Camp · Specialty · Ages 5–12
Directory · United States · Minnesota · Apple Valley
▌ Specialty · Ages 5–12

Ocean Odyssey

Minnesota Zoo

Ocean Odyssey is a summer day camp at the Minnesota Zoo offering immersive, age-appropriate programs focused on marine life and conservation for children in ...

▌ Editor's read The Minnesota Zoo's Summer Zoo Camp, including the Ocean Odyssey theme, offers day camp programs for children in grades K-8. The website (mnzoo.org/summerzoocamp/) loads successfully and provides detailed information about various camp themes, schedules, and registration. The camp is not listed in the ACA directory. While the website does not explicitly state staff-to-camper ratios or mention background checks for staff, it emphasizes experienced educators and zoo professionals. The Minnesota Zoo has a Google review rating of 4.7 stars based on over 10,000 reviews, with many positive comments about the zoo's educational programs and family-friendly environment. Social media handles for the Minnesota Zoo are @mnzoo on Instagram and 'mnzoo' on Facebook. The camp is owned and operated by the Minnesota Zoo, which is a state agency, suggesting a 'municipal-parks' or 'university' type of ownership, though 'unknown' is used as it's not explicitly stated as a parks department or university. The program is exclusively a day camp, with no overnight options mentioned.
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 5–12

Ocean Odyssey 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
Not listed
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 Ocean Odyssey

What ages does Ocean Odyssey accept?
Ocean Odyssey 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 Ocean Odyssey cost?
Ocean Odyssey 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.
Does Ocean Odyssey provide lunch?
Ocean Odyssey 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 Ocean Odyssey compare to other specialty camps in Apple Valley?
Ocean Odyssey 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 Ocean Odyssey with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Ocean Odyssey.