ZooCamp

the wildest summer ever

2025 ZooCamp registration opens February 11 at 9 am.

There’s no better way to spend the summer than interacting with the sights and sounds of animals during ZooCamp at the 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

Members

Non-Members

Ages 6-7

Members

Non-Members

Ages 8-9

Members

Non-Members

Ages 10-12

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

Before & After Camp Care

Half Day Camps

$10

One Day Camps

$15

Five Day Camps

$40

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 (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 2 - 6, Mornings (9 am - Noon)
June 23 - 27, Mornings (9 am - Noon)
July 14 - 18, Mornings (9 am - Noon)
July 28 - August 1, Mornings (9 am - Noon)

Leaping Lions (Half Day)
Why do lions roar? What is a lion's favorite food? Hear about the newest members of the Zoo and discover what life would be like as a lion.

May 30, Morning (9 am - Noon)**
July 1, Morning (9 am - Noon)**
- **Before-camp care is available.

Fun on the Farm (Half Day)
Goats and pigs and sheep, oh my! Explore the farm and meet the animals that call it home.

June 30, Morning (9 am - Noon)**
- **Before-camp care is available.

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

Drop off: 7:45 am - 8:15 am (Camp begins at 9 am)

Home Sweet Habitat (5 Full Days)
Why don't lizards live in the Arctic? How do desert animals find water? Join us as we discover the places animals call home and the many ways animals survive all around the world.

July 7 - 11, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)**
- **Before- and after-camp care is available

Keeper Camp (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 16 - 20, Mornings (9 am - Noon)
July 21 - 25, Afternoons (1 - 4 pm)
August 4 - 8, Mornings (9 am - Noon)

Vet Camp (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 2 - 6, Mornings (9 am - Noon)
June 23 - 27, Mornings (9 am - Noon)
July 14 - 18, Mornings (9 am - Noon)
July 28 - August 1, Afternoons (1 - 4 pm)

Eat or Be Eaten (3 Half Days)
From grazers to apex predators, every member of the food chain plays a role in helping ecosystems thrive. Discover the amazing ways prey animals avoid being eaten, as well as the tools of a top predator.

June 23 - 25, Afternoons (1 - 4 pm)

Feeling Feline (Full Day)
We're talking all about lions, leopards, and tigers! Come along as we uncover why big cats rule and make the purr-fect predators.

May 30, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)**
July 3, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)**
- **Before- and after-camp care is available.

Animal Superpowers (Full Day)
Superman and Wonder Woman aren't the only ones with superpowers! Experience the variety of amazing animal superpowers found all over the world.

June 30, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)**
- **Before- and after-camp care is available.

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)

Animal Homes and Biomes (5 Full Days)
From tropical rainforests to the frigid tundra, animal homes come in many varieties. Travel with us to different environments and learn what makes our natural world so unique.

June 9 - 13, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)**
- **Before- and after-camp care is available.

What's Up, Zoo Doc (5 Half Days)
What happens when a box turtle needs a checkup? How do you weigh a giraffe? Join us as we dive into the amazing work our veterinary staff does to care for zoo animals of all sizes.

June 16 - 20, Mornings (9 am - Noon)
July 14 - 18, Afternoons (1 - 4 pm)
July 28 - August 1, Mornings (9 am - Noon)

Creature Categories (5 Half Days)
Animals come in all shapes and sizes and have all sorts of coverings, body parts, and senses. Explore the many special characteristics of animals that help scientists place them into groups like mammals, reptiles, and birds.

June 2 - 6, Afternoons (1 - 4 pm)
July 21 - 25, Mornings (9 am - Noon)
August 4 - 8, Afternoons (1 - 4 pm)

African Adventure (Full Day)
Imagine living with lions, elephants, and giraffes as your neighbors. On our African Adventure, we'll discover what makes this continent so diverse.

July 1, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)**
- **Before- and after-camp care is available.

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 (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 9 - 13, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)**
July 7 - 11, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)**
August 11 - 15, Full Day (9 am - 4 pm)**
- **Before- and after-camp care is available.

The Animals Are Awake (4 Half Days/Overnight)
Most people are awake all day and sleep all night, but what about animals? Discover why some creatures scamper in the cover of night while others play in the light of day.

June 16 - 19, Afternoons (1 - 4 pm) and June 19 - 20, Overnight (1 pm - 9 am)

Zoo Medicine (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!

July 21 - 25, Mornings (9 am - Noon)
August 4 - 8, Mornings (9 am - Noon)

Prides, Packs, and Mobs (Full Day)
It takes teamwork to thrive in the deserts and savannas of Africa. Investigate how animals such as lions, African painted dogs, and meerkats depend on one another for survival.

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

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.