Camps
Mesker Park Zoo offers many day camp opportunities throughout the year! We offer full or half day camps for ages 4-13 during spring break, summer, and school holidays. With our hands-on, interactive, and FUN camps, you can be assured that your kids are making great memories—and learning something too! See the drop down menus below for camp options,
Please note the following about the registration process:
- Camp registration is online. Be sure to read all information on the registration form.
- 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 are one week prior to the start of camp or when filled.
- Camp cancellation deadlines are two weeks prior to the start of camp.
- Upon registration you will receive a receipt for your purchase.
- Our tax ID # is 35-6001021.
- Discounts are available for members and City / Co. employees. Follow instructions during online registration.
- Registrants will receive an email with all the details about camp one week prior to camp.
- Extended care is guaranteed for all full day campers. Purchase care, tshirts, lunches, etc. in the “Extras”.
- Space is limited. If a camp is full, call or email to be put on the waiting list. Note name, age, and week(s).
- Contact the Education Dept. with questions: education@meskerparkzoo.com or 812-435-0809.
Spring Break Destination Discovery
March 21-25, 2022; 9 a.m – 4 p.m.
Adventures await the kids this spring break at Destination Discovery! Get the kids out of the house and out on the town to explore our local cultural treasures. Each host will offer campers a day of interactive activities so they can play and learn with new friends!
Children ages 6-12 and in grades k-8 may enroll. Camp runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Morning drop off is 8:45-9:00 a.m. Afternoon pickup is 4:00-4:15 p.m. No extended care is available. Drop off and pickup will be at the camp location.
Host Locations 2022
Register your camper for one or more days at various host locations.
March 21: Angel Mounds State Historic Site OR Children’s Museum of Evansville
March 22: Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden OR Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
March 23: Children’s Museum of Evansville OR Evansville Museum of Science, Art, & History
March 24: Evansville Museum of Science, Art, & History OR Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden
March 25: Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve OR Angel Mounds State Historic Site
Tuition is $40 per day or $170 for all week ($30 discount applied at checkout).
When registering, be sure you choose each location only once (same activities both days), and only one location scheduled per day.
Registrants will receive camp details from their host locations via email during the week prior to camp. Campers should dress for the weather, and bring a lunch and water bottle.
Official camp drawstring bags are available for sale for $10. They will be issued to the camper on their first day of camp.
DEADLINES for registration or cancellation is March 14 at noon.
**Refund Policy** No refunds will be issued after the cancellation deadline. We reserve the right to cancel any camp with insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen emergency circumstances. If such events occur, a full refund will be issued.
For more information, call any host organization. For help with registration, call 812-435-0809 or email education@meskerparkzoo.com.
Camp ZOOfari Summer
Camp ZOOfari Summer!
Camp Zoofari is a full day, full week camp for campers. Children ages 6-10 (as of June 1) AND entering first grade can enroll. 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.
The camp operates 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Normal drop off is 8:45 – 9:00 a.m. and pickup is 3:45-4:00 p.m. We also offer extended care from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Many camps fill, so register early!
All NEW Sessions for 2022!
Week 1 / June 6-10: Build-A-Zoo
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 2 / June 13-17: Globe Trotters
Grab your passport and safari hat as we travel around the world in a week! Each day campers explore a different region of the world- the landscape, the animals, the cultures, the climates!
Week 3 / June 20-24: Animal Architects
Animals are some of the greatest engineers on the planet- from bird nests to beaver dams. Campers will learn about many engineering marvels, and put their creativity and STEM skills to the test through their own engineering project!
Week 4 / June 27 – July 1: VanGOgh to the Zoo
Some of the greatest masterpieces in art are inspired by nature! Campers will seek out the beauty in the natural world around us and use the inspiration to create artistic works.
Week 5 / July 4-8: no full day camps
Week 6 / July 11-15: Grossology
Campers will investigate the Grossology of nature … gross animals, gross foods, gross substances, and all the gross-ocities that our living zoo residents engage in daily.
Week 7 / July 18-22: ZooOlympics
Are you strong as a rhino or as swift as an eagle? Campers will compare their skills to those of the gold medal winners in the animal kingdom, and will discover what makes them champions in their sports!
Week 8 / July 25-29: Behavior Bonanza
From instinct to learned reaction, behavior is everything an animal does in its daily life. Campers will study the behaviors of our zoo animals … eating, sleeping, playing, climbing, fighting, hiding … and their importance to survival.
Rates 2022
Regular Rate: $170
Member & City/County Employee Rate: $145 (15% off)
Camp extras – tshirts, lunches, bags, and extended care – can be purchased separately and closer to camp week using the button below.
DEADLINE for registration: Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR to the session.
DEADLINE for cancellation: Monday at noon, TWO WEEKS PRIOR to the session.
Camp ZOOfari Mini
Camp Zoofari Minis are a weekly series for little campers. Campers will explore the zoo, visit with animals, discover science, express their creativity, play outdoors, and have adventures with friends.
Children ages 4-5 (as of June 1) and potty trained may enroll. Camps meet 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. once a week for 4 weeks. We offer 3 enrollment options: Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. Enroll in only one series per month – the same activities are repeated all week. June and July series will have slightly different activities.
Sessions 2022
JUNE SERIES
Series A: Mondays / June 6, 13, 20, 27 Series B: Wednesdays / June 8, 15, 22, 29 Series C: Fridays / June 10, 17, 24, July 1
JULY SERIES
Series A: Mondays / July 4, 11, 18, 25 Series B: Wednesdays / July 6, 13, 20, 27 Series C: Fridays / July 8, 15, 22, 29
Rates:
Regular Rate (4 camp sessions): $100
Member & City/County Employee Rate: $85 (15% off)
Camp extras – tshirts, lunches, bags, and extended care – can be purchased separately and closer to camp week using the button below.
DEADLINE for registration: Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR to the session.
DEADLINE for cancellation: Monday at noon, TWO WEEKS PRIOR to the session.
Camp ZOOfari Tween Sessions
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! Teens will explore the zoo with their peers, interact with zoo animals and staff, and learn more about their world.
Camp Zoofari Tween is a special series just for teens ages 11-13 (as of June 1). Tween camps meet on a Tuesday or Thursday for a weekly series. Camp runs from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Extended care runs 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sessions 2022
Session A / Tuesdays, June 14-July 26
Session B / Thursdays, June 16-July 28
Rates 2022
6-Session Series: $190
Member & City/County Employee Series Rate: 15% off
Camp extras – tshirts, lunches, bags, and extended care – can be purchased separately and closer to camp week using the button below.
DEADLINE for registration: Monday at noon, ONE week prior to the session.
DEADLINE for cancellation: Monday at noon, TWO weeks prior to the session.
Camp ZOOfari Holiday!
Camp ZOOfari is the perfect adventure to occupy your child this holiday! Campers ages 6-10 / grades 1-5 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.
The camp operates 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Normal drop off is 8:45 – 9:00 a.m. and pickup is 3:45-4:00 p.m. We also offer extended care from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sessions 2021-22
Fall Break — October 11 —Creepy Crawly Critters
Veterans Day — November 11 — Fall Fowl Frolic
Winter Break — December 21 — ZooWinter Wonderland
Winter Break — December 28 — Happy Zoo Year
MLK Jr. Day — January 17 — Polar Palooza
President’s Day — February 21 — Baby Bee Mine
Rates 2021-2022
Regular Rate: $45
MPZ Member & COE/VC Employee Rate: $40 (12% off)
Camp extras – tshirts, lunches, bags, and extended care – can be purchased separately and closer to camp week using the button below.
DEADLINE for registration: Monday at noon, ONE WEEK PRIOR to the session.
DEADLINE for cancellation: Monday at noon, TWO WEEKS PRIOR to the session
Camp Extras can be purchased over the phone at 812-435-0809