Heads up, parents! Need a fun, safe place to keep your kids busy this summer?
KVUE has you covered! Camps are starting to open up and accept registration!
Here are some of the summer camps available in Austin and throughout Texas:
From June 15 to July 19 and July 22 to June 26, incoming kids between the ages of 13 and 15 in the Austin-area can get an introduction to an exciting and rewarding career in construction. Over the course of five days, "each camper will be given the opportunity to explore construction-related careers with professionals while helping to build a personal foundation for excellence," the website said.
Austin Film Festival’s Summer Film Camp returns in June for its annual screenwriting, filmmaking, and claymation classes. Summer Film Camp offers a variety of fun, enriching day camps for boys and girls 9 to 18 years old. At Summer Film Camp, young filmmakers are surrounded by like-minded collaborators and guided by professional instructors who connect them to their creative spark.
The camp offers morning, afternoon, and all-day classes June 3 to July 26, including the week of July 4th. Most classes are one week long, but be sure to check out the website calendar for more information.
It will be held at First Baptist Church located at 901 Trinity St. in Austin.
Any questions can be directed at the Young Filmmakers Program Coordinator at yfpcoordinator@austinfilmfestival.com or call 512-478-4795.
Here are some YMCA camps stationed throughout Texas.
- YMCA Collin County Adventure Camp, Anna, Texas (Family Summer Resident Camp)
- YMCA Camp Carter, Fort Worth, Texas (Co-ed Summer Resident Camp)
- YMCA Camp Grady Spruce -- Main Camp, Graford, Texas (Boys' Summer Resident Camp)
- YMCA Camp Grady Spruce -- Frontier Camp for Teens, Graford, Texas (Co-ed Summer Resident Camp)
- YMCA Camp Grady Spruce, Graford, Texas (Co-ed Summer Resident Camp)
- YMCA Camp Flaming Arrow, Hunt, Texas (Co-ed Summer Resident Camp)
YMCA Camp Cullen, Trinity, Texas (Co-ed Summer Resident Camp)
Camp HEATWAVE
2019 Field Trip Schedule
Camp Heatwave is more than a fun day camp. It is a summer program designed to keep your children involved, creatively challenged, physically active and safe during their time off from school. Camp Heatwave will stimulate your child's curiosity and challenge them to discovery.
Children will participate in field trips, outdoor recreation, arts & crafts, games, swimming and more.
There are two locations where Camp Heatwave will be held: Davis Elementary School, located at 5214 Duval Road in Austin, and Mills Elementary School, located at 6201 Davis Lane in Austin. The hours of operation for Camp Heatwave are Monday through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Week 1: June 3-7
- Week 2: June 10-14
- Week 3: June 17-21
- Week 4: June 24-28
- Week 5: July 8-12
- Week 6: July 15-19
- Week 7: July 22-26
- Week 8: July 29- Aug 2
The camp will be closed for the week of July 4th.
Camp Heatwave costs $185 per week with a one-time $25 registration fee. For more information on registration, visit the camp website here.
Summer Playgrounds is a free drop-in program for children to participate in fun, supervised, outdoor activities during the summer months. Summer Playgrounds staff provide quality recreational experiences that promote healthy living, character building, and teamwork through collaborative and active play.
- 2019 Camp Session Dates: June 10 - August 2, 2019, *No camp on Wednesday, July 4, 2019
- Ages: 6-12
- Locations: Bartholomew District Park, Garrison District Park, Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, Chestnut Pocket Park, Dick Nichols District Park, Franklin Park, Dottie Jordan Neighborhood Park, Oak View Neighborhood Park, Quail Creek Neighborhood Park and Ramsey Neighborhood Park.
- Contact: 512- 974-3922 or SummerPlaygroundsProgram@austintexas.gov
One week of fun for children and their parents/guardians exploring water in Austin’s creeks or Edwards Aquifer. Watershed camps include exploring and beautifying Austin creeks, springs and caves. You'll be able to hike, paddle and wade while learning about the plants and critters in the area.
- 2019 Camp Session Dates: Session A - June 3-6, Session B - July 25-27
- Ages: 9-14. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Contact: 512-974-3540
CAMP WILDFLOWER- At Camp Wildflower, children become conservationists, botanists, horticulturists, citizen scientists and ecologists as they explore native plants and the environment.
Activities include hikes, arts and crafts, nature games, science labs, outdoor explorations, and learning sessions with Wildflower Center experts. We know young minds need a lot of room to grow, and the Wildflower Center is the perfect place for getting in touch with nature and learning through discovery.
The summer camp is divided into three age groups: preschool, kindergarten through second grade, and third through fifth grade. Preschoolers attend from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and kindergarten through fifth-grade campers attend 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The camp asks to enroll your child according to the grade level they will enter in the fall of 2019.
Here are when the summer sessions at Camp Wildflower take place:
- Week 1: June 3-7
- Week 2: June 10-13
- Week 3: June 17-21
- Week 4: June 24-28
- Week 5: July 1-3
- Week 6: July 8-12
- Week 7: July 15-19
- Week 8: July 22-26
Here are the types of sessions at Camp Wildflower:
- Roots, Shoots & Insects
- Campers will investigate what makes a plant a plant and an insect an insect with hands-on learning in gardens.
- Habitat Hunters
- Campers will trek through the gardens to discover what makes the Texas ecosystems so diverse. After that, they will design their own habitat in a fort-building area.
- Nature Detectives
- Campers will use microscopes, nets and their senses to learn about plants and animals. They will also examine animal tracks, scats bones and owl pellets.
- X-Stream Explorers
- Campers will dive into aquatic habitats and ecosystems while developing water conservation skills.
For more information, call (512)232-0100 or email info@wildflower.org.
Looking for a great camp for your child this summer? The Do512 Family Summer Camp Guide can help you discover the perfect fit for your kids. Whether they want nature adventures, art activities, the chance to build robots, try science experiments, or dance, sing and act on stage — there are so many varied options to explore in the Austin area. Browse listings below to help you find the best summer camp experience for your family.
Creative Action, Austin Film Festival's Summer Film Camp, Paramount Summer Camps, Tarrytown Dance, The Austin Artery, Film Kids, Globetrotter Kids and more. For a full list of Do512 art camps, click here.
Earth Native Wilderness School Camps, Camp Balcones, Camp 512, YMCA Camp Twin Lakes and more. For a full list of Do512 outdoor adventure camps, click here.
Thinkery, IDEA Lab Kids STEAM Camps, Neuron Garage, Launch Code After School, Mad science of Austin, iD Tech and more. For a full list of Do512 outdoor adventure camps, click here.
Crux Crushers Kids Climbing Camp, All-Star Sports Camp, Quest ATX WAter Sports Camp and more. For a full list of sports camps from Do512, click here.
Every summer, Camp Glimmer gives more than 500 disadvantaged youth the opportunity to experience the joys of a first-class summer camp, absolutely free. We aim to create a unique experience that allows children to be themselves and learn in a safe and supportive environment. We encourage kids to know that just because they’re born into a situation doesn’t mean that they need to stay in that situation.
- 2019 Camp Session Dates: June 10-August 1, 2019
- Ages: 7-12. Participation is offered by invitation only to nonprofit organizations currently funded by A Glimmer of Hope Austin. Check with A Glimmer of Hope Austin for eligible nonprofit organizations.
- Location: Camp Glimmer is located on 30 acres of Texas hill country adjacent to beautiful Lake Travis in Austin, Texas. To request the physical address, please contact austin@aglimmerofhope.org.
JUNIOR FUN TO ROW ($350, grades 6-12)- The Austin Rowing Club welcomes all middle school and high school students for a week of fun on the water. Daily sessions include a variety of kayaking, small boat rowing, basic rowing technique, nature walks and more. Camp sessions will be conducted 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday from June 10-14, June 24-28, July 15-19 and July 29-Aug. 2. For more information on how to register, click here.
LEARN TO RACE ($325, grades 6-12) The Austin Rowing Club welcomes all athletes to try out the No. 1 college recruited sport. The sessions will cover basic rowing techniques in a variety of boats. Camp sessions will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday from June 17-21, July 22-26 and Aug. 5-9.
ADVANCED SUMMER CAMP ($695 for 6 weeks of $135 a week, grades 6-12) ARC is hosting a variety of gest coaches to lend their expertise throughout this summer camp. Athletes will finesse their technique and learn from a variety of experts with an emphasis on sculling. Camp sessions will be from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday from June 24-28, July 8-12, Jully 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2 and Aug. 5-8.
Youth Summer Camp is a partnership with Austin Independent School District. School-aged children enjoy four weeks of free summer camp. Participants experience activities, such as bowling, swimming, volleyball and dodge ball and immerse themselves in the study of subjects such as art, history, social justice, the environment, leadership, decision making, and time and money management.
For more information, contact Eric Oakmon by phone 512-974-5519 or email.
Here are just a few of the summer camps listed in the Austin Chronicle Summer Camp Guide:
AUSTIN CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Between science, fashion, art, writing, food, archaeology, and more, you shouldn't have a problem picking a camp that interests your child. Camps are divided into age groups, so your child can foster friendships alongside their curiosity. Ages 4-18. June 15-Aug. 7. $175, half day; $275, full day. 12310 RR 620 N..
AUSTIN PARKS & RECREATION CAMPS The city offers all manner of camps that incorporate sports, hiking, art, dance, theatre, and much more. Go online to find one that's right for your kid. Prices vary for residents/nonresidents, and the Parks Department offers financial aid for families in need of assistance. Ages 4-17. 
KIM'S GYM SUMMER CAMP - Fun and fitness are indistinguishable as kids tumble, cheer, and flip their way to better self-esteem and friendships. Ages 3-11. May 28-Aug. 22. JCAA Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart.
SWOOSH AUSTIN BASKETBALL CAMP - Learn the fundamentals of basketball in a fun and supportive environment (and an air-conditioned one, too!). Swoosh Austin teaches kids not only the moves they need, but the attitude and teamwork necessary to make those moves work. This two-week camp keeps space limited to create a more personal atmosphere. For boys and girls 8-13. July 15-19. Westridge Middle School, 9201 Scenic Bluff Dr.
For the Austin Chronicle's full list in their summer camp guide, visit their website here.
Here is a list of all the Wildlife and Conservation Summer Camps:
- The Texas Brigades - Various locations - wildlife management leadership camp!
- Austin Nature and Science Center Summer programs - Austin
- Bob Jones Nature Center Summer Camp - Southlake
- Cibolo Nature Center Summer Camp - Boerne
- El Ranchito (See website for eligibility requirements) - Austin
- Heard Nature Science Museum Summer Nature Camps - Fort Worth
- Houston Arboretum Nature Summer Camp - Houston
- River Legacy Parks Summer Classes - Arlington
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science Summer Programs - Dallas
- Elm Fork Explorer's Camp - Denton
- Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Summer Camp - Fort Worth
- Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area Summer Camp - Lewisville
- McKinney Roughs Nature Park - Nature Camp - Cedar Creek
- Mercer Botanic Gardens Summer Camp - Houston
- San Antonio Botanical Gardens - Nature Camp - San Antonio
Camp Erin Central Texas (formerly Camp Brave Heart) is a FREE bereavement camp for children and teens ages 6 – 17 who are grieving the death of someone close to them. It is a traditional, fun, high-energy camp combined with grief education, peer bonding, and emotional support led by grief support professionals and trained volunteers. Camp Erin Central Texas is a program of Hospice Austin and part of The Moyer Foundation’s national Camp Erin program.
Swimming, hiking, campfires, archery, sing-a-longs, crafts and a low-level ropes course are just a few of the activities that campers enjoy. Over the course of three days and two nights packed with recreational and therapeutic activities, campers hear each other’s stories, explore their grief in a safe and understanding environment, and learn ways to help them cope with their loss.
- 2019 Camp Session Dates: August 5 - August 7, 2019
- Ages: Children ages 6-17, who have experienced a loss.
- Location: John Knox Ranch, 1661 John Knox Rd., Fischer, TX 78623
- Contact: 512-342-4700
Texas Lions Camp is a residential camping facility for children with physical disabilities, type 1 diabetes, Down Syndrome, and cancer. The goal of the camps is to help children become more independent, improve self-image, social adjustment and self-reliance. The camps have two main components: a medical education program that focuses on teaching campers to care for their special health needs and a recreation program that teaches a ‘Can Do’ attitude, encouraging youth that they can achieve any goal they set.
- 2019 Camp Session Dates:
- Texas Lions Camp for children with Physical Disabilities: Session 1 - June 2-8; Session 2 - June 9-15; Session 3 - June 16-22; Session 4 - June 24-29; Session 5 - June 30- July 6
- Texas Lions Camp for children with Down Syndrome: Session 6 - July 7-13
- Texas Lions Camp for children with Type 1 Diabetes: Session 9 - July 21-27; Session 10 - July 28-August 3.
- Ages: Children with Physical Disabilities ages 7-16, Children with Diabetes ages 8-15, Children with Down Syndrome ages 12-16
- Location: 4100 San Antonio Hwy., Kerrville, TX 78028
- Contact: 830-896-8500 or tlc@lionscamp.com
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For other summer camp options, visit the following website: