[Columbia, SC] - Kids ages 6 to 9 are in for three days of frigid fun on December 19 through 21 at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden's Winter Break Camp.

"Winter Break Camp evolved out of seeing a true need in our community," said Chris Gentile, director of conservation education at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. "With kids getting out of school the week before Christmas, parents are in a real crunch. Taking a week off of work before the holidays have even begun isn't an option for a lot of parents. Winter Break Camp offers kids three fun-filled days of educational programming and gives parents the flexibility to save their vacation days for the week between Christmas and New Year's when the entire family can be together."

This year, Winter Break Camp focuses on how animals survive during the chilly winter months and where animals live during the snowy season. Kids will enjoy hands-on activities, live animal encounters with some of nature's best hibernators, arts and crafts projects, lots of games and plenty of holiday cheer.

Led by the same dedicated education staff that run Riverbanks award-winning summer camp program, Winter Break Camp runs from 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday through Wednesday, with an extended "Stay and Play" option available until 5:15 p.m. The three-day program is $100 for Riverbanks Society members and $130 for the general public. The extended Stay and Play option is an additional $40. Children should come each day with a packed lunch that does not require refrigeration, a snack and a filled water bottle. Parents can take advantage of an early drop-off beginning at 8:20am each day.

For more information or to sign a child up for Riverbanks' Winter Break Camp, call 803.779.8717, ext. 1400 or visit our Winter, Spring & Summer Camps page. Zoom! into Spring Camp dates have also now been set for April 10-12, 2006, so parents who would like to plan ahead can reserve those spring spots at the same time they make their holiday booking.