In light of recent public health concerns, the Austin Nature & Science Center will remain closed. 

Please click on the boxes for virtual programs.

Virtual Summer Programs

Austin Nature and Science Center: Virtual Summer Programs

Register at Eventbrite.  

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.

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

Camacho Activity Center: Virtual Summer Clubs

Register at Eventbrite. 

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.

July 7 - 9 | Science of Water

July 14 - 16 | Natural Art

July 21 - 23 | Zero Waste with Keep Austin Beautiful

July 28-30 | Film Club

Virtual Trade Counter

Register at Eventbrite.

Live Virtual Zoom Trading Sessions

Wednesday - Friday from 1pm to 2pm | Saturday from 2pm to 4pm.

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!

Teen Summer Virtual Programs

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.

Free admission and family friendly.  Established in 1960, the Austin Nature & Science Center's (ANSC) mission is to provide hands-on educational exhibits and recreational activities that increase awareness and appreciation of the natural environment.  Centrally located on the western edge of Zilker Park in the Zilker Nature Preserve, the ANSC offers indoor and outdoor exhibits, including the Naturalists Workshop's Trade Counter, and provides environmental science education programs to schools and the community in and around Austin.  The site hosts homeschool groups, school programs, family events, environmentally focused camps, and adventure programs.