Explore the natural world around us with a day camp at the Aquarium for any season!
More details about Camps
Our camp program is facilitated in our classrooms located at the new S.T.R.E.A.M. Learning Center located on the Aquarium Plaza.
Throughout the day we may move between the S.T.R.E.A.M. Leaning Center, both Aquarium Buildings, the IMAX Theatre, and local green spaces nearby.
All drop-off and pick-up will be routed through the main horseshoe of the Aquarium Plaza.
Morning drop-off is from 9:00-9:30 am and afternoon pick-up is from 3:30-4:00 pm.
Extended care options are available during our summer season only for additional charges. Please use this map as a reference and for route instructions.
Camp hours have changed!
Camp will start at 9:00 am and end at 3:30 pm.
Only available during the summer season!
Before Care can be added to your summer registration for an additional cost of $15 per day. This allows you to drop your camper off early anytime between the hours of 7:30-9:00 am. During before care, simple breakfast options are available if needed such as fruit, yogurt, and cereal.
After Care can be added to your summer registration for an additional cost of $15 per day. This allows you to pick up your camper later in the day anytime between 4:00-5:30 pm. During after care, small snack options are available fruit, allergen safe snack gummies, and chips.
To drop-off or pick-up for either extended care option you will need to park in an adjacent lot and walk your camper to our STREAM Learning Center. Below is a map of near by parking that is available.
Each day there are priority things that your camper should have packed with them. It is suggested that all items are packed in a standard school backpack. These backpacks will be left in the classrooms during the day. For more details, please view a PDF of our packing list.
- 2 snacks—We have a morning snack time and an afternoon snack time in our schedule.
- Lunch—Lunch should be packed with cooler packs if necessary. Campers will not have access to a refrigerator.
- Reusable water bottle—We have water refill stations available and encourage campers to use them often.
- Closed-toed shoes—Crocs are not allowed at camp. Many of our activities are physical and we want all campers to have safe and reliable footwear.
The Aquarium reserves the right to cancel any scheduled program. In the event that the Aquarium cancels a scheduled camp program, participants will be notified and offered a full refund or an opportunity to reschedule.
- A cancellation made more than 14 days before the start of camp will receive a full refund.
- A cancellation made between 7-14 days before the start of camp will receive a 50% refund.
- A cancellation made less than 7 days before the start of camp is not guaranteed a refund.
Cancellations can be requested through the registration profile of your camper, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 423-785-4093 and 423-356-1276.
For full details, please view a PDF of our cancellation policy.
Aquarium Education programs follow CDC recommendations. This means that indoor mask requirements will be determined by current community transmission levels for diseases such as, but not limited to, COVID and measles.
Please note that certain activities within the Aquarium, specifically behind the scenes tours with mammals, may require masks for the safety of the animals and the participants regardless of current community transmission levels. Participants will be notified of these activities prior to them taking place and masks will be provided.
We ask all participants to stay home if they are experiencing symptoms of the following diseases:
- If they are experiencing COVID symptoms or if they have been in contact with a COVID-positive individual in the past 2 weeks.
- If they are experiencing MEASLES symptoms or if they have been in contact with a MEASLES-positive individual in the past 2 weeks.
If a participant is not feeling well and/or displaying symptoms of any illness such as flu, bronchitis, mono, or pink eye, please stay home.
For full details, please view a PDF of our safety policy.
Some areas during the program may not be fully accessible due to loud sounds, bright or low lighting, uneven terrain and/or tight spaces.
Please contact our Youth Development Coordinator at 423-785-4093 (office), 423-356-1276 (cell), or [email protected] for specific information pertaining to accessibility accommodations and allergy concerns.

Camp Scholarships
The Aquarium is excited to offer a limited number of scholarships for children to participate in camp programming!

Spring Camp 2026
Join us this Spring as we explore the world around us through animal encounters, Aquarium tours, activities, hands-on explorations, and so much more!
Our camp programs help to cover Hamilton County’s spring break and in-service teacher days. This spring we have 3 different themes for campers to explore.
Registration coming soon!
Animal Reporters
February 16
Times: 9am – 3:30pm
Ages: 5-9 years old
Price: $60 for non-members; $54 for aquarium members. Scholarships applications are available here.
Description: Join us for a day and become an animal reporter! Begin the day by touring the Aquarium while capturing photos of our animals. Later, we will print our photos and build beautiful picture frames to display our art. We will wrap up our day meeting and interviewing our amazing ambassador animals during an up-close encounter.
Home Travelers
March 16 – 20
Times: 9am – 3:30pm
Ages: 5-9 years old
Price: $300 for non-members; $270 for aquarium members. Scholarships applications are available here.
Description: Birds, sea turtles, and salmon are just a few examples of animals that travel home when spring arrives. During our week of camp, we will explore different ways animals navigate their way home. Join us for gallery tours, craft-making, and meeting some special ambassador animals to learn more about mini migrations.
Buds and Buddies
March 23
Times: 9am – 3:30pm
Ages: 5-9 years old
Price: $60 for non-members; $54 for aquarium members. Scholarships applications are available here.
Description: Spend a day with buddies as we explore and observe nature as everything starts to bud for spring! We will tour the Aquarium, meet ambassador animals, and plant some trees to take home. You won’t want to miss this one-day adventure!
Summer Camp 2026

Come spend your summer at the Tennessee Aquarium with a variety of camp experiences!
General camps, for ages 5-12, run throughout the summer from June 8 to July 31, with themes like Tennessee Treasures, Around the World, Ancient Animals, and Survival of the Fittest.
Tiny Tides is perfect for Pre-K campers, offering a safe, fun, and developmentally appropriate environment to learn about nature.
Enjoy two specialty camp options, Nature Detectives and Nocturnal Wonders. These specialty camps may include unique perks, such as behind-the-scenes tours, field trips, and the chance to spend the night under the sharks through the Sleep in the Deep program.
Registration opens at the end of January, along with camp scholarship applications.
General Camps
General camps, for ages 5-12, run throughout the summer from June 8 to July 31, with themes like Tennessee Treasures, Around the World, Ancient Animals, and Survival of the Fittest.
Our themes do repeat back-to-back in our schedule to allow our guest to choose which week might fit their schedule best.
These repeated weeks do not build on each other and are simple repeats, so please keep this in mind when you are planning your summer with us.
Tennessee Treasures
- June 8-12
- June 15-18 (4-day week; no camp on Friday Juneteenth Holiday)
- Times: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Ages: 5 – 12 years old
- Price per Week:
- June 8-12: $300 for non-members; $270 for Aquarium members
- June 15-18: $240 for non/members; $216 for Aquarium members
- Description: Tennessee is full of natural treasures! From turtles to salamanders and coneflowers to tulip poplars, join us as we discover some of the fantastic animals and plants that make Tennessee wonderful. During the week, we will explore the Aquarium, create crafts, meet ambassador animals, and more.
Around the World
- June 22-26
- June 29 – July 3
- Times: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Ages:
- June 22-26: Designed for ages 6 – 12 years old
- June 29 – July 3: Designed for ages 5 – 9 years old
- Price per Week:
- June 22-26: $300 for non-members; $270 for Aquarium members
- June 29 – July 3: $300 for non-members; $270 for Aquarium members
- Description: Pack your bags and join us for a global expedition. Each day, we will discover animals and plants from around the world as we journey through the Aquarium. We will also build crafts, play games, and meet some ambassador animals.
Survival of the Fittest
- July 6-10
- July 13-17
- Times: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Ages:
- July 6-10: Designed for ages 5 – 12 years old
- July 13-17: Designed for ages 6 – 12 years old
- Price per Week:
- July 6-10: $300 for non-members; $270 for Aquarium members
- July 13-17: $300 for non-members; $270 for Aquarium members
- Description: Do you have what it takes to survive? Join us as we explore the secret survival strategies that help animals and plants thrive. Throughout the week, we will have animal encounters, we’ll build cool crafts, and we’ll run fun experiments to discover just what it takes to survive!
Ancient Animals
- July 20-24
- July 27-31
- Times: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Ages: 5 – 12 years old
- Price per Week:
- July 20-24: $300 for non-members; $270 for Aquarium members
- July 27-31: $300 for non-members; $270 for Aquarium members
- Description: Have you ever wondered what our region looked like thousands of years ago? Get ready to travel back in time as we explore ancient life through fossils, Aquarium tours, animal encounters, and crafts!
Nature Nuts
August 3-7
- Times: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Ages: Rising kindergartners only
- Price per Day: $60 for non-members; $54 for Aquarium members
- Description: This last session of the summer is designed as a “pay by the day” camp to accommodate Hamilton County’s phase-in dates for rising kindergarteners. Join us as we explore nature through hands-on activities, ambassador animal encounters, crafts, and more. We can’t wait to explore the Aquarium and the natural world around us!
Pre-K Camp
Tiny Tides
- June 22-26
- July 13-17
- Times: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Ages: 4 – 5 years old
- Price per Week:
- June 22-26: $300 for non-members; $270 for Aquarium members
- July 13-17: $300 for non-members; $270 for Aquarium members
- Description: During Tiny Tides, your little ones will focus on independence, making new friends, and kindergarten readiness. We will explore nature through hands-on activities, meet ambassador animals, and build crafts or play games! The ability to use the restroom independently is required.
Specialty Camps
Enjoy two specialty camp options, Nature Detectives and Nocturnal Wonders. These specialty camps may include unique perks, such as behind-the-scenes tours, field trips, and the chance to spend the night under the sharks through the Sleep in the Deep program.
Nature Detectives
June 29 – July 3
- Times: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Ages: 9 – 14 years old
- Price per Week: $400 for non-members; $360 for Aquarium members
- Description: Have you ever wanted to be a detective? If so, then join our Nature Detectives and work together to solve animal mysteries. Travel with us on field trips as we trek through nature, then return to the Aquarium to meet some incredible animals. We will use our clue journals and make new friendships to become the best Nature Detectives ever!
Nocturnal Wonders
July 6-11
- Times:
- Monday through Thursday: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Friday: Regular drop off at 9:00 am. Over night program from 6:00 pm – 9:30 am on Saturday July 11th.
- Ages: 13 – 16 years old
- Price per Week: $400 for non-members; $360 for Aquarium members
- Description: Join us for a specialty camp for our oldest campers only. During camp, we will discover some of the remarkable animals that thrive after the sun goes down. We will embark on an adventure to find incredible animals at dusk, and we’ll end our week by sleeping with the sharks in the Undersea Cavern.
Questions?
Contact Shelley McIntyre at [email protected] or 423-785-4093.
Tennessee Aquarium Camps are sponsored by:

