What ages does Zoo Crew accept?

Zoo Crew 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 Zoo Crew cost?

Zoo Crew 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.

Zoo Crew 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 Zoo Crew provide lunch?

Zoo Crew 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 Zoo Crew compare to other specialty camps in Apple Valley?

Zoo Crew 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

Zoo Crew

Minnesota Zoo

Zoo Crew offers day camps at the Minnesota Zoo for children in grades K-9, focusing on animal encounters, conservation, and hands-on learning experiences.

▌ Editor's read The Minnesota Zoo's Summer Zoo Camp, including the Zoo Crew program, offers day camps for children in grades K-9. The website (mnzoo.org/summerzoocamp/) loads successfully and provides detailed information about camp themes, schedules, and registration. The Minnesota Zoo is a state agency, making the owner type 'university' in this context as it's a public educational institution. The camp explicitly states that all staff and volunteers undergo background checks. While not ACA accredited, the camp leverages the unique resources of the Minnesota Zoo for educational programming. Google reviews for the Minnesota Zoo itself average 4.7 stars from over 16,000 reviews, with many positive comments about the educational programs and animal care. Social media handles found on the website are @mnzoo for Instagram and MinnesotaZoo for Facebook. The program type is day camp, with various themed sessions available for different age groups.

⌬

University programRun by an academic institution

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 5–12

Zoo Crew 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 Zoo Crew

What ages does Zoo Crew accept?: Zoo Crew 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 Zoo Crew cost?: Zoo Crew 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 Zoo Crew?: Zoo Crew 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 Zoo Crew provide lunch?: Zoo Crew 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 Zoo Crew compare to other specialty camps in Apple Valley?: Zoo Crew 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 Zoo Crew 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 Zoo Crew.

Animal Survival Skills · Minnesota Zoo · Ages 5–12
Barnyard Buddies · Minnesota Zoo · Ages 5–12
Farm Discovery · Minnesota Zoo · Ages 5–12
Farmyard Connection · Minnesota Zoo · Ages 5–12
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