Summer Camps 2026 "Zoo Party"
Everyone is invited to celebrate summer with a Zoo Party! Join us for engaging weeklong and single day camps for rising 1st-8th graders, with select virtual options. Two day camps are available for rising 7th-10th graders, with a NEW two day Kidzu camp this year!
Registration will begin February 2nd at 6:00 p.m.
Registration Process:
Purchase tickets from the registration link for the camper's age group and/or audience from the drop-downs below. You may add multiple camps from various registration links to the shopping cart . An added ticket will be held in your shopping cart for 15 minutes while registration is completed. You will be required to enter pertinent information (camper name, emergency contacts, allergies, etc.) to complete registration. This information can be edited later.
Camp Cost:
Virtual Camps: $35 per session
Single Day & Kidzu Camps: $75 per session
2-Day Camps: $115 per session
Weeklong Camps: $300 per session
Important Camp Information:
All in-person camps are from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m, virtual camp times are noted in the description.
All camps are rain or shine.
The link to purchase an optional camp t-shirt will be shown once tickets are added to the shopping cart or can be found in our Camp FAQs.
Contact: email or call Amanda Helms, Camp Coordinator
Join us for a summer of fun they’ll always remember!
Lower Elementary (rising 1st-3rd grade)
Registration link coming soon.
15 campers max per session.
Birthday Party
Single Day Camp
Wednesday, June 17th
Growing up is hard work! Join us for a fun day of exploring how the Zoo honors animal milestones. We will make enrichment for animal parties, give well wishes to young amphibians in our headstart program, and celebrate new friends!
House Party
Single Day Camp
Thursday, July 16th
From deserts to the tundra and even under the sea! Animals are across the globe, and you’re invited to the house party! Come along as we investigate types of habitats and what animals need to thrive in their homes.
Pajama Party
Single Day Camp
Monday, July 27th
Animals don’t wear pajamas, but you can! Through exciting activities and animal visits, we will discover what special adaptations our nocturnal friends have to help them survive at night. Do you prefer super hearing or night vision?
Zoo Party Planners
Weeklong Camp (choose one session)
Session 1: Monday, June 22nd- Friday, June 26th
Session 2: Monday, August 10th- Friday, August 14th
Have you ever wondered what it takes to run a zoo? This weeklong camp will explore habitat design and zoo careers. We will use our creativity and curiosity to make plans for our own zoo!
Upper Elementary (rising 4th-6th grade)
Registration link coming soon.
15 campers max per session.
Costume Party
Single Day Camp
Thursday, June 18th
Sometimes animals hide in plain sight! This costume party explores different types of camouflage and tests our tracking skills. We will learn some basics to solve the mystery of hidden animals!
Dinner Party
Single Day Camp
Friday, July 17th
Mealworms or watermelons? Bowls or boxes? Diet and presentation play an important part in an animal’s health and daily life. This camp will discover all the careful considerations that keepers, vets, and kitchen staff use to prepare for a Zoo dinner party!
Pool Party
Single Day Camp
Tuesday, July 28th
Swim on down to the Zoo for a pool party! We’ll dive into the lives of our aquatic animals, big and small. Games and experiments will also help us learn properties of water. It’ll be the coolest week of the summer!
Zoo Party Hosts
Weeklong Camp (choose one session)
Session 1: Monday, July 6th- Friday, July 10th
Session 2: Monday, August 3rd- Friday, August 7th
Ready to be a zoo pro? We need party hosts to help the Zoo run smoothly! Through hands on activities, we will learn how to get others excited about animal friends and take care of our animals. Come along to discover key features of the Zoo!
Middle & High School (rising 7th-10th grade)
Registration link coming soon.
10 campers max per session.
Vacation Party
2-Day Camp, Rising 7th-8th Grade
Wednesday, July 1st- Thursday, July 2nd
North America or Africa? Pack your bags and join us for a camp that explores the current regions of the North Carolina Zoo (before we expand)! This crash course in natural history is your chance to “travel” and connect with new animals.
Zoo Afterparty
Weeklong Camp, Rising 7th-8th Grade
Monday, July 20th- Friday, July 24th
What happens after a great day at the Zoo? We’re continuing the conversation to focus on how the Zoo supports wildlife and wild places beyond our grounds. Join us in discovering the importance of zoos and how we can all keep the party going!
Housewarming Party
2-Day Camp, Rising 9th-10th Grade
Wednesday, July 29th- Thursday, July 30th
Moving is a big deal! This camp will focus on the importance of reintroduction and habitat conservation for threatened or endangered species. We invite you to learn more about how the Zoo makes a difference and how you can take part!
Kidzu Camps
*Kidzu camps are designed for 3rd-8th graders with Autism, ADHD, or campers who need a smaller group size and a more guided, sensory-sensitive experience!*
Registration link coming soon.
8 campers max per session.
Block Party
Single Day Camp
Tuesday, June 16th
Calling all friends in the neighborhood! North Carolina is home to a wide variety of species that deserve celebrating. This interactive camp will highlight native animals of all kinds and how the Zoo (and you!) can help them thrive!
Dance Party
Single Day Camp
Wednesday, July 15th
Do you have cool moves? The Zoo is home to animals that crawl, climb, run, and swim! Spend the day investigating how our wild friends move through their homes. We’ll rework some classic dances into animal actions!
Dress Up Party
2-Day Camp
Monday, June 29th- Tuesday, June 30th
Animals like to dress up, too! Come along to discover how animals color code, mimic, and pretend. We will uncover animal secrets through games and activities, while celebrating our curiosity!
Virtual Camps (rising 1st-6th grade)
Registration link coming soon.
10 campers max per session.
Block Party
Rising 1st-3rd Grade: Monday, June 15th 9am-12pm
Rising 4th-6th Grade: Monday, June 15th 1pm-4pm
Calling all friends in the neighborhood! North Carolina is home to a wide variety of species that deserve celebrating. This interactive camp will highlight native animals of all kinds and how the Zoo (and you!) can help them thrive!
Dance Party
Rising 1st-3rd Grade: Tuesday, July 14th 9am-12pm
Rising 4th-6th Grade: Tuesday, July 14th 1pm-4pm
Do you have cool moves? The Zoo is home to animals that crawl, climb, run, and swim! Spend the day investigating how our wild friends move through their homes. We’ll rework some classic dances into animal actions!
Scholarships
Scholarships will be awarded for Summer Camps 2026. The application below must be filled out entirely and submitted by 5 p.m. February 20th to be considered.
Scholarships will reduce the cost of camp to $15 per day (totaling $15 for a single day camp, $30 for a 2-day camp, and $75 for a weeklong camp). Lunch will be provided for scholarship recipients.
Recipients will be notified by March 6th.
Scholarship Application Coming Soon!
Further Questions
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.