The Austin Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of summer programs for children 5-12 years old, and some facilities provide preschool and teen programs. Whether you’re looking for active play, outdoor adventure, strategic games or cultural activities, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s summer camps have something for everyone. PARD’s goal is to provide children with exciting experiences through structured recreation in a safe and welcoming environment. Emphasizing active participation and play, trained staff will guide your child through a variety of group activities, such as sports, swimming, hiking, geocaching, painting, performance, dance and more!
Online Registration
Please visit austintexas.gov/parksonline to familiarize yourself with our system. If you have any questions or concerns, visit our Account Creation, Online Registration & FAQ page prior to calling site staff.
Financial Assistance
Need assistance paying for summer camp? Apply for Financial Aid.
2020 Summer Operations and Programming Announcement
PARD is taking incremental steps to re-establish summer operations and programming for the 2020 season. PARD is working to ensure that recreational activities are offered in a healthy and safe manner and that the re-establishment of programming opportunities does not contribute to increased risks associated with COVID-19.
- Summer Programming and Operations
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PARD developed a multi-level approach to youth summer programs based on current health authority recommendations, industry research, available staffing resources, and safety. In developing this approach, PARD considered available trained staff, CDC and local health recommendations, State of Texas Orders, American Camping Association COVID-19 specific guidelines, capacity for thorough and regular facility cleaning, support to City-wide initiatives, equity, and state and local Stay at Home Orders.
PARD will cancel and refund all paid summer camps for the entire summer. Modified summer program operations will be delayed until July 6, 2020.
- This four-week postponement serves to ready facilities, train staff regarding modified standard operating procedures to combat COVID-19 spread and is consistent with the current community risk rating.
PARD intends to offer free, modified summer camp programs at approximately 20 locations for City of Austin community members.
- Locations will be prioritized for east Austin communities;
- Flexible sessions will be offered to maximize availability;
- Programs will adhere to the current CDC and industry guidelines, capacity is limited to 16 to 24 campers per camp day (depending upon facility size);
- Registration processes will be announced in June.
While PARD wishes additional programming was possible, the Department is proud to offer a modified summer schedule that provides equitable access opportunities, on-line programming options, supports City of Austin initiatives, and meets all health related COVID-19 guidelines.
2020 Summer Camp Programming
In light of the City of Austin’s precautions to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parks and Recreation Department has announced a wide range of programming alternatives for children and families starting July 6th at a variety of recreation sites as well as structured programs online.
For the month of July, all programs for youth are free. Full details of the programs being offered will be available by June 8.
Lottery Registration Camps
People wanting to secure a spot should register for the lottery between June 15-19. Lottery results providing confirmed registration will be sent on June 22nd. Austin residents can register for one spot in the following programs:
- Stay Playful! / Mantente Jugando!
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Stay Playful! Camp Information (PDF | JPG)
Mantente Jugando! Información Campamentos (JPG)
STAY PLAYFUL! is a free camp for Austin residents that offers youth and teens the opportunity to play games, create cool arts and crafts projects, and enjoy the outdoors. Camps will be limited in size and will prioritize the health and well-being of our campers and staff.
Beginning July 6th, free 4-week full-day or half-day opportunities for youth and teens to create cool arts and crafts projects, play games, and enjoy the outdoors. These camps will be limited in size and will prioritize the health and well-being of our campers and staff.
Austin Nature and Science Center and Camacho Activity Center will be providing additional outdoor and nature-based activities to the Stay Playful camps. Additional information with regarding camp operations will be provided during lottery registration period.
Youth Programs for ages 5-11
Youth camps are either full day camps from 8am-5pm or half day camps from 8am-12pm or 1pm-5pm.
Full day camps are Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm at the following recreation centers:
Dittmar Recreation Center
1009 W. Dittmar Rd. (512-974-6090)Givens Recreation Center
3811 E. 12th St. (512-974-2430)George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center
5801 Ainez Dr. (512-974-3840)Gus Garcia Recreation Center
1201 E. Rundberg Ln. (512-978-2525)Northwest Recreation Center
2913 Northland Dr. (512-974-6972)Pan Am Recreation Center
2100 E. 3rd St. (512-978-2425)Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center
2608 Gonzales St. (512-978-2460)Turner-Roberts Recreation Center
7201 Colony Loop Dr. (512-978-2690)Half-Day Morning Camps are Monday-Friday, 8am-12pm and Half-Day Afternoon camps are Monday-Friday, 1pm-5pm at the following recreation centers:Delores Duffie Recreation Center
1182 N. Pleasant Valley Rd. (512-978-2465)Hancock Recreation Center
811 E. 41st St. (512-978-2335)South Austin Recreation Center
1100 Cumberland Rd. (512-978-2440)Teen Programs for ages 12-15
Teen camps are full day camps from 8am-5pm.
Dittmar Recreation Center
1009 W. Dittmar Rd. (512-974-6090)Gus Garcia Recreation Center
1201 E. Rundberg Ln. (512-978-2525)Northwest Recreation Center
2913 Northland Dr. (512-974-6972)Turner-Roberts Recreation Center
7201 Colony Loop Dr. (512-978-2690)Registration
- Austin residents can register for one camp opening June 15-19 online at austintexas.gov/parksonline
- Lottery Results available beginning June 22
- Stay Creative! / ¡Mantenente Creativo!
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Stay Creative! Camp Flyer (PNG)
¡Mantenente Creativo! Información en Español (PNG)
Camp Dates: July 6-30 | Fechas del programa: Julio 6-30
Stay Creative! Arts and Culture Summer Discovery Online Program is an exciting exploration of arts, culture and nature, for children 5 to 12 years of age. Beginning July 6th children can engage in a week of programmed activities exploring new and exciting themes like Intergalactic Planetary and The Force of Nature.
Each week, programmed activities are provided by professional instructors at the beginning of the hour between 9am and 3pm (with a break for lunch), and guided through the development of the activity by instructional aides in their age-specific “Zoom Room.”
The purpose of the program is to provide enjoyable and uplifting recreational programming for children based on the arts and cultural content provided by the Dougherty Arts Center, the Asian American Resource Center, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center and George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center.
Registration
- Austin residents can register for one camp opening June 15-19 online at austintexas.gov/parksonline
- Lottery Results available beginning June 22
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General Registration Camps and Programs
The Austin Nature & Science Center and Camacho Activity Center are offering in-person camps for families. Advance registration is required and will be available soon. Families may register for up to 5 sessions.
- Family Camps: Social Distance Kayaking/Biking
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Families can sign up for one of the 130 opportunities to go on a guided kayaking or biking adventure along Lady Bird Lake. Ages 5+ and for people of all abilities. Sessions available Monday through Saturday at various times to fit your schedule! Learn more on the Camacho Activity Center's website.
More information about registration coming soon.
- Family Park Programs
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Austin Nature & Science Center: Family Park Programs Flyer (PNG)
Austin Nature & Science Center is offering short nature-based activities in parks throughout Austin. Each activity is aimed to encourage families to explore and connect with the natural world and learn about native habitats.
More information about registration coming soon.
Additional Online Programs
- Virtual Programming
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Austin Nature & Science Center and Camacho Activity Center Video content will be provided Monday through Friday on the Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s YouTube channel. This daily content will focus on a wide variety of engaging themes, such as outdoor adventures, natural science, and filmmaking! For those who want to learn more about these topics, they can join one of the many interactive Zoom programs with a professional outdoor educators and filmmakers.
Austin Nature and Science Center Virtual Programming Flyer (PDF)
Camacho Activity Center Virtual Programming Flyer (PDF)
More information coming soon.
COVID-19 PARD On-Site Programming Guidelines
Programming Guidelines (English, PDF)
Parent Guidebooks
- Parent Handbook (English) (PDF)
- Parent Handbook (Spanish) (PDF)
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