Zoo Camp Scholarships

Green Space, Park Access, and Trees

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

L.A. Zoo Camp Scholarships seek to address several issues: access to parks/environment; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and conservation and wildlife education. According to UCLA Public Health experts, poorer neighborhoods lack access to outdoor amenities. Low-income communities don't get sufficient access to this health-promoting resource, and when they do have access, the area tends to be more polluted, the park facilities are not as well-maintained, and there is less park programming and less energy going into the programs offered. In addition to needing access to parks, children need to have awareness of sustainability and the damage human activity can have on native animals and the environment. When they learn about conservation and wildlife, children develop empathy for animals and people, appreciation for natural resources, realize that their actions have consequences, and recognize the value of caring for others and for our planet.

The L.A. Zoo is respectfully requesting funding for our Zoo Camp Scholarships, staffing, and administrative support. Our scholarship recipients reflect the diverse demographic of the greater Los Angeles area and provide youth with opportunities to engage with Zoo staff, learn about wildlife and nature, and socialize with peers in an educational environment with structured activities, talks, and animal encounters. Campers explore 133 acres of land comprising over 800 different plant species with 7,000 individual plants. It is home to 1,400 animals representing 270 different species, 58 of which are endangered. The funding of scholarships is vital to providing access to qualified youth. Each year, scholarship applications outnumber available funds, so a randomized lottery is held to choose scholarship recipients. We assist families to secure documentation so all eligible applicants are included in the lottery. Our goal is to give full need-based scholarships to at least 10% of the campers. Camp currently has 960 slots available each summer (120 per week for 8 weeks) and typically sells out. Zoo Camp staff consists of 2 full-time L.A. City employees and 22 full-time seasonal employees including 7 instructors and 15 camp counselors. Camp also utilizes an administrative queuing app called Queue It. Spots sell out so quickly that our system can crash. This virtual waiting room allows control of online traffic in high-demand situations to have a fair registration system.

The Los Angeles Zoo envisions a just and sustainable world where people and wildlife thrive, together. Through Zoo Camps, Los Angeles youth will: -Have a sense of belonging in nature settings after participating in Camp. -Have awareness of and be interested in science, conservation, and zoo careers. -Have a positive experience in nature and the outdoors. -Deepen their sense of curiosity to learn more about their surroundings and the natural world. -Develop their sense of self-efficacy by successfully participating in outdoor, nature, and/or conservation activities. -Increase their empathy for wildlife. Camp participants and their families will feel the L.A. Zoo is a trustworthy, valued part of their community, thus creating a community where people respect, value, and conserve wildlife and nature. In order to fulfill this, we'd like to be able to offer full need-based scholarships to 20% of the campers, serving a larger demographic.

The L.A. Zoo uses a Logic Model-based system to describe and measure the outcomes and impacts of its programs, including Zoo Camp. The Zoo's Learning & Engagement, Equity Programs, and Conservation divisions all identify programmatic deliverables and outcomes that lead to common impacts. Evidence of success is demonstrated by the program selling out for more than 18 years. In 2021, camp sold out within 25 minutes of registration opening and capacity was at 101% with 243 campers. 91.1% of parents surveyed strongly agreed with the statement: safety precautions met my expectations. More than 50% of counselors and instructors in 2023 are previous camp participants or are otherwise involved in the Zoo. One parent quotes, "The staff are so knowledgeable, caring, [and] attentive to their group and the other campers. They took every precaution possible and we felt very safe sending my son to camp every day. As soon as zoo camp is over, we start counting the days until next year!"