The Austin Nature & Science Center offers nature-based programs for members of the community, such as school break camps and seasonal festivals.
Fall and Winter Break camp registration begins October 1, 2024 at 10:00 am. Spring Break and Summer Camp details to be announced.
- Fall Break Camp
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Registration opens October 1, 2024, at 10:00 am
Pack a lunch, a water bottle, and two healthy snacks. Participants should wear weather-appropriate, comfortable clothes and shoes that can get dirty and damp. Camp activities are subject to change in the case of inclement weather.
General Information about City of Austin Camps.Class Details & Fees:
- November 25, 2024 - November 27, 2024
- Sessions for ages 5-6, 7-8, and 9-10 years
- Program time is 7:30 am - 6:00 pm
- $135 City of Austin residents/ $180 non-COA residents
2024 Themes
- Ages 5-6: Super Science
- Calling all budding botanists, zoologists, astronomers, chemists, physicists, and paleontologists! Join us as we dive into the wonderful world of science. We’ll meet some of ANSC’s “animal ambassadors”, view the stars inside our planetarium, perform cool science experiments, dig for signs of the past in the dino pit, and identify local plants in Zilker Nature Preserve.
- Calling all budding botanists, zoologists, astronomers, chemists, physicists, and paleontologists! Join us as we dive into the wonderful world of science. We’ll meet some of ANSC’s “animal ambassadors”, view the stars inside our planetarium, perform cool science experiments, dig for signs of the past in the dino pit, and identify local plants in Zilker Nature Preserve.
- Ages 7-8: Signs of the Season
- Autumn is in the air, and we’re using our senses to explore the season. On hikes we’ll observe the changing leaves and learn what the animal world is up to this season. In our planetarium, we’ll find out what constellations are visible in the current night sky. We’re all about fall!
- Autumn is in the air, and we’re using our senses to explore the season. On hikes we’ll observe the changing leaves and learn what the animal world is up to this season. In our planetarium, we’ll find out what constellations are visible in the current night sky. We’re all about fall!
- Ages 9-10: Outdoor Skills
- This week we’ll hone in on our outdoor skills as we raise our bows and arrows as archers and find our way through orienteering. We’ll make our way around Lady Bird Lake on bike and make our way through nature preserves on foot, all the while utilizing the principles of Leave No Trace. Campers must be able to ride a bike for 3 miles without assistance.
- This week we’ll hone in on our outdoor skills as we raise our bows and arrows as archers and find our way through orienteering. We’ll make our way around Lady Bird Lake on bike and make our way through nature preserves on foot, all the while utilizing the principles of Leave No Trace. Campers must be able to ride a bike for 3 miles without assistance.
- Winter Break Camp
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Registration opens October 1, 2024, at 10:00 am
Winter Break Camp Registration
Pack a lunch, a water bottle, and two healthy snacks. Participants should wear weather-appropriate, comfortable clothes and shoes that can get dirty and damp. Camp activities are subject to change in the case of inclement weather.
General Information about City of Austin Camps.Class Details and Fees:
- Sessions for ages 5-6, 7-8, and 9-10 years
- Program time is 7:30 am - 6:00 pm
- December 26, 2024 - December 27, 2024, $90 City of Austin residents/ $120 non-COA residents
- December 30, 2024 - January 3, 2025, $180 City of Austin residents/ $240 non-COA residents, no camp on 1/1/2025.
- January 6, 2025 $45 City of Austin residents/ $60 non-COA residents
December 26, 2024 - December 27, 2024:
- Ages 5-6: Dinosaur Days
- Join us as we journey back in time to the days of the dinosaurs. We’ll dig for signs of the past in our dino pit and search for fossils at Pease Park. When we visit the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, we’ll learn more about Texas’ prehistoric past.
- Join us as we journey back in time to the days of the dinosaurs. We’ll dig for signs of the past in our dino pit and search for fossils at Pease Park. When we visit the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, we’ll learn more about Texas’ prehistoric past.
- Ages 7-8: Things with Wings
- We’re celebrating our favorite winged creatures, from birds to bats to bees and everything in between! What are our favorite winged creatures up to in the winter? Let’s find out!
- We’re celebrating our favorite winged creatures, from birds to bats to bees and everything in between! What are our favorite winged creatures up to in the winter? Let’s find out!
- Ages 9-10: Hittin’ the Trails
- This week we’re hittin’ the trails on foot and by bike! We’ll explore local state park trails and bike around Lady Bird Lake. Bikes and helmets provided. Campers must be able to ride a bike for 3 miles without assistance.
- This week we’re hittin’ the trails on foot and by bike! We’ll explore local state park trails and bike around Lady Bird Lake. Bikes and helmets provided. Campers must be able to ride a bike for 3 miles without assistance.
December 30, 2024 - January 3, 2025 (No camp on 1/1/2025):
- Ages 5-6: Animal Kingdom
- Animal lovers, this week is for you! We’re celebrating mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. We’ll meet some of ANSC’s animal ambassadors up close and personal as well as visit the resident animals at Austin Zoo.
- Animal lovers, this week is for you! We’re celebrating mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. We’ll meet some of ANSC’s animal ambassadors up close and personal as well as visit the resident animals at Austin Zoo.
- Ages 7-8: Up, Down, All Around
- From the night sky to the earth beneath our feet to the world all around us, there’s so much nature to love. We’ll explore planets and constellations while visiting our planetarium, examine what lives in the ground beneath our feet, and take in the sights and sounds around us as we hike through Zilker Nature Preserve.
- From the night sky to the earth beneath our feet to the world all around us, there’s so much nature to love. We’ll explore planets and constellations while visiting our planetarium, examine what lives in the ground beneath our feet, and take in the sights and sounds around us as we hike through Zilker Nature Preserve.
- Ages 9-10: Austin Adventures
- Join us as we visit some of the best that Austin has to offer, including parks, preserves, hike and bike trails, and even wild caves. All required adventure gear provided.
- Join us as we visit some of the best that Austin has to offer, including parks, preserves, hike and bike trails, and even wild caves. All required adventure gear provided.
January 6, 2025:
- Ages 5-6: Stellar Space Trekkers
- 3-2-1 blast off! Our planetarium will transport us to outer space as we explore the stars, moon, and planets. In our nature preserve we’ll hike to “The Moon” (and you’ll find out why we call it that!) Secure your space helmets, junior astronauts – today is sure to be out of this world.
- 3-2-1 blast off! Our planetarium will transport us to outer space as we explore the stars, moon, and planets. In our nature preserve we’ll hike to “The Moon” (and you’ll find out why we call it that!) Secure your space helmets, junior astronauts – today is sure to be out of this world.
- Ages 7-8: Nature at Night
- Whoooo is awake at night while we sleep? What is bioluminescence and what creatures do we have right here at ANSC that possess this special trait? How was the night sky used for navigation long ago? We’re exploring all things nocturnal today!
- Whoooo is awake at night while we sleep? What is bioluminescence and what creatures do we have right here at ANSC that possess this special trait? How was the night sky used for navigation long ago? We’re exploring all things nocturnal today!
- Ages 9-10: Beneath the Surface
- Did you know that Austin is home to numerous underground cave systems? Join us as we explore Whirlpool Cave*, home of the Travis County Room – the largest cave room in Travis county! *Whirlpool Cave is a crawling cave with a few tight squeezes. All required adventure gear provided.
- Spring Break Camp
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2025 Spring Break Camp details to be announced. Check back later!
- Summer Camp
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2025 Summer Break Camp details to be announced. Check back later!
Check back often for upcoming events!
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.