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Hours: 9am-4pm Wed-Sun. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in January and February except President's Day
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Scout Experiences
A wild way to reach scouting goals.

Scout Experiences

Registration Opens Soon!
Girl Scouts Summer Twilights

Summer Twilights are themed evening programs that allow Girl Scouts to explore the Zoo after hours and work toward their scouting goals.

Animal Discovery: For Brownies and Juniors. Take a hike around the Zoo and explore the world of animals like a scientist.

World of Insects: For Brownies, Juniors and Cadets. Be a true naturalist and study insects after dark. Learn how to attract and identify different insects.

Wildlife Conservation: For Juniors and Cadets. Go behind-the-scenes and learn about global and local conservation projects. Discover how you can make a difference for wildlife.

Zoo Vet: For Juniors and Cadets. Visit the Zoo’s veterinary hospital and learn what it takes to be a zoo vet.

Nocturnal Adventures for Scout groups, Clubs and More
Summer Safaris - Returning Summer 2023

Have you ever wanted to take an evening trek through the wild? At the Indianapolis Zoo, you can! During our Summer Safaris, you will discover the animals of Africa and beyond on this overnight adventure. You'll take an after-hours educational hike in the Plains area and go behind-the-scenes in the Zoo Commissary. Perfect for any age of Girl Scout troops, BSA troops or other groups.

Cost: $70 per person. Minimum 35 guests per session; maximum 100.

Nocturnal Adventures For Girl Scouts

Bunk for a Badge

Bunk for a Badge Overnights are Returning Summer of 2023. Registration Opens Soon!

The Bunk for a Badge program is specifically designed for Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors. Scouts will have fun earning a badge while spending the night at the Zoo. Choose between the Pets and Animal Habitats badge programs.

Cost: $70 per person. Minimum 35 guests per session; maximum 100.

Program Details

Each program includes all evening activities, evening snack, indoor sleeping accommodations, breakfast buffet, parking and admission to the Zoo for the day following your overnight.

  • Parking: Vehicles may unload luggage at the admission entrance of the Zoo. Vehicles staying overnight should park in the main Zoo lot.
  • Check-in Begins at 6:30pm: Zoo staff will meet overnight groups at the admission entrance to the Zoo. Participants should have all their overnight luggage with them. Zoo staff will direct groups where to put luggage. Luggage will not be taken to the evening activities, so be sure to keep anything you will need before bedtime with you. Each participant is responsible for getting their own luggage to the sleeping area.
  • Evening Activities: All program activities begin around 7:15pm.
  • Sleeping Arrangements: Your group will sleep in one of the designated sleeping areas, such as the Dolphin Gallery of the Hix Institute. The Zoo reserves the right to move your group’s sleeping area. At the end of the night’s activities, Zoo staff will review sleeping arrangements and safety procedures and answer any questions. Education staff will stay overnight. Zoo Security staff are on site 24 hours a day. Lights out is around 10:15pm.
  • Morning: A wake-up call is issued at 7am. Groups will pack up before breakfast. A breakfast buffet will be served starting at 7:30am. Following breakfast, luggage should be stored in vehicles until the end of the visit.
  • Animal Encounter: Zoo staff will guide groups to a private animal encounter area. Afterward, program participants are free to explore the Zoo on their own.
  • Additional Meals: Lunch or dinner can be provided for your group through the Zoo’s catering partner. Please call Centerplate at (317) 488-5555 for more information.

Important Requirements for Participation

  • Participants must be at least 6 years old to participate in any Indianapolis Zoo overnight program.
  • All participants must have a signed waiver of liability before beginning the program. Participants under the age of 18 must have their waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
  • All school and scout groups must provide a certificate of liability insurance.
  • Every attempt will be made to accommodate groups of all sizes, but minimum and maximum attendance levels are necessary to guarantee the quality of our programs.
    • Each session has a minimum attendance of 35 individuals (adults and youth) and a maximum of 100.
    • If you have a smaller group, you may sign up for a date to combine with another group.
    • If a date has not reached its minimum 30 days prior to the date of the event, the overnight may be cancelled. We will contact you to assist you with a refund or moving your group to an available date.
  • A deposit of $100 is due at time of registration with the remaining balance due 30 days prior to your program. A $25.00 processing fee is charged to change a reservation.
  • Refunds/cancellations: A 14-day cancellation notification is required to issue a full refund, minus the $100 deposit. We offer no refunds – partial or full – if your group cancels less than 14 days before the overnight date.