The Reptilia Weekend Camp is launching in Whitby, giving young animal enthusiasts a new opportunity to spend full days learning about reptiles, animal care and conservation throughout the school year.
Reptilia Zoo announced the new program as summer camps wind down, extending its educational camp experiences into weekends during the fall and winter months.
The program will run at Reptilia locations in Whitby, Vaughan and London, with sessions offered every third weekend of the month on both Saturdays and Sundays.
For families in Durham Region, the Whitby location provides a local option for children interested in animals, science and hands-on learning.
Camp Combines Education With Reptile Experiences
The Reptilia Weekend Camp is designed to combine structured education with experiences that children may not typically find in a classroom.
Campers will spend the day working with Reptilia’s animal-care and education teams while learning about reptiles from around the world.
Activities are expected to include opportunities to meet animals, learn how they are cared for and gain a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes at a zoological facility.
The program is intended to encourage children’s natural curiosity about animals while introducing topics such as conservation, biology and animal husbandry.
Behind-the-Scenes Learning for Young Animal Lovers
According to Reptilia, children attending the camp will get a closer look at the work involved in caring for the hundreds of animals housed at its zoo locations.
That can include learning about habitat requirements, feeding, animal behaviour and the responsibilities of professional animal-care teams.
Reptilia General Manager Ryan Vince said the program was developed to provide children with another opportunity to explore their interest in animals outside of regular summer camps and school-break programming.
The camp also gives participants an opportunity to ask questions and learn directly from staff members who work with reptiles.
Whitby Families Get New Weekend Activity
The Whitby location makes the program particularly relevant for families across Durham Region.
Parents looking for weekend activities beyond traditional entertainment will have another option that combines recreation with education.
The Reptilia Weekend Camp is designed for children interested in animals, science, conservation and potentially future careers involving zoology or animal care.
Reptilia says its camp programs are accredited through the Ontario Camps Association, which reflects established standards related to programming, safety and participant experiences.
Weekend Camp Dates Announced
The program is scheduled to run during several weekends throughout the school year.
Upcoming dates include:
- Sept. 19–20
- Oct. 17–18
- Nov. 21–22
- Dec. 12–13
- Jan. 16–17
- Feb. 20–21
The recurring schedule means families can choose among several dates rather than relying on a single event.
The camps will run at the Whitby, Vaughan and London Reptilia locations.
Program Extends Reptilia’s Camp Offerings
The new camp builds on Reptilia’s existing educational and seasonal programming.
Instead of limiting longer camp experiences to summer and school holidays, the weekend format provides regular opportunities during the academic year.
For children with a strong interest in reptiles, the camp offers more time to explore animal-related subjects than a typical short zoo visit.
It may also introduce participants to careers connected to zoology, animal care and conservation.
Registration Available Online
Families interested in the Reptilia Weekend Camp can register through Reptilia’s website.
Because the Whitby location serves Durham Region, local families may want to review available dates in advance and select the weekend that best fits their schedule.
The program adds another year-round family activity to Whitby while giving children a chance to learn about reptiles in an interactive environment.
With sessions scheduled from September through February, Reptilia’s newest camp aims to keep animal education going well beyond the traditional summer camp season.
