Camps
Mesker Park Zoo’s Camp Zoofari is not just any day camp. Camp Zoofari is a quality educational experience! We attract and hire highly qualified summer camp counselors, many of which return year after year. Our camp counselors are adults with experience in science education and youth programs, including teachers, teaching assistants, and college majors in the education and science fields. We maintain a ratio of at least 1 counselor for every 10 campers. We always pair 2 counselors and 2 Zooteens to manage each camp group to ensure safety and supervision on our Zoo campus.
Camps WILL sell out!
Please plan to register early.
Call to get on our waiting list if a camp appears sold out.
Please cancel if your plans change so that more kids have the opportunity to enroll.
We recommend enrolling for no more than 5 weeks of camp to avoid camper burnout.
PLEASE READ the following important information about ALL of our camps:
- Camp registration is online. Be sure to carefully read all information on the registration form.
- Camp registration for spring break camp opens Jan. 10.
- Summer camp registration for ALL summer camp dates opens February 1.
- Holiday camp registration for ALL holiday camp dates opens August 1.
- Camp registration deadlines: Monday at noon one week prior to the start of camp.
- Camp cancellation deadline: Monday at noon one week prior to the start of camp.
- Camp “extras” purchase deadline: Monday at noon one week prior to the start of camp.
- Discounts are available for members and City / Co. employees. Follow instructions during online registration.
- Upon registration you will receive a receipt for your purchase. Our tax ID # is 35-6001021.
- You will receive an email with camp details ONE WEEK PRIOR to camp. If you don’t receive these emails, please call us no later than the Friday prior to get them.
- Buddy requests are accommodated, but cannot be guaranteed if ages differ greatly. Please alert us if this is extremely important to you (such as pairing BFFs).
- If a camp is full, email us to get on the waiting list. Note name, age, and week(s) you seek.
- Refunds will not be issued after the cancellation deadline.
- Contact the Education Dept. with questions: education@meskerparkzoo.com or 812-435-0809.
Camp Zoofari Spring Break!
Adventures await the kids this spring at Camp Zoofari! Get the kids out of the house during spring break, and out to explore the Zoo.
AGES
- Ages 6-10 / Grades k-6 as of camp date
SESSIONS 2023*
- Tuesday, March 28
- Wednesday, March 29
- Thursday, March 30
Each day will be unique. Enroll in any or all days.
* Angel Mounds Site offers sessions to fill out the week: Monday, March 27 & Friday, March 31.
Inquire: https://www.indianamuseum.org/historic-sites/angel-mounds/
HOURS
- Camp: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Drop off: 8:45-9:00 a.m.
- Pickup: 3:45 – 4:00 p.m.
- Extended care: 7:30-9 a.m. to 4-5:30 p.m.
RATES
- Single day $45
- Week (3 days) $120 (discount applies at checkout)
DEADLINES
- Registration or cancellation – March 20 at noon.
- Purchase extras (lunch /ext.care) – March 20 at noon.
Camp ZOOfari Summer
Camp Zoofari is a full day, full week themed summer day camp. All Zoofari camps offer a variety of fun and educational activities, and always include exploration through the zoo, animal encounters, hands-on activities, and playtime with friends.
AGES
- Ages 6-10 AND through kindergarten as of camp date
SESSIONS 2023
Week 1 / June 5-9: ZooOlympics – Are you strong as a rhino or as swift as an eagle? Campers will compare their skills to those of the gold medal winners in the animal kingdom, and will discover what makes them champions in their sports!
Week 2 / June 12-16: Behavior Bonanza – From instinct to learned reaction, behavior is everything an animal does in its daily life. Campers will study the behaviors of our zoo animals… eating, sleeping, playing, climbing, fighting, hiding… and their importance to survival.
Week 3 / June 19-23: VanGOgh to the Zoo – Some of the greatest masterpieces in art are inspired by nature! Campers will seek out the beauty in the natural world around us and use the inspiration to create artistic works.
Week 4 / June 26 – June 30: Build-A-Zoo – Discover the daily workings of a zoo as a zookeeper’s apprentice. 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!
Week 5 / July 4-8: – no full day camps
Week 6 / July 10-14: Grossology – Campers will investigate the Grossology of nature… gross animals, gross foods, gross substances, and all the gross-ocities that our living zoo residents engage in daily.
Week 7 / July 17-21: Animal Architects – Animals are some of the greatest engineers on the planet- from bird nests to beaver dams. Campers will learn about many engineering marvels, and put their creativity and STEM skills to the test through their own engineering project!
Week 8 / July 24-28: Globe Trotters – Grab your passport and safari hat as we travel around the world in a week! Each day campers explore a different region of the world- the landscape, the animals, the cultures, the climates!
HOURS
- Camp: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Drop off: 8:45-9:00 a.m.
- Pickup: 3:45 – 4:00 p.m.
- Extended care: 7:30-9 a.m. to 4-5:30 p.m.
RATES
- Full Week: $170
- Member & City/County Employee Rate: $145 (15% off)
DEADLINES
- Registration or cancellation – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
- Purchase extras (lunch /ext.care/ shirts) – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
Camp ZOOfari Mini
Camp Zoofari Minis are a weekly series for little campers. Campers will explore the zoo, visit with animals, discover science, express their creativity, play outdoors, and have adventures with friends.
AGES
- Ages 4-5 AND potty trained
SESSIONS 2023
- Monday Series – June 12, 19, 26 & July 10, 17, 24
- Tuesday Series – June 13, 20, 27 & July 11, 18, 25
- Wednesday Series – June 14, 21, 28 & July 12, 19, 26
- Thursday Series – June 15, 22, 29 & July 13, 20, 27
- Friday Series – June 16, 23, 30 & July 14, 21, 28
- JUST ADDED: Full Week Camp – July 3-7
Sessions are once a week for 6 weeks – you choose the day of the week.
Enroll in only one series per month – the same activities are repeated all week.
There are no minis SERIES camps the week of July 4 – take a break to celebrate!
There is now a full week option: M-F, 9:30-12:00 the week of July 3.
*Watch for a new Mini series in the fall (Sept.)!
HOURS
- Camp: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Drop off: 9:15 – 9:30 a.m.
- Pickup: 12:00 p.m.
- Extended care is not available
RATES
- Weekly Series: $150
- Member & City/County Employee Rate: $127 (15% off)
- Full Week: $125
- Member & Employee Discount: $106 (15% off)
DEADLINES
- Registration or cancellation – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
- Purchase extras (shirts) – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
Camp ZOOfari Tween Sessions
Teens will explore the zoo with their peers, interact with zoo animals and staff, and learn more about their world.
Where in the World? Grab your passport and safari hat and travel around the world with us! Each day we will explore a different region of the world- the landscape, the animals, the cultures, the climates!
AGES
- Ages 11-13 as of camp date
SESSIONS 2023
- Full week (5 days)
- Week 1 / June 5-9
- Week 5 / July 3-7
- Weekly Series (6 days)
- Wednesdays / June 14, 21, 28 & July 12, 19, 26
- (no camp on July 5)
HOURS
- Camp: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Drop off: 8:45-9:00 a.m.
- Pickup: 3:45 – 4:00 p.m.
- Extended care: 7:30-9 a.m. to 4-5:30 p.m.
RATES
- Full week (5 days): $170
- Member & City/County Employee Rate: $145 (15% off)
- Weekly Series (6 days): $190
- Member & City/County Employee Series Rate: $161 (15% off)
DEADLINES
- Registration or cancellation – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
- Purchase extras (lunch /ext.care/ shirts) – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
Camp ZOOfari ZOOLittles Fall Sessions
ZooLittles is a weekly educational series for preschoolers (ages 4-5) at the Zoo. Children will enjoy learning about plants and animals while experiencing the natural world around them in an interactive program. Programs may include physical activities, animal visits, explorations, stories, or crafts.
Schedule | Theme | Description |
| September 6 | Counting | We will practice our counting skills and learn more about our animals! |
| September 13 | Patterns | We will explore patterns in animal shapes and coverings. |
| September 20 | Movement | We will explore different animal movements and practice our motor skills. |
| September 27 | Senses | We will learn about our senses and how they apply to animals in nature as well! |
AGES
- Preschoolers Ages 4-5
HOURS
- Wednesdays 9:30am – 12pm
LOCATION
Caregivers should transport their camper to the old Zoo entry gate at 2421 Bement Ave.
Please dress for the weather. We recommend children wear play clothes and closed toed shoes, and bring sunscreen and water.
REGISTRATION
Caregivers can register their child for all of the sessions in the 4-part series. Registration is limited to 12 children per series. This series will run just like our summer Camp Zoofari Minis. Caregivers will drop child off and then pick up after the class is over.
COST
The program fee is $100 for children and includes all activity supplies for the program. There is a 12% discount for members that will be automatically applied. Program fees can be paid online at time of registration.
NOTIFICATIONS
Direct registrations, questions, or cancellations to the Education Department (812) 435-0809, or education@meskerparkzoo.com, or to the front gate (812) 435-6143.
Camp ZOOfari Holiday!
Camp ZOOfari is the perfect adventure to occupy your child this holiday! Campers can come to the zoo to enjoy a variety of fun and educational activities, including exploration of the zoo, animal encounters, games, hands-on activities, projects, and meeting new friends.
AGES
- Ages 6-10 AND through kindergarten as of camp date
SESSIONS – Academic Year 2023-2024
| Fall Break | October 9 / 10 / 11 | Creepy Crawly Critters |
| Winter Break | December 19 / 20 / 21 | ZooWinter Wanderland & Happy Zoo Year |
| MLK Jr. Day | January 15 | Polar Palooza |
| President’s Day | February 19 | Baby Bee Mine |
HOURS
- Camp: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Drop off: 8:45-9:00 a.m.
- Pickup: 3:45 – 4:00 p.m.
- Extended care: 7:30-9 a.m. to 4-5:30 p.m.
RATES
- Single Day: $45
- Member & City/County Employee Rate: $40 (12% off)
DEADLINES
- Registration or cancellation – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
- Purchase extras (lunch /ext.care) – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR