[Columbia, SC] - Kids ages three to seventeen are in for a fun-filled week of animals, action and adventure at Riverbanks Summer Camp 2008. With so many exciting camps to choose from, there is sure to be something for every child in your house.  Summer camp, including Sprout Camp for three- and four-year-olds (and a parent), KinderCamp for four- and five-year-olds, Wild Weeks for six- to eleven-year-olds, Adventure Camp for twelve- to fourteen-year-olds and Counselor’s-In-Training for fifteen- to seventeen-year-olds, all begin June 9. Parents can choose from eight one-week sessions and registration is now open.
Sprout Camp explores the interaction of plants and animals and guides children through the joy of gardening. Kids will get a chance to discover the garden from an insect’s perspective, as they “pollinate” flowers and go on a bug hunt. The fun continues with a seed exploration, making mud pies, planting flowers and a wiggle worm party. Each day consists of hands-on activities that capture the imagination through crafts, garden walks, explorations, stories and more. KinderCamp is packed with educational and fun experiences. Each day during the week campers will explore one of the five senses. KinderCamp will be filled with hands-on activities, animal encounters, exciting zoo walkabouts, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts and games galore! During Wild Weeks children will learn about the fascinating wildlife at Riverbanks Zoo through crafts, games, keeper talks and live animal encounters. Campers are grouped according to their ages, ensuring developmentally appropriate activities. Children ages six and seven will become Zooper Heroes and discover the super strength, super senses and super speed that helps animals survive. Children ages eight and nine will become Riverbanks Rangers. They will explore the wild side of South Carolina and learn about the cool animals that share our woods, rivers and oceans. Children ages ten and eleven will be official ZSI’s, Zoo Scene Investigators that is. These super sleuths will solve animal mysteries and complete their week of camp with a mystery hunt around the Zoo. Adventure Camp participants will explore different avenues of nature and the environment. Campers will take wild journeys to various sites throughout Columbia, discover the process of exhibit design, explore the wonders of animal enrichment and develop a basic understanding of animal husbandry at the Zoo. They will also take part in crafts, games and live animal encounters. Sprout Camp meets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30am to 11:30am. KinderCamp begins at 8:30am each day and ends at noon. Wild Weeks and Adventure Camp both run from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Sprout Camp is $80 for Riverbanks Society Members and $110 for the general public. KinderCamp is $110 for Riverbanks Society members and $169 for the general public. Wild Weeks is $175 for Society members and $234 for the general public and Adventure Camp is $250 for Society members and $309 for the general public. An extended stay and play option is available for the week long summer camp programs for an additional $75. This allows campers to play at the Zoo until 5:15pm. Early extended stay and play drop-off is at 7:45am. Parents may register their children for all four summer programs online or by mail. The same program is repeated throughout the summer, so campers should only sign up for one week. For more information on any of Riverbanks’ camp programs or to request a registration form, call 803.779.8717.
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