YOUTH GROUPS

REGISTRATION:

Registration for overnight dates takes place ONLINE ONLY, by deposit, and is on a first come, first served basis.

QUALIFYING AS A YOUTH GROUP

Youth groups are schools, children's clubs, or organized community groups whose participants are youth. A minimum of 20 participants is required to make a booking.

For groups with fewer than 20 participants a minimum final payment of $1,681.60 + HST (minus deposit) is required.

The Toronto Zoo reserves the right to book a second group of similar age and composition on the same overnight. Groups will be notified prior to visit.

All participants are required to sign a Toronto Zoo Bush Camp waiver prior to participation in the program. The parents/legal guardians of the participants must sign waivers on behalf of children. If the waivers are not signed prior to arrival for the program, the individual(s) will not be admitted to Bush Camp.

COSTS

Youth groups are offered a discounted Bush Camp rate. All participants that attend with a youth group are eligible for this price.

All participants in the group including supervisors, teachers, chaperones, adults, parent volunteers and children/youth/students must pay the per person rate in order to participate in the overnight program.

Pre-Registration Site Exclusivity/Minimum Numbers

If you are specifically looking to book the site exclusively for your youth group, you will be obligated to pay a non-refundable deposit of the equivalent of 40 participants at the per person youth group rate at the time of booking. Any participants in excess of 40 would be subject to our regular refund policies for youth groups. Requests for site exclusivity are considered on a first come, first served basis. Bookings are only finalized once payment is received. Pre-bookings may not be offered each year or conditions of pre-booking may change.

FINAL CONFIRMATION OF PARTICIPANT NUMBERS

• Email bushcamp@torontozoo.ca with final numbers a minimum of 5 weeks prior to program date.
• No further decreases to final participant numbers will be accepted once final payment is made. Final participant numbers affect catering, staffing, and programming arrangements.
• If your participant numbers have changed (increased or decreased) from your original registration, an updated account statement will be issued. This updated statement reflects your final payment due, based on the changes made to your final participant numbers (minus the deposit).
• Final payments will be collected via the same method of payment that was used for placing the initial deposit. Should an alternative payment method be required, notification must be made, in writing, to bushcamp@torontozoo.ca at the time that final numbers are submitted.

The Toronto Zoo reserves the right to book a second group of similar age and composition on the same overnight. Groups will be notified prior to visit. As Bush Camp capacity is 60 participants, if your group is booked with another group, you may not be able to increase the number of participants due to site capacity.

PAYMENT - DEPOSIT AND FINAL PAYMENTS

A non-refundable deposit of $200 is required in order to secure your group's Bush Camp night. All deposits are due at the time of online registration.

Final participant numbers are due 5 weeks prior to the program date. Final payment is calculated based on these numbers.

Final payment is due 4 weeks prior to the program date and will be processed using the same credit card used to place your deposit. If paying by school cheque (Payable to "Toronto Zoo"), final payment must be received by the Toronto Zoo a minimum of 4 weeks before the program date. No deductions in the final payment amount and no refunds will be provided less than 30 days before your program date.

A minimum of 20 participants is required for Bush Camp. For groups that do not meet the minimum number of participants, a minimum payment of $1,681.60 + HST (including deposit) is required.

Cancellations and refunds are processed according to the schedule below:

SUPERVISION DUTIES

In order to maintain a safe and successful learning experience at Bush Camp, all leaders, supervisors, and chaperones are asked to ensure the following guidelines:

1. Know the exact number of students present in your group.
2. Be aware of children in your group who have life threatening allergies and the possible triggers for each as many exhibits/public areas contain nuts and other allergens.
3. Please help to keep the students together and within hearing distance of the camp leader.
4. We ask your assistance in ensuring all participants act in a courteous and respectful manner throughout the entire time while they are at camp. You are responsible for controlling the behaviour of your group members and disciplining as necessary.
5. Please, no visits to the restaurants, snack bars, or gift shops during the program.

There will be Bush Camp staff with you and your group during your entire stay at Bush Camp, but as you know your group best, we ask that you accept responsibility to maintain these guidelines.

GUIDE/SCOUT BADGES

Sorry, we do not fulfill the requirements of Guide/Scout Badges as part of the Serengeti Bush Camp program.

MERCHANDISE

Various merchandise (e.g. t-shirts, crests, hats) will be available for purchase during your overnight stay. Payment is accepted using cash, debit, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). Sorry, we do not accept personal cheques as form of payment.

ORGANIZING YOUR GROUP - TEACHER/GROUP LEADER CHECKLIST

5 Weeks Before Program Date:

• Email bushcamp@torontozoo.ca with final numbers a minimum of 5 weeks prior to program date. Final participant numbers affect catering, staffing, and programming arrangements.
  • If your participant numbers have changed (increased or decreased) from your original registration, an updated account statement will be issued at this time. This updated account statement can be found on your online portal and reflects your final payment due, based on your final confirmed participant numbers (minus the deposit).
  • Final payments will be collected via the same method of payment that was used for placing the initial deposit. Should an alternative payment method be required, notification must be made, in writing, to bushcamp@torontozoo.ca at the time that final numbers are submitted.

4 Weeks Before Program Date:

• Toronto Zoo will automatically process final payment based on the final participant numbers confirmed at the 5-week mark, using the same credit card as when the deposit was placed.
  • No refunds (full or partial) will be granted if the group wishes to cancel or participant numbers decrease 4 weeks or less before the program date.
  • If paying by school cheque (payable to “Toronto Zoo), final payment must be received by the Toronto Zoo a minimum of 4 weeks before the program date. Personal and business cheques are not accepted.
  • Payment for Bush Camp is calculated based on the number of participants, minus the initial deposit. Fees can be found on the website.
• All participant waivers are complete and, along with the participant summary list, are scanned and emailed to bushcamp@torontozoo.ca. *Note: any person who has not completed waiver will not be admitted into Bush Camp.
• If your group requires storage space for your gear during your extended visit (either the day of or after your camp date), please email bushcamp@torontozoo.ca.

Day Before Program Date:

• Remind all participants to bring epipens, inhalers, puffers, or other medications if needed.
• Remind all participants wishing to purchase souvenirs to bring appropriate cash/debit/credit cards. (Souvenirs may include magnets, caps, T-shirts etc.)
• Distribute ‘Supervisor Duties’ list to all adult supervisors attending with your group to ensure they know their role.

MANDATORY WAIVERS AND FORMS:

Please read all the forms in the

Serengeti Bush Camp Group Information Package

Copies of the Waiver and Participant Summary List are included in the package. Please ensure to email your waivers to bushcamp@torontozoo.ca 4 weeks ahead of your program date AND bring the hardcopy on the day of your experience. Participants that do not have completed waivers will not be admitted to the overnight. It is the teacher's/leader's responsibility to ensure that all waivers are completed, signed, and submitted prior to your program date.