FAQ

Can we bring a tent trailer?
Yes, but we just need to know ahead of time.

What happens if it rains?
We do have a classroom that can be used for meals etc. Depending on the size of the group and the number of groups booked, we only have limited shelter.

Can we supply a special menu for specific dietary needs?
We cannot supply special meals. If you have specific dietary requirements, we ask that you provide your own food.

Can we purchase our lunch from the snack bar?
Yes, the snack bar is open from Victoria Weekend to Thanksgiving. We can provide a group discount for a pre-arranged menu.

Common Zoo Camp Questions

Do they have to complete level l first?
Yes, it’s a bit like swimming, it doesn’t go by age.

Will my child be able to be in the same group as her friend?
Yes, just let us know ahead of time.

Can my child complete level l, and return for level ll the same summer?
Yes.

Will my child be with other children their age?
Yes, we run two camps and try to group the younger campers in one camp and the older campers in the other.

What happens if it rains?
We do have sheltered arbors for the campers as well as a classroom, but as much as possible we try to keep to our schedule.

What time is graduation?
Graduation is at 2.30pm on the Friday.

Can my children bring their own lunch?
Yes, but we also have a snack bar and we take the lunch orders ahead of time so that our campers do not have to spend all of their lunchtime waiting for their lunch

How much is the cost of an average lunch at the snack bar?
Our prices are very competitive, but less than $8

What time is bus pick up and drop off?
The councilors wait by the garden center of the east end department store from 8.00am and the bus picks up at 8.30am to get to the Zoo around 9.00am, depending on if they have pick up’s en route. It then leaves at 3.30pm to arrive back at Place d’Orleans for 4.00pm. The councilors then wait until all of the campers have left before leaving themselves

Does the bus still run on Friday for any children who’s parents can’t make it to graduation?
Yes.

Can my child repeat any levels?
Yes, each year some of the animals and the councilors change as well as new babies are born and the zoo itself changes and grows, so there is always lots of new experiences waiting for you at Papanack Park Zoo.

Do they go in with any animals?
There is some interaction with the animals, especially the more social animal, like the lemurs and the younger animals and new babies. This interaction is always supervised and conducted with the utmost safety. For safety reasons they do not interact with any of the large predators.

What animals do they get to feed?
The Junior Zoo Keepers help to prepare and to feed the fruits, vegetables, grain and hay to animals such as the primates, barnyard animals, bears etc. They do not feed any meat to the carnivores, again for health and safety reasons.

Common Zoo Questions

Are you still open if it’s raining?
Yes, we are!

What do you do with the animals in the winter?
The North American animals are native to this climate and are quite at home in the Canadian winter. By growing a thick fur coat having shelter from the elements and lots of hay in their dens, most of the big cats are able to adjust well to the winter – including the Lions, which even though they are traditionally from the warm climate in Africa, adapt very well to the cold winters, especially since most of them have been born and raised in Canada!

Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes, we accept Visa, Mastercard and Debit.

Can I get cash back?
Yes.

Can I go back out to my vehicle to get my picnic cooler after I have paid admission?
Yes, no problem there, just show your wristband for re-admission.

Does the zoo have strollers I can rent?
Yes, we do for a nominal fee.

Is there a family rate?
No, there is not. We contemplated this for many hours, but the ‘family’ unit takes on many different guises to be fair to everyone, so we just have individual prices

How long does it take to go around the zoo?
Now that’s a tricky question, we have some folks that are on a tight schedule and just spend a couple of hours with us, on the other hand we have some folks that are at the waiting for us to open and are the last to leave! I would recommend at least 3-4 hours, especially if you want to see some of the feeding presentations.

Can we bring in a picnic lunch?
Yes, of course, but we also have a Snack Bar that serves the best poutine, burgers and hot dogs etc. as well as ice cream cold drinks and slushie drinks.

What time do the Keepers feed the animals?
Feeding presentations take place through out the day – you can find the schedule in the center of the map book