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! – SOLD OUT!
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 2024*
- Tuesday, March 26
- Wednesday, March 27
- Thursday, March 28
Each day will be unique. Enroll in any or all days.
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 18 at noon.
- Purchase extras (lunch /ext.care) – March 18 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 2024
SOLD OUT – Week 1 / June 3-7: Wild about Art – Discover art in a new and wild way! Campers will be inspired by nature and animals to create their own masterpieces using performance art, visual arts, and more!
Week 2 / June 10-14: Around the World in 5 Days – Planet Earth is made up of biomes that all have their own unique qualities. Campers will stamp their passport by learning about different environments around the globe!
Week 3 / June 17-21: Zoo-per Heroes (3 Groups) – Attention all superheroes! Did you know that animals and their super abilities inspired the superheroes we know and love? Campers will learn just how super animals are and how anyone can become a conservation superhero through everyday actions that make a difference for animals and the planet!
Week 4 / June 24-28: Zoo-Olympics – Are you as strong as a rhino or as swift as an eagle? Campers will compare their own skills to those of the gold medal winners in the animal kingdom and will discover what makes them champions!
Week 5 / July 1-5: – no full day camps
Week 6 / July 8-12: Senses & Defenses – Campers will learn how behaviors- like sleeping, eating, and interacting with others– make animals unique and help them survive in their environment!
SOLD OUT – Week 7 / July 15-19: Build a Zoo (3 Groups) – 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 8 / July 22-26: 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!
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
Sensory Friendly Camp
Sensory Safari (For special needs campers)
AGES
- Ages 6-10, through kindergarten as of camp date, AND potty trained
SESSIONS 2024
Sensory Friendly Camp: July 1-3
Sensory Safari – Can you hear as well as a bat or see as good as a jaguar? Campers will discover the five senses with us as we explore the zoo and learn how animals’ senses help them survive!
At Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, we value the inclusion of campers of all abilities. This year we will be offering a camp session for our campers with unique and differing needs. Campers will get to experience the zoo while learning how our 5 senses relate to the animal world. As the traditional day camp environment may be overstimulating for some campers, our Sensory Safari camp will only be held with half day (morning) attendance. Campers have the option to attend for all three days (separate tickets for each day) or attend only one or two days – whichever is the best fit for your camper! 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, campers must be able to attend camp without an individual adult caregiver, stay with the group for the duration of the camp day, and must adhere 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 camp at the zoo.
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
- Single Day: $45
- Member & City/County Employee Rate: $38.25/day (15% off)
DEADLINES
- Registration or cancellation –
Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR - Purchase extras (shirts) –
Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
Camp Zoofari Mini
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.
AGES
- Ages 4-5 AND potty trained
SESSIONS 2024
Weeklong Camp: June 3-7 – SOLD OUT! (Series is still available)
Minis Full week Camp – Get moving at the Zoo: Ready to shake your tailfeathers near our penguins or tiptoe through Amazonia? Through fun learning activities, crafts, and games, Campers will discover how similar and different animals’ bodies are to our own!
Series: (Still available!)
- Monday Series – June 10, 17, 24 & July 8, 15, 22
- Tuesday Series – June 11, 18, 25 & July 9, 16, 23
- Wednesday Series – June 12, 19, 26 & July 10, 17, 24
- Thursday Series – June 13, 20, 27 & July 11, 18, 25
- Friday Series – June 14, 21, 28 & July 12, 19, 26
- NO SERIES THE WEEK OF JULY 1-5
Sessions are once a week for 6 weeks – you choose the day of the week. Enroll in only one series per week – the same activities are repeated all week.
Enroll in only one series per month – the same activities are repeated all week.
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 2024
- Full week (5 days)
- SOLD OUT
–Week 3 / June 17-21: 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 15-19: Build a Zoo 2.0 – Discover how zoos incorporate STEAM principles to develop ground-breaking zoos that guests from all around the world want to visit. Campers will use what they learn to create a model “zoo” – designing animal exhibits, attractions, and more!
- SOLD OUT
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)
DEADLINES
- Registration or cancellation – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
- Purchase extras (lunch /ext.care/ shirts) – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
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 | ZooWinter Wanderland & Happy Zoo Year | |
MLK Jr. Day | 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 (ext.care) – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR