2026 Summer Camp T‑Shirt Design Contest Winner
Each year, the Zoo invites young artists to help design the official Summer Safari Day Camp T‑shirt—and the results never disappoint.
For the 2026 contest, children in Pre‑K through sixth grade were invited to submit original artwork celebrating nocturnal animals. Designs could be hand‑drawn or digitally created, but had to be completely original. Stock imagery, AI tools, and automated creative assistance were not permitted. The winning artwork is then digitized by the Zoo and turned into a one‑of‑a‑kind shirt worn by campers all summer long.
First Place: Hannah Gomez
Nine‑year‑old Hannah Gomez earned First Place with her adorable, kawaii‑style vampire bat spreading its wings beneath a glowing moon. Her design was selected as the top submission from 30 entries by young artists ages 5 to 12, and it perfectly captures the creativity and spirit of the contest.
As the first‑place winner, Hannah received a free week of Summer 2026 Safari Day Camp, major bragging rights, and the thrill of seeing her artwork walking around the Zoo all summer.
Second Place: Emma F.
Emma F. received Second Place for her charming armadillo illustration. Full of personality and detail, her design quickly became a staff favorite and stood out among a strong group of submissions.
Third Place: Dexter T.
Dexter T. earned Third Place with his cool, science‑inspired nocturnal animals design. His artwork impressed judges with its creativity and educational flair, offering a unique take on this year’s theme.
The Summer Camp T‑Shirt Design Contest is a longtime staff favorite, and this year’s winners showcase the incredible talent and imagination of our young artists.
About the Contest
Each February, the Zoo hosts its annual Summer Camp T‑Shirt Design Contest, inviting children in Pre‑K through sixth grade to show off their creativity. Designs must fit within a 12” x 12” area, use no more than four colors, and celebrate nocturnal animals. The winning design appears on the official Summer Safari Day Camp T‑shirt, and the artist receives a free week of summer camp and shirts for the whole family (up to five)