At Busch Gardens’ Resident Camps, teens interact with remarkable creatures from all over the globe. It’s their chance to go behind-the-scenes, interact with a variety of animals, work with animal experts, and take advantage of all of the amazing things a world-class theme park has to offer. What are some of the ways campers stay fit while they’re having fun?
- Running with the Lions…with only glass between you and them! Animals at zoos get used to the presence of guests quickly, but Busch Gardens’ animals know that campers are a different breed of fun! There are over 2,000 animals for campers to interact with, and each has a different brand of “play”. Adolescent Lions like Rose can’t wait to get out on display and participate in a (safe) game of “chase!”
- Swimming at Adventure Island is Busch Gardens’ sister park and is right across the street! This 30 acre water park begs for campers to brave corkscrew slides, catch a wave in the 17,000 square foot wave pool, jump off a twenty foot platform or swing on a vine into the crisp blue water below!
- Lunges, Squats, and Lifts Cleaning Zoo Habitats Campers who are really looking for a taste of the career they’re thinking of pursuing enroll in Zookeeping 101, Zookeeping 201, Zoo Careers, or Vet Career Camp. Campers work alongside counselors, zookeepers, nutritionists, educators, & veterinarians to give the animals the best care possible. Creating diets, providing enrichment, cleaning habitats, preparing for training sessions; the life of a zookeeper is full of hard work and a passion for wildlife.
- Pumping Adrenalin Attending camp in the middle of a world-class zoo in the middle of an amazing theme park? That’s sure to get the blood flowing! SheiKra’s 90° two hundred foot drop, Cheetah Hunt’s triple-launch ¾ of a mile track, Kumba’s roaring steel track, and Gwazi’s dueling wooden tracks: these are the thrills that await campers in roller coasters alone!
- Staying Hydrated: All campers and counselors carry water bottles and make frequent stops to refill…but sometimes that just isn’t enough to beat the Florida heat. Enter creative counselors, water play areas, Tanganyika Tidal Wave and Stanleyville Log Flume!
- Walking with Flamingos Busch Gardens’ Education & Conservation Department has a flock of fuchsia friends who love to go for long leisurely walks. Caribbean & Chilean Flamingos, hand-raised by zookeepers, have learned that when the door to their habitat is open, anyone who wants to go for a stroll, can! Campers learn how to escort these birds (alongside counselors) around the park while brightening every guest’s day!
- Weightlifting with a Burmese Python Up to 20 feet in length and 200lbs in weight; need I say more?
- Canoeing with Wild Florida Wild Florida is Busch Gardens’ traveling Resident Camp. Participants not only experience all the Busch Gardens has to offer, they also snorkel in the Florida Keys, camp in a native chickee lodge, dive with sharks at SeaWorld, and paddle down a pristine river!
- Traversing a 350 Acre Theme Park. Daily. And during Busch Gardens’ Summer Nights, the journey is punctuated by Dance Parties and Hula-Hoop Competitions!
- Face-Time There are over 40 muscles in your face alone. With all the fun you’ll have at camp laughing, singing, making silly faces, and smiling, Busch Gardens’ camp staff promise to give their campers a workout!
