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.
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.
2020 Summer Camp Programming
Due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and the projected trajectory of COVID related hospitalizations, beginning on Monday, July 6, all facilities and park amenities will be closed. All in-person programming for the month of July will be suspended including sports and fitness programming, summer camps, and cultural programming. Please see our CLOSURES page for up to date information.
Virtual camps and programs will continue as scheduled and free activities are available for families to enjoy on our Park Programs web page.
Parent Guidebooks
The PARD Youth Programs Parent Handbook is designed to acquaint you with our youth program guidelines, as well as to provide valuable information to help prepare you and your child for what to expect in our programs.
COVID-19 PARD On-Site Programming Guidelines
This document covers COVID-19 modifications to the existing PARD Youth Programs Parent Handbook.
- COVID-19 On-Site Programming Guidelines (English, PDF)
- Pautas para la participación en la programación de PARD Eventos COVID-19 (Spanish, PDF)
Lottery Registration Camps
- Lottery Registration Process is complete - To be place on programming waiting list, please visit our online registration system.
- For those without internet access, for Stay Playful! in-person programs, please call the recreation center(s) where you'd like to attend. For Stay Creative! online programs, please call (512) 974-4000 (English) or (512) 974-3772 (Spanish).
- Stay Playful! / ¡Mantente Jugando!
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Stay Playful! Camp Information
Mantente Jugando! Información Campamentos
STAY PLAYFUL! is a free weekly 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.
Weekly 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: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) - Stay Creative! / ¡Mantente Creativo!
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Stay Creative! Camp Flyer (PNG)
¡Mantente 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 space and nature.
Each week, programmed activities are provided by professional instructors beginning every hour from 9am-4pm with a break for lunch. Participants will be guided through the activity by instructional aides in age-specific "Zoom Rooms."
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 the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, and the Austin Nature and Science Center.
Programa de Arte y Cultura de Descubrimiento Veranal
• Instrucción en Vivo en Zoom • Proyectos Divertidos Para Edades 5-12 • Programas de Arte y Cultura • Usa Materials De su Casa • Horario Flexible • Clases Empiezan Cada Hora 9am-4pm
Registro Gratis en Línea: Junio 15-19
Registration
- From June 15-19, Austin residents may register for Stay Creative! online camps via an online lottery registration system.
- For those without internet access, to register for Stay Creative! online programs, please call (512) 974-4000 (English) or (512) 974-3772 (Spanish).
- Lottery results providing confirmed registration will be sent out between June 23-26.
- For a guide on how to register for the Stay Playful! and Stay Creative! Camp Lottery, see: Lottery Registration Procedures (PDF).
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Additional Online Programs
- Virtual Programming
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Austin Nature and Science Center: Virtual Summer Programs
Austin Nature and Science Center Virtual Programming Flyer (PDF)
The Austin Nature and Science Center will be providing virtual content Monday through Friday through the month of July on the Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s YouTube channel. This daily content will align with our Live Zoom programming each day and will feature amusing animals, creative crafts, exciting experiments, and more! Hop online to visit our Youtube playlist each day for something new, join our professional environmental educators live on Zoom, or participate in both as we explore everything from astronomy to zoology.
Live Zoom Sessions | 10am Monday through Friday | July 6-31
July 6 - 10 | Scales and Slime
- Learn all about reptiles and amphibians by meeting virtual animal visitors, experimenting with vision, crafting some slimy skin, and more!
July 13 - 17 | Fizzing, Flying, & Fun
- Do you find flight fascinating? Explosions exciting? Then join us for this wacky week of fun!
July 20 - 24 | Incredible Insects
- We will explore all things arthropod by building bug hotels, becoming bugs, and dancing like spiders!
July 27-31 | What in the World?
- Learn how animals survive in the desert, witness how constellations are constantly changing, and experiment with earth-shattering science.
Camacho Activity Center: Virtual Summer Clubs
Camacho Activity Center Virtual Programming Flyer (PDF)
Virtual content from the Camacho Activity Center 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 even more about these topics, sign up for our Virtual Summer Clubs to engage in live, interactive programs with our professional outdoor educators and filmmakers.
- Science of Water: July 7-9
- Natural Art: July 14-16
- Film Club: July 28-30
- Zero Waste with Keep Austin
- Beautiful: July 21-23
Virtual Trade Counter
Live Virtual Zoom Trading Sessions
Wednesday - Friday from 1pm to 2pm | Saturday from 2pm to 4pm.
Register on Eventbrite.
How it Works
Find or make a cool item from nature! Items accepted include: rocks, minerals, fossils, shells, bones, insects, insect parts, plant parts, nature art, drawings, photos taken, nature journal entries, etc. Items not accepted include: anything from birds, anything collected from a preserve or area where collecting is not allowed, human artifacts such as arrowheads, intentionally killed animals, or whole plants.
Register for a Zoom Virtual Trading Session for your selected time. After you register on Eventbrite, you will receive a link to the Zoom page to log in at your time. Register on Eventbrite.
Share your nature item with our virtual traders at your trade time on Zoom. We will record your name, birthdate, and how many points you receive for your item and keep it for when we re-open the Trade Counter.
Visit the Trade Counter at the Austin Nature & Science Center when we re-open and select items from our cool nature items "to buy" with the points you earned!
Family Camp At Home
Register at RecTrac.
Live Zoom Sessions | 4pm each day | July 27-31
We Miss You! Since we can’t welcome you to our site, we welcome you to join us as we connect with other families and create community apart. We’re offering an interactive week of themed activities that you can do from your own home and share your experiences with us through social media. Join our zoom call at 4 pm each day to share ideas, ask questions, and talk about our projects! At the end of the week, you’ll be ready for an at home camp out! Back yard tents and living room blanket forts are all welcome!
#anscfamilycamp
Themed Days Include
Monday: Outdoor Community Action
Tuesday: Making Sustainability Fun!
Wednesday: Nature in your Backyard
Thursday: Tiny Art Museum
Friday: Backyard Camping
- Teen Summer Virtual Programs
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Nature Ambassador
Register at RecTrac.
Live Zoom Sessions | 2-3pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Session 1: July 20-31
Session 2 August 3-14
Nature Ambassador is a virtual teen leadership program from the Austin Nature & Science Center where participants gain community service hours and build leadership skills.
This entirely virtual program will partner teens with an ANSC staff member to help them design and implement a community service project geared towards environmental stewardship. Participants will collaborate with staff over the course of two weeks to fully formulate their project.
Professional development opportunities will also be offered, covering topics such as: effective communications, conflict resolution, innovative thinking.
All projects will follow City of Austin protocols to ensure the health and safety of participants.
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