Zoo Camp
Put a wild twist on learning!

Zoo Camp

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Zoo Camp is a MUST-ZOO experience!

From learning about wild animals to careers in conservation, campers at the Indianapolis Zoo have a blast exploring and learning while making new friends! Zoo Camps are offered during school breaks during the year. Camps include outdoor exploration of the Zoo and special behind-the-scenes tours to meet animal ambassadors and members of the Zoo’s animal care team. Zoo Camps also foster curiosity and STEM-based skills such as investigation, collaboration, problem solving, communication and more through fun hands-on activities. 

Sign Up for Zoo Camps

Registration for the 2023 summer sessions is open.

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SUMMER SESSIONS

Dates: Throughout the summer 

Camp hours: 8am-4pm 

Cost: 

5-Day Programs: 

Zoo members: $261 per camp session
Nonmembers: $290 per camp session 

3-Day Programs: 

Zoo members: $184 per camp session
Nonmembers: $205 per camp session 

 

Ages 5-6 – Colorings and Coverings

Ages 7-8 – Wildlife Connections

Ages 9-10 – Animal Survivors

Ages 6-8 – Extreme Wildlife (Sold Out)

Ages 9-12 – Wildlife Heroes

Ages 13-14 – Wildlife Conservation

Ages 5-6 – Who Lives Where

Ages 7-8 – Wild Anatomy (Sold Out)

Ages 9-10 – Weird and Wonderful Adaptations

Ages 5-6 – Wild Senses and Defenses

Ages 7-8 – Animals Got Class

Ages 9-10 – Ocean Odyssey

Ages 5-6 – Colorings and Coverings

Ages 7-8 – Wildlife Connections

Ages 9-10 – Animal Survivors

Ages 6-8 – Extreme Wildlife (Sold Out)

Ages 9-10 – Ocean Odyssey

Ages 11-12 – Race to Save Wildlife

Ages 5-6 – Who Lives Where

Ages 7-8 – Wild Anatomy (Sold Out)

Ages 9-10 – Weird and Wonderful Adaptations

Ages 5-6 – Wild Senses and Defenses

Ages 7-8 – Animals Got Class

Ages 9-12 – Wildlife Heroes

Summer Zoo Camp Descriptions
  • Ages 5-6

    Colorings and Coverings  

    • Colors, stripes, spots, feathers, fur and even slime! What’s on the outside can tell you a lot about an animal’s lifestyle. Campers will explore the Zoo to spot animal colorings and coverings and discover how these help animals survive and thrive. 

    Who Lives Where?

    • From lions in Africa to penguins in Antarctica, our planet is full of life! Campers will explore the Zoo and hear stories from around the world to learn who lives where and what it takes for animals to thrive in each location. 

    Wild Senses and Defenses 

    • Nature is creative! From animals that smell with their tongues and taste with their skin to plants that smell like rotting flesh, living things sport some wild adaptations. Through fun activities and Zoo exploration, campers will learn many unusual ways that species survive and thrive! 
  • Ages 7-8

    Wildlife Connections 

    • The world contains diverse animals, plants, habitats and human cultures! Campers will explore a different part of the world each day and learn about the ways that wildlife and people live together.  

    Wild Anatomy  

    • A trunk for a nose? Eyes on the top of your head? Campers will investigate the ins and outs of cool animal anatomy. Through fun games and special Zoo tours, campers will discover how an animal’s unique body parts help them survive and thrive. 

    Animals Got Class  

    • Mammals, reptiles, fish, birds and more—there are many types of animals! Through fun activities and special tours, campers will learn how scientists’ group and sort animals, how animals are related and how we care for different kinds of animals at the Zoo. 
  • Ages 6-8

    Extreme Wildlife  

    • From blue tongues and heat detectors to stinging tentacles and night vision—animals have some extreme adaptations! Campers will explore the wild ways that animals survive and thrive, through fun hands-on activities and a behind-the-scenes Zoo tour. 
  • Ages 9-10

    Animal Survivors  

    • Explore animal adaptations and see how species face the challenges of a changing environment. Campers will participate in team challenges as they explore the amazing diversity of life on this planet and learn about animal survival strategies.

    Weird and Wonderful Adaptations 

    • Webbed feet, spines, suction cups and more—animal body parts can be pretty wild! Campers will explore some of the weird and wonderful ways that animals survive and thrive. Campers also will use their creative side to design their own animal with unique adaptations. 

    Ocean Odyssey  

    • Oceans make up 70% of the earth’s surface, but much of them remains a mystery! Campers will explore the depths of the ocean on an odyssey that includes fun activities and a behind-the-scenes Zoo tour. Learn about the many marine animals that live at the Zoo and how we care for them in our aquarium habitats. 

    Wildlife Heroes  

    • Not all heroes wear capes. Some trudge over ice or through mud, all to save the world’s wildlife! Campers will learn how conservationists protect wildlife and wild places for future generations, and they can discover their own path to becoming a wildlife superhero. 

     

  • Ages 11-12

    Race to Save Wildlife 

    • Many species on our planet are disappearing rapidly, and the race is on to save them! Campers will learn about endangered species and habitats while navigating team challenges to learn more about saving the world’s wildlife. 

    Wildlife Heroes  

    • Not all heroes wear capes. Some trudge over ice or through mud, all to save the world’s wildlife! Campers will learn how conservationists protect wildlife and wild places for future generations, and they can discover their own path to becoming a wildlife superhero. 
  • Ages 13-14

    Wildlife Conservation  

    • How do scientists help protect wildlife and wild places of planet Earth? Campers will explore different conservation projects, learn directly from experts and discover ways that they can take action to preserve wild species and places for future generations. 
Frequently Asked Questions About Zoo Camp
  • WHAT IS THE ZOO POLICY REGARDING COVID-19?

    Using guidance from the CDC, the Back on Track Indiana Plan and the American Camping Association (ACA), we had a fun and safe 2022 camp season. We are excited to continue to offer Zoo Camp in 2023 and will continue to follow any city, state and national guidelines. Masks are not required, but we recommend that masks be worn indoors. 

  • WHAT TIME DOES CAMP START? WHAT TIME DOES IT END?

    Spring, fall and winter camp sessions begin at 9am with drop off no earlier than 8:45am. Camp ends at 4pm with pick up by 4:15pm. 

    Summer sessions begin at 8am with drop off no earlier than 7:45am. Camp ends at 4pm with pick up by 4:15pm. 

  • WHAT DO CAMPERS DO DURING A TYPICAL DAY?

    Campers will participate in exciting activities, games, special tours, animal presentations and visits to see Zoo animals. Camp is the perfect mix of education and just pure fun at the Zoo! 

  • WHAT IS THE CHILD-TO-STAFF RATIO?

    For ages 5–10, camps have at least one adult staff member for every 10 youth. For ages 11 and up, the ratio is one staff member for every 12 youth. 

  • DO CAMPERS NEED TO PACK A LUNCH?

    Yes, campers will need to bring lunch, snacks and a water bottle every day of camp. 

  • DO YOU KEEP A WAITLIST FOR CAMP?

    Yes! Some of our camp sessions do fill up, but we encourage you to sign up for a waitlist if the session you are interested in is full. Camp reservations are refundable until April 1, so we do sometimes have cancellations and spaces become available. If a space becomes available for a camp you are waitlisted for, you’ll receive an e-mail notification and will be given the opportunity to confirm your spot and pay at that time. 

  • WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?

    The Zoo offers full refunds for our summer camp program through April 1. All cancellations after April 1 are nonrefundable. If unforeseen circumstances (such as emergencies) arise, refunds may be made on a case-by-case basis. If the Zoo must cancel a camp or a portion of a camp, the Zoo will refund for the canceled days. 

Camp Wait List

If the program you are interested in is full to capacity, you can sign up for our waitlist. Campers are pulled from the waitlist in the order they are received. If/when you are next in line, we will reach out to you via email and you will have 7 days to respond before we move to the next in line, so please give us a valid email that you check often.

SUMMER BREAK WAIT LIST