What ages does Animal Survival Skills accept?

Animal Survival Skills is open to children ages 5–12. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.

How much does Animal Survival Skills cost?

Animal Survival Skills doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. 2026 pricing TBD as of 2026-04-16. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.

Who runs Animal Survival Skills?

Animal Survival Skills is operated by a university program. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.

Does Animal Survival Skills provide lunch?

Animal Survival Skills does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.

How does Animal Survival Skills compare to other specialty camps in Apple Valley?

Animal Survival Skills is one of 36 specialty camps in Apple Valley that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

▌ Specialty · Ages 5–12

Animal Survival Skills

Minnesota Zoo

Minnesota Zoo Summer Camps offer themed day camp experiences for children from pre-kindergarten through 9th grade, focusing on animal encounters and conserva...

▌ Editor's read The Minnesota Zoo Summer Camps website loads successfully, detailing a variety of day camp programs for children from pre-K to 9th grade. The camps are organized by age group and theme, such as 'Animal Survival Skills' for grades 3-4, and include activities like animal encounters, behind-the-scenes tours, and conservation education. The Minnesota Zoo has a Google review rating of 4.7 stars based on over 18,000 reviews, with many reviewers praising the educational value and engaging exhibits. The website mentions that staff undergo background checks. The camp is run by the Minnesota Zoo, which is part of the state's university system. Social media handles for the Minnesota Zoo are @mnzoo on Instagram and MinnesotaZoo on Facebook. No specific staff-to-camper ratios are published on the site, nor is there any mention of ACA accreditation or state licensing for the camp programs specifically.

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University programRun by an academic institution

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 5–12

Animal Survival Skills fits middle-elementary campers — old enough for skill-building to land, young enough that friend-group dynamics and counselor warmth still matter more than program rigor. Parents at this age band tend to prioritize a balanced rhythm of structured activity and unstructured play, which is the actual differentiator inside any given specialty program.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Day camp
ACA accredited: Not verified
Established: Not listed
Operator: University program
Staff-to-camper ratio: Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Specialty
Ages: 5–12
Address: 13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, MN 55124, USA
Cost notes: 2026 pricing TBD as of 2026-04-16.

Logistics

Lunch provided: No
Transportation: No
Financial aid: No
Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Animal Survival Skills

What ages does Animal Survival Skills accept?: Animal Survival Skills is open to children ages 5–12. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Animal Survival Skills cost?: Animal Survival Skills doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. 2026 pricing TBD as of 2026-04-16. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
Who runs Animal Survival Skills?: Animal Survival Skills is operated by a university program. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Animal Survival Skills provide lunch?: Animal Survival Skills does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does Animal Survival Skills compare to other specialty camps in Apple Valley?: Animal Survival Skills is one of 36 specialty camps in Apple Valley that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Animal Survival Skills with other camps.

How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review licensing, supervision, and accreditation signals.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Animal Survival Skills.

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Fees: $225 ($210 for Zoo members) · Minnesota Zoo · Ages 5–12
Fees: $445 ($420 for Zoo members) · Minnesota Zoo · Ages 5–12
For children entering 1st or 2nd grade in the fall of 2026. · Minnesota Zoo · Ages 5–12
For children entering 3rd or 4th grade in the fall of 2026. · Minnesota Zoo · Ages 5–12
For children entering 5th or 6th grade in the fall of 2026. · Minnesota Zoo · Ages 5–12