Summer Camps

Camp Age Groups and 2023 Fees

5 day camps available in half day format, 9am-12pm
$110 Non-Members (Members save 15%)
Morning extended care available: +$10

5 day camps available in full day format, 9am-4pm
$195 Non-Members (Members save 15%)
Morning AND afternoon extended care available: +$20

5 day camps available in full day format, 9am-4pm
$225 Non-Members (Members save 15%)
Morning AND afternoon extended care available: +$20

Children must meet the minimum age requirement by the first day of camp in order to participate.

All fees are per child, per camp. Some camps may have fees different than standard fees listed above due to proration for an adjusted schedule or specialty program fees. "Member" denotes the discounted fees available to Zoo Members. Full payment is required at the time of registration.

Included in your fee: all materials and supplies, keepsake photo, daily snack, and workbook.

Extended Care

An optional Extended Care service is available for Learning Adventures camp sessions only. Morning care: 7:30-9:00am Afternoon care: 4:00-5:30pm. A flat fee of $20 per child, per week applies to full day camps and includes both morning and afternoon sessions. Half-day camps offer morning-only or afternoon-only care for $10 per child, per week. Extended Care provides supervision only and is not instructional time. Once selected the service can be used as much or as little as needed.

Camp Location

All camps have home base in the DeFouw Education Center on Zoo grounds. Drop-off and pick-up is via a car line system in the Wallace Avenue parking lot. During a typical camp day, participants will take excursions outside to visit zoo exhibits, go behind-the-scenes, and take advantage of the beautiful Columbian Park setting.

Lunch and Snacks

A daily snack will be provided for all camps and may include crackers, pretzels, fruit, or other similar items, along with water.

You may choose to pack an alternate snack. Parents of full-day campers are expected to pack a lunch for their child daily. Please avoid including nut-based food items due to allergy concerns. Refrigeration and reheating are not available. We encourage children to bring a litterless lunch and a reusable plastic cup or water bottle.

Allergies and Functional Needs

All allergies should be disclosed at the time of registration. Indicate if food allergies are environmental or ingestion-only. Please note that Zoo facilities are NOT peanut-free, tree nut-free or latex-free. Despite our best efforts, we cannot guarantee your child will not be exposed to an allergen. Although contact allergies with zoo animals are rare, please discuss any previous animal-related allergies with Zoo staff prior to camp.

We invite you to discuss any functional needs your child may have with the Education Team prior to registering, so that we may answer any questions you have and learn how we can best set up your child for a successful camp experience. It is always our goal to be as inclusive as possible. We believe the first step to achieving this is open and transparent two-way communication.

Medications

If your child requires medications to be administered during camp hours, or travels with an Epipen, rescue inhaler or other critical care medication, please review our Medication Policy found in the Education Programs Participation Agreement (also included in the Terms and Agreement section during online registration) prior to registration. Direct any questions to the Zoo Education office at (765) 807-1540 or zooeducation@lafayette.in.gov.

Are You a Member? Members receive a special discount of 15% off camp fees! If you're not already a member, consider joining today. Click HERE to join online.

Cancellation Policy

Refunds will be made if notification of cancellation is received fourteen (14) days or more prior to the event. For Family and Youth Programs, a $15 Cancellation Fee applies. Cancellation fees will be automatically deducted from any due refund. The Zoo reserves the right to cancel an event or program due to insufficient registration with full refunds and notification. Columbian Park Zoo reserves the right to cancel a participant's registration, without refund, if program rules and regulations are not followed by participant. The Zoo reserves the right to cancel a program, at its sole discretion, due to inclement weather which would compromise the health or safety of the animals and/or Zoo staff members or program participants. In the event of cancellation for inclement weather, at the Zoo's discretion, the Zoo will work with you to reschedule, offer a refund or other alternate solution.