Austin Nature & Science Center Camps, Events, and Community Programs

The Austin Nature & Science Center offers nature-based programs for members of the community and visitors from all over,       including school break camps, weekend programming, virtual programming, special events, and seasonal festivals.

Fall Break Camp

2026 Fall Break Camp Information coming soon. Registration will open on October 1st, 2026. 

 

Winter Break Camp

2026 Winter Break Camp Information coming soon. Registration will open on October 1st, 2026. 

Spring Break Camp

Check back later for information about 2027 Spring Break Camps.
 

General Information about City of Austin Camps.

Summer Camp

Check back later for information about 2027 Summer Camps.

General Information about City of Austin Camps

Roots & Wings

Saturday, October 17th

10:00AM - 2:00PM

Join ANSC for a day full of fun, facts & whimsy! “Forage” for nectar like a winged pollinator & taste different honeys. Learn about tree species that provide food, shelter & shade for Austinites…human or otherwise! Dress up as your favorite pollinator & join us in our Pollinator Parade! We’ll have interactive ways to help you learn how to keep our habitat healthy. It’ll be a (root)BALL for all ages! Trees & Pollinator Garden Starter Kits available, while supplies last. Brought to you as part of the City of Austin's Roots & Wings Festival. 

Moonlight Nature Night

Saturday, November 1st

5:00PM - 8:00PM

ANSC presents Moonlight Nature Night, our annual celebration of nocturnal wildlife, astronomy, and more! This event will feature free outdoor fun and education for all ages, including live nocturnal animals, guided night hikes, and family friendly activities from local organizations including Capital Area Master Naturalists, Austin Bat Refuge, and American Chemical Society.

Austin Nature Day

Saturday, April 17th, 2027

More information coming Spring 2027!

Science Storytime

 

Free drop-in story time designed for ages 4 and under; no registration required. Hear a  science related story and meet an animal or touch a nature object!

Mondays, 9:30am

October 12, 2026

November 9, 2026

December 14, 2026

January 11, 2027

February 8, 2027

March 8, 2027

 

Saturday Programs

Enjoy free, family-friendly science programs! Programs last approximately 30 minutes and will be ongoing from 10:00am-2:00pm.

April 4 – GUIDED HIKES CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER . 

April 11 – Meet the Animals

Meet some of ANSC’s resident animals up close and personal!

April 25 – Creek Creatures

Observe and learn about some of the tiniest creatures found right here in ANSC’s creek and ponds. 

Suppertime Star Parties

Join us on Zoom for free family Suppertime Star Parties!  Programs run from 6:00-6:45pm, so log on, bring your chicken nuggets and ranch dressing, and then head outside to gaze up at the skies above!  Sign up for one session or for all four; registration is limited to 10 families. Registration required.

Nov 18 -Intro to Astronomy

See our sky go from day to night, learn about the constellations we can find in each season, and take a look at what’s up in the sky tonight!

Dec 16 – Planets and Our Solar System

From Mercury, Venus, and Mars to the outer gas giants, get a close-up look at our planetary neighbors in our solar system.

Jan 20 – Ancient Astronomy and Star Stories

Hear some of the stories that ancient cultures told about the stars and constellations.  We’ll share how stars served as everything from calendars to to-do lists to navigational aids to natural wonders.

Feb 17 – Space Exploration

Head into the final frontier to learn about upcoming space missions.  Who is next to land on the moon?  What are we learning from samples collected from the surface of Mars?  Where else are we boldly going?

Past Programs

A back catalog of content is available on our YouTube playlist. Videos include sensory activities, animal facts, nature storytime, TEKS learning objectives, and mindfulness strategies.