Camp registration is now open.
If a camp is full, you can sign up for the waitlist through the registration process.
Summer day camps at Great Lakes Aquarium meet on-site and use the Aquarium exhibits, grounds, and community parks to learn about our natural world. Join us for a summer of caring for animals, celebrating Lake Superior, SCUBA diving, and more!
Age limits are established by the grade the camper is going into for the 2026-2027 school year (with the exception of the PreK camps, Underwater Sports Camp, and SCUBA Camp).
Full and partial scholarships are available (donate to our day camp scholarship fund). Apply for a summer camp scholarship here. The scholarship application will be available beginning February 6. Please note: scholarship funds are limited and reviewed on a rolling basis. Plan ahead to secure scholarship funds prior to registration.
Camps for PreK (potty-trained 3 – 5 year olds)
Sensational Senses Camp
Discoveries await under every rock and around every corner. Campers will use a variety of tools for discovery to practice observation skills and develop a sense of wonder while we play inside and outside the Aquarium, meet animals, and explore new things. Campers will need to provide their own healthy snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates: June 8-11 or June 22-25 (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $105 members | $120 non-members
Creature Camp
Scales, scutes, feathers, and fur! Animals have incredible features that help them survive in their habitat. Campers will investigate the five vertebrate groups through animal encounters, indoor and outdoor play, and exciting stories and songs. Campers will need to provide their own healthy snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates: July 13-16 (CAMP FULL) or July 27-30 (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $105 members | $120 non-members
Ecosystem Explorers Camp
Imagine what it would be like to be the first person to discover something new! Each day, the young explorers will dive into the world of a different scientist! From oceanographers to entomologists, we have so many incredible role models to learn from. Campers will need to provide their own healthy snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates: August 10-13 (CAMP FULL) or August 24-27 (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $105 members | $120 non-members
Camps for rising Kindergarteners and 1st graders
Polliwogs Kindergarten Camp
This Kinder-focused camp is an exciting opportunity for campers to discover new things at the Aquarium! The June camp will inspire campers to use all 5 of their senses to uncover new things. During the July camp, campers will dive into the world of incredible vertebrates – and invertebrates too! The August camp will focus on science explorers who changed the world with their inspiring discoveries. Campers can choose to sign up for one or all of the weeks. Campers will need to provide their own healthy snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates: June 22-25 (CAMP FULL), July 27-30 (CAMP FULL), or August 24-27 (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Thursday from 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $105 members | $120 non-members
Camps for Rising 1st – 3rd Graders
Amazing Animals Camp
From the bottom-feeding lake sturgeon to the soaring bald eagle, Minnesota is home to many magnificent animals. Whether they live underwater or on land, each animal has special features, or adaptations, to help them survive in their habitat. Explore the amazing adaptations of aquatic and terrestrial animals by meeting resident Aquarium animals, visiting nearby parks, and playing games. While our focus is on Minnesota animals, we will have the opportunity to meet a few animal ambassadors from around the world! Campers will need to provide their own lunch and snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates: June 8-12 (CAMP FULL) or July 27-31 (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $275 members | $315 non-members
Superior Explorers Camp
Lake Superior contains 3,000,000,000,000,000 (that’s three quadrillion!) gallons of freshwater. How was this enormous lake formed? What lives in it? Who are the animals and people living on its shores? Campers will spend each day playing games, making themed art, and taking field trips to parks in and around the city as they learn all about the geology, ecology, and significance of this great lake. Campers will need to provide their own lunch and snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates: June 22-26 (CAMP FULL) or August 10-14 (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $275 members | $315 non-members
Ocean Explorers Camp
The ocean covers more than 70% of our planet, yet we still have so much to learn about it! How did the oceans form? What strange and wonderful creatures live beneath the waves? How do humans explore, protect, and depend on the sea? Campers will spend each day playing games, creating ocean-inspired art, and learning about some of the incredible ocean animals that call the Aquarium their home. Campers will need to provide their own lunch and snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates: July 13-17 or August 24-28 (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $275 members | $315 non-members
Junior Animal Care Half Day Camp
Great Lakes Aquarium is home to hundreds of animals, from brown trout to North American river otters to tiger salamanders. Campers will spend a week at the Aquarium learning what it takes to keep the resident animals healthy and active. We will go behind the scenes to prepare meals, feed animals, test water quality, and more! Campers will need to provide their own snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates: July 6-10 (CAMP FULL) or August 31-September 4 (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $120 members | $140 non-members
Lake Superior Animals Half Day Camp
Lake Superior is home to an incredible community of animals. Each species has unique adaptations that help it survive in this powerful freshwater lake. Campers will explore these animals of Lake Superior through games, hands-on activities, and encounters with resident Aquarium animals. Along the way, we’ll discover how these animals are connected—and how the largest Great Lake supports life above and below the surface. Campers will need to provide their own snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates:
June 29-July 2 (NO CAMP July 3) (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $96 members | $112 non-members
August 3-7
This camp runs Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $120 members | $140 non-members
Camps for Rising 2nd-4th Graders
Outdoor Adventurers Camp
The world is our playground in this nature-based, outdoor camp! Join us as we explore the Aquarium grounds and beyond, focusing on child-inspired and child-directed nature play experiences. Campers will be encouraged to let their curiosity guide their play as they climb, build forts, jump, examine rocks, and so much more. This camp may take field trips to local outdoor destinations to extend play opportunities and experiential learning. Campers will need to provide their own lunch and snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates:
June 15-18 (NO CAMP June 19)
This camp runs Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $220 members | $250 non-members
June 29-July 1 (NO CAMP July 2-3)
This camp runs Monday-Wednesday from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $165 members | $190 non-members
August 17-20 (NO CAMP August 21) (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $220 members | $250 non-members
Camps for Rising 4th – 6th Graders
Animal Care Camp
Great Lakes Aquarium is home to hundreds of animals, from brown trout to North American river otters to tiger salamanders. Campers will spend a week at the Aquarium learning what it takes to keep the resident animals healthy and active. We will go behind the scenes to prepare meals, clean exhibits, test water quality, and more! This camp takes field trips in the 15-passenger van. Campers will need to provide their own lunch and snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates: June 15-19, July 20-24 (CAMP FULL), or August 17-21 (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $275 members | $315 non-members
Wildlife Camp
Campers will explore the fascinating world of wildlife through interactions with animal ambassadors at the Aquarium and field trips in and around Duluth to visit native habitats. With a different theme each day, campers will experience a variety of hands-on learning with members of the local science community, adventures in area parks and trails, and a deeper connection to the wildlife that share our home. This camp takes field trips in the 15-passenger van. Campers will need to provide their own lunch and snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates: July 6-10 or August 3-7 (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $275 members | $315 non-members
Camps for 11-14 year olds
Intro to Underwater Sports Camp
This hands-on camp will introduce campers to the exciting world beneath the surface of the water through snorkeling! We will begin the week learning basic skills and building confidence in the pool. Then, campers will spend the next few days exploring real underwater environments in and around the Duluth area with our experienced instructors. Along the way, we will learn about local ecology and geology as we explore! This camp takes field trips in the 15-passenger van. Campers will need to provide their own lunch and snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates: July 20-24 (CAMP FULL)
This camp runs Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $330 members | $360 non-members
Camps for 15-17 year olds
Intro to SCUBA Camp
New regulations from SCUBA agencies have required a change in the age range for this camp. If your child will not be 15 by the start of this camp, please consider Intro to Underwater Sports Camp. There will be no exceptions to the age limit for SCUBA Camp.
Curious to try SCUBA diving? Now’s your chance! Campers will spend each morning diving into the science of SCUBA with physics experiments, games, and field trips. Each afternoon, campers will travel to a local pool where they will put on SCUBA gear and try out new underwater skills under the guidance of Great Lakes Aquarium’s dive instructor. On the final day, campers will travel to a local lake (weather dependent) to use their new skills for a shallow open water dive. Please note: this field trip is heavily dependent on weather and visibility conditions, which are regulated by various SCUBA agencies. Alternative plans for Friday dives will be communicated to participants. This camp takes field trips in the 15-passenger van. Campers will need to provide their own lunch and snacks.
Summer 2026 Dates: August 10-14
This camp runs Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Early Drop Off beginning at 8:00 a.m. is available.
Cost: $330 members | $360 non-members
Need to cancel your child’s camp registration? Please note the Learning Programs Cancellation and Refund Policy.
Questions? Contact Community Learning Manager Ahna Neil at 218-740-2025 or aneil@glaquarium.org.