By John Scordato, Education Specialist

Every morning starts the same. Campers get dropped off by their parents and run right up to me with eyes wide and cheeks flushed with excitement.  Often my campers are too excited to start the day, and they sometimes forget their snacks and water bottles. I remember being that excited when my parents let me go to summer camp at the zoo in my hometown. I was animal obsessed and I needed to tell everyone all the facts I learned and how I could help animals. Eventually my camp experiences led me to volunteer at the zoo, choose a career path related to being an educator at zoos, interning at a zoo as a camp aide, and eventually getting a job as an education specialist at the El Paso Zoo.  At the Zoo I have made quite a name for myself with the Summer and Winter camps. What I am getting at is this – zoo camps have shaped me into who I am today.

That’s why I love being a zoo camp coordinator on top of my Education Specialist position. I get to witness that same spark that I experienced all those years ago in the faces of my campers.  At zoo camp, curiosity isn’t just encouraged—it’s celebrated. Kids don’t just learn facts at my camp; they make friends and memories that they’ll tell you about all the way home.

I am proud to announce that the El Paso Zoo Winters Camps will be returning this December. Introducing four full-day camps that have never been experienced before at the zoo. On Monday we will talk about animal camouflage, Tuesday will be about wellness, Wednesday will be a celebration of the new year, and Friday we will look towards the stars and constellations in our sky. Every camp is unique, but what they all have in common is how they all include educational lectures, hands on games and activities, as well as some up close and personal animal encounters.  Now is the time to register your child for the El Paso Zoo Winter Camp.