Zoo Camp Information

Thank you for choosing the Minnesota Zoo as your trusted summer camp destination—where natural wonder and discovery awaits!

Camp Registration Dates

Online Registration Opens:
February 6, 2024 at 10 AM for Zoo Members
February 13, 2024 at 10 AM for the General Public

Camp Information

Current members must use their existing web login email to receive the membership discount. Please log in before adding anything to your cart. Registration only takes place online and full payment is due immediately. In order to receive the member rate, your Zoo membership must be current (not lapsed) before you register. Registration requires signing legal waivers for each camper. Members may only register and sign for campers covered by their membership.

Member registration opens for in-person camps at 10 am on February 6, 2024. An online waiting room will be available starting at 9:30 am that day. If you sign on between 9:30 and 10 am, once registration opens at 10 am, your spot in line will be randomly generated. If you sign on after 10 am, registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the high volume of users, please expect to experience a long wait in our waiting room.

Many camps sell out quickly. Please be prepared with a couple of camps or date options. A waitlist may be available for full camps. If a spot becomes available, the scheduler will contact the first person on the list and continue until the spot is filled.

Accessibility

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].

MNZoo4All App

Download our free MNZoo4All: A Sensory Guide from your app store if you have a child who might benefit from social guides, visual schedules, sensory-friendly maps, and more.

Order Confirmations

You will receive an order confirmation by email within 24 hours of registration. If you do not receive an order confirmation, check your spam folder periodically to see if it was accidentally sent there, or email [email protected] for assistance. In your order confirmation, you'll see a link to a document with all the details about where to drop off and what to bring for camp.

Scholarships

As funds allow, need-based scholarships are available that cover 75% of camp costs. For more eligibility information and to complete an online application go to  mnzoo.org/scholarships. Applications must be submitted before January 26 to be considered. Scholarship funds are limited!

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Cancellations made more than two weeks prior to the program will receive a refund of 75% of the program fee. No refunds will be issued less than two weeks prior to the program. A transfer to a similar program may be possible if requested at least one week prior to the program. No transfers are allowed within one week of the program start date. Refunds will not be issued for no-shows for any camp program regardless of cause. To cancel or request a transfer, please contact [email protected] or call 952.431.9390.

Camp Confirmation - where to go and what to bring

Your in-person camp confirmation contains important and time-saving information about what to bring and where to drop off and pick up your child from camp. Please read this information carefully as there are multiple drop off locations at the Zoo for the Summer Camp program. This information will also be included as a link in the email order confirmation you receive.

If you signed up for the Virtual Tour for Kids here is the document that will be linked in your order confirmation.

Before Care and After Care Supervision

Before Care Supervision

Available for weeklong camps from June 10 through August 16.

Drop-off is at the Main South Entrance. 8 am to camp start time, $35 per week.

After Care Supervision

Available for weeklong camps from June 10 through August 16.

Pick-up is at the Main South Entrance. Camp end time to 5:30 pm, $45 per week.

Zoo Camp T-shirts

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 throughout the Zoo. Extra t-shirts may be available to purchase during camp at$15/shirt (only exact cash payment can be accepted).

Snacks and Food Allergies

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.

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].

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 summer 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

Additional FAQs

Please check out our most common frequently asked questions (FAQ). For additional assistance, please contact [email protected].

2024 Summer Camp Catalog PDF

We will not be mailing out a Summer Zoo Camp catalog, but do have it here in pdf format for you to see or print out. Alternatively, you can also view our camp offerings on our Summer Zoo Camp webpage.

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