One hump or two? Discover the difference between dromedary and Bactrian camels and find out what those humps are all about.

Fri, May 31

Wed, July 3

You “otter” join us for some fun! Slip-slide through the Zoo, visiting our otter friends from around the world.

Thurs, May 30

Mon, July 1

Meet our Minnesota black bears and the brown bears of Russia’s Grizzly Coast as we discover their “bear” necessities.

Thurs, May 30

Fri, July 3

Let's all roar for dinosaurs! Learn about these amazing animals that once roamed the Earth and the fossils they left behind.

Tues, May 28

Tues, July 2

Are dragons real? Komodo dragons are! Come learn about them and other cool lizards.

Fri, May 31

Meet our llamas and their camel cousins, with their big eyes, long eyelashes, and thick fur. Get up close and see just how curious and social they can be.

Thurs, May 30

Mon, July 1

Observe the antics of our many monkeys while identifying the similarities and differences between primates.

Thurs, May 30

Tues, July 2

Come see for yourself the amazing different shapes, colors, and sizes within the world of birds!

Wed, May 29

Wed, July 3

Plunge into the watery world of these energetic black and white birds as you learn what they eat, how they hunt, and much more!

Fri, May 31

Mon, July 1

Trek through the tropics as a rainforest explorer and encounter many unique animals.

Tues, May 28

Mon, July 1

Sharks are perfect predators. Their sharp teeth and sensational senses may surprise you!

Wed, May 29

Wed, July 3

Slither into the snake world and discover why these reptiles are so helpful and significant.

Wed, May 29

Tues, July 2

What’s black and orange and striped from head to toe? That’s right—a tiger! Learn how they compare to your pet cats at home.

Wed, May 29

Tues, July 2

Dive into the sea for an imaginary trip with a sea turtle and discover the underwater world of these remarkable reptiles.

Fri, May 31

Mon, July 1

Sea stars, sea horses, and sea turtles, oh my! Discover why “down where it’s wetter, that’s where it’s better” as we explore the colorful world of the coral reef.

Tues, May 28

Tues, July 2

From the Big Bad Wolf to Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf has received quite an undeserved reputation. Meet our pack as we prove these stories wrong.

Tues, May 28

Wed, July 3

Explore our farm with a different barnyard buddy each day! Puppets introduce campers to cows, sheep, goats, pigs, and horses as they discover how we take care of each of these animals. This camp is based at our Nature Preschool on the Farm.
June 10–14
June 24–28
July 15–19
July 29–August 2
August 12–16

Soar, swim, or stomp on over to Dino Hideout, our dinosaur exhibit and nature play area. Explore and learn about these incredible creatures of our past by getting up close and personal with life-size animatronic dinosaurs like Triceratops and T-Rex. It’s sure to be a roarin’ good time!
June 17–21
July 8–12
August 5–9

Bring your sense of adventure as you explore the farm and the surrounding woods! Meet our resident farm animals, go on nature walks, visit the outdoor classroom, create nature art, and play in the Hanifl Family Wild Woods nature playground. This camp is based at our Nature Preschool on the Farm.
June 17–21
July 8–12
July 22–26
August 5–9
August 19–23

Nature will provide our space and supplies in this outdoor summer adventure! Build a fort, create a “rock” band, and dig like prairie dogs while exploring the great outdoors.
June 3–7
June 24–28
July 29–August 2

Join us as we spy animals from around the world. Discover what makes a fish a fish, a mammal a mammal, and much, much more—each day will be a surprise!
June 3–7
June 10–14
July 15–19

Trek through the tropics as a rainforest explorer and encounter many unique animals. Find brightly colored fish, hear noisy monkeys, and sing with the birds on our rainforest safari.
June 3–7
July 22–26
August 26–30

Meet a different animal friend each day and discover where the wild things live! Explore the tropical habitat of a snake, the underwater world of a shark, and where a raccoon may roam to find a home sweet home!
June 3–7
June 24–28
August 12–16

Discover the undersea world of sea otters, fish, sharks, and other ocean creatures living at the Zoo. There’s nothing more important than fins, scales, and scutes.
June 3–7
June 17–21
August 19–23

Explore the wonder of our Wells Fargo Family Farm by viewing farm animals up close, playing fun farm games, and as our sheep say—have a “bla-a-a-ast.” This camp is based at our Nature Preschool on the Farm.
June 10–14
June 24–28
July 15–19
July 29–August 2
August 12–16

Explore the farm and the surrounding woods! Enjoy close-up animal experiences, hikes, nature art, and playing at the Hanifl Family Wild Woods nature playground. This camp is based at our Nature Preschool on the Farm.
June 17–21
July 8–12
July 22–26
August 5–9
August 19–23

Children and animals are naturally playful, but play is serious business! By the end of the week, we’ll understand why play and cooperation are not only important for kids but also necessary for animal survival.

June 17–21

July 22–26

August 5–9

August 26–30

Dinosaurs are here! Join us as we learn about these amazing creatures that roamed the Earth so long ago. We’ll explore our dinosaur exhibit and visit the Zoo animals to discover what they have in common.

June 10–14

July 15–19

July 29–August 2

August 12–16

For animals, a good disguise or sudden surprise comes in handy every day. What’s the secret behind animal “tricks” like playing dead, rolling into a ball, and showing off? Discover how animals are designed to be masters of deception.

July 8–12

August 5–9

August 19–23

Dive into an underwater world teeming with sea turtles, sharks, and seahorses. Each day, explore a different ocean habitat including coral reefs, tide pools, and estuaries.

June 10–14

June 24–28

July 22–26

August 19–23

Would you like to work at the Zoo? Explore and role-play jobs at the Zoo and see the grown-ups in action. If you imagine yourself caring for bears, training sea otters, or studying tigers, then this camp is for you.

June 10–14

July 15–19

August 12–16

August 26–30

Tromp through the tropics, journey through the grasslands, and “swim” through the oceans to observe animals like real zoologists.

June 24–28

July 8–12

July 29–August 2

August 19–23

To be the best, you need to do more than catch ’em all—you need to understand your monsters! Explore the “monsters” at the Zoo that inspired the playing cards. Learn where they come from and what special powers help them survive.

June 24–28

July 22–26

August 5–9

Make glue from milk and transform wool into clothing. Explore the amazing connections people have with farm animals through close-up encounters. Explore other areas of the Zoo while on the lookout for our farm animals’ wild counterparts.

June 10–14

June 24–28

July 15–19

July 29–August 2

August 12–16

Learn techniques used by paleontologists to try to unlock the mysteries of the past. A recreated dig site will be our classroom for a truly hands-on experience.

June 24–28

July 15–19

July 29–August 2

August 26–30

Animals use the sun, the moon, and Earth’s magnetic field to find their way. How about you? Create a map, use a compass, and solve a Zoo treasure hunt with GPS. Explore the incredible ways animals use their own internal navigation system.

June 10–14

July 8–12

July 22–26

August 5–9

August 19–23

Pack your field bag and camera (both provided) to explore Zoo animals and the countries their wild kin call home. Practice taking photos and field notes to help see animals in a whole new light. A link to view and download camper photos will be emailed at the end of camp. Our animals are ready for their close-up—are you?

June 17–21

July 8–12

July 22–26

August 12–16

Splashing! Experiments! Adventure! Explore water and its wildlife in both marine and freshwater environments at the Zoo! Visit our aquarium, slosh and search for creatures in the marsh, investigate water invaders, perform experiments, and play water games. Please bring a bag each day with extra clothes and shoes that can get wet/muddy.

June 10–14

July 15–19

July 29–August 2

August 12–16

August 26–30

Embark on mysterious missions with Jack and Annie as your guides (based on the “Magic Tree House” series by Mary Pope Osborne). From the tropical rainforest to the depths of the ocean, you never know what you’ll discover!

June 17–21

July 15–19

July 29–August 2

August 12–16

August 26–30

Bring the virtual world to life as you meet the animals that inspired the mobs! Put your “creative mode” to work as you create a 3D model inspired by your Zoo experience.

June 17–21

July 8–12

August 5–9

August 19–23

Welcome to a world of constant change. Meet the creatures of this wonderful watery world and explore their awesome abilities to survive and thrive—despite all the commotion.
June 17–21
July 8–12
July 22–26
July 29–August 2

Get ready for some delicious fun on the farm. See farm animals up close, discover the role farming plays in producing pizza ingredients, and celebrate the week with a pizza party!
June 17–21
July 8–12
July 22–26
August 5–9
August 19–23

How do your survival skills match up to the “fittest” in the animal kingdom? Study the perplexities of animal survival and animal care, especially those who call Minnesota home.
June 10–14
June 24–28
July 22–26
August 5–9

A crime has been committed. The victim... wildlife! Can you identify the perpetrator? Learn about the problems facing wildlife while exploring the skills and tools scientists use to track down criminals. Put on your detective hat and join us.
June 17–21
July 15–19
August 12–16

Have you ever wanted to study plants and animals in the wild? Spend a week in the Zoo’s backwoods using tools of the trade and testing your outdoor skills while investigating a research question of your choice. Minnesota’s diverse ecosystems will help you dive deeper into this exciting career.
June 24–28
July 15–19
July 29–August 2

Come to the Zoo to explore a variety of marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, estuaries, and tide pools. Learn about some of the problems marine life faces today and real-world solutions that people are putting into place. This camp will give campers a better understanding of how zoos play a role in marine conservation.
June 17–21
July 22–26
August 12–16

Engineers, designers, and scientists work every day to design solutions for wildlife. Test your skills with design challenges while learning about real-world conservation issues—around the world and right in your own neighborhood.
June 10–14
July 8–12
August 5–9

Learn more about the life of our animal care staff, veterinarians, animal trainers, and aquarists to see if the Zoo is the place for you. Make animal enrichment items and get up close to animals as you help with their care. Come join the crew!
June 10–14
June 17–21
June 24–28
July 8–12
July 15–19
July 22–26
July 29–August 2

What lies beneath the ocean surface? In this in-depth and hands-on camp, discover the diversity of life found in ocean communities. Practice your science skills with dissections and other hands-on activities.
June 10–14
July 15–19

Get a glimpse into the most popular major for zoo professionals. The animal kingdom is a big and fascinating world to discover, and the Zoo is the perfect place to investigate. Explore the diversity of the animal kingdom through special talks and animal behavior studies. (No dissections will be performed in this camp.)
June 24–28
July 29–August 2

Time: 1:30 pm–4:30 pm

Dive into an underwater world teeming with sea turtles, sharks, and seahorses. Each day, explore a different ocean habitat including coral reefs, tide pools, and estuaries.

Fee: $325 $225 (Camp prices reduced this year thanks to Minnesota Zoo's scholarship fund.)

June 17–21

Time: 1:30 pm–4:30 pm

Pack your field bag and camera (both provided) to explore Zoo animals and the countries their wild kin call home. Practice taking photos and field notes to help see animals in a whole new light. A link to view and download camper photos will be emailed at the end of camp. Our animals are ready for their close-up—are you?

Fee: $325 $225 (Camp prices reduced this year thanks to Minnesota Zoo's scholarship fund.)

June 24–28

Time: 8:30 am–11:30 am

Get a glimpse into the most popular major for zoo professionals. The animal kingdom is a big and fascinating world to discover, and the Zoo is the perfect place to investigate. Explore the diversity of the animal kingdom through special talks and animal behavior studies. (No dissections will be performed in this camp.)

Fee: $325 $225 (Camp prices reduced this year thanks to Minnesota Zoo's scholarship fund.)

July 8–12

June 10
June 12
June 14
June 24
June 25
June 27
July 16
July 17
July 18
July 19
July 29
July 31
August 2
August 8 - just added
August 12
August 13
August 14 - just added
August 15

June 11

June 13

June 17

June 18

June 26

June 28

July 10

July 11

July 15

July 22

July 24

July 30

August 1

August 7

August 9

August 14

August 16

August 19

August 22

August 23

June 20

July 9

July 12

July 25

July 26

August 5

August 21

June 21

July 8

July 23

August 6

August 8

August 20

Take a “dive” into the ocean with this live interactive tour of Discovery Bay. Our naturalists will introduce you to the sharks, rays, fish, and mammals that call the Minnesota Zoo home!
June 25
July 30

Explore the diversity of the tropics from the comfort of your home! During this engaging virtual tour, naturalists will introduce you to animals that call the Tropics Trail home!
June 27
August 1

Minnesota is home to some AMAZING animals. Join our naturalist on this live tour to introduce you to some animals that you don't see everyday but call Minnesota home.
July 16
August 6

Experience the Llama Trek and other nearby habitats like never before! In this naturalist-led virtual tour we will meet some llamas and other quirky creatures who call the Minnesota Zoo home!
July 18
August 8