Zoo Camp Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the questions below to reveal the answers.
No, we have discontinued our summer virtual tour option.
Yes, before-care will be offered for morning, weeklong camps from June 8-August 14. The fee is $40 per child/per weeklong camp. Before-care runs from 8 a.m. until the camp starts in the morning. There is no before-care the week of June 29-July 2.
After care will be offered for afternoon, weeklong camps from June 8-August 14. The fee is $40 per child/per weeklong camp. After-care runs from after their camp ends in the afternoon until 5 p.m. There is no after-care the week of June 29-July 2.
For full-day, weeklong camps, before- and after-care are offered. You will see this option during your online registration.
Please review our Cancellation, Weather and Transfer Policy.
We have a variety of animals that are safe for handling by our trained staff. Campers may see these animals up-close throughout the week. During these experiences, the campers are expected to be respectful to the animals. If a camper is uncomfortable with an animal, they are not required to be near that animal.
Zoo Camp participants will receive one complimentary camp t-shirt when they arrive on their first day of camp. Please choose your child’s size for their free camp shirt during the online registration. Campers MUST wear their Zoo Camp T-shirt every day. T-shirts serve as camper name tags and enable instructors to keep campers together while walking throughout the Zoo. Extra T-shirts may be available to purchase during their camp at the Zoo for $20/shirt (only exact cash payment is accepted).
Not usually. Camps continue rain or shine. Campers tour the Zoo in the rain, so dress your camper appropriately. Raincoats and hats are recommended. Umbrellas are not recommended as they can poke children in the face when in groups and can obscure the view of other campers. In the rare occasion of severe weather, the Minnesota Zoo will contact scheduled participants if the program is cancelled. If severe weather occurs during camp, campers are brought indoors to a secure location. Our health and safety team monitors the weather and assists as needed.
The Minnesota Zoo will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities or support needs have an equal opportunity to enjoy all our programs, services, and activities. To request an accommodation, please contact us as soon as possible or a minimum of two weeks prior to your camp. Submit requests to Web: MNZoo.org/Accessibility. Phone: 651.539.6596 (voice) or 1.800.627.3529 (TTY) Email: [email protected].
Campers must be able to:
> Move around campus on their own.
> Toilet independently.
> Always remain with their group.
Staff Ratios
> All camp instructors are education professionals with experience working with children in educational settings.
> Paid staff to camper ratios vary based on age of participants and camp theme; these range from 1:8 for our youngest campers to 1:16 for our middle and high school campers, not including paraprofessionals.
> In addition to paid staff, we have volunteers participate in camps as well as paraprofessionals who float between camps.
> Camp instructors have received training from the Autism Society of Minnesota, so are well versed in modifying classroom situations.
If your camper needs 1:1 support for participation and/or safety, a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) must accompany your camper. Below are some important facts about PCAs.
> A PCA can be a Professional PCA or a trusted adult (18+) provided by the family/guardian.
> They must stay with camper at all times.
> They are responsible for the camper’s needs and behavioral issues.
> They are not responsible for other campers.
> They must complete our PCA form on first day of camp.
Visual Schedules
> Schedules are posted on the board each day and referenced to aid in transitions.
> Gentle reminders and time checks are provided to help campers transition to different activities.
Social Guides
> Camp
We have limited quantities of the following support items available. Campers are encouraged to bring any supports from home that have been beneficial in the past.
Note: please be advised that there is major construction happening at the Zoo this summer. If your child has sensory sensitivities, please send appropriate sensory tools along with them.
> Noise-cancelling headphones
> Ear plugs
> Nose plugs
> Fidgets
Be sure to fill out all relevant information during your online registration and submit an ADA Accommodation Form if necessary. You may also discuss any additional concerns with your camp instructor at drop off. The more information you can add to the registration, the better our instructors can prepare for your child’s needs.
Due to the high prevalence of food allergies, Zoo Camp does not provide food for campers. All campers are requested to bring peanut-free and nut-free snacks and lunch. We cannot guarantee a peanut- and nut-free environment at the Zoo as guests often bring their own food items, and nuts are a regular part of our animal diets. Nuts may also be used during animal demonstrations in the classrooms as positive reinforcement. Please disclose all participant food allergies during your online registration. To request potential accommodations, please complete the Accommodations Request Form.
The Medication Permission Form MUST be completed (for each camp your child is attending) if your child needs to take any medications during their time at Zoo Camp. If your child needs assistance applying bug spray/sunscreen, it should be done prior to drop-off, as staff do not apply these items.
No medications should be taken by children during camp without a form.
Please register online at mnzoo.org/zoocamp. As part of the Minnesota Zoo’s environmentally friendly initiatives, Zoo Camp registration is only available online through our website. Members must be logged in to their member account to access member pricing. Registrations over the phone are not available.
Online Registration Opens:
February 3, 2026 at 10 a.m.: Zoo Members
February 10, 2026 at 10 a.m.: General Public
To ensure as many children as possible can experience camp, registration is limited to two weeklong camps per child between February 3–10, 2026. After February 10, 2026 you can sign up for as many camps as you want based on availability.
No. Registration requires signing legal waivers for each camper. Each family may only sign up those family members that are in their household. Members may only register and sign for campers covered by their membership and are not eligible to sign up their child's friend, cousin, etc. for camp. "Plus"-level memberships are valid to have an extra person join you for a visit to the Zoo, but not to register an extra person who is not named on your account.
Sign up your child according to the grade level they will be entering in the fall.
No. To provide age-appropriate activities and instruction to all campers, campers must register for the grade level they will enter in the fall. Activities in our camps are tailored to the age levels of the children in the group. Making exceptions to our grade level groupings poses challenges for campers, staff, and other parents.
Once a camp is full, a waiting list option may be available. If the camp is sold out the waiting list will open. There is a maximum of 5 people allowed per waiting list. If the waiting list says "SOLD OUT" then there are no more spots left on the waiting list. If the waiting list says "ADD TO CART" then you can register to be on the waiting list.
If a spot were to open (someone cancels their registration), the Education staff will contact the first person on the waiting list and go down the list until the spot is filled. If you are not contacted, then a spot has not become available.
Those registering for camp will see the following waivers during their online registration:
We do not offer a multiple-child discount. We do offer a discount for Minnesota Zoo members.
The Minnesota Zoo is offering need-based scholarships that cover 75% of camp costs. Scholarship funds are limited!
- Application Dates: January 2–16, 2026
- Lottery Selection: Scholarship recipients will be selected through a random lottery process.
Visit our scholarship page for more information.
Please review our Cancellation, Weather and Transfer Policy. You may contact our Education staff at [email protected] or 952.431.9390 for more information.
Parents/caregivers are responsible for their child’s timely arrival and departure. When registering your child for camp you must provide us with a list of authorized adults who can pick up your child. The Minnesota Zoo requires all children in camp to be escorted to and from the Zoo Camp drop-off and pick-up location by a parent or other caregiver. A parent or other authorized adult must sign the camper in and out every day and provide a photo ID. Please see the camp confirmation for details. This is the same document you received in your order confirmation after you registered.
If you are late picking up your camper, you will be charged a late fee. The fee is $20 for every 15 minutes – or a fraction thereof – that you are late after the required pick-up time. Late fees will be charged to your credit card on file.
When you registered online, you received an order confirmation with all the details for camp.
If you have children that have different drop-off locations that start camp at the exact same time, you are welcome to drop off the first child 5 minutes early at one location and then drive to the other location to drop off the other child (if one of the locations is the farm, we recommend going there first). Same thing with pick up, feel free to come 5 minutes early to pick up your child and then drive to pick up the other child. It is helpful to let the instructors know that you are dropping off multiple campers.
Snack: Due to the high prevalence of food allergies, Zoo Camp does not provide snacks for campers. However, campers are encouraged to bring two (only one for half-day camps) peanut- and nut-free snacks each day for snack times. Please avoid peanut butter, granola bars, or baked goods with peanuts, trail mix, Nutella, or any Nutella-based items. “Soy nut” butter and sunflower seed butter are great alternatives to peanut butter.
Lunch: Any child who will is registered for a full-day camp needs to bring lunch with them every day. Please provide a peanut-free and nut-free lunch. Refrigeration of lunches is not provided. Please consider bringing their lunch and water in reusable containers to avoid excess waste. Campers are not allowed to purchase lunches from the Zoo’s food court during camp.
We cannot guarantee a peanut- and nut-free environment at the Zoo as guests often bring their own food items, and nuts are a regular part of our animal diets. Nuts may also be used during animal demonstrations in the classrooms as positive reinforcement. Please disclose all participant food allergies during your online registration. To request potential accommodations, please complete the Accommodations Request Form.
Be sure to fill out all relevant information during your online registration and submit an ADA Accommodation Form if necessary. You may also discuss any additional concerns with your camp instructor at drop off. The more information you can add to the registration, the better our instructors can prepare for your child’s needs.
Due to the high prevalence of food allergies, Zoo Camp does not provide food for campers. All campers are requested to bring peanut-free and nut-free snacks and lunch. We cannot guarantee a peanut- and nut-free environment at the Zoo as guests often bring their own food items, and nuts are a regular part of our animal diets. Nuts may also be used during animal demonstrations in the classrooms as positive reinforcement. Please disclose all participant food allergies during your online registration. To request potential accommodations, please complete the Accommodations Request Form.
The Medication Permission Form MUST be completed (for each camp your child is attending) if your child needs to take any medications during their time at Zoo Camp. If your child needs assistance applying bug spray/sunscreen, it should be done prior to drop-off, as staff do not apply these items.
No medications should be taken by children during camp without a form.
Children should only attend camp if they are able to participate in activities with reasonable comfort. If your child is feeling unwell, we encourage you to keep your child at home. Here is the Health Policy.
If your child is going to miss a day of camp, please email [email protected] so we can let the instructor know. Please review our Cancellation, Weather and Transfer Policy.
Please review our Cancellation, Weather and Transfer Policy.
It is perfectly normal for young children to be anxious about camp. If this is your child's first time away from you or if you know your child has a difficult time with separation, it is helpful to prepare them for the experience prior to the first day of camp. Please keep in mind that at drop-off, you will sign in your camper and leave. You are not able to stay. Most campers, even the ones that have a difficult time at check-in, love camp. You are always welcome to call the office at 952.431.9390 during camp to check how your camper is doing, and you can be assured that we will call you if there is an issue. There are no refunds if your child isn't able to handle the camp experience on their own.
Zoo campers should not bring electronic games or handheld consoles as these devices detract from the benefits of being in a natural environment. Toys should also stay home.
Cell phones, tablets, and other electronic devices are allowed in Zoo Camp ONLY if used as cameras and their use does not disengage camper or others from camp activities. However, taking photos or videos of other campers and guests is prohibited.
The Zoo is not responsible for misplaced items. Campers should avoid bringing jewelry or other irreplaceable items. Please do not send money with campers as they are not permitted to purchase any items from concession stands or gift shops. Campers should not bring sporting equipment, weapons, drugs, or alcohol. If this occurs, parents will be contacted for immediate dismissal and pick up without a refund.
The images may be used by the Minnesota Zoo and its partners for publicity and educational purposes, including, but not limited to, brochures, reports, programs, catalogs, and other promotional items. In addition, these images and/or information may be used by the news media (wire services, newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and online news services). For the safety of our campers, names are not included with the photos.
The photo waiver is available to agree/disagree with during your online registration.
To discuss any additional questions, please contact [email protected] or call 952.431.9390.
13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952.431.9200
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