Summer Camp
The world is full of natural wonders and there's no better place to go exploring than Summer Camp 2017 at the Tennessee Aquarium.
- Spaces are limited! Please only register your child for one week of camp.
- You must be a parent or legal guardian to register online. Grandparents may register their campers over the phone by calling the summer camp hotline at (423) 785-4176.
Questions? Email us at summercamp@tnaqua.org or call the summer camp hotline: (423)785-4176. There is a $25 fee to transfer to a different date or cancel your child's registration.
Registered camp parents - You should have two emails from the Tennessee Aquarium: one describing activities/what to bring and another describing drop-off and pick-up procedures. If you need these emails to be resent, please give up a call or send us an email. Camp starts at 8:45 on Monday mornings and 9:00 the rest of the week. You will need to park in the Aquarium's parking lot on the first morning to sign in your child. Monday afternoon and the rest of the week drop-off and pick-up takes place in the drive-through in front of the Aquarium.
Severe storm pick-up policy:
If there is a severe thunderstorm during pick-up, campers will be taken to the River Journey building and stay there until the storm passes.
Session dates
1 - June 5-9
2 - June 12-16
3 - June 19-23
4- June 26-30
5 - July 5-7
6 - July 10-14
7 - July 17-21
8 - July 24-28
9 - July 31-August 4
Aquatots
Ages 4 - 5 who have not yet attended kindergarten.
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
Open Sessions: 4, 9
Closed Session: 1-3, 6-8
$95/Member; $127/Non-member
Aquatots learn about the Aquarium’s animals and get to meet some face to face! Campers participate in hands-on activities, crafts, stories and outdoor fun.
Tadpoles - at capacity
Ages 5 - 6
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
Closed Sessions: 1-4, 6-9
Join the Tadpoles as we become super scientists for a week! We will meet unique creatures, create fun experiments and learn how science can help us to understand nature. Our adventure will also take us to Creative Discovery Museum and Reflection Riding. Tadpoles must have attended full-day school and be prepared for an entire day of fun with no naptime.
High School Hellbenders
Ages 15-17
9:00 a.m. Wednesday - 7:00 pm Friday
Open Session: 5
$345/Member; $415/Non-member
Participants will take leadership and environmental science to the next level through this three day outdoor overnight experience in the Nantahala gorge. We will sleep two nights in a cabin and spend our time rock climbing, paddling, rafting, and taking advantage of the outdoor “classroom”. All meals provided for this camp.
Polliwogs - at capacity
Ages 7-8
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
Closed Sessions: 1-4, 6-9
Join the Polliwogs as we discover amazing animals from our backyard and all over the world. Polliwogs learn by doing as they touch, climb, splash and play at the aquarium and on field trips. This year, our excursions will including climbing at High Point and canoeing at Greenway Farm.
Treefrogs: Partner Camp with Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center - at capacity
Ages 7 - 8
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday
Closed Sessions: 1, 2, 6
Reflection Riding and Tennessee Aquarium join forces to bring campers nose to nose with animals indoors and out. Campers learn to canoe, hike and get down and dirty on Mud Day.
Drop-off and pick up at Tennessee Aquarium!
Bullfrogs - at capacity
Ages 9-10
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday with a Wednesday overnight
Closed Sessions: 1, 3, 4, 6-9
Leap into fun as we discover the amazing world around us. Explore the Aquarium, visit with animals and their caretakers, hike, raft, sleep overnight alongside “River Giants” and go caving.
EcoExplorers - at capacity
Ages 11 - 12
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday with a Thursday overnight
Closed Sessions: 1, 3, 4, 6-8
Campers become Eco-Explorers indoors through animal encounters, climbing at High Point, and a sleepover with sharks in the Undersea Cavern. The exploration continues outdoors with ziplining, flat-water paddling, and surveying local waterways.
Quest - at capacity
Ages 13-14
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday with a Wednesday overnight
Closed Sessions: 2, 9
Campers will get an introduction to what nature has to offer through hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and caving. Wednesday we’ll explore Fort Mountain State Park, cook dinner over a fire, and sleep like pioneers in a camping shelter. Lunch provide each day for this camp; all meals provided during overnight.
Summer Camp Lunches - $40
Purchase lunch for your Tadpole, Polliwog, Bullfrog or EcoExplorer. This a great choice for busy parents of children who are not picky eaters and have no food allergies. Lunches generally consist of a veggie or fruit, chips or pretzels, and a rotating protein: pizza, chicken fingers, wrap, or sandwich.