Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is excited to announce that we have scholarship funding available for families needing assistance with camp registration fees. Scholarships cover the cost for one week of camp per child and are awarded based on application submission order and camp availability. Each of our camps has at least one spot reserved for campers awarded a scholarship.

Eligibility

Scholarships are available for families that are experiencing financial hardship and/or qualify for one of the following forms of public assistance:

• TANF, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• MFIP, Minnesota Family Investment Program
• General Assistance
• WIC, Women, Infants & Children
• Medicaid or Medical Assistance
• SSI, Supplemental Security Income
• Food Stamps
• Section 8 housing
• MN Care
• Free or Reduced-Price School Meals
• Unemployment

While we welcome all applicants, our priority is to support families whose financial circumstances would otherwise prevent them from sending their child(ren) to Camp Como.

How to Apply

• The 2026 scholarship application is now closed. Please check back next year for 2027 scholarships.

• Children in preschool (who are at least four years old by the first day of camp).
• Children entering kindergarten in the fall of 2026.

Cost: $205

Time: 9:00 am-11:30 am

Drop-off/Pick-up window:

• Drop-off from 8:30 am-9:00 am
• Pick-up from 11:30 am-12:00 pm

• 1^st-2^nd grade – Children entering 1st or 2nd grade in the fall of 2026.
• 3^rd-4^th grade – Children entering 3rd or 4th grade in the fall of 2026.
• 5^th-6^th grade – Children entering 5th or 6th grade in the fall of 2026.

Cost: $390

Camp Time: 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Drop-off/Pick-up window:

• Drop-off from 8:30 am-9:00 am
• Pick-up from 3:00 pm-3:30 pm

Parents/guardians pay a flat fee and can utilize the aftercare option as much or as little as they’d like throughout the week.  There is no need to tell us which days you will need aftercare. Instead, if you have not arrived by the end of camp pickup, 3:30 pm, we will assume your camper is staying for aftercare that day.   

Cost: $75 for the week.

• Campers will be occupied from 3:30pm-4:30pm
• Pick up from 4:30pm-4:45pm

All Camp Information Click HERE  

Map of Drop Off / Pick Up Location Click HERE  

Frequently Asked Questions Click HERE

Camp Behavior and Expectations Policy click HERE

Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming, and engaging camp experience where every camper can learn, explore, and have fun. To support this, we ask all campers and families to review and agree to the expectations listed in our Camper Behavior and Expectation Policy document.

We encourage families to share any information that may help our staff best support their child (such as learning needs, sensory needs, communication preferences, or behavior strategies that work well). All shared information is kept confidential and used solely to ensure a positive and successful camp experience for every camper.

Camper Support

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory has dedicated Camp Care Specialists on staff.

Camp Care Specialists provide additional support for campers who may benefit from:

• Help with transitions, routines, or emotional regulation
• Sensory or environmental adjustments
• Medication reminders or health‑related needs
• Behavior support using positive, proactive strategies
• Assistance during camp activities

Camp Care Specialists partner closely with families, instructors, and camp leadership to ensure each camper feels safe, included, and ready to participate. If your child may benefit from additional support, please let us know during registration or reach out before camp begins so we can plan together.

Minimum Requirements for Attendance at Camp Como

To attend Camp Como, campers must be able to:

• Stay with their group
• Toilet, wash, and dress themselves
• Participate in a group setting with general supervision
• Use safe, non‑violent behavior and refrain from actions that could harm themselves or others

While our team is committed to supporting a wide range of needs, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is not able to provide all‑day 1:1 supervision. 

Camp Care Specialists and camp staff can offer short‑term or situational one‑on‑one support (e.g., during transitions, sensory breaks, or moments of dysregulation), but campers must be able to safely participate in group activities for the majority of the day.

Families who are unsure whether Camp Como is the right fit are encouraged to contact us before their camp begins so we can discuss whether camp will meet their child’s needs.

Email: campcomo@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Brigid Murphy –Camp Coordinator

Phone: 651-207-0336

Prehistoric Times – 1^st-2^nd grade – Full Day

Giant sloths, ancient cycads, 6-foot penguins! Put on your paleontologist hat to uncover amazing prehistoric plants and animals from the fossil record. We’ll meet some of their living relatives as we explore the Zoo and Conservatory and make comparisons on how these creatures have changed over time!  

Como-Pros – 3^rd-4^th grade – Full Day

Scooping poop, pruning leaves, testing water- there’s so much to do at a zoo and conservatory! Join us for the Como Pros camp and get ready to work! We’ll explore the different jobs that exist at zoos and conservatories and even try our hand at some of them. Learn what it takes to keep Como running and by the end of the week you’ll be hearing “you’re hired!”

Garden Care & Design –5^th-6^th – Full Day

Get your green thumb ready and join us as we learn all about the gardens of Como! Go behind the scenes and help horticulturists care for the plants and gardens, try your hand at Garden Design, and even learn more about the challenging world of Zooticulture! Your plant passions are sure to bloom during this fun camp! 

Nature Playtime – PreK/K – Half Day

Explore through the trees, collect rocks, and gaze at the clouds on an outdoor adventure! During our journey, we will learn about the natural world through hiking, playing, and observing our surroundings. We will get curious about plants and animals to make discoveries! Learn how to “Leave No Trace” and about all the amazing things nature has to offer. 

Como Detectives – 1st-2nd grade – Full Day

Sharpen your sleuthing skills and unravel Como puzzles, riddles, and mysteries in this exciting camp!  We’ll be using our powers of observation to solve curious questions about animals and plants at Como and around the park. 

Relationships in Nature (NEW!)– 3^rd-4^th grade – Full Day

BFFs, Arch-Nemeses, or Frenemies?! Join us as we explore all the unique relationships found in nature, from the unlikely alliances of mutualism, to sneaky strategies of parasitism, to epic battles in competition, and create some amazing relationships of your own!

Como-vores  (NEW!)– 1^st-2^nd grade – Full Day  

Chew! Chomp! Crunch! Get ready to eat your way through this tasty camp! Learn all about what foods animals eat. Bring your taste buds and be prepared to try new foods and maybe even help feed some of Como’s animals too! 

Como-ology – 3^rd-4^th grade – Full Day   

Discover the wild world of “ologies” in this interactive and hands-on camp! Each day we will try out a new ology – like ornithology (birds), mammalogy (mammals), phytology (plants) and, of course, Grossology (things that make you go eww!) – and discover how we use it here at Como.

Animal Care & Exhibit Design – 5^th-6^th grade – Full Day   

The wellbeing of Como’s animals is extremely important. Learn about the valuable work zookeepers do every day including diet prep, animal training, enrichment, and veterinary care. Explore what goes into building a new exhibit for an animal and all the things that need to be considered. Join Como’s exhibit design team to design your own animal exhibit!  

* Short Week due to July 4^th Holiday*

No camp on Friday July 3^rd

Cost due to short week: Pre-K camp $165; Full-day camp $315; After care $60

Sensational Senses – PreK/K – Half Day   

Snakes smell with their tongues, butterflies taste with their feet, and mammals feel with their whiskers. Have a sensational time at Como as we play games, create art, listen to stories, learn from animals, and explore the zoo and gardens with our five senses.

Prehistoric Times – 1^st-2^nd grade – Full Day   

Giant sloths, ancient cycads, 6-foot penguins! Put on your paleontologist hat to uncover amazing prehistoric plants and animals from the fossil record. We’ll meet some of their living relatives as we explore the Zoo and Conservatory and make comparisons on how these creatures have changed over time!

Como-Pros – 3^rd-4^th grade – Full Day   

Scooping poop, pruning leaves, testing water- there’s so much to do at a zoo and conservatory! Join us for the Como Pros camp and get ready to work! We’ll explore the different jobs that exist at zoos and conservatories and even try our hand at some of them. Learn what it takes to keep Como running and by the end of the week you’ll be hearing “you’re hired!”

Como-vores  (NEW!)– 1^st-2^nd grade – Full Day  

Chew! Chomp! Crunch! Get ready to eat your way through this tasty camp! Learn all about what foods animals eat. Bring your taste buds and be prepared to try new foods and maybe even help feed some of Como’s animals too!

Relationships in Nature (NEW!)– 3^rd-4^th grade – Full Day  

BFFs, Arch-Nemeses, or Frenemies?! Join us as we explore all the unique relationships found in nature, from the unlikely alliances of mutualism, to sneaky strategies of parasitism, to epic battles in competition, and create some amazing relationships of your own!

Garden Care & Design –5^th-6^th – Full Day   

Get your green thumb ready and join us as we learn all about the gardens of Como! Go behind the scenes and help horticulturists care for the plants and gardens, try your hand at Garden Design, and even learn more about the challenging world of Zooticulture! Your plant passions are sure to bloom during this fun camp! 

* Short Week due to a Como event*

No camp on July 16^th or July 17^th

Cost due to short week: Pre-K camp $125; Full-day camp $235; After care $45

Nature Playtime – PreK/K – Half Day   

Explore through the trees, collect rocks, and gaze at the clouds on an outdoor adventure! During our journey, we will learn about the natural world through hiking, playing, and observing our surroundings. We will get curious about plants and animals to make discoveries! Learn how to “Leave No Trace” and about all the amazing things nature has to offer. 

Como Detectives – 1^st-2^nd grade – Full Day  

Sharpen your sleuthing skills and unravel Como puzzles, riddles, and mysteries in this exciting camp!  We’ll be using our powers of observation to solve curious questions about animals and plants at Como and around the park. 

Como-ology – 3^rd-4^th grade – Full Day   

Discover the wild world of “ologies” in this interactive and hands-on camp! Each day we will try out a new ology – like ornithology (birds), mammalogy (mammals), phytology (plants) and, of course, Grossology (things that make you go eww!) – and discover how we use it here at Como. 

Prehistoric Times – 1^st-2^nd grade – Full Day   

Giant sloths, ancient cycads, 6-foot penguins! Put on your paleontologist hat to uncover amazing prehistoric plants and animals from the fossil record. We’ll meet some of their living relatives as we explore the Zoo and Conservatory and make comparisons on how these creatures have changed over time!  

Como-Pros – 3^rd-4^th grade – Full Day   

Scooping poop, pruning leaves, testing water- there’s so much to do at a zoo and conservatory! Join us for the Como Pros camp and get ready to work! We’ll explore the different jobs that exist at zoos and conservatories and even try our hand at some of them. Learn what it takes to keep Como running and by the end of the week you’ll be hearing “you’re hired!”

Animal Care & Exhibit Design – 5^th-6^th grade – Full Day   

The wellbeing of Como’s animals is extremely important. Learn about the valuable work zookeepers do every day including diet prep, animal training, enrichment, and veterinary care. Explore what goes into building a new exhibit for an animal and all the things that need to be considered. Join Como’s exhibit design team to design your own animal exhibit!  

Sensational Senses – PreK/K – Half Day   

Snakes smell with their tongues, butterflies taste with their feet, and mammals feel with their whiskers. Have a sensational time at Como as we play games, create art, listen to stories, learn from animals, and explore the zoo and gardens with our five senses.

Como Detectives – 1^st-2^nd grade – Full Day  

Sharpen your sleuthing skills and unravel Como puzzles, riddles, and mysteries in this exciting camp!  We’ll be using our powers of observation to solve curious questions about animals and plants at Como and around the park.

Relationships in Nature (NEW!)– 3^rd-4^th grade – Full Day   

BFFs, Arch-Nemeses, or Frenemies?! Join us as we explore all the unique relationships found in nature, from the unlikely alliances of mutualism, to sneaky strategies of parasitism, to epic battles in competition, and create some amazing relationships of your own!

Como-vores  (NEW!)– 1^st-2^nd grade – Full Day  

Chew! Chomp! Crunch! Get ready to eat your way through this tasty camp! Learn all about what foods animals eat. Bring your taste buds and be prepared to try new foods and maybe even help feed some of Como’s animals too!

Como-ology – 3^rd-4^th grade – Full Day   

Discover the wild world of “ologies” in this interactive and hands-on camp! Each day we will try out a new ology – like ornithology (birds), mammalogy (mammals), phytology (plants) and, of course, Grossology (things that make you go eww!) – and discover how we use it here at Como. 

Animal Care & Exhibit Design – 5^th – 6^th grade – Full Day    

The wellbeing of Como’s animals is extremely important. Learn about the valuable work zookeepers do every day including diet prep, animal training, enrichment, and veterinary care. Explore what goes into building a new exhibit for an animal and all the things that need to be considered. Join Como’s exhibit design team to design your own animal exhibit!  

Nature Playtime – PreK/K – Half Day

Explore through the trees, collect rocks, and gaze at the clouds on an outdoor adventure! During our journey, we will learn about the natural world through hiking, playing, and observing our surroundings. We will get curious about plants and animals to make discoveries! Learn how to “Leave No Trace” and about all the amazing things nature has to offer. 

Prehistoric Times – 1^st-2^nd grade – Full Day   

Giant sloths, ancient cycads, 6-foot penguins! Put on your paleontologist hat to uncover amazing prehistoric plants and animals from the fossil record. We’ll meet some of their living relatives as we explore the Zoo and Conservatory and make comparisons on how these creatures have changed over time!  

Como-Pros – 3^rd-4^th grade – Full Day   

Scooping poop, pruning leaves, testing water- there’s so much to do at a zoo and conservatory! Join us for the Como Pros camp and get ready to work! We’ll explore the different jobs that exist at zoos and conservatories and even try our hand at some of them. Learn what it takes to keep Como running and by the end of the week you’ll be hearing “you’re hired!”

Sensational Senses – PreK/K – Half Day   

Snakes smell with their tongues, butterflies taste with their feet, and mammals feel with their whiskers. Have a sensational time at Como as we play games, create art, listen to stories, learn from animals, and explore the zoo and gardens with our five senses.

Como Detectives – 1^st-2^nd grade – Full Day  

Sharpen your sleuthing skills and unravel Como puzzles, riddles, and mysteries in this exciting camp!  We’ll be using our powers of observation to solve curious questions about animals and plants at Como and around the park.

Relationships in Nature (NEW!)– 3^rd-4^th grade – Full Day   

BFFs, Arch-Nemeses, or Frenemies?! Join us as we explore all the unique relationships found in nature, from the unlikely alliances of mutualism, to sneaky strategies of parasitism, to epic battles in competition, and create some amazing relationships of your own!