Yes! This summer the zoo will offer both in-person camps AND virtual tours for kids. Choose which experience is right for your family to experience the zoo in a whole new way!

Yes, we are offering virtual Zoo Tours for Kids.

Each session is led by a Zoo naturalist and includes a virtual tour of some of the animals in that specific area of the Zoo.

The Zoom information will be emailed to you by 3 pm the day before the virtual tour.

Yes, before care will be offered for morning, week-long camps from June 10-August 16. Before care runs from 8 a.m. until the camp starts in the morning.

After care will be offered for afternoon, week-long camps from June 10-August 16. After care runs from after their camps ends in the afternoon until 5:30 p.m.

For all day week-long camps, before and after care are offered. You will see this option during your online registration.

We have a variety of animals that are safe for handling by our trained staff. Campers will see these animals up-close throughout the week. During these experiences, the campers will be expected to be respectful to the animals. If a camper is uncomfortable with an animal, they are not required to be near that animal.

The Minnesota Zoo will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all its programs, services, and activities. To request an accommodation, please contact us as soon as possible after camp registration or a minimum of two weeks prior to your camp. Submit requests to Web: MNZoo.org/Accessibility Phone: 952.431.9364 (voice), 952.431.9390 (voice), or 1.800.627.3529 (TTY) Email: [email protected].

Weeklong Zoo Camp participants will receive one complimentary camp t-shirt when they arrive on their first day of camp. Single-day campers will receive a t-shirt each day of camp. Zoo Camp t-shirts MUST be worn each day of camp. T-shirts serve as camper name tags and enable instructors to keep campers together while walking through out the Zoo. Extra t-shirts may be available to purchase during camp at$15/shirt (only exact cash payment can be accepted).

No. 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.

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 6 at 10 am: Zoo Members

February 13 at 10 am: General Public

No. Registration requires signing legal waivers for each camper. Members may only register and sign for campers covered by their membership and are not eligible to sign up their child's friend for camp.

Sign your child up according to the grade level they will be entering in the fall.

No. In order 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. There is a maximum of 5 people allowed per waiting list. If a spot were to open up, the Education Scheduler would 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 be provided with the following waivers:

Liability Waiver

Photo Waiver

Behavior Waiver

We do not offer a multiple child discount. We do offer a discount for Minnesota Zoo members.

Yes, we do have scholarships available as funds allow. Visit our scholarship page for more information.

Please review our Cancellation, Weather and Transfer Policy. You may contact our Education Scheduler at [email protected] or 952.431.9390 for more information.

Parents 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 area by a parent or other caregiver. A parent or other authorized adult must sign their child in and out every day (with a photo ID). Please see the camp confirmation for details.

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 5-10 minutes early with their instructor at one location (if one of the locations is the farm, we recommend going there first) and then drive over to the other location to drop off the other child. Same thing with pick up, feel free to come 5-10 minutes early to pick up your child and then drive around and pick up the other child.

Snack: Campers are encouraged to bring their own peanut-free and nut-free snacks each day as we will still offer snack time(s). Due to the high prevalence of food allergies, Zoo Camp does NOT provide snacks for campers. 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 be in camp all day needs 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 are not allowed to purchase lunches from the Zoo’s food court during camp.

We cannot guarantee a peanut-free 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 registration. To discuss concerns or potential accommodations, please contact [email protected] or call 952.431.9390.

Be sure to fill out all relevant information during your online registration and discuss any additional concerns with your camp instructor. The more information you can add to the registration, the better our instructors can prepare for your child’s needs.

The Medication Permission Form MUST be completed if your child needs to take any medications during their time at Zoo Camp.

If your child is going to miss a day of camp, please email [email protected] so we can let the instructor know. Although not required, it is appreciated. 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 tends to have 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 your camper in and leave. You are not able to stay. Most campers, even the ones that have a difficult time at sign 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, laptop computers, iPods, or CD players as electronic devices detract from the benefits of being in a natural environment. Toys should also stay at home.

Cell phones and other electronic devices are allowed in Zoo Camp ONLY if used as cameras and use does not disengage camper or others from camp activities. However, taking pictures of other campers and guests is prohibited.

The Zoo is not responsible for misplaced items. Campers should also 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 photos are to 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 pictures and/or information may be used by the news media (wire services, newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and online computer 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.