Campers enjoy a wide variety of activities throughout the day, including Zoo exploration, up-close animal encounters, hands-on activities, games and more. Each camp has age-appropriate activities and experiences that align with the theme of the camp program. Zoo camp is fairly active and campers will spend most of their day outdoors. 

Before care and after care are available for an additional cost and can be added on while you are registering your child for camp. Before care is $40 for the week and open from 7:30 am – 8:45 am. After care is $60 for the week and open from 3:15 pm – 5:30 pm. If you need to add extended care on after you have registered your child, you can log back into your account to purchase. 

Each camper will receive 1 camp shirt per week registered. Camp shirts are not able to be picked up early. Campers will receive their camp shirt on the first day of their camp week.

Having an extra shirt can be helpful. You can purchase 1 extra camp shirt per week registered during camp registration for $8. Extra camp shirts are available to purchase online until Monday, April 24.

Attended Zoo camp before? We love and encourage campers to wear past years' camp shirts. 

At Zoo Camp, the majority of the day is spent outside in the park. Tennessee summer heat is not something we take lightly. We encourage our campers to drink lots of water, refill water bottles at stations around the Zoo and have specific camp water filling stations as well. Camp takes advantage of shaded areas around the Zoo and on days with extremely high temperatures, daily camp schedules and activities are adjusted throughout the day.  

Younger camp groups alternate activities inside and outside throughout the day and for older camp groups that do spend more time outside, they have a covered camp space, with access to fans and the rain room, which is only open to Zoo camp in the summer. Camp staff are trained to recognize and respond to heat-related incidents and Nashville Zoo also has a team of dedicated EMTs on-site every day. Water play activities are also planned each day to help campers cool off. 

Nashville Zoo does not provide lunches for campers. Due to allergies, Zoo camp is peanut and tree-nut free. Campers will need to come to camp each day with a nut-free, non-refrigerated lunch, snack and refillable water bottle. For campers attending after care, we recommend packing an additional snack. 

Camps for Kindergarten - 7th grade will be in small groups of 6-8 campers each led by one Zoo Camp Counselor & one trained ZooTeen (teen volunteer). Camps for 8th - 12th grades will have slightly larger groups led, by two Zoo Camp Counselors.

It is our goal at Zoo Camp to be an inclusive and safe space for everyone. During registration, you will complete a medical form for each camper where you can list allergies, medications or supports for your child during camp. In order to best meet the needs of your camper, we welcome you to contact us to discuss any accommodations your camper requires prior to camp. We are happy to discuss all available options. Email education@nashvillezoo.org with specific questions. 

Registration for Zoo members will open Wednesday, January 25 at 10 am and open for the general public on Wednesday, February 1 at 10 am. 

No, you will not be able to create a camp account until registration opens (January 25 for Zoo Members and February 1 for the general public). Use the tips below to ensure a smooth registration process.

Historically, many camp weeks will fill during the first day of member registration. Take advantage of early registration and camp discount by becoming a Zoo member.

Gather this information for your camper: home address, t-shirt size, emergency contact information, pertinent medical information (allergies or medical concerns camp staff should be aware of) and code word for camper pick up (examples: pet name, nickname, favorite animal).

We also recommend that you look at the list of classes available for your camper(s) before you begin your registration.

As a thank you for supporting the Zoo as a member, members receive early camp registration and a discount for camp sessions. Registration opens for zoo members on January 25 around 10:00 am.

On the morning of member registration, zoo members will be emailed the link for registration and their unique discount code to receive the member discount for camp. The discount code will be entered before checking out. There is no discount for extended care.

We recommend searching your email accounts for recent emails from pr@nashvillezoo.org or membership@nashvillezoo.org to ensure that you are on our email list, that your email address is associated with your member number (you’ll see it at the bottom of our monthly e-news), and you know which email to check for your registration info on January 25.

Purchasing a new membership? Make your purchase prior to January 25. After making your purchase, see how to find your membership number here.

Have a lapsed membership? Renew before January 25.

Need to find your membership number? You can find your membership number on your membership card or in a copy of our email newsletter. If you purchased your membership online, you can also find your membership number by following these instructions. If you can't find this information, please email our Membership Department at membership@nashvillezoo.org

2023 summer camp scholarship application has closed. 

Nashville Zoo has a limited number of scholarships for the 2023 summer camp season. Scholarship applications are due March 1.  Complete the application here.

Camp is a great place to develop new friendships. Within each program, we are able to take requests for your child to be placed with friends or siblings signed up for the same camp.

Complete the following request form to submit your group request after you have registered for camp. Talk to the other families in your group - only submit one group request for all campers in your group. Fill out a Camp Group Request Form »

Zoo Camp Cancellation policy: Cancellation requests submitted 2 weeks prior to the registered camp week will receive a 50% refund of the original amount paid. Cancellation requests received within 2 weeks of registered camp week will not receive a refund. 

Rescheduling: Requests to reschedule are subject to availability. Historically, summer camp weeks fill very quickly so space is usually limited.

All requests to cancel or reschedule must be submitted via email to education@nashvillezoo.org. Please include the camper’s name, camp session and date.

Prior to summer, all registered camp families will receive a comprehensive camp guide to help prepare their camper(s) for camp at the zoo. The week before your camp week, you will be sent reminders, daily schedules and an introduction to the educators leading the summer programs.