Explore the natural world around us with day camp at the Aquarium!
Fall & Winter Camp
Join us this Fall and Winter 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 fall and winter breaks. This fall and winter we have 3 different themes for campers to explore. Continue below to find out more information, and we hope to see you all soon!
Registration is open now for Winter Camps!
Learn more about:
What to pack for your Camper
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 at our home base. For more details, please view our PDF of our packing list.
- 2 snacks—We have a morning snack time and 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.
Camp Scholarships
The Aquarium is excited to offer a limited number of scholarships for children to participate in camp programming!
Winter Camps
Session 1
December 29 – January 2
Cozy Critters: As winter sets in, our local wildlife settles into their cozy homes to wait out the cold.
Dates: December 29 – January 2; Monday – Friday (including New Year’s Day holiday)
Ages: 5-9 years old
Price: $300 for non-members; $270 for aquarium members – The Aquarium is excited to offer a limited number of camp scholarships!
Description: During this week of camp, we will explore how certain animals experience hibernation, torpor, or brumation to survive the winter. With the help of Aquarium tours, crafts and STEM projects, Ambassador Animals, and a peek behind the scenes, we’ll discover the survival strategies animals employ during our coldest months.
Session 2
January 5-6
New Year, New Life: With a new year comes new life!
Date: January 5-6; Monday – Tuesday
Ages: 5-9 years old
Price: $120 for non-members; $108 for aquarium members – The Aquarium is excited to offer a limited number of camp scholarships!
Description: Join us in a mini week of camp as we learn about animal gardeners and discover animals with unique life cycles. Each day starts with an exploration through the Aquarium, fun activities, and an encounter with an Ambassador Animal.
Register for either or both winter sessions here!
Coming 2026
Summer Camp
Thank you for joining us for another amazing summer camp season! Information for the summer 2026 season will be released in January.
Safety 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.
Accessibility & Accommodations
Please contact our Education Department at 423-785-3066 or [email protected] for specific information pertaining to accessibility accommodations and allergy concerns.
Questions?
Contact Shelley McIntyre at [email protected] or 423-785-4093.
Tennessee Aquarium Camps are sponsored by:
