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 2025 TBD
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 2025 TBD
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 2025: TBD
Sensory Friendly Camp: TBD
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 2025 TBD
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 2025 TBD
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
Kids Day Out 2024
Need to finish your holiday shopping and wrapping, pack for vacation, or prep for family holiday meals?
Drop off your future zookeepers for a half-day safari! Attendees will get to explore the zoo, meet animal ambassadors, create winter-themed crafts, and more!
AGES
- Ages 6-10 / Grades K-6 as of camp date
2 SESSIONS:
- Dec. 21, 2024: 9 am – 12 pm
- Dec. 21,2024: 1 pm – 4 pm
*Registration is limited to one session per registrant*
RATES
- Single day $45
- Week (3 days) $120 (discount applies at checkout)
DEADLINES
- December 17, 2024
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 / Grades K-6 as of camp date
SESSIONS (WINTER):
- Monday, January 20 (MLK Jr. Day)
Winter Camp: Amazing animals survive in extreme conditions—from penguins living in Antarctic snow to camels living in sand dunes! In this single-day camp, your young adventurer will learn about tundras, deserts, and all the biomes in between, as well as the extreme adaptions that help animals thrive there!
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
DEADLINES
- Registration or cancellation – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
- Purchase extras (ext.care) – Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR
