Friday, May 9, 2025: Freshwater Turtles
Why did the turtle cross the road? Learn the real reasons and more in this ‘turtley’ hands-on program. Compare local and global turtle species, meet Zoo turtles, and practice techniques used by our turtle conservation team to learn more about freshwater turtles and their habits.

Saturday, July 12, 2025: Pollinators
Pollinators have been all the ‘buzz’ lately, and rightfully so! Get an in-depth look into local and global pollinators and how you can help them. Explore bees and other pollinators, local research projects, and best practices for pollinators in your own yard or local green spaces.

Friday, September 5, 2025: Prairie Butterflies
The iconic monarch butterfly has been a flagship species for pollinator habitat, prairies, and other imperiled butterflies like the Dakota skipper and Poweshiek Skipperling. Explore some of these butterflies’ connections to Minnesota and the Zoo, see how our Conservation team studies and cares for them, and practice some basic butterfly ID and community science.

Saturday, November 22, 2025: Otters & Kin
Slide into the world of fluffy, playful, otterly incredible animals! Compare otters to their mustelid cousins, visit our resident Zoo otter habitats and see where their food is prepared, make mustelid enrichment, and have a chance to feel what is scientifically considered to be the softest fur on the planet. Note: petting/feeding live otters is not part of this program.

Friday, January 9, 2026: Mussels & More
Mussels are so much more than an arguably tasty treat enjoyed by people and otters. Help celebrate Minnesota Zoo’s mussel weekend with the Zoo’s Mussel Biologist and a Zoo naturalist! Explore native mussels and their threats, other wildlife that relies on mussels and lives in mussel habitats, and how you can help. Measure and tag live Zoo mussels and go behind-the-scenes to see active mussel research and reintroduction preparation at the Zoo.
Note: this camp takes place in non-public areas and over half of this camp will be either outdoors or in a ~50 degree building.
Meeting Location for the Mussels & More Adult Camp: Minnesota Zoo's Gate 2 (see directions in your email confirmation)