School's Out Camp

Looking for a fun activity for your child to do while school is on a break? We would love for you to spend your break days here at Zoo Camp!

Registration is limited!

These in-person programs for 1st-5th grade campers are limited to ensure high-quality programs! Please register early!

Grades 1-2 Camps (Winter Break):

Extreme Animals School’s Out Camp is offered over Winter break on school’s out days of December 22-23 and December 29-30 for 1st to 2nd graders. The camp runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Campers can register for one or both two-day sessions.

Every day is exciting in the animal world! Whether they are extremely slow, extremely big or just extremely unique, animals are equipped to do some AMAZING things! Through hands-on activities, up close encounters, challenging experiments, and exploring the trails, participants will discover just how incredible life can be when nature goes extreme.

Extreme Animals:
Monday and Tuesday, December 22-23 Theme: Animals of Sky and Land
Monday and Tuesday, December 29-30 Theme: Animals of Ocean and Cold
Fee: $160 Members/$170 Non-members per two-day session

Registration closes at noon the day before the camp starts.

Grades 3-5 Camps (Winter Break):

Cool Creatures & Cold Science School’s Out Camp is offered over Winter break on school’s out days of December 22-23 and December 29-30 for 3rd to 5th graders. The camp runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Campers can register for one or both two-day sessions.

Bundle up and explore the science of survival! At the Minnesota Zoo’s Cool Creatures & Cold Science STEM camp, young scientists will dive into the frosty world of animal adaptations, winter energy, and cold-weather engineering. Hands-on experiments, zoo animal visits, and creative STEM challenges make this camp a perfect mix of cool science and wild fun!

Cool Creatures & Cold Science:
Monday and Tuesday, December 22-23 Theme: Arctic Architects
Monday and Tuesday, December 29-30 Theme: Cold Blooded and Warm Designs
Fee: $160 Members/$170 Non-members per two-day session

Registration closes at noon the day before the camp starts.

FAQs

Snacks, Lunch (not provided) and Food Allergies

Due to the high prevalence of food allergies, Zoo Camp does not provide snacks for campers. Campers are encouraged to bring their own peanut-free and nut-free snack (2 per day) each day as we will offer two 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.

We cannot guarantee a nut-free environment at the Zoo as guests often bring their own food items containing nuts, 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 registration.

Campers need to bring a lunch with them daily. 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 will NOT be allowed to purchase lunches from the Zoo’s food court.

To discuss concerns or potential accommodations, please contact [email protected].

Health and Medication Policy

Children should only attend camp if they are able to participate in activities with reasonable comfort. If your child is feeling unwell, we encourage to keep your child at home. Please take a moment to review our camp Health Policy.

The Medication Permission Form MUST be completed if your child needs to take any medications during their time at Zoo Camp. No medications should be taken by children without a completed form.

Behavior Policy and Photo and Liability Waivers

These are the policies/waivers that you will see during your online registration.

Behavior Policy

Photo Waiver 

Liability Waiver

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