Education Information

What should parents do and/or fill out before camp starts?

• Fill out Consent and Disclosure, Pick Up Authorization, and Photo Release Forms completely.
• Notify the Education Department in advance of any special needs (including medical restrictions or food allergies) so that we can do our best to accommodate your child.
• Every effort will be made so that your child avoids contact with things they are allergic to. However, parents should remember that Tanganyika is a public facility and some environmental factors will be difficult to control.
• Contact us with any questions or concerns! We are happy to get you the information you need to make your child’s camp experience as positive as possible!

How do check-in and check-out work?

• Check-in on Monday morning will probably take some additional time, so please be prepared.
• Staff will be in the front area of the classroom to check in campers in the morning and to check out campers in the afternoon.
• Regular check-in is from 7:45 am to 8:45 am.
• Please make every effort to drop off your child on time.
• Staff will not be able to accept camper check in prior to 7:45 am.
• If you must drop off your child after 8:45 am, you will need to check in at the Events window adjacent to the Gift Shop. Please note: late drop-off can be distracting to both the other campers and to your child.
• An adult will be required to physically sign in your child each morning with our staff. This ensures your child’s safety and it allows us to communicate with you regarding any changes for the day.
• Regular check-out is from 4:45 pm to 5:30 pm.
• There will be a $1 per minute late fee for campers picked up after 5:30 pm.
• If you need to pick up your child outside of normal check-out hours, please make prior arrangements with Education Department staff.

COVID-19 

As of this time, Tanganyika does not expect to close or alter programming due to COVID-19. Based on recommendations from the CDC and the Health Department, we are taking the following precautions in order to mitigate risk to the public that may be visiting us during this time:

• Having all campers bring a mask with them to camp (we recommend using a lanyard to attach their mask around their neck to keep it close at all times)
• Wiping down and sanitizing hard surfaces such as counters and doorknobs multiple times throughout the day
• Increasing the frequency with which public areas such as restrooms are cleaned during the day
• Encouraging our team members to increase the frequency with which they wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer
• Encouraging all team members, volunteers, program participants, and guests to remain at home if they feel ill
• Continuing to have hand washing stations and hand sanitizer available throughout the Park at animal encounter areas
• In addition, for Education activities such as camps, field trips, and birthday parties, our Education Team will encourage frequent hand washing and continue to have hand sanitizer available at all programs.

Can I have someone else pick up my child?

• Campers must be signed out every day by an adult who is 18 or older and is on their pick-up authorization form.
• All adults that have permission to pick up your child should be listed on the Pick Up Authorization form, which must be turned in prior to the start of camp.
• Any adult not listed on the Authorization form will be unable to pick up your child from camp.

I need to pick up my child early. Is that okay?

• While we prefer that campers are with us for the full day, we also understand that sometimes appointments, sports games, and other family events may require you to pick your child up early.
• If you do need to pick up your child early, please notify camp staff at drop-off that morning so that we can be prepared.
• When you arrive to pick up your child, please check in at the windows adjacent to the Gift Shop. Staff in the Gift Shop will contact camp and give specific instructions for pick up. This is because you child may be in a different area of the park.
• Please note: If you need to pick up your child during snack or lunch time (10 am to 10:30 am, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, or 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm), it may take extra time to check out your child.
• If at all possible, please do not pick up your child between 4:30 pm and 4:45 pm. This is our “clean up time” when our staff and volunteers are busy getting campers ready to head home for the day and it can be very difficult to step away for camper check out.

What is a typical day like during camp?

• Each week of camp has a unique theme, with each day designed to build on that theme throughout the week.
• Most days will start with an interactive group lesson to introduce the day’s topic.
• Campers will spend most of the day engaged in lessons, demonstrations, activities, crafts, games, animal encounters, and Park tours.
• Campers will spend time outside during their camp adventure – snack, lunch, Park tours, and some games will take place outdoors, weather permitting.
• Twice per day, campers will be provided with a snack and free time on the playground in the center of the Park (supervised by our staff and volunteers).

My child needs to take prescription medication during the camp day. How does that work?

If your child takes oral prescription medications or requires a topical medication that he or she can apply without adult intervention, our staff is able to administer those medications. On Monday morning, you will need to fill out a short authorization form detailing the name of the medication, the dosage, and what time(s) medication needs to be administered. Any topical medication that requires adult intervention or injection-based medication will be treated on a case-by-case basis. In most cases, we ask that a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult administer these medications during the camp day.

My child has some special needs. What kinds of accommodations are you able to provide?