What ages does Junior Naturalists accept?

Junior Naturalists 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 Junior Naturalists cost?

Junior Naturalists 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 Junior Naturalists?

Junior Naturalists 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 Junior Naturalists provide lunch?

Junior Naturalists 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 Junior Naturalists compare to other specialty camps in Apple Valley?

Junior Naturalists 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

Junior Naturalists

Minnesota Zoo

Junior Naturalists at the Minnesota Zoo offers day camps for children in grades K-9, focusing on wildlife, conservation, and outdoor exploration within the z...

▌ Editor's read The Minnesota Zoo's Summer Zoo Camp, which includes the Junior Naturalists program, offers day camps for children entering grades K-9. The camp website, mnzoo.org/summerzoocamp/, loads successfully and provides detailed information on various camp themes, age groups, and registration. The Minnesota Zoo itself has a Google review rating of 4.7 stars based on over 18,000 reviews, indicating a highly regarded institution. While the camp is not ACA accredited, the website states that all camp staff undergo background checks. The program is run by the Minnesota Zoo, which is part of the state's university system, making it a university-owned entity. Social media handles found on the site are @mnzoo for Instagram and mnzoo for Facebook. The camp emphasizes hands-on learning, animal encounters, and outdoor activities, with specific themes tailored to different age groups.

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University programRun by an academic institution

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 5–12

Junior Naturalists 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 Junior Naturalists

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

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