Photo Safari
Photo Safari is a day camp at the Minnesota Zoo for grades 6-8, focusing on photography skills and animal observation.
▌ Editor's read The Minnesota Zoo's Summer Zoo Camp website loads successfully, detailing various camp offerings including 'Photo Safari' for grades 6-8. The camp is a day program, running from 9 AM to 4 PM, and is operated by the Minnesota Zoo, which is a state agency. The website mentions that all staff and volunteers undergo background checks. While specific staff-to-camper ratios are not listed, the program description highlights learning from professional photographers. The Minnesota Zoo has a strong online presence with a Google review rating of 4.7 stars from over 10,000 reviews. Social media handles found are @mnzoo on Instagram and 'mnzoo' on Facebook. The camp's unique setting provides an excellent opportunity for aspiring photographers to practice their skills with diverse animal subjects.
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University programRun by an academic institution
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Day camp
- Operator
- University program
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 Photo Safari
- What ages does Photo Safari accept?
- Photo Safari 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 Photo Safari cost?
- Photo Safari 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 Photo Safari?
- Photo Safari 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 Photo Safari provide lunch?
- Photo Safari 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 Photo Safari compare to other specialty camps in Apple Valley?
- Photo Safari 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 Photo Safari 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 Photo Safari.
- 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