Zoofari
Day Camps
At Mesker Park Zoo, our day camps offer an unforgettable experience for kids of all ages, combining fun, learning, and adventure in a one-of-a-kind setting. From exploring fascinating wildlife and engaging in hands-on activities to uncovering the wonders of conservation and science, our camps are designed to spark curiosity and inspire a love for nature. Whether your child is interested in becoming a junior zookeeper, learning about habitats and ecosystems, or simply wants to make new friends while enjoying outdoor fun, we have the perfect camp for them. Join us for an enriching journey that connects campers with animals, fosters creativity, and builds memories to last a lifetime!
For more information on our day camps, please contact the Education Department at education@meskerparkzoo.com or 812-435-0808.
Check out the FAQ section for quick answers.
Zoofari Day Camp Information
AGES: 6 – 10 AND through kindergarten as of camp date
Full week (5 days): 2026 Sessions
RATES
Full Week: $170
Member & City/County Employee Rate: $145 (15% off)
HOURS
Camp: 9am – 4pm
Drop off: 8:45am – 9am
Pickup: 3:45pm – 4pm
Extended care: 7:30am – 8:30am & 4pm – 5:30pm
DEADLINES
Registration or cancellation – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
Purchase extras (lunch /ext.care/shirts) – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
NEW Week 1 (June 1st – 5th)
Home Sweet Habitat — There’s no place like biome! Campers will navigate nature’s neighborhoods and learn what it takes to survive in the diverse habitats around the globe.
Week 2 (June 8th – 12th)
Zoo Detectives — Help us figure out ‘whodunit’! Camps will study tracks, nests, scat, and more as they solve some mysteries, uncover secrets, and bust myths about animals!
Week 3 (June 15th – 19th)
Build a Zoo (3 Groups) — What would you do if you ran the zoo? Campers will create a model “zoo”, each designing their own animal exhibit, complete with diet menus and signs, and make toys for the enrichment of their favorite zoo animals!
NEW Week 4 (June 22nd – 26th)
Nature’s Got Talent — Cast your vote for the superstars of the animal kingdom! Learners will explore the buzzworthy skills that make animals and plants unique, while getting to showcase their own artistic talents!
Week 5 (June 30th – July 4th) NO FULL WEEK CAMP
NEW Week 6 (July 6th – 10th)
Forgotten Friends — Uncover nature’s underdogs! From the small to the scaly, campers will learn about animal species that are often overlooked and how we can protect them from being left behind!
NEW Week 7 (July 13th – 17th)
Native Neighbors (3 Groups) – Become a backyard biologist! Campers will learn about native species and how we can help keep our local environment and its residents safe and thriving!
NEW Week 8 (July 20th – 24th)
Living Fossils — Think all dinosaurs are extinct? Jurassic mistake! Campers will learn how animal and plant life has evolved since dinosaurs roamed the Earth and just how many modern dinosaurs they can find at their local zoo.
Zoofari Sensory Friendly Camp 2026
(For campers with Unique and Differing Needs)
AGES
Solo Safari: Ages 6-10, through kindergarten as of camp date, AND potty trained; Able to be self-sufficient during camp hours
Safari with Caregivers: Ages 6-10, through kindergarten as of camp date, AND potty trained; Able to attend with a Caregiver who assists camper during camp hours
RATES
Solo Safari (Single Day): $45
Member & City/County Employee Rate: $38.25/day (15% off)
Safari with Caregiver: $100
Member & City/County Employee Rate: $85/day (15% off)
SESSIONS
Series Options 2026: Sensory w/ Caregivers
Sensory Safari Series 1: Fridays June 12, 19, and 26th
Sensory Safari Series 2: Fridays July 10, 17, and 24th
Single/Multi-Day Sessions 2026: Solo Safari Camps
Solo Sessions 1: June 29 and 30
Solo Sessions 2: July 27 and 28
Register for one or more days depending on your camper’s needs!
NEW THEMES
Series 1 & Solo 1 Theme: Zoo-per Heroes – Become a conservation avenger! Learners will unmask the animal adaptations that inspired the superpowers we see in our favorite comics and movies!
Series 2 & Solo 2 Theme: Wildlife Wardrobe – Fur, Feathers, and Scales, Oh my! Learners will shed any confusion about the different types of animal coverings and how they help animals survive!
DETAILS
HOURS
Camp: 9:30am – 12pm
Drop off: 9:15am – 9:30am
Pickup: 11:45am – 12:00pm
Extended care is not available
DEADLINES
Registration or cancellation – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
Purchase extras (shirts) – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
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At Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, we value the inclusion of campers of all abilities. This year we will be offering two different camp sessions for our campers with unique and differing needs. As the traditional day camp environment may be overstimulating for some campers, our Sensory Safari camp will be offered in two different formats: two single day camp options (for campers able to attend camp solo) and one single day camp (for campers attending with an adult caregiver). Both camp formats will be held with half day (morning) attendance.
Campers will get to experience the zoo while learning how our 5 senses relate to the animal world. Our camp activities will be conducted in a way to provide opportunities for our campers to engage with the zoo environment in a variety of methods while keeping sensory needs in mind.
However, to ensure safe and successful participation in the program, Solo Safari campers must be able to attend camp without an individual adult caregiver- including staying with the group for the duration of the camp day and adhering to camp rules and agreements whether or not they have accommodations. This includes, but is not limited to, remaining with the group while not engaging in aggressive or self-injurious behaviors. If your child cannot safely and successfully participate in the program, even with accommodations in place, they may not be ready for solo camp at the zoo. For campers attending with a caregiver, both camper and caregiver must be able to stay with the group for the duration of the camp day and adhere to camp rules and agreements.
Camp Zoofari Minis – 2026
AGES
At Camp Zoofari Minis, Campers will explore the zoo, visit with animals, discover science, express their creativity, play outdoors, and have adventures with friends. Zoofari Minis is available in two different formats: as a weekly series or a one week-long camp.
Minis Full Week and Minis Series: Ages 4-5. Must be potty trained. Camper must be fully able to use the restroom without any assistance.
RATES
Minis Full Week: $125
Member & Employee Discount: $106 (15% off)
Weekly Series Sessions: $100
Member & City/County Employee Rate: $85 (15% off)
SESSIONS
Minis Full Week: Monday – Friday (June 1st – 5th)
NEW If I Were an Animal: Would you want to howl like a wolf or leap like a langur? Campers will step into the pawprints of their favorite animals, learning about their unique traits and discovering what kind of animal they would want to be.
Minis Series 1: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays (June 8th – 25th)
NEW Animal Grooves: Let’s get moving! From crawling to climbing to soaring the skies, campers will learn how and why animals move the way they do.
Minis Series 2: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays (July 6th – 24th)
NEW Animal Tales: Words about herds, tales about scales. Bring your favorite animal stories to life!Campers will start their day with a book and then learn about the animals or theme of the story through activities, crafts, and adventures around the zoo.
Series Sessions are once a week for 3 weeks – you choose the day of the week. Enroll in only one series per week – the same activities are repeated all week.
DETAILS
HOURS
Camp: 9:30am – 12pm
Drop off: 9:15am – 9:30am
Pickup: 11:45am – 12:00pm
Extended care is not available
DEADLINES
Registration or cancellation – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
Purchase extras (shirts) – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
Camp Zoofari Tweens – 2026
AGES
At Camp Zoofari Tweens, Teens will explore the zoo with their peers, interact with zoo animals and staff, and learn more about their world.
AGES: 11-13 as of camp date
RATES
Full week (5 days): $170
Member & City/County Employee Rate: $145 (15% off)
SESSIONS
Full Week (5 days)
Week 3: (June 15th – 19th)
Zoo Careers: Join us to learn what kind of careers are available for animal lovers and the skills it takes to care for our animals: from training and enrichment, veterinary care, and diet prep to education, marketing, and making zoo grounds beautiful!
*Note: Campers will not be working directly with keepers or animals during this camp week.
Week 7: (July 13th – 17th)
NEW Junior Naturalists: Dive deeper into the challenges, successes, and partnerships of animal conservation work and how scientists and zoos save species! Learners will practice skills used in field conservation, while learning from zoo staff about the work accomplished in human care.
DETAILS
HOURS
Camp: 9am – 4pm
Drop off: 8:45am – 9am
Pickup: 3:45pm – 4pm
Extended care: 7:30am – 8:30am and 4pm – 5:30pm
DEADLINES
Registration or cancellation – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
Purchase extras (lunch /ext.care/ shirts) – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR