 30 - August 1 at 4 p.m.

Cost is $539  for Members      $579 for Non-members  (Payments can be scheduled over three months.)

Want to see what we have planned for these campers? Download a draft schedule here.

What to know more?
Download a Senior Veterinary Camp Flyer here.  Download a Senior Veterinary Camp Brochure here. 

Want to apply?
Fill out an online Senior Veterinary Camp Application by clicking here.
Download a Senior Health Form here.

To receive a printed version of any of these materials or, if you have questions about the camp, please e-mail jparker@nczoo.com

Questions you may have about the N.C. Zoo’s Veterinary Camp

Why are the camps always held on weekends?

Camp classes are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays to allow campers access to the Fredric Moir Hanes Veterinary Center’s Surgical Suite, Radiology and Laboratory facilities. During the week, the staff schedules these spaces for routine veterinary care of the Zoo’s animal collection.

No one is permitted to enter the Veterinary Hospital’s surgical suite unless they are properly suited and scrubbed, and this suite must be sterilized after each use. The time involved in preparing the area necessitates that the camps be held on the weekends so that the suite will be ready to care for the Zoo’s animals during the work week.

How are campers selected for each session?

We admit campers between the ages of 12 and 18. Campers must have a C or better average in science or the school year and must be recommended by either a veterinarian or by a home room or a science teacher. We admit 20 young people to each camp. If only 20 applications are received, every eligible applicant will be admitted. If we receive more than 20 applications for a session, we will hold a blind lottery on February 18 to select our campers. 

The first 20 names drawn in the lottery will be given a space in the camp. The remainder of the names will be drawn, too, and placed on a waiting list in the order that we pick them. Campers will be notified of their status by e-mail and/or telephone on the day of the drawing.

Once a camper confirms that she or he will attend, we will submit the deposit payment (check or credit card) that must accompany every application form. Full payment is required 8 weeks before camp begins. 

If any openings are not filled, we will go down the waiting list to offer these places to other youngsters.

3. Who is eligible for Veterinary Camp Scholarships? A limited number of scholarships are available for campers who are:

 From families enrolled in North Carolina’s Work First Family Assistance Program,

Children living with foster parents,

Children who have a parent who has served or is serving in the Iraq or Afghanistan war

Children from families receiving emergency assistance from the Department of Social Services

Children from families with household incomes below $20,000 a year.

To apply for a scholarship, please click here to download a scholaship application form, fill it out and send it with the requested documentation to N.C. Zoo Society; 4403 Zoo Parkway; Asheboro, NC 27205   Attention: Jayne Owen Parker, Ph.D.

Depending on a  camper's financial situation, a scholarship will cover 50 to 97 percent of camp tuition.

4. Who will supervise the campers when they are not in classes?

During camp classes, campers will be supervised by staff and volunteers from the N.C. Zoo and Zoo Society.

In the evenings and overnight, campers will be supervised by counselors who will be sleeping in the Center, too. Counselors will be students attending the N.C. State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

5. Are there items that my camper is not permitted to bring to camp?

The following items will not be permitted in camp:

Cell Phones, Smart Phones or PDA devices, Computers, Hand-held computer games, iPods or similar devices, T.V. or radios

6. If my child cannot have a cell phone, how do I contact him/her in an emergency?

Parents and guardians will be given cell phone numbers of staff to call if needed.

If you have questions or comments about the camp, please send us an e-mail by clicking here.

Last modified 02/19/2010 07:57am.