Treehouse Adventure
Treehouse Adventure is a day camp at the Minnesota Zoo for children in grades K-5, offering immersive, age-appropriate animal and nature-themed educational e...
▌ Editor's read The Minnesota Zoo Summer Camp, including the Treehouse Adventure program, offers day camp experiences for children in grades K-5. The website indicates that staff undergo background checks and are trained in first aid and CPR. The camp is operated by the Minnesota Zoo, a state agency, and is therefore likely affiliated with the University of Minnesota. Google reviews for the Minnesota Zoo generally show a high rating of 4.7 stars from over 20,000 reviews, with many positive comments about the educational programs and animal encounters. The camp offers various themed weeks, such as 'Animal Architects' and 'Zoo Crew,' tailored to specific grade levels. Social media handles for the Minnesota Zoo are @mnzoo on Instagram and mnzoo on Facebook. There is no mention of ACA accreditation or specific staff-to-camper ratios on the camp's webpage.
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University programRun by an academic institution
Who thrives here Ages 5–12
Treehouse Adventure 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
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 Treehouse Adventure
- What ages does Treehouse Adventure accept?
- Treehouse Adventure 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 Treehouse Adventure cost?
- Treehouse Adventure 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 Treehouse Adventure?
- Treehouse Adventure 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 Treehouse Adventure provide lunch?
- Treehouse Adventure 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 Treehouse Adventure compare to other specialty camps in Apple Valley?
- Treehouse Adventure 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 Treehouse Adventure 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 Treehouse Adventure.
- 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