Modeled after undergraduate curriculum, this program gives students the opportunity to work with internationally recognized faculty on Eckerd College's prime waterfront campus on the Gulf of Mexico. Animal Studies is an interdisciplinary major that blends natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities to examine human-animal relationships while building research, communication, and critical thinking skills. Core topics include animal behavior and training, animal research and observation strategies, animal rescue and rehabilitation, animals in literature and field guides, animals in entertainment, and animal-assisted therapy/interventions. Students will attend classes led by Eckerd faculty, participate in wildlife research on campus, and visit local aquaria, zoos, or shelters.

Go behind the scenes on the Treetop Trail where you'll get up-close with some of Minnesota's smaller residents. The cast of critters may include a skunk, porcupine, snake, owl, hawk, and opossum. Learn how Zoo staff trains the animals and why the Land of 10,000 Lakes needs everyone to do their part. You may even get to help with feeding time, engage with enrichment, or see some training. Minimum age 4+ years old, participants under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Maximum 4 participants per group. Registration closes the Friday before each program date at noon.

Two-week intensive program for rising junior and senior high school students exploring veterinary technology careers. Week 1 covers introduction to veterinary technician roles, medical terminology, animal anatomy/physiology, animal behavior, breeds, shelter operations, livestock handling, and community clinic participation. Week 2 includes companion animal diseases, microscopy, diagnostic imaging, anesthesia monitoring, parasitology, first aid, hospital tours, and continued livestock work. Daily schedule 9am-4pm Monday-Friday. Includes field trips to UMass Hadley Farm, veterinary referral hospital, and animal shelter. Both commuter and residential options available.

A two-week intensive program for motivated young adults seeking to explore what it takes to succeed in the horse industry. Students work with horses daily, practice equine handling techniques, meet industry professionals, and complete a research project. Program includes hands-on practicums at the university's Hadley Farm Equine Center covering horse behavior, safety training, equine reproduction, stable management, nutrition basics, and farrier science. Each student adopts a horse for the duration of the program. Class time is Monday-Friday from 9 am - 4 pm. Students must bring laptop, notebook, pens/pencils, helmet, barn boots and gloves. ASTM/SEI approved helmet required when working with horses.

Single-day camps for children entering 1st-9th grade in fall 2026. Explore animal personalities and characters at the Zoo. Morning includes llama interaction at Llama Trek, afternoon features meeting other resident animal superstars. Full day sessions: 9:30am-3:30pm. Multiple dates available in July and August.

Campers will fly through the week learning about local birds & their habitats, migration and eating habits - all through engaging bird crafts, nest building, dramatic play, songs, and hands-on experiments. Practice spotting common birds, learn to recognize bird calls, explore feathers and nests, and create bird-inspired crafts. Includes gentle walks and outdoor observation time. Camp runs Mon-Fri, 8:45 am-3:00 pm for children ages 3 to 6.

Partnership between zoo and performing arts center. Ages 9-11, July 27-31, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Combines wildlife exploration with creative movement and performance. Monday-Wednesday at zoo, Thursday-Friday at performing arts center.

3-day hands-on laboratory course for Certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach Program. Provides hands-on experience with standardized canine posture assessment, exercise form, and program design with live dogs. Covers basic exercise physiology, dog training, gait training, strengthening exercises, balance and proprioceptive exercises. Students will demonstrate understanding of concepts from online coursework and participate in mock classes. 27 contact hours total. Registration starts at 8:30am, course runs 9:00am-6:00pm daily. Students may bring approved dogs or work with provided dogs. Course taught in English.

LEGO® ART AND SCIENCE exhibit featuring shapeshifting, super-strength, defying gravity, and regenerating limbs - the animal kingdom is teeming with real-life super powers. Combined with Sean Kenney's astounding ability to create striking and expressive works of art using simple LEGO® toys. The enormous, ambitious, and magical sculptures encourage visitors to view their world in new ways. Includes science, beautiful artwork, interactive displays and hands-on play areas. Runs through May 2, 2027.