Zoofari Day Camps

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden offers camps for a range of ages.

• Mini and Me: 2-3-year-old Campers with an adult Caregiver.
• Minis: Campers 4–5-year-old Campers
• Camp Zoofari: 6–10-year-old Campers
• Solo Sensory Safari: 6-10-year-old Campers
• Sensory Safari with Caregivers: 6-10 year-old-Campers with an adult Caregiver
• Tweens: 11–13-year-old Campers

Each camp will have different schedules each day. Daily schedules are not made available in advance as potential changes may be needed due to weather or animal availability. Each camp will always include some common activities:  

• Zoo Exploration — Guided walks through one or more Zoo exhibit areas each day 
• Lessons based on the camp theme (includes exhibit observation, animal artifact (biofact) items, and activities)  
• Indoor and outdoor games centered around the camp’s theme 
• Hands-on activities based on the camp theme 
• Additional activities such as animal feeds and meet-and-greets, behind-the-scenes tours, and zoo attractions may be included in some camps depending on the topic and age of campers but are not guaranteed. 

If your camper is unable to attend one or multiple days of camp, please let Camp staff know. Campers are not eligible for refunds due to personal absence.

If your camper will be arriving late, please let Camp staff know in advance.

• Upon arrival to drop off outside of regular hours, you will see a sign with a contact number. Please call this number and let them know your camper’s name so a Camp staff member can be sent to collect them.Please note that it may take a few minutes to collect your camper and they should not be left unattended at the gate!

If your camper will be leaving early, please let Camp staff know during morning drop-off. 

• Upon arrival to pick up outside of regular hours, you will see a sign with a contact number. Please call this number and let them know your camper’s name so a Camp staff member can be sent to collect them.
• Please note that collecting a camper may take a few minutes depending on where they are currently located in the zoo so please plan to arrive early if you are in a hurry!
• Due to the lineup for scheduled camper pick-up, we do not allow early pick-ups after 3 pm.

• We offer discounted camp rates to Zoo members and City of Evansville / Vanderburgh County employees. Only ONE Discount can be applied per registration.
• Registrants should be logged into the zoo members’ website using the email address associated with their membership.
  • Memberships can be purchased or renewed online PRIOR to registering for camp using the membership form on our website.
• Employees of the City of Evansville or Vanderburgh County must enter their place of employment on the registration form (apply code TBD). PLEASE DO NOT APPLY THIS DISCOUNT IF YOU ARE LOGGED IN AS A MEMBER.
• The regular price rate will display in your cart until discounts are applied upon checkout. 

Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden is excited to be able to offer Camp Zoofari scholarships to a limited number of eligible families! Scholarships are currently being offered only to Zoo members that have joined through our Community Membership Program (CMP). This membership option is open to those individuals who are eligible for Indiana SNAP benefits. CMP members will receive a scholarship application via the email associated with their membership. Please note that the scholarship does not cover all camp costs, but instead offers a significantly discounted rate for registration.

We recommend enrolling your camper for no more than 5 weeks of camp to avoid camper burnout.

• We strive to offer a camp that is inclusive and welcoming to all campers. Due to limitations on staffing and classroom spaces, we cannot accommodate every camper’s needs.  The most important factor to consider when sending your child to camp is if they will be able to follow basic instructions and stay with the group at all times to ensure their safety, as well as the safety of our staff and animals. Please include any medical, behavioral, or emotional needs in your registration information.
• We do offer our Sensory Safari camps for campers with unique and differing needs that may not be able to attend our traditional camps. These camps feature a lower camper to counselor ratio to allow for more direct support.

All campers must be completely toiled trained- requiring no assistance in the bathroom. Our definition of toilet trained means that the camper is not wearing pull-ups and is able to manage his/her/their own clothing by his/her/theirself. *Mini and Me campers and Sensory Safari with Caregiver campers are an exception to this rule as an adult caregiver will be present during camp hours to assist their camper.

Camps include 20-22 campers per group. Each group is led by two trained Camp Counselors. Camps may also have the assistance of 1-2 ZooTeens daily.

• Campers should bring their own nut-free, non-refrigerated lunch to camp unless a lunch has been purchased through the Camp Extras option during registration. Lunches should be in labeled containers and should include any utensils needed. Lunches are not kept in refrigeration, so please send ice packs or items that do not need to be refrigerated.
• If you need to purchase lunch(es) for your camper, please click on Purchase Extras on the camp website. Here you will see the options for lunch purchases.

Camp is designed to run rain or shine. In cases of inclement weather, campers will complete indoor tasks and camp staff will follow zoo policy to respond to inclement weather threats. Most camp days will include significant time outdoors in the sun and warm temperatures. Campers will have water breaks and spend time indoors to combat this, but please note that campers will still spend time outdoors on warm days.

Please disclose all camper allergies, medical conditions, behavioral challenges, or other special needs during registration. To discuss any concerns, please contact us at education@meskerparkzoo.com.

Most camp days will feature games/activities that will involve your camper being active! Camp days will also include moving around the zoo. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is a large space featuring multiple hills. Make sure your camper is wearing comfortable walking shoes when attending camp!

All Camp pick-up and drop-off occurs at our Camp Zoofari Entrance Gate off Bement Ave. Please note that campers do not enter through the main zoo entrance.

Minis and Sensory:

• Drop-off: 9:15-9:30 am
• Pick-up: 11:45 am-12:00 pm

Camp Zoofari and Tweens:

• Drop-off: 8:45- 9:00 am
• Pick-up: 3:45-4:00 pm

If you are unable to bring/collect your camper during the scheduled pick-up and drop-off times, we do offer Extended Care from 7:30-8:30 am and 4:00-5:30 pm. If you need to purchase this option, please click on Purchase Extras on the camp website to see pricing and available options. Please note that Extended Care is not available for Minis or Sensory Camp.

• Campers should wear comfortable clothing that can get dirty. Lighter clothing is suggested due to summer temperatures. Comfortable shoes should be worn for camp. We suggest closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes. Campers are responsible for holding on to all items they bring to camp so please do not send extra clothing/accessories unless needed.
• Camp T-shirts are available to purchase but are not required. If you are interested in purchasing a shirt, please click on Purchase Extras on the camp website.

Campers should bring a lunch, water bottle, and their provided camp bag. All other items should be left at home. Campers are responsible for holding on to all items they bring to camp so please do not send extra items unless necessary.

• Yes. Inappropriate behavior including but not limited to bullying, continuous disruptions/failure to follow instructions, intentional physical contact, property damage, and disrespect toward another child, adult, or animal will result in intervention action being taken by camp staff. Behavior Documentation forms will be sent home with campers following any offenses and must be signed and returned by their guardian. If a camper is unable to adhere to the behavior policy, we reserve the right to dismiss them from camp with no refund issues.
• The full policy will be included in the Constant Contact email sent the week before camp start. 

Camp Zoofari camps are designed for children who can remain in a group setting without parental involvement. Throughout the day, please do not meet up with or follow your camper’s group in the Zoo. This is very distracting for our campers and is a safety issue.

Campers should leave cell phones and video game devices at home.  If a device needs to be sent with the camper, it should remain in their bags during the camp day. If technology becomes distracting, we may ask that your camper leave the device at home for the remainder of the week.

• During registration you will complete a photo release. This release allows us to take photos of your camper for promotional use. Please note that you do have the option to decline this release. In this case, your camper will not be included in any camp photos.
• Camp Zoofari utilizes SmugMug as a photo-sharing service. Each camp week, guardians will be provided with a QR code/link and password to access the photos taken of campers during the week. These albums are password

Camp groups are divided based on age and number of registered campers. If you have a buddy request, please alert us by including this information in your registration. We accommodate buddy requests when possible, but cannot always guarantee them.

If you wish to have siblings kept together in the same camp, please include this information as a buddy request in your registration. Please note that camp groups are divided based on age and number of registered campers, so we cannot guarantee all requested accommodations.

Refunds will not be issued after the cancellation deadline. The deadline to cancel is Monday at 12 pm (Noon) one week prior to Camp. If you need to cancel your registration, please do so as soon as possible so we can provide the opportunity to enroll to our wait-listed campers.

Please email us at education@meskerparkzoo.com to join the wait list. The email should include your camper’s name, age, and the week(s) you are looking to register for.

You will receive a Constant Contact email one week prior to camp start. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at education@meskerparkzoo.com no later than the Friday prior to camp start.

Upon registration, you will receive a receipt of your purchase. Our tax ID number is 35-6001021.

Please contact the Education Department at education@meskerparkzoo.com or 812-435-0808.