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Overnight Summer Resident Camps

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

Whether looking for a career in the zoological field, veterinary field, or a chance to push adventure to the limit while staying in the Tampa area, Busch Gardens Overnight Summer Resident Camp is a home-away-from-home where you live what you love!

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 2024. 

 

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Day Camps

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.

Resident Camps

Land & Sea Resident Camp
Grades 7-9

Splash Seekers Camp at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Looking for the best of both worlds?  Come meet a few of the world's most incredible animals from both land and sea, from towering giraffes to legendary killer whales!

More Details

Looking for the best of both worlds?  Embark on an extraordinary Grand Adventure beginning at Busch Gardens Tampa where you can watch lions being lions after dark.  Your travels include visiting SeaWorld and Aquatica to marvel at the diversity of marine species including sting rays and Commerson’s dolphins. Plan to conquer new coasters and camp out two nights in animal venues, followed by a visit to Aquatica and Discovery Cove! Upon your return to Busch Gardens, uncover the inner workings of a premier zoo and meet the animal care professionals that keep it running smoothly.  Come face to face with incredible animals on both land and sea, 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 Plungeat Aquatica
• Prepare yourself for an immersion into the shark pool—a close encounter! Meet a dolphin face to rostrum at SeaWorld.
• Spend two nights at SeaWorld sleeping next to belugas, dolphins, sea turtles, or other amazing sea creatures, 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 two nights camping at SeaWorld's overnight venues
• 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 50% off Busch Gardens park admission for family members as well
 
2023 Legends of Land & Sea Dates: Arrive Saturday by 11:00 AM, depart the following Thursday at 8:00 AM
 July  8 - 13
 July 22 - 27

Pass Members can save up to 20% on Resident Camps. Please log in to see discounted pricing.


All components and activities are subject to change or cancellation. Height restrictions will apply for all rides. Separate park admission is not required. Prices listed are per camper and do not include tax. Advanced reservations must be made before first day of camp. Cancellation/Refund Policy: • 6+ weeks prior to camp start date – Full Refund; 6 weeks prior to camp start date – 50% Refund; Less than 3 weeks prior to camp start date – No Refund.  If you have any questions or need to adjust your reservation, call (813)884-4FUN (4386). All camps are subject to availability. Limited quantities are available each week. If desired start date does not appear in calendar, we are fully booked for that week.

Grades 7-9

Prices Starting at

1

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. 

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 visiting sharks, 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 discounted park admission for family members as well

Zoo FUNdamentals Dates: Arrive Saturday by 11:00 AM, depart the following Thursday at 8:00 AM
  June 15-20
  June 29 - July 4
  July 13 - 18
  July 27 - August 1

Zoo FUNdamentals is a 5-night long resident camp  for high school students entering Grades 10-12 ( 14 - 18 years of age)  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

Prices Starting at

1

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, 2024. 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