Summer Zoo Camp

SUMMER ZOO CAMP

Lottery Registration for Summer Zoo Camp 2026 is now closed

To make our camp registration process more equitable, full-day camps* are registered by lottery only.

Lottery Registration opened at 8 am on January 16th and closed at noon on January 30th, 2026.

We are unable to add additional names to the waiting lists after the lottery registration period has closed.

Families have been contacted if their names were randomly selected in the lottery. Those not initially selected will remain on the waiting list, and will be contacted if an additional spot opens up.

Zoo Camp Lottery Registration

LOTTERY REGISTRATION HAS NOW CLOSED

The Lottery Registration period for our full-day Summer Zoo Camps was open in January.

If you have entered the lottery, you are still on the waiting list and will be contacted if we have any openings due to cancellations.

Kinderfari Registration

REGISTRATION OPENED AT 8 AM ON FEB 9th, 2026

Kinderfari is not included in the lottery. Kinderfari half-day camp registration is first come, first served.

If a camp you are interested in is full, please add your name to the waiting list.

Come spend the summer at one of our week-long inquiry-focused Summer Zoo Camps! Campers enjoy special animal experiences and behind-the-scenes opportunities while facing scientific challenges that put the campers in the shoes of keepers, vets, or zoo administrators and motivate campers to seek the information to solve real-life problems. In alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards, campers engage in the scientific process of observation, scientific reasoning, and engineering design to build solutions to real-life problems. Campers leave Zoo Camp with a greater awareness for the individual animals at the zoo and how to help animals in the wild, all while building their science skills and making new friends.

2026 Zoo Camp Schedule Overview

Table view of Zoo Camp Schedule for weeks 1 through 11, and all four age groups.

2026 Zoo Camp Dates and Theme Descriptions

Week 1 - June 15-18 *No Camp Friday

Kinderfari Ages 4-5 - Have to Have a Habitat

What makes home perfect for an animal? Join us this week as we explore everything animals need for a healthy habitat. We’ll go behind the scenes to learn about habitats at the zoo, and you’ll have the chance to design a home for one of your stuffed pals!

Explorers Ages 6-7 - Where the Wild Things Live

From the frozen tundra to the scorching desert, and from volcanic deep sea vents to mountain-peaks, animals thrive in many different habitats. In this camp, we’ll explore what animals need to survive in their environments and meet some animal friends who can be found in truly extreme places.

Scouts Ages 8-10 - Animal Rescuers

You can make a difference! Discover how you can help animals both in your own backyard and around the world. Get up close and personal with some of the amazing animals that Henry Vilas Zoo is working to protect, and use your creativity to help save them!

Week 2 - June 22-26

Kinderfari Ages 4-5- Eco Engineers

Discover how animals teach us to build sturdy nests that withstand the wind and cozy dens that keep us warm and dry all year round. Come meet some amazing animals and create your own animal-inspired inventions.

No Explorers Camp this Week

Scouts Ages 8-10 - Zoo Puzzlers

Training animals with positive reinforcement requires a lot of problem-solving skills and creative thinking. This week we’ll dive into some zoo-themed puzzles and problems, carry out investigations, and then you’ll design your own puzzle solutions and animal-inspired creations to help out our zookeepers!

Jr Zookeepers Ages 11-13 - Animal Behavior

From instinct to action, behavior is everything an animal does. This week we’re diving into the science of Ethology: the study of animal behavior. Join us to discover the hidden stories that understanding behavior reveals about the lives of our amazing animals.

Week 3 - June 29-July 3 *No Camp Friday

Kinderfari Ages 4-5 - Rock-a-bye Critters

In this camp we’re exploring the world of animal babies - how they grow, and how their parents care for them. We’ll go behind the scenes to learn how zookeepers take care of babies here at the zoo as well as have fun playing pretend taking care of baby animals.

Explorers Ages 6-7 - Let's Work Together

Many animals work together to help each other survive, and we can learn a lot from their teamwork. In this camp, we’ll observe animal teamwork, and participate in some fun team building of our own. Come join the team for a fun camp week!

Scouts Ages 8-10 - Keeper Camp

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a zookeeper? Now is your chance! Join us this week where we’ll dive into all aspects of zookeeping. From preparing nutritious diets, to mastering training techniques, to even getting down and dirty, this camp will show you what it’s like to be a top-notch zookeeper.

Week 4 - July 6-10

Kinderfari Ages 4-5 - Animal Tales

Do you ever wonder how the rhino got his skin, the tiger got his stripes, or how the camel got his hump? Join us for a week of exciting animal tales, and meet some of the colorful characters along the way!

Explorers Ages 6-7 - Wildlife Warriors

Wildlife is incredibly important and worth protecting. During this camp, we will meet some endangered animals who need our help, and brainstorm ways to use our voices to help protect wild animals and the places they call home.

Scouts Ages 8-10 - You Are the Scientist

A lot of science happens at the zoo, from tracking animal behavior to examining samples under a microscope. Join us as we transform into budding scientists this week to help our animals here at the zoo and in our own backyards. Participate in an international habitat mapping project by carefully observing the zoo animals and Wisconsin’s wildlife. Learn how your actions can make the world a better place.

Week 5 - July 13-17

Kinderfari Ages 4-5 - Feathers, Fur, Shells & Scales

There are so many different animals here at the zoo. In this camp we’ll learn all about what makes each group of animals unique! We will get to meet feathery, furry, shelled and scaly friends and explore through play.

Explorers Ages 6-7 - Jr Zoo Vets

How do you vaccinate a tiger? Or how do you give medicine to an orangutan? Our vets and keepers need to consider a lot of different factors to keep our animals healthy, from the food they eat to the type of shelter they have, to the vitamins they receive. This week, we’ll help our keepers and vets problem-solve some animal health situations that may come up at the zoo.

Scouts Ages 8-10 - Creature Connections

Animals interact with each other in fascinating ways, and at this camp, we’ll learn all about it. How can a little bird help a giant rhino, and can a fungus truly control an ant’s mind? Uncover these mysteries and more as we meet animals, venture behind the scenes, and explore the intricate connections between different species.

Week 6 - July 20-24

Kinderfari Ages 4-5 - Have to Have a Habitat

Explorers Ages 6-7 - Myths and Wonders

Unicorns, pixies, and dragons might not be as mythical as you think. Join us for a magical adventure as we’ll explore the world of mythical creatures and meet some of their real life counterparts.

No Scouts Camp this Week

Jr Zookeepers Ages 11-13 - Enrichment Engineers

Become an animal enrichment engineer with us! Enrichment, meaning novel or unique items for animals to interact with, is an important part of providing the best care for our zoo animals. It keeps them active, allows them to display natural behaviors, and enhances their well-being. We’re always on the lookout for new enrichment ideas, and we need your creativity! Put your engineering skills to the test to design new items to enrich the lives of our animals.

Week 7 - July 27-31

Kinderfari Ages 4-5 - Eco Engineers

Explorers Ages 6-7 - Where the Wild Things Live

Scouts Ages 8-10 - Animal Rescuers

Week 8 - August 3-7

Kinderfari Ages 4-5 - Rock-a-bye Critters

Explorers Ages 6-7 - Wildlife Warriors

Scouts Ages 8-10 - Keeper Camp

Week 9 - August 10-14

Kinderfari Ages 4-5 - Animal Tales

Explorers Ages 6-7 - Jr Zoo Vets

Scouts Ages 8-10 - You Are the Scientist

Week 10 - August 17-21

Kinderfari Ages 4-5- Feathers, Fur, Shells & Scales

No Explorers Camp this Week

Scouts Ages 8-10 - Zoo Puzzlers

Jr Zookeepers Ages 11-13 - STEM

Join us for an exciting week at the zoo filled with all things STEM! Discover science, technology, engineering, art and math while learning about our awesome animals. Conduct your own inquiry projects and uncover the lessons animals can teach us!

Week 11 - August 24 - 28

No Kinderfari Camp this Week

Explorers Ages 6-7 - Myths and Wonders

Unicorns, pixies, and dragons might not be as mythical as you think. Join us for a magical adventure as we’ll explore the world of mythical creatures and meet some of their real life counterparts.

Scouts Ages 8-10 - Creature Connections

Camp Age Groups

Kinderfari* - 4 and 5 years old
Explorers - 6 and 7 years old
Scouts - 8 to 10 years old
Jr. Zookeepers - 11 to 13 years old

Camp Hours

Drop off: 8:00-8:30 a.m.
Camp Activities: 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
*Kinderfari Activities: 8:30-11:15 a.m.
Pick up: 4:00-4:30 p.m.
*Kinderfari Pick up: 11:15-11:30 a.m.

Camp Prices

Explorers, Scouts, Jr. Zookeepers: $370/wk
*Kinderfari : $215/wk

Week 1 and Week 3 are pro-rated to account for shorter camp weeks.

Henry Vilas Zoo Members at the Family level or above receive a 10% discount on all camps.

Zoo Camp FAQ

How does the lottery registration work?

The lottery registration period opens at 8 am on January 16th, 2026, and closes at 12 noon on January 30th, 2026. You can choose which weeks to enter the lottery during that time period. No payment is required to enter the lottery. If you are entering siblings into the lottery, we suggest you fill out the Sibling Request Form for each camper.

Once the lottery period closes, we will randomly select campers for each camp week, and we will notify families via email by February 6th, 2026. Families have 48 hours to complete the camp payment or respond with notification of a payment schedule. If we do not receive a response within 48 hours, we will move to the next family on the list. Those campers not selected will remain on the waiting list, and will be contacted if an additional spot opens up.

What is Kinderfari camp?

How much time do campers spend with the animals and behind the scenes?

This is the heart of the Zoo Camp experience! Each day, campers will have an opportunity to step into the role of the zookeepers: putting out food for an animal or helping to prep an animal enclosure for the day. At least once each day, campers get to see or touch an animal up close. We also focus on investigating the real life challenges zoo staff and vets face. Campers will have opportunities to build their teamwork skills as they complete our science challenges.

What does a typical day at Zoo Camp look like?

Campers are welcomed with some games or activities while everyone arrives.
Small group bonding activities start the day.
Some days campers do a “keeper chore” to help the keepers set up for the day.
The challenge of the day is revealed. The group comes up with questions and suggestions for which animals to observe.
Campers explore the zoo to make observations that will help them solve the challenge.
Meet an animal up close or go into an enclosure to learn more.
Lunch offers a chance to eat, relax, or play at the playground (campers must bring their own lunch).
After lunch, campers discuss solutions to their scientific challenges and work together to design or build a model to solve the problem they have been working on.
The afternoon continues with thematic activities, games, and often another up-close animal encounter, before wrapping up and reflecting on the day.

Why are the science challenges used to shape the camp experience?

What kind of science challenges?

We work with the kind of challenges zoo staff and scientists are faced with everyday, such as:

What kinds of food should we feed the animals?
What should we add to the enclosure to encourage natural behaviors?
How do we design the best habitat for an animal?
How do we care for an injured animal?
What new inventions can we create by studying animals?

At Zoo Camp, we use age-appropriate scenarios based on real life. The campers then have room to observe, wonder, and come up with their own solutions – some of which we can actually put into place at the zoo!

Will it feel fresh and new to attend Zoo Camp more than once?

What is the adult-to-child ratio?

What group do I sign my child up for?

What is your cancellation policy?

If you choose to cancel your registration, and notify us via email MORE THAN FOUR WEEKS prior to the start of camp, you can choose to receive a refund (minus 10% for administrative costs) or transfer your registration payment to a donation for the Zoo.

If you choose to cancel your registration, and notify us via email BETWEEN TWO AND FOUR WEEKS prior to the start of camp, you can choose to receive a 50% refund, or transfer your registration payment to a donation for the Zoo.

If you choose to cancel your registration, and notify us LESS THAN TWO WEEKS prior to the start of your camp, no credits or refunds will be given. Your registration payment will automatically be transferred to a donation.

All cancellations must be made via email to education@henryvilaszoo.gov.