Summer Zoo Camp
Every day is an exciting adventure that offers a unique and engaging experience to connect campers with wildlife and science. Zoo Camp activities include animal encounters, games, crafts, and STEAM-based lessons and activities!
View or download the Summer Zoo Camp policies here.
Zoo Camp Schedule
Camp Prices
5-Day Camps • $260 Members | $299 Non-Members
*4-Day Camps • $205 Members | $240 Non-Members
4-year-old Half Day 5-Day Mini Camps • $170 Members | $210 Non-Members
4-year old Half Day *4-day Mini Camps • $140 Members | $180 Non-Members
*Camps are 5 days long unless otherwise noted. Shortened 4-day camps are only offered during the weeks of Memorial Day and 4th of July.
Camp Dates
Camp activities are organized into three weekly sets of scheduled activities that repeatedly rotate throughout the summer. Each schedule will include unique animal encounters, games, crafts, and STEAM-based lessons and activities.
- Week 1: May 26-29 (*four days only, from Tuesday to Friday) - Schedule A
- Week 2: June 1-5 – Schedule B
- Week 3: June 8-12 – Schedule C
- Week 4: June 15-19 – Schedule A
- Week 5: June 22-26 – Schedule B
- Week 6: June 29-July 2 (*four days only, from Monday to Thursday) - Schedule C
- Week 7: July 6-10 – Schedule A
- Week 8: July 13-17 – Schedule B
- Week 9: July 20-24 – Schedule C
- Week 10: July 27-31 – Schedule A
If the camp group/date you are looking for does not appear during registration, that group/date is sold out.
Camp Time
Camps are from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.
Check-in: 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. outside the front gates
Check-out: 4:15 to 4:30 p.m. in the Nest 529 Greenspace by the front gates
(4-year-old check-out for our Half-Day Mini Camps will be from 12:00 to 12:15 p.m. at the Ager doors at the back of Secret Jungle. Specific directions and pick-up instructions will be provided.)
Please note that campers will only be released to adults on their approved pick-up list (designated at registration) who present a valid ID each day.
Camp Age Groups
5-6 years old (Three groups of 20 campers each)
7-8 years old (Two groups of 20 campers each)
9-10 years old (Two groups of 25 campers each)
11-13 years old (One group of 25 campers)
NEW! 4 years old – Half Day Mini Camp (One group of 20 campers)
In 2026, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo will now be offering a half-day “mini camp” for our littlest zoo-venturers from 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. each week. Lunch will not be served, but a mid-morning snack will be provided. All campers MUST be fully independent in the bathroom in order to attend camp. This group will still enjoy all the best parts of Zoo Camp, including animal encounters with zookeepers and STEAM-based lessons and activities to encourage child development.
Camp Policy
Please review our Camp Information Brochure for all policies and procedures, including check-in and check-out processes, refund/cancellation policy, behavior expectations, registration FAQs, and a sample schedule of a typical day at camp. If a camper is found to have signed up without meeting the qualifications outlined in these policies, they will be dismissed from camp without a refund.
Camper Information
Please make sure you are entering your e-mail correctly during registration and are using the e-mail with which you desire to receive all correspondence. We will use your entered e-mail to contact you for camp forms, details, and updates. During registration, you will be asked to fill out your camper’s information, including date of birth, shirt size, allergies, dietary needs, friend grouping requests, and any special needs or accommodations they may require. This information will only be shared with Education staff to ensure the safety of your child while attending camp. Please ensure that you are as thorough as possible to enable us to provide the best experience possible for your child.
To contact the Education Team
Email jchestnut@lincolnzoo.org or call 402.475.6741 ext. 137
Zoo Camp Add-Ons
Camp Lunches • $45 for 5-day weeks, $36 for 4-day weeks
Lunch for each day of Zoo Camp. If your camper is a picky eater or has dietary restrictions, we do not recommend purchasing zoo lunch as our options are limited. We cannot sell lunch plans for individual days.
Zoo Camp Water Bottle • $12.50
Extra T-shirt • $12.50
Camp Bundle • $65 for 5-day weeks, $56 for 4-day weeks
Bundles include lunch for each day of camp, an extra T-shirt, and a Zoo Camp water bottle. (All campers receive one free T-shirt with their registration every week.)
Health & Safety Procedures
If your child is not feeling well, please keep them at home. Campers will be sent home early if they begin exhibiting symptoms of the flu, Covid-19, or any viral infection or communicable disease. These symptoms include but are not limited to vomiting, diarrhea, elevated body temperature, coughing, or sore throat. Campers will be allowed to return to camp once they are free of symptoms for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
Counselors will administer basic first aid for minor cuts, bruises, and insect bites or stings. Trained zoo staff will be alerted for any first aid needs beyond these minor instances and will contact emergency services if necessary. Emergency contacts will be notified of any medical treatment beyond minor first aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make sure my camper will be in the same group as their friend?
Please make sure to indicate any requested groupings upon registration. While the Lincoln Children’s Zoo welcomes these requests, we cannot guarantee they will be fulfilled, even if noted on your registration. Due to quick turnaround times for creating camp rosters, Education staff will not be able to accommodate last-minute grouping requests.
Where do I go if my camper arrives late in the morning?
If dropping off after 8:45am, please enter the reception office to the right of the main gates and let the receptionist know you are here for Zoo Camp. Please wait with your camper in reception until a member of the Education staff comes to pick them up.
How do I pick up my camper early?
Please notify the counselor at check-in that morning of your need to pick-up early and what time you will be arriving. When you get to the zoo, please enter the reception office to the right of the main gates and give the receptionist your camper’s name and age. Education staff will be notified and will bring your camper to you. Please note there are no early pick-ups allowed after 3:45pm.
What is your cancellation/refund policy?
Zoo Camp registration is non-refundable. As an alternative to cancellation, camp registration can be transferred to another week of camp or to another camper in the event of a schedule conflict. If you would like to request transferring your registration, please contact the Director of Education at jchestnut@lincolnzoo.org or call 402-475-6741 ext. 137.
How will the Zoo communicate with me during camp?
All information about Zoo Camp will be communicated to the email address used during the sign-up process. If you would like communications sent to a different email address than the one originally provided during registration, please let the Education department know your preferred contact information. Emergency contact phone numbers provided at registration will be used to reach caregivers if a medical or behavioral situation arises during camp. Please only list emergency contacts who are able to promptly answer their phone during the day. We will call “Emergency Contact 1” first, and “Emergency Contact 2” next if Contact 1 does not pick up.
What level of animal interaction will my camper have during the day?
While the Lincoln Children’s Zoo prides itself on providing firsthand interaction with living things, that does not always mean getting to pet animals. There are several ambassador animals that campers may be able to gently touch, but most animal encounters will NOT allow the campers to pet. This is for the safety and comfort of both our animals and the campers. Apart from the secure camp building, campers will spend their time in public buildings and locations within the zoo. They will not be allowed to go behind the scenes to staff or animal care areas.
My child has food allergies/sensitivities. What do you provide for lunch and snack?
If your camper is a picky eater or has dietary restrictions, we do not recommend purchasing zoo lunch as our options are limited. All lunches will come with fruit juice, fresh fruit or a fruit cup, a cookie or granola bar, and a bag of potato chips. Entrees rotate through a menu of chicken tenders, mini corndogs, mozzarella sticks, chimichangas, and a turkey & cheese sandwich. Snacks rotate through a choice of Goldfish, graham crackers, or a chocolate chip granola bar.
What kinds of activities will my camper participate in during the day?
Zoo Camp is dedicated to providing campers with a fun and educational experience that focuses on learning, exploring, outdoor play, and relationship-building. Each day of camp will include engaging STEAM lessons, an animal encounter with a zookeeper, team-building activities, outdoor free play, and crafts. Camp activities are organized into three weekly sets of scheduled activities that repeatedly rotate throughout the summer.
What should my child bring to camp?
We ask that campers bring a backpack or bag in which to carry belongings and bring home crafts. In this backpack should be a reusable water bottle, lunch and snacks as needed, any desired sun protection (including a hat, sunglasses, or jacket), and a towel and full change of clothes (including underwear, socks, bottoms, and a shirt) as there will be days when campers play in water. Please make sure to label all items sent with your camper. Please do NOT send your camper with any toys, electronics, or personal items of sentimental or financial value. The Lincoln Children’s Zoo is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen belongings.
How do I contact my camper if I need to reach them during the day?
We ask that you do not send campers with cell phones, but we understand there may be instances when important communication is necessary. If you need to reach your camper during the day, please call the Director at 913-980-9620 or the Coordinator at 402-560-2663.
My child has special needs/requires specific accommodations. Can they still participate in Zoo Camp?
Zoo Camp makes reasonable efforts to accommodate student needs. If your child has medical, learning, physical, developmental, social, or behavioral needs, or if your child requires other accommodation (such as specialized equipment, additional adult support/supervision at school, learning/social/medical/behavioral accommodations, etc.), please contact the Education department before registering for camp to allow discussion about reasonable accommodations, as Zoo Camp cannot guarantee that requested accommodations or modifications can be made in every situation. Requests for accommodation or modifications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure adequate staffing and group sizes are available to meet the needs of all children attending camp.
To contact the Education Team
Email jchestnut@lincolnzoo.org or call 402.475.6741 ext. 137
