Questions about Busch Gardens Camps

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5-Day Summer Camp Details

What do the Summer Camps include?

Day Camps include the following amenities:

  • Snack & Drinks. Busch Gardens will provide lunch one day during the course of each camp session. The other days campers are asked to bring their lunch. Do not pack perishable items as refrigeration is not provided.
  • Admission to the park during camp hours is included
  • A Camp T-shirt (required for campers to wear at all times) and a water bottle

Please Note: Additional t-shirts are available for purchase during your child’s camp week for $5/each or via our Call Center.

What is the schedule for Summer Day Camps?

Week 1: June 26 – 30
Ages 6-7
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-11
Ages 12-13

Week 2: July 3 – 7
Ages 6-7
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-11
Ages 12-13

Week 3: July 10 – 14
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-11
Ages 12-13
Ages 14-16

Week 4: July 17 – 21
Ages 6-7
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-11
Ages 12-13

Week 5: July 24 – 28
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-11
Ages 12-13
Ages 14-16

Week 6: July 31 – August 4
Ages 6-7
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-11
Ages 12-13

Week 7: August 7 – 11
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-11
Ages 12-13

 

What are the hours of Summer Camps?

Camps run Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.  Check-in is each morning from 8:30 am – 9:00 am.  Campers must be present prior to or at 9:00 am as the program will start promptly at 9:00 am each morning.

Do any of the camp groups visit Water Country USA?

Camp age groups 10-11, 12-13 and 14-16 visit Water Country USA for one day during their week-long program. This will be communicated to parents prior to the start of their program.  The younger age groups will not visit Water Country USA as part of their camp programs. Campers visiting Water Country USA must have the ability to be able to swim independently and parents should communicate any concerns prior.

What type of food is served during the Summer Camp program?

Busch Gardens will provide lunch one day during the course of the summer camp program with foods ranging from burgers to spaghetti to sandwiches. 

 

NOTE: Some available food products may contain or have been processed in proximity to peanut and/or other allergenic ingredients. Please specify any dietary preferences, allergies and/or restrictions on the Health History Form, and elaborate on the possible reaction if consumed. While camps can accommodate a simple vegetarian diet, please provide non-perishable supplements for more complex dietary needs.

What photo opportunities will campers have?

Campers will have the ability to take photos park wide as a park guest, and in a few behind the scenes areas. We suggest they bring a camera to take their own photos throughout the week. There are certain ride and zoo back areas where cameras are prohibited and counselors will inform campers where they may or may not use cameras.


Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Water Country USA and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged cameras brought to camp.

Will my child be able to shop?

Campers are provided with everything needed during their day at Summer Camp, including food and drinks. There will be no time to shop, so please do not send your child to camp with money. Busch Gardens is not responsible for lost money or valuables.

What is the Busch Gardens Camps refund policy?

  • Programs are non-refundable.
  • Rebooking requires at least 45 days advance notice based on availability. 
  • If a participant leaves camp early, or is dismissed, no refund will be given.

Preparing For Camp

Do I need to complete all the registration forms and releases?

For campers to attend Busch Gardens Camps, it is mandatory that all forms and releases be filled out accurately and completely. Busch Gardens partners with CampDocs for forms to be completed electronically online.

Where do parents/campers go for check-in / pick up?

Guests will be directed to use our Employee/Delivery Entrance off Route US 60 (located next to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery). Please bring your email confirmation on the first day of check-in and present to Security at our Security vehicle checkpoint. Be prepared for the possibility of a random vehicle search when entering park premises. From there you will be directed toward our England parking lot where signage will guide you where to go for camp check-in.

 

Camp Check in location

Can my child purchase food in the park?

Snacks & drinks are provided daily. Busch Gardens will provide lunch on one day during the course of each camp session. On the other days, campers are asked to bring their lunch. Do not pack perishable items as refrigeration is not provided.

Campers will NOT have an opportunity to purchase lunch in the park on days they are asked to bring a lunch.

What attire should my Summer Camper wear?

Campers will be provided one complimentary camp t-shirt on the first day of Summer Camp. Campers are required to wear these shirts at all times during camp. One additional t-shirt is available for purchase during your child’s camp week for $5 each.

 

Parents are recommended to dress campers for outdoor physical activities that are appropriate with the weather on the day of their camp.  Regarding footwear, we recommend tennis shoes for all days that the camp group is at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (most days if not all for certain age groups).  When visiting Water Country USA (for certain age groups), we recommend Aqua-Socks for campers to wear.

When does my child get his/her Summer Camp t-shirt?

Campers receive their Summer Camp t-shirt during check-in on the first day of camp. One additional t-shirt is available for purchase during your child’s camp week for $5 each.

Do I need to send over-the-counter medications?

Health Services keeps the most common over-the-counter (OTC) medications on-hand for all of our park guests, including campers. It is not necessary to send any of these medications to camp! Because we cannot dispense any medication without parental and/or physician authorization, please be sure to complete the Medication Release Form and note the available medications. For the safety of all campers, all medicines, OTC and/or prescription, are collected by Health Services upon arrival and dispensed as required.

Will my child be able to shop?

Campers are provided with everything needed during their day at Summer Camp, including food and drinks. There will be no time to shop, so please do not send your child to camp with money. Busch Gardens is not responsible for lost money or valuables.

Safety and Health

Can my child stay in the park after camp?

For the safety of our campers, Busch Gardens does not allow campers to be released from our program unsupervised to play in the Park. Campers must be picked up by an adult on their pre-approved pickup list.

How can Camp participants be contacted during the program?

At the first day of camp check-in, parents/guardians will be given a cell phone number to reach the on-duty Camp Supervisor if an emergency occurs or to notify our team when you are ready and on property to pick up your child. Carrying cell phones or other electronic gear during a regular camp day by campers is discouraged, but not prohibited, because of potential disruption to programming. Campers that do have cell phones on them and that are causing a disruption with them will have their devices taken away from them by camp staff till the end of the day.

What is the procedure in a medical emergency?

For all minor injuries and illnesses that occur at any of the parks, the SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Health Services team is available. For serious injuries and illnesses, participants will be transported to the closest hospital. A Busch Gardens representative will contact you in case of an emergency. It is required that you complete all of your child's medical consent to treat and medical history forms before registration is complete.

Who are the Busch Gardens Day Camp Team Members?

Our seasonal camp counselors are highly motivated, experienced college students and teachers that are carefully selected and background screened. Day camp counselors spend a full week training at Busch Gardens prior to campers’ arrival.  Our entire camp team also trains and possesses First Aid, CPR, and AED training prior to the start of camps.

Are there health concerns for which my child may be sent home?

Some skin conditions, respiratory ailments, and other diseases are highly contagious for people and animals. If a Health Services Team Member identifies your camper as being infectious, that he/she has an elevated temperature upon arrival, or exhibits signs of head lice, it will be necessary to send him/her home. Please evaluate any skin irritations or itching, or general health problems before coming to camp in order to avoid any inconvenience, expense, or disappointment.

What are some possible health concerns of the program and how can they be prevented?

Some participants will have the opportunity to ride roller coasters and other theme park rides on which they may experience high speeds and zero gravity. Campers will also be in close proximity to many species of animals where they may encounter the animals and associated dander, feathers, or food items. It is imperative to note any health issues or known food, animal or insect, and plant allergies on the Health History Form, and to elaborate on the severity of any condition or reaction.

 

NOTE: Some available food products may contain or have been processed in proximity to peanut and/or other allergenic ingredients. Please specify any dietary preferences, allergies and/or restrictions on the Health History Form, and elaborate on the possible reaction if consumed or touched. While Day Camps can accommodate a simple vegetarian diet, please provide non-perishable supplements for more complex dietary needs or dietary restrictions.


Be sure to review and complete the OTC Medications Release Form. Busch Gardens staff CANNOT DISPENSE ANY MEDICATIONS WITHOUT PARENT/GUARDIAN PERMISSION.


Sun, heat, and humidity can be a dangerous mix in Virginia. Participants should wear sunscreen (not provided) and protective clothing (e.g. light, cotton clothing, a hat, and sunglasses) and drink plenty of water to prevent sunburn and overheating.

What happens during inclement weather?

Safety is a top priority at Busch Gardens. Camp leadership and counselors will balance the components of the program with the current weather conditions. Weather conditions are monitored closely by our Park Operations department and our enjoyment of the park elements is contingent upon the proximity and nature of weather factors such as lightning or high winds.


Rain and thunderstorms occur often in Virginia and may affect some camp activities. Our park observes strict weather protocols. When lightning has been spotted within 3 miles of our park, for everyone’s safety, guests and Team Members are required to seek shelter. Campers will be moved to the closest indoor location until the threat has passed.


If Park Operations has called the severe weather code before or during camp dismissal, dismissal must be temporarily halted until the weather passes. This is for everyone’s safety. We ask that should you arrive at camp dismissal during bad weather and it appears that no staff is on hand immediately; we are following our safety procedures and have everyone safely inside an indoor location. We will resume check out once we are given the “all clear” from our Park Operations team.


During more severe weather, such as a hurricane, camp management will make a decision about canceling a Day Camp on a case-by-case basis. Camps are not canceled for rain. Once a Day Camp is canceled, it cannot be rescheduled for the original date even if the weather clears or other factors change. You will NOT receive a refund for missed days due to inclement weather. Parents/guardians will be contacted in a timely manner should such an event occur.

Do campers have to participate in all activities?

We design events to be enjoyable and realize that sometimes the schedule includes something new for some participants. Everyone is encouraged to participate to the best of their ability during group activities.

Do I need to send over-the-counter medications?

Health Services keeps the most common over-the-counter (OTC) medications on-hand for all of our park guests, including campers. It is not necessary to send any of these medications to camp! Because we cannot dispense any medication without parental and/or physician authorization, please be sure to complete the Medication Release Form and note the available medications. For the safety of all campers, all medicines, OTC and/or prescription, are collected by Health Services upon arrival and dispensed as required.

Before and After Camp Care

What is “Before Camp Extended Care”?

For those guests who may have difficulty dropping their child off between 8:30 - 9:00 am, Busch Gardens is offering before camp care from 8:00 am to 9:00 am on Mondays and 7:30 am to 9:00 am Tuesdays - Fridays for a $15 fee per day or $50 for the whole week. Parents may drop off their child at any time during these hours in the morning. Morning activities will be limited to movies, games, etc.

What is “After Camp Extended Care”?

For those guests who may have difficulty picking up their child at 4:00 pm, Busch Gardens is offering after camp care from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm for a $15 fee per day or $50 for a whole week. Parents may pick up their child at any time during these hours. Extended Care activities will be limited to movies, games, etc.

How do I add the extended care add-on option for my camper(s)?

You may contact Education Reservations at 813-884-4FUN (4386) or visit our website to add this option at any time.

Can my child stay in the park after camp unattended?

For the safety of our campers, Busch Gardens does not allow campers to be released from our program unsupervised to play in the Park. Campers must be picked up by an adult or supervising companion (any guest with sound judgment and at least 14 years of age).

  • Dates, times, pricing and offerings are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. See park hours for dates and times, events for available offerings and More Details on products for additional information. You may also contact us online or visit the Welcome Center inside the park.