Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden®

Home of the world famous hippo Fiona. Family friendly Zoo committed to inspiring visitors with wildlife and saving species.

Zoo Camps

summer campIf you are looking for a fun, safe, and educational camp, the Zoo’s got it! All Zoo Camps are age-appropriate and guaranteed to be a WILD time. Don’t delay and register today. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Cincinnati Zoo’s Education Department has updated its cancellation and refund policy, effective for all programs starting January 3, 2022. Programs cancelled by the registrant at least two weeks in advance of the program date may now receive a refund. Refunds or credits are no longer available for programs cancelled by the registrant within two weeks of the program date.

Get updates for new programs and sales date!

Sign up here for our quarterly announcements.

Spring Break Camp

These full-day camps include a camp t-shirt, live animal encounters, games, hikes, and so much more! Sign your child up for the wildest spring break ever!

Registration Opens Feb 5 8am

Does your Zoo Enthusiast (toddler-8th grade) want something this winter or spring? Check out Zoo Troop!

MORE DETAILS

Dates: March 27-31, 2023, or April 3-7, 2023
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Cost: 4 Year Old-6th Grade: Members: $245/Non-Members: $260;
7th-8th Grade: Members: $255/Non-Members: $270

After Care
Dates: March 27-31, 2023
Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm
Cost: $65/week

Questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions below.

All in the Family

If you thought keeping track of the members of your family was hard, imagine doing it for the entire animal kingdom! Organizing the diversity of life is complex. In this camp, we will learn to recognize the signs that tell us how to group reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and insects into their families. But watch out, there are some rule breakers in the bunch!

Dates: March 27-31, 2023, or April 3-7, 2023
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Note: This camp is for 4 and 5 year olds and those currently in Kindergarten.

Troops, Groups, and Herds

Who is in your “pack?” Is it just your family or are friends allowed too? Do you eat together, play together, and take care of each other? Did you know some animals live, eat, and hang out in groups together, too? Bring your gaggle, flock, or pride to the Zoo and discover which animals stick together, how they form and maintain their bonds, and how group life helps them to survive.

Dates: March 27-31, 2023, or April 3-7, 2023
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Note: This camp is for those currently in 1st and 2nd grade.

I Wonder

Does looking at animals fill you with wonder? Does walking around the Zoo spark a million questions? During this camp we will be the scientists investigating what the Zoo animals are up to. With our inquiring minds and untamed eyes, we will explore animal behaviors through investigations of our own creation.

Dates: March 27-31, 2023, or April 3-7, 2023
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Note: This camp is for those currently in 3rd or 4th grade.

Dr. Zoolittle’s Animal Training Camp

Discover how to “talk” to animals! Campers will be training behaviors with a variety of Zoo animals including goats, chickens, and other animals. Learn about animal behavior and motivation while applying training techniques taught by Zoo professionals. By the end of camp, animals will be eating out of your hands – literally!

Dates: March 27-31, 2023, or April 3-7, 2023
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Note: This camp is for those currently in 5th or 6th grade.

Mini Maynard Training Camp

Join us for a week-long adventure and discover what it takes to become a future Zoo director!  Our Zoo director Thane Maynard is known as a wildlife expert, a naturalist, author and is a regular on TV shows promoting wildlife conservation.  Campers will experience the many different jobs Thane has done on the way to becoming our zoo director.  Campers will learn about animal handling, meet ambassador animals up-close and create a “90-Second Naturalist” podcast of their own on their way to becoming the next Zoo director. So watch out Thane!

Dates: March 27-31, 2023
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Note: This camp is for those currently in 7th or 8th grade.

Summer Camp

Explore the Zoo, experience nature, and discover the excitement and wonder of animals! Hikes in the Zoo, visits from animal ambassadors, crafts, train rides and so much more make Summer Camp a jam-packed week to remember! Every camper receives a Summer Camp t-shirt.

Have a toddler or preschooler? Check out Zoo Troop!

Is your child finishing 8th Grade this spring? Check out our Zoo Teen Program. Applications close February 28, 2023.

4yr-Kindergarten, 1st-2nd Grade, 3rd-4th Grade,and 5th-6th Grade Full Day Camps have sold out.

Please add to waitlist via the registration button below.

Before booking, see our waitlist info and tips in the FAQs.

Register Here

Continue the fun this fall! Check out Zoo Troop. Programs available for toddler through 8th grade.

MORE DETAILS

Full Day Camps
Full Day Ages/Grades: 4 year-8th grade (grade they will enter in the fall)
Full Day Dates: weekly starting May 29th. Last week August 14th
Full Day Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Full Day Cost: 4 year-6th Grade: Members: $275/ Non-Members: $290;
7th-8th Grade: Members: $285/ Non-Members: $300

Before Care:  8:00-9:00am, $55
After Care: 4:00-5:30pm, $65

Half Day Camps
Half Day Ages/Grades: 4 year-2nd grade (grade they will enter in the fall)
Half Day Dates: camps topics alternate, starting June 5th, last week August 14th
Half Day Time: 9:30am-12:00pm or 1:00-3:30pm
Half Day Cost: Members: $160 / Non-Members: $175

Questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions below.

Full-Day Camp

Where in the World

All aboard! Summer campers will take a journey from the North to South Pole and every Habitat in between! Along the way they’ll experience live animal encounters in the classroom, Zoo hikes to animals from every continent, and even get to feed some long-necked neighbors! It’s sure to be an adventure!

Dates: May 29-June 2, June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26-30, July 3-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-Aug 4, Aug 7-11, 14-18
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Note: This camp is for 4 and 5 year olds or those entering Kindergarten in the fall. Camp will meet on Memorial Day for May 29 camp, and on July 4th.

Half-Day Camps

Fur, Feathers, Scales

Are all animals covered in skin like ours? No way! Animals have different coverings that help them slither, hide, hover, and so much more! Campers will fly, flutter, slither, and scurry through the week as they experience up-close animal encounters, Zoo hikes, songs, games, and crafts!

Dates: June 5-9, June 19-23, July 3-7, July 17-21, July 31-Aug 4, Aug 14-18 
Time: 9:30am-12:00pm or 1:00-3:30pm
Note: This camp is for 4 and 5 year olds or those entering Kindergarten in the fall. Camp will meet on July 4th.

Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Does your child like to jump, hop, swing, or climb? Bring your little mover and shaker to meet some of the Zoo’s movers and shakers! We’ll take a look at feet, fins, flippers, and wings and see how animals move around their world. Each day we’ll explore animal locomotion with hikes in the Zoo, crafts, games, and close encounters with some live animal “movers”. Whether it’s by land, sea, or air, your little one will enjoy this action-filled summer Zoo adventure!

Dates: June 12-16, June 26-30, July 10-14, July 24-28, Aug 7-11
Time: 9:30am-12:00pm or 1:00-3:30pm
Note: This camp is for 4 and 5 year olds or those entering Kindergarten in the fall.

Full-Day Camp

Extreme Animals

Are you extreme enough? Animals are out of this world, equipped with outrageous abilities such as being able to dive a MILE deep into the ocean! Join us as we meet these extreme animals and discover why they must act the way they do. Your camper will explore the animal and plant kingdoms by meeting our ambassadors face to face! You will identify their features and decide who is the fastest, strongest, or largest of them all?

Dates: May 29-June 2, June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26-30, July 3-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4, August 7-11, August 14-18
Time:9:00am-4:00pm
Note: This camp is for those entering 1st or 2nd Grade in the fall. Camp will meet on Memorial Day for May 29 camp, and on July 4th.

Half-Day Camps

Feast for the Beasts

Termites, durian fruit, and dung are just a few of the unusual, tasty “treats” that animals like to eat. In the Zoo’s unique learning environment, your child will enjoy discovering the world of herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and scavengers as well as where they all fit into the food chain.

Dates: June 5-9, June 19-23, July 3-7, July 17-21, July 31-Aug 4, Aug 14-18
Time:9:30am-12:00pm or 1:00-3:30pm
Note: This camp is for those entering 1st or 2nd Grade in the fall. Camp will meet on July 4th.

Jungle Journey

Come on a tropical safari with us! This camp will explore the tropical rainforest where we will meet every animal under the canopy! From singing gibbons to hooting gorillas, campers will take a trip around this awesome biome and discover some hidden jewels of the tropical rainforest and why these habitats are so very special.

Dates: June 12-16, June 26-30, July 10-14, July 24-28, Aug 7-11
Time:9:30am-12:00pm or 1:00-3:30pm
Note: This camp is for those entering 1st or 2nd Grade in the fall.

Full-Day Camp

Animal Rescue

We have an action-packed week planned for your camper. Campers will choose adventures that require teamwork to understand animal populations and what information should be collected to help rescue these animals. Every day, campers will “rescue” a different animal, make measurements, take weight, and estimate population sizes using field techniques.

Dates: May 29-June 2, June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26-30, July 3-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4, August 7-11, August 14-18
Time:9:00am-4:00pm
Note: This camp is for those entering 3rd or 4th Grade in the fall. Camp will meet on Memorial Day for May 29 camp, and on July 4th.

No Half-Day Camps

Full-Day Camp

Animal Behavior 101

Studying an animal’s behavior in the wild or a zoo can help us get to know them better as individuals AND give scientists valuable insight into the nature and habits of their species. This knowledge can lead to improvements to their care and conservation in the wild and captivity. During this week-long camp, we’ll utilize Zoo hikes and special animal visits to focus on learning the basics of animal observation and investigate the questions that come up.

Dates: May 29-June 2, June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26-30, July 3-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4, August 7-11, August 14-18
Time:9:00am-4:00pm
Note: This camp is for those entering 5th or 6th Grade in the fall. Camp will meet on Memorial Day for May 29 camp, and on July 4th.

Full-Day Camp

Eco-Explorers @ Bowyer Farm

Become a backyard biologist while exploring our fields, forests, and wetlands out at our 600 acre Bowyer Farm! Campers will spend time learning what it takes to protect our wild spaces through hands-on activities such as bird watching, plant identification, and animal tracking. Our adventure filled camp will encourage campers to get back in touch with their wild side, while building confidence as they hone their naturalist skills. On Friday, your camper will lead you on a nature hike to show off their new skills.

Dates: June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26-30
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: Bowyer Farm, 2210 Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040
Note: This camp is for those entering 5th or 6th Grade and 7th or 8th grade in the fall. This camp includes walking uneven terrain, getting in and out of a creek, and being on their feet for an extended period of time.

Full-Day Camp

Zoo Careers

Running a zoo involves a lot more than meets the eye. Join us for a week of exploring the many jobs involved in taking care of the Zoo’s animals and creating a great experience for Zoo visitors. You’ll get a chance to get down and dirty and creative with hands-on activities, animal encounters, & special experiences with Animal Care Staff. We’ll also give you a better understanding of the variety of zoo careers that are here at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

Dates: May 29-June 2, June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26-30, July 3-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4, August 7-11, August 14-18
Time:9:00am-4:00pm
Note: This camp is for those entering 7th or 8th Grade in the fall. Camp will meet on Memorial Day for May 29 camp, and on July 4th.

Full-Day Camp

Eco-Explorers @ Bowyer Farm

Become a backyard biologist while exploring our fields, forests, and wetlands out at our 600 acre Bowyer Farm! Campers will spend time learning what it takes to protect our wild spaces through hands-on activities such as bird watching, plant identification, and animal tracking. Our adventure filled camp will encourage campers to get back in touch with their wild side, while building confidence as they hone their naturalist skills. On Friday, your camper will lead you on a nature hike to show off their new skills.

Dates: June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26-30
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: Bowyer Farm, 2210 Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040
Note: This camp is for those entering 5th or 6th grade and 7th or 8th Grade in the fall. This camp includes walking uneven terrain, getting in and out of a creek, and being on their feet for an extended period of time.

Registration FAQs

Is it the same camp each week? Can I sign up for multiple weeks?

Holiday Camp:

Camp is the same topic and curriculum for both dates (January and February)

Spring Break Camp:

Each grade range has the same topic and curriculum for both weeks (March and April).

For Summer Camp:

Full day camp topic repeats each week. Half day camp topics alternate through the summer. We wouldn’t recommend doing multiples of the same group topic throughout the summer. For younger camps (4yr-K and 1st-2nd Grade) you can sign your campers up for a full day and both half day topics. If you would really like additional full day camp weeks, we suggest an early summer date and a late summer date.

Can I sign up for the morning and afternoon half day camp the same week?

No. We would ask parents to refrain from signing up their campers for the morning and afternoon sessions of a half day camp the same week. Half Day camps are the same topic for the morning and afternoon. With the break between morning and afternoon sessions, there are no staff available to supervise your child. Children cannot be left unattended at the Zoo.

My child will be turning four just a short time after camp starts. Can they come to camp?

In order to provide age-appropriate activities and instruction to all campers, we ask that all children are 4 years old by the start of the program date, can use the restroom unassisted, and are able to participate in long hikes.

May I enroll my child in a camp for an older/younger age group?

No. Age requirements are not negotiable and are enforced. Campers must fall within the specified grade band the first day of the camp session they are attending.

What if I want my child to only come for a portion of camp?

If your child will not attend all days of a session, please inform Zoo staff ahead of camp which days they will attend. We do not pro-rate or offer daily rates, so you will pay the full session fee.

What supports are available for children with developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities?

The Cincinnati Zoo strives to make environmental education accessible for all people.  In-classroom resources such as visual schedules, fidgets, timers, noise-cancelling headphones, and more are available for participant use throughout the program.  Educators receive training on how to support children of all need types.  For more information about how Zoo Troop may best serve your participant’s specific needs, please contact [email protected].

Are you allowing aides to come with campers?

A family-provided aide may be able to attend with your child.  Please contact [email protected] for more information and to find a solution that is specific to your child’s needs.

Will campers work with/care for animals?

All of our programs include encounters in the classroom with ambassador animals. 7th-8th grade camps may have opportunities for closer encounters and special experiences.

General Camp FAQs

Does my camper get a t-shirt? What are the shirt sizes?

Spring Break Camp and Summer Camp have their own t-shirts. These shirts change each year. Shirts are available in youth and adult sizes. Youth extra small is not available. Shirts from previous camps are for sale in the Education Lobby.

For sizing, please see the sizing charts by Gildan for the Gildan Heavy Cotton shirts. Shirts re 100% cotton.
Youth Sizes Adult Sizes

Do you provide a snack during camp?

Yes, we provide a snack for all our camp programs. Your camper may also bring their own food for snack time. Full day campers must provide their own lunches.

How often does the group take bathroom/water breaks?

We stop at water fountains and restrooms before and after hikes and whenever requested. Campers will carry reusable water bottles with them on hike.

My child is 4-5 years old and needs a rest in the afternoon. Do you have a break time?

Yes, as per state guidelines, we provide the 4-year-Kindergarten Full-Day camps with a 30-40-minute quiet time after lunch. This is a time for them to nap, rest, and cool down from the morning’s activities and get ready for the afternoon’s activities. During this time, children will either listen to a children’s book or calming music. If your child will take this time to rest, they may bring a small pillow or blanket with them preferably fitting into their backpack.

Can I visit the Zoo while my child is in camp?

If you would like to stay at the Zoo during or after your program, all vehicles must move to a visitor parking lot (Vine Street Parking Lot or next available lot).
Parking and admission rates will apply. Zoo Members may use their membership.

Nov 1-March 11: Zoo opens at 10am for all visitors and closes at 5pm (Festival of Lights Nov 15-Jan 8) has extended hours. Please check website.
March 12-Oct 31: Zoo Opens at 9am for members, 10am for non-members, and closes at 5pm

Can I meet my child for lunch?

Adults cannot join the group for lunch during camp. The lunch break is an important bonding time for campers and may vary in its timing day-to-day.

Safety & Medical FAQs

Will campers and staff have to wear masks during camp? (updated 12/1/22)

  • Masks may only be required for specific animal encoutners and will be provided if needed.

What if someone gets sick at camp? What if a camper/staff member is reported sick outside of camp hours?

Guardians should monitor their camper’s health leading up to and throughout the camp week. If your camper experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, your camper should remain home that day and take a COVID-19 test. If your camper is experiencing COVID-like symptoms, has a positive COVID-19 test result or is in close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive, guardians should communicate this with the Zoo via email at [email protected] for further guidance from camp staff on how your camper could re-enter camp safely.

Children with a fever or other symptoms of illness cannot attend camp until: they have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) and other symptoms have shown improvement.

If a camper develops a fever or otherwise exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 or any other ailment while at camp, their family will be notified and they must be picked up from camp as soon as possible. Please refer to our policies below for more information about cancellations and refunds.

Camp families will be notified in the event a serious, contagious illness, including COVID-19, is detected at camp. This will be done anonymously. Please refer to our policies below for more information about cancellations and refunds.

My child needs to take medication/inhaler. How should I arrange for this?

The Cincinnati Zoo is not responsible for administering medication to children. We will remind them to take their medicine or inhaler by themselves if needed. To ensure a positive experience for all campers, it is imperative that you notify us of any medical or behavioral conditions your child may have. In most cases, we can accommodate these needs and will do so to the best of our ability.

My child has an allergy. Can I provide you with an epinephrine injector?

Yes, you can. Your child or our staff will carry it with the group throughout the day. Zoo staff will contact you via phone prior to the first day of camp to discuss your child’s allergy and go over the specifics of their injector.

What is the supervision ratio for camps?

All camps are currently limited to 10-12 campers with 1 adult instructor. Summer Camps have an additional Zoo Teen to help supervise and assist the instructor.

What do you do for inclement weather?

Programs occur rain or shine. In case of extreme weather, the Cincinnati Zoo will contact all participants via email by 8:00am the day of the program. If a program is cancelled due to extreme weather the Zoo will do it best to create a make-up class or will refund for cancelled days.

How do I get in contact with a Camp Coordinator or my child during the camp if there is an emergency?

Please call 513-559-7730 for our main line.

How to Register/Waitlist/Cancellation/Credits FAQs

How do I register for camp?

  1. From the registration page, select the week and group you wish to sign up for.
    1. Camp topics the same content and curriculum regardless of week listed or group (A, B, C, etc.). Select quantity 1.
  2. Enter the camper’s information, as well as emergency contacts and authorized pick-up, and additional.
    1. If members, enter your membership number to receive the member price.
    2. You must enter at least 2 authorized pick-ups. Please include self as part of pick-up list. Names should be entered as they appear on the photo ID of the person picking up.
  3. You will be asked the following information:
    1. Camper’s t-shirt size
    2. any allergies/medications/additional information
    3. names of any friends they hope to be grouped with
    4. Acknowledgements:
      1. Safety and Sickness
      2. Media release
  4. You will be able to add optional before and after care to your order on this page.
  5. To add additional campers or weeks, once you add to cart, click Back to Shopping, and add to your cart.
  6. Once you have added all camps/campers to your order, click Checkout. Enter billing address/contact information and click Next.
  7. Enter your Payment Information.
    1. If you have a gift certificate or class credit, you can enter it on this screen, by check marking at the op “Do you wish to use a Gift Card/Certificate? (Up to six may be used in same order.)”
  8. Press Submit and you are set! A confirmation will be emailed to you. Be sure to add [email protected] and [email protected] to your safe senders list to receive important program information.
    1. Confirmation will have important information such as the camp portal, gate codes, and directions.

What is the waitlist? Can I waitlist for every week? How likely is it to come off the waitlist?

What is waitlist? How does it work?

  • When a program sells out, a waitlist automatically opens. When space becomes available for a week, we will call/email the first person on the waitlist for that week. If they want it, they get it; if they don’t, or do not respond, we move to the next person on the waitlist.
  • There is no charge to be placed on the waitlist.
  • You only need to add your child’s name for one group on the week(s) you want. You do not need to waitlist for group A, B, and C.
  • You will only be contacted if a space becomes available for your camper.
  • We will contact waitlisted campers up to the Friday before the camp week starts.

Tips for Waitlist/Registration

  • Book from a computer
  • Turn on Fill Forms (this helps auto fill the fields, meaning less typing)
  • Only add Group A for the weeks you want. DON’T add each group for a particular week.
  • Do all your weeks in one order. Add waitlist to cart and then Click Back to Shopping to add additional weeks.
  • Add any and all weeks you are open to coming for. There is no general “I’m available for everything” list.
    • Sorry, we know it can be tedious.

Can I change dates/topics/age groups?

For camp, you may make changes to the topics and date of your camp up to 14 days before camp free of charge, as long as there is room in the topic/date you are looking to change to.

Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy

The Cincinnati Zoo’s Education Department has updated its cancellation and refund policy, effective for all programs starting January 3, 2022. Programs cancelled by the registrant at least two weeks in advance of the program date may now receive a refund. Refunds or credits are no longer available for programs cancelled by the registrant within two weeks of the program date.

The Zoo reserves the right to cancel a program. Every effort will be made to contact registrants if this occurs with either a reschedleud date or refund information.

To cancel or reschedule a program, please call us at 513-559-7730 or email us at [email protected]. We can make a refund directly back to the payment type used. For credit cards, refunds will go back directly to the original credit card as long as the purchase was not more than 120 days from the refund date. For cancellations made over 120 days from the purchase date, we will need to mail a check. Checks can take 2-3 weeks to process (though usually less).

I have a gift certificate/class credit. How do I use it?

Gift certificates are great because they can be used for any of our education programs. To use your certificate, you will need the order number and certificate number. Go through your registration as normal. When you get to the final payment screen, just above where you enter your credit card information, check the box that asks if you’d like to use a gift certificate. Check the box, and enter your certificate/credit information.

Up to 6 certificates can be used per order. If your credit is for less than the total balance, you will then enter your credit card information. If your credit has a remaining balance, that balance will remain on that same certificate/credit and can be used at any time- remember, they never expire!

Received a credit, but can’t find your email? Contact us at [email protected].

Education Policies

Education Terms and Conditions

See our updated and consolidated Terms and Conditions for additional details for all programs.

CALL OR EMAIL: 513-559-7730 OR [email protected]

css.php