Dive in for a summer of fun at the Tennessee Aquarium! Join us as we explore the world around us through hands-on exploration, animal encounters, tours, crafts, and so much more. Aqua camp offers a variety of camp themes for campers 4-16 years old.
Our General and Pre-K camps are built for campers between the ages of 4-12 years old. The youngest of our campers stay on campus all day while our older campers may go on walking field trips to nearby locations. Specialty camps are structured for campers between the ages of 8-16 depending on the theme. All specialty camps will take at least 2 field trips by bus to outdoor locations to discover nature.
Important Dates
- Summer Aqua Camp season begins June 8th and runs until August 1st.
- Registration opens for all on February 3, 2025!
- Aqua Camp Scholarship Applications open January 1, 2025. Follow this link for more information.
- Scholarship Applications close on February 10, 2025. Awards will be announced no later than February 28, 2025.
- Teen Counselor in Training Position Applications open January 13, 2025.
Camp Times
For Half – Day Camps:
- Morning Session – Drop off begins at 8:30 am and ends at 8:45 am; pick up begins at 11:30 am and ends at 11:45 am.
- Afternoon Session – Drop off begins at 1:00 pm and ends at 1:15 pm; pick up begins at 4:00 pm – 4:15 pm.
For General and Specialty Camps:
- Drop-off begins at 9:00 am and ends at 9:15 am
- Pick-up begins at 4:00 pm and ends at 4:15 pm.
Extended Care:
- Before Care is available as an add-on for $10.00/day during registration for campers who need early drop-off between 7:30-9:00 am. (Not available for afternoon session of Pre-K Camp)
- After Care is available as an add-on for $10.00/day during registration for campers who need an extended day between 4:00-5:30 pm. (Not available for morning session of Pre-K Camp)
View the map and directions for our drop-off / pick-up location.
Pre-K Camps
Our Tiny Tides pre-k camp is returning! During Tiny Tides your little ones will focus on independence, making new friends, and kindergarten readiness. This is a half-day drop off style program for campers ages 4 to 5 years old. We will explore nature through hands on activities, meet ambassador animals, and build crafts or play games! New this year, we will be opening the choice for a morning session from 8:30-11:30 am or an afternoon session from 1:00-4:00 pm. It is not recommended for your camper to attend both sessions on the same day. The ability to use the restroom independently is required.
Week 1
- When: June 23 – 27; 8:30-11:30 am OR 1:00-4:00 pm
- Ages: 4-5 years old
- Price: $200 for non-members / 10% off for members
Week 2
- When: June 30 – July 3 (4-day week); 8:30-11:30 am OR 1:00-4:00 pm
- Ages: 4-5 years old
- Price: $160 for non-members / 10% off for members
General Camps
General camps are developed for campers between the ages of 5-12 years old. General campers will predominately stay on campus and are a great choice for those who may be first-time campers. We will explore the aquarium, learn through hands on exploration, build crafts, play games, and make new friends! Continue below to learn more about our themes, dates, and prices.
Weird World
Your campers will uncover how weird animals and plants can be in order to survive in the wild. You will meet the slimy, the smelly, and the not so pretty organisms that make this world weird and cool.
Week 1
- When: June 9 – 13
- Ages: 5-12 years old
- Price: $300 for non-members / 10% off for members
Week 2
- When: June 16 – 18 (3-day week)
- Ages: 5-12 years old
- Price: $180 for non-members / 10% off for members
Shaped by Nature
Build a dam? Beavers did it first. Use perfume to attract a mate? Moths did it first. Use Velcro to fasten “clothing”? Birds did it first. Join us as we discover how nature helped us create unimaginable things! Explore nature-inspired innovations and designs while trying your own hand at inventing something inspired by nature.
Week 1
- When: July 7 – 11
- Ages: 5-12 years old
- Price: $300 for non-members / 10% off for members
Week 2
- When: July 14 – 18
- Ages: 5-12 years old
- Price: $300 for non-members / 10% off for members
Mad Scientist
Calling all mad scientists! Practice your evil scientist laugh and become a mad scientist with us as we explore the world through cool science activities and wacky experiments.
Week 1
- When: July 21 – 25
- Ages: 5-12 years old
- Price: $300 for non-members / 10% off for members
Week 2
- When: July 28 – August 1
- Ages: 5-12 years old
- Price: $300 for non-members / 10% off for members
Specialty Camps
Specialty camps are developed for campers between the ages of 8-16 years old based on the theme. Specialty campers get the same experiences as the general campers with perks! All specialty camps will take at least 2 field trips by bus to outdoor locations to discover and play in nature. We will explore the aquarium, learn through hands on exploration, build crafts, play games, and make new friends! Continue below to learn more about our themes, dates, and prices.
River Guardians
Join us as we trek through creeks big and small within our tri-state area to see just what it takes to be an aquatic conservationist. Learn how to use a seine net and identify some of our local aquatic wildlife as we explore our local waterways by collecting aquatic invertebrates, fish, and more!
- When: June 23 – 27
- Ages: 8-12 years old
- Price: $410 for non-members / 10% off for members
Animal Care
Can you train an alligator? What do you do to keep an octopus’ brains active? Ever wondered what it would be like to work with animals? Campers will spend the week learning and experiencing just what it takes to care for our animals here at the aquarium and other facilities during their field trips. Follow along as we go behind the scenes to observe a week in the life of an Animal Care Specialist!
- When: June 30 – July 3 (4-day week)
- Ages: 12-16 years old
- Price: $330 for non-members / 10% off for members
Questions?
Contact us at summercamp@tnaqua.org or 423-785-4093.