Summer Sleep Away Camp - Overnight at the Zoo

Florida's All-Inclusive, One-of-a-Kind Sleepaway Camp Experience

For two decades, Busch Gardens Summer Resident Camps have combined nature and thrills to create a unique one-of-a-kind experience. Based out of our secure onsite dormitory, Mzinga Lodge, we provide campers in rising grades 7 through 12 an all-inclusive camp experience from start to finish. Home to more than 200 species of animals and world class coasters, Busch Gardens has camps for both animal lovers and thrill seekers alike.

Choose the grade level your camper will be entering in Fall 2025.

Exciting camp experiences!

Busch Gardens’ Summer Camps for kids is a time to make new friends, try new things, come face-to-face with a giraffe and challenge North America’s tallest freestanding drop tower.

COMING SOON!

Wild Professions – A 2 night/3 day experience for Teachers and College Students.

- Animal Care Edition – Learn the basics of what it takes to be an Animal Care Specialist at Busch Gardens Tampa!

- Veterinary Medicine Edition – Learn what it takes to care for all of the different animals that call Busch Gardens home.

Land & Sea Adventures Resident Camp
Grades 7-9

Splash Seekers Camp at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Looking for the best of both worlds? Come face to face with incredible animals on both land and sea, from towering giraffes to legendary killer whales! Embark on an extraordinary adventure beginning at Busch Gardens Tampa where you can watch lions being lions after dark. Your travels include visiting SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica to marvel at the diversity of marine species from sting rays to Commerson’s dolphins. Plan to conquer new coasters and camp out overnight in an animal venue at SeaWorld. Return to Busch Gardens to uncover the inner workings of a premier zoo and meet the animal care professionals that keep it running smoothly.

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For the best of both land and sea, embark on an extraordinary grand adventure beginning at Busch Gardens Tampa followed by a visit to Orlando to "dive into" SeaWorld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove! Whether they walk, swim or fly, come meet incredible animals, from towering giraffes to legendary killer whales!

Here are just some of the experiences you can expect:

Hand feed a giraffe from the back of a flat-bed truck and watch a young white rhino at play on the Serengeti Plain
Splash down the Reef Plunge at Aquatica
Prepare yourself for an immersion into the shark pool—a close encounter! Meet a dolphin face to rostrum at SeaWorld.
Spend a night at SeaWorld sleeping next to belugas, then visit Discovery Cove one morning for a guided reef experience!
Explore Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove to enrich your knowledge about wildlife on land and sea while enjoying all the world class rides, shows, and animal habitats each park offers

Busch Gardens Grand Adventure Camps are fully chaperoned resident camps that include the following amenities:

Transportation between Busch Gardens and Tampa International Airport (TPA), and travel to SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove and Aquatica
All meals and snacks
Five camp T-shirts, a string backpack, and a water bottle
Housing at our secure, onsite dormitory, Mzinga Lodge, and one night camping at a SeaWorld overnight venue
All camp staff are CPR/FA/AED trained and Health Service ambassadors are available to campers throughout the program
Complimentary park admission for the camper at Busch Gardens after dismissal on the last day of camp and discounted Busch Gardens park admission for family members as well

2025 Legends of Land & Sea Dates: Arrive Saturday by 11:00 AM, depart the following Thursday at 8:00 AM

July 5-10
July 19-24

Land & Sea Adventures is a 5-night long resident camp for middle school students in Rising Grades 7-9 (12-15 years of age entering grades 7-9 in fall 2025) which begins 11:00 AM Saturday and ends promptly the following Thursday at 8:00 AM. Cancellation/Refund Policy: 6+ weeks - full refund 1-5 weeks - 50% of reservation refunded Less than 1 weeks - No refund All components and activities are subject to change. Please call 813-884-4FUN (813-884-4386) or 813-987-5808 to receive pass member discounts. We hope your child will enjoy this opportunity to experience all the fun and challenges of a grand adventure at camp while developing a greater appreciation for animals and the environment.

Grades 7-9

Camper(s)

$ 1999.00 /ea.

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Zoo FUNdamentals Resident Camp
Grades 10 - 12

Zoo Careers Camp at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

A grand adventure camp designed to get you close to animals from around the world. Experience real-life, hands-on animal care while assisting animal care professionals at their daily routine. From preparing diets, learning animal training basics and observing veterinary care, you’ll experience first–hand what it takes to care for a variety of wildlife from giraffes to manatees. Spend one day at SeaWorld and prepare to encounter marine life galore, roller coasters inspired by the sea, and world-class shows!

More Details

Experience real-life, hands-on animal care while on a grand adventure at one of the nation’s largest zoos. Explore Busch Gardens' conservation commitment to wildlife plus spend a water day at SeaWorld Orlando!

Here are just some of the experiences you can expect:

Spend zoo mornings prepping habitats, distributing diets, and observing animal behavior training
Hand feed a giraffe from the back of a flat-bed truck
Engage in up-close animal ambassador encounters at Busch Gardens
Spend a day at SeaWorld observing beluga whales, stingrays, sea lions and dolphins!
Explore Busch Gardens and SeaWorld’s animal exhibits to enhance your conservation knowledge while enjoying all the world class rides, shows, and animal exhibits each park offers

Busch Gardens Grand Adventure Camps are fully chaperoned resident camps that include the following amenities:

Transportation between Busch Gardens and Tampa International Airport (TPA)

All meals and snacks

Five camp T-shirts, a string backpack and a water bottle

Housing at our secure, onsite dormitory, Mzinga Lodge

All camp staff are CPR/FA/AED trained and Health Service ambassadors are available to campers throughout the program

Complimentary Park admission for the camper at Busch Gardens after dismissal on the last day of camp and dicounted park admission for family members as well

2025 Zoo FUNdamentals Dates: Arrive Saturday by 11:00 AM, depart the following Thursday at 8:00 AM

July 12 - 17
July 26 - 30

Zoo FUNdamentals is a 5-night long resident camp for high school students in Rising Grades 10-12 ( 14 - 18 years of age entering grades 10-12 in fall 2025) which begins at 11:00 AM on Saturday and ends promptly Thursday morning at 8:00AM. Cancellation/Refund Policy: 6+ weeks - full refund 1-5 weeks - 50% of reservation refunded Less than 1 weeks - No refund All components and activities are subject to change. Please call 1-813-884-4FUN (813-884-4386) or 813-987-5808 to receive pass member discounts. We hope your child will enjoy this opportunity to experience all the fun and challenges of a grand adventure at camp while developing a greater appreciation for animals and the environment.

Grades 10 - 12

Camper(s)

$ 1999.00 /ea.

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Forms

You will receive an invitation email from CampDoc to complete camp forms around March 1, 2025. At that time, CampDoc will prompt parents to log in and begin the process of completing and tracking camp releases, health history and travel information electronically. CampDoc.com, a leading electronic health record system for camps, is a secure, encrypted and password protected site. Only the Busch Gardens Camps team will have access to your camper’s information.

Resident Camp Handbook

Download the 2024 Resident Camp Handbook which provides campers with valuable information to help make the most of your Busch Gardens Camp experience.

Download Handbook