ZooCamp

the wildest summer ever

2024 ZooCamp registration opens February 13 at 9 am.

There’s no better way to spend the summer than interacting with the sights and sounds of animals during ZooCamp at Great Plains Zoo. We offer a variety of topics so every child can participate in something they enjoy. Parents love the flexible schedules and choosing the one that works best for them. The camp experience is customized based on the program, but all kids can look forward to games, crafts, snacks, zoo tours, animal encounters, and rides on the carousel!

Every camper receives a ZooCamp t-shirt and can enroll in half or full-day sessions. We offer morning camp, covering 9 am - 12 pm, afternoon camp from 1 pm – 4 pm, or full-day options from 9 am – 4 pm.

Before and after camp care is available for families that need it, and there is an opportunity for an overnight for those who want a really exciting experience!

Browse the dates and topics below.

Ages 4-5

Ages 6-8

Ages 9-11

BHA Camp Registration

Members

Non-Members

ZooCamp Policies

Click here to download our cancellation policy and other ZooCamp policies.

^{*Campers must be at least 4 years old on the first date of the session to attend ZooCamp. No exceptions.}

ZooCamp Hours

Morning ZooCamp: 9 am - noon
Afternoon ZooCamp: 1 - 4 pm
Full-Day ZooCamp: 9 am - 4 pm
Four Day/Overnight ZooCamp: Monday - Wednesday from 1 - 4 pm and 1 pm on Thursday - 9 am on Friday
- This camp includes four afternoon sessions and a Thursday night overnight. Campers will sign in at 1 pm on Thursday and will be picked up at 9 am on Friday.
Before- and After-Camp Care: Available for full-day sessions

ZooCamp Pricing

All prices include sales tax.

Half Days

1 Half Day

$34 Members / $40 Non-Members

3 Half Days

$80.75 Members / $95 Non-Members

5 Half Days

$123.25 Members / $145 Non-Members

Full Days

1 Full Day

$63.75 Members / $75 Non-Members

5 Full Days

$212.50 Members / $250 Non-Members

Specialty

Four Day/Overnight

$182.75 Members / $215 Non-Members

Behind the Scenes Camp

$293.25 Members / $345 Non-Members

Lunch Bunch

5 for $25

Before & After Camp Care

One Day Camps

$15

Five Day Camps

$40

Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch bundles are available for ages 6-8 on June 3-7, June 17-21, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29 - August 2 and August 5-9. Combine the morning and afternoon camps and add lunch supervision!

Five days of lunch supervision is $25. Lunch Bunch is only available in a package with morning and afternoon camps in the same week.

Please Note: Lunch Bunch includes lunchtime supervision only. Campers will need to provide their own lunches.

Learn More

ZooCamp Topics

Our ZooCamp topics are designed to offer an engaging and age-appropriate program for children of specific ages. Some topics are only available for half-day programs, and others are full-day. See our schedule for each age group for more information.

ZooCamp Information

***Campers must be at least 4 years old on the first date of the session to attend Summer Camp. No exceptions.***

Animal Doctors (GPZ, 5 Half Days)
Time for a check up! Animals big or small, fluffy or scaly all need to see a doctor once in a while. Discover how our veterinarian team keeps all of our animals healthy.

June 3 - 7, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm) SOLD OUT
~~June 17 - 21, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm)~~ SOLD OUT
July 15 - 19, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm) LIMITED AVAILABILITY
July 22 - 26, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm) LIMITED AVAILABILITY
August 5 - 9, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm) LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Animal Alphabet (GPZ, Full Day)
Alligators, bears, camels, and more! Meet animals from throughout the alphabet who will help us practice our letters.

~~July 2, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)~~ SOLD OUT
- Before- and after-camp care is available.

Let's Get Loud (GPZ, Half Day)
Discover why sheep baa, tigers roar, and snakes hiss and practice your own animal sounds through activities and exploration around the zoo.

~~May 31, Morning (9 am - 12 pm)~~ SOLD OUT
~~July 1, Morning ( 9 am - 12 pm)~~ SOLD OUT

Slither, Swim, Soar (BHA, Half Day)
Soar through the skies, swim in the seas, and slither in the sand. Explore how animals move in different spaces and discover how we can move like them.

May 30, Morning (9 am - 12 pm) REGISTRATION CLOSED
July 3, Morning (9 am - 12 pm)

Before- and after-camp care is available only for full-day camps as noted and at the following times:

Drop off: 7:45 am - 8:15 am (Camp begins at 9 am)
Pick-up: 4:45 pm - 5:15 pm (Camp ends at 4 pm)

Wildlife Around the World (GPZ, 5 Full Days)
Explore the continents of the world and the animals that call it home. From Africa to South America and beyond, campers will be seasoned travelers by the end of their journey.

June 10 - 14, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm) LIMITED AVAILABILITY
- Before- and after-camp care is available.
~~July 8 - 12, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)~~ SOLD OUT
- Before- and after-camp care is available.

Keeper Camp (GPZ, 5 Half Days)
Do you dream of one day being a zookeeper and caring for animals from around the world? Put yourself in the shoes of our keepers and find out all about the hard work it takes to give our animals world-class care!

~~June 3 - 7, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm)~~* SOLD OUT
~~June 17 - 21, Mornings (9am - 12 pm)~~* SOLD OUT
July 22 - 26, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm)* LIMITED AVAILABILITY
August 5 - 9, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm)* LIMITED AVAILABILITY

*Lunch Bunch bundle is available for this date.

Run, Eat, Sleep, Repeat (GPZ, 5 Half Days)
Why do monkeys groom? Why do rhinos roll in the mud? Join us to discover why the painted dogs play, the lemurs lounge, and the flamingos fluff their feathers.

~~June 3 - 7, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm)~~* SOLD OUT
July 15 - 19, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm)* LIMITED AVAILABILITY
July 29 - August 2, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm)*
August 5 - 9, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm)* LIMITED AVAILABILITY

*Lunch Bunch bundle is available for this date.

Vet Camp (GPZ, 5 Half Days)
Have you ever wondered what it's like to care for animals from around the world? No matter how big or small, all animals need a doctor occasionally. Experience how our zoo veterinarian helps keep all our animals healthy!

~~June 17 - 21, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm)~~* SOLD OUT
~~June 24 - 28, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm)~~ SOLD OUT
~~July 15 - 19, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm)~~* SOLD OUT
July 22 - 26, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm)* LIMITED AVAILABILITY
~~July 29 - August 2, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm)~~* SOLD OUT

*Lunch Bunch bundle is available for this date.

Run, Jump, Fly (GPZ, 3 Half Days)
Move and groove as we explore the complex world of animal movement. Discover animals that run on four legs and those that jump on two, animals that fly with wings, and some that slither on bellies.

~~June 24 - 26, Afternoons (1 pm - 4pm)~~ SOLD OUT

Animal Friends and Foes (GPZ, Full Day)
Come explore the many relationships throughout the animal world. From animals that work together to parasites that benefit from others, and everything in between, no two relationships are exactly the same.

May 30, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm) REGISTRATION CLOSED
- Before- and after-camp care is available.
~~July 2, Full Day (9am - 4 pm)~~ SOLD OUT
- Before- and after-camp care is available.

Weird and Wonderful (GPZ, Full Day)
Why do some lizards drop their tails? Can armadillos roll like a ball? Discover why the weirdest animals are often the most wonderful ones.

~~May 31, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)~~ SOLD OUT
- Before- and after-camp care is available.

Wonders of Water (BHA, 5 Half Days)
Dive into the wonders of water! Explore how the ocean and its creatures affect our lives and how we can help them.

~~July 22 - 26, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm)~~ SOLD OUT

Lunch Bunch Bundle is available only for the dates noted. Register for both the morning and afternoon camps and add lunch supervision so your camper can stay for the whole day. Campers will need to bring their own lunch.

Before- and after-camp care is available only for full day camps as noted and at the following times:

Drop off: 7:45 am - 8:15 am (Camp begins at 9 am)
Pick-up: 4:45 pm - 5:15 pm (Camp ends at 4 pm)

Behind the Scenes (GPZ, 5 Full Days)
Get an inside look at how the Zoo works and discover what it takes to care for our animals. This limited-enrollment camp will include several behind-the-scenes opportunities throughout the Zoo and up-close animal encounters.

June 10 - 14, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)** SOLD OUT
July 8 - 12, Full Day (9am - 4 pm)** SOLD OUT
August 12 - 16, Full Day (9am - 4 pm)** SOLD OUT

**Before- and after-camp care is available.

Animal Agents and Advocates (GPZ, 4 Half Days/Overnight)
Rhino rangers, ferret finders, and butterfly buddies! Discover what wildlife conservationists do in the field from listening for frogs to tracking snow leopards. Explore ways to help animals in your own backyard as well as around the world.

June 17 - 19, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm) and June 20 - 21, Overnight (1 pm - 9 am) LIMITED AVAILABILITY
July 29 - 31, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm) and August 1 - 2, Overnight (1 pm - 9 am)

Zoo Careers (GPZ, 5 Half Days)
Zoos require a lot of staff to keep them running properly. Meet people from a variety of departments and discover what it takes to do their jobs.

June 3 - 7, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm)
July 22 - 26, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm)

Zoo Medicine (GPZ, 5 Half Days)
Sometimes animals need a little help to stay healthy. Explore what is needed to care for the incredible animals that call the Great Plains Zoo home, and meet the Zoo's veterinary staff that help keep them healthy and happy!

June 24 - 28, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm)
July 15 - 19, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm) LIMITED AVAILABILITY
July 29 - August 2, Mornings (9 am - 4 pm)
August 5 - 9, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm)

Animals of Myth and Legend (GPZ, 3 Half Days)
Is that a mermaid? No, it's a manatee! From supernatural beasts to whimsical fairytale characters, discover the origins of legendary creatures and the reality behind animal myths.

June 24 - 26, Afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm) SOLD OUT

Animal Whodunit (GPZ, Full Day)
Mysterious things have been happening at the Great Plains Zoo, and no one seems to have any answers. Put on your trench coat and grab your magnifying glass to see if you have what it takes to crack the case!

July 1, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)** SOLD OUT
July 3, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)**

**Before- and after-camp care is available.

Science and the Sea (BHA, 5 Half Days)
Grab your lab coat and goggle and get ready to discover the science that makes the ocean such an incredible place. Roll your sleeves up and dive into the fun!

July 15 - 19, Mornings (9 am - 12 pm)

Secrets of the Sea (BHA, Overnight)
The ocean is vast, mysterious, and full of spectacular creatures. Uncover the secrets held within the depths and experience the aquarium like never before - after dark!

June 12 - 13, Afternoon/Overnight (1 pm - 9 am) LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Before- and after-camp care is available only for full-day camps as noted and at the following times:

Drop off: 7:45 am - 8:15 am (Camp begins at 9 am)
Pick-up: 4:45 pm - 5:15 pm (Camp ends at 4 pm)

For more information about ZooCamp, contact Education@GPZoo.org.

To be added to a waiting list, please call 605.367.8313 x233 or email Education@GPZoo.org.