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.
Registration for the 2023 spring and summer sessions is open.
Dates: Weeks of March 27-31 and April 3-7
Camp hours: 9am-4pm
Nonmembers: $290
Members: $261
Nonmembers: $285-$385
Members: $256-$356
6-8 years old
9-12 years old
10-14 years old
10-14 years old
6-8 years old
9-12 years old
10-14 years old
10-14 years old
The Zoo is home to many species. Campers will discover what it takes to be part of a team that cares for a wild mix of animals! Through games, activities, Zoo exploration and behind-the-scenes tours, campers will explore just how fun science can be when it comes to wildlife and wild places.
The world is full of clever animals! Campers will explore the science of animal intelligence and how the Zoo ensures animal wellbeing through training and enrichment activities. Go behind the scenes at the Zoo, meet some of our smartest species and learn firsthand how the Zoo team cares for them.
With so many different animals to care for, the work of a zoo veterinarian can be fun as well as challenging! Campers will visit the Zoo’s veterinary hospital to explore animal healthcare. Different hands-on activities will allow campers to experience what it is like to be a zoo vet!
Learn what it takes to be a dolphin trainer and get to know the members of our dolphin pod! Campers will learn how we train and care for our dolphins through activities, behind-the-scenes experiences, dolphin presentations and trainer chats—even venturing into the water to meet our wonderful dolphins personally and up close! (Campers must be at least 54 inches tall to participate in the in-water experience.)
Dates: Throughout the summer
Camp hours: 8am-4pm
Zoo members: $261 per camp session
Nonmembers: $290 per camp session
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
Yes, campers will need to bring lunch, snacks and a water bottle every day of 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.
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.
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.
