The Austin Nature & Science Center offers nature-based programs for members of the community, such as school break camps and seasonal festivals.

Updated Summer Camp registration details below.

Fall Break Camp

2025 Fall Break Camp Registration opens Wednesday, October 1, 2025. 

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.
Please see General Information about City of Austin Camps before registering!

Fall Camp Class Dates: November 24-26, 2025

7:30am – 6:00pm

Fees: $135/City of Austin residents, $180/nonresidents

Register here.

Ages and Themes:

Frogs (Ages 5-6) – Nature in Motion

From the sky above us to the ground below us, nature is always in motion. This week we’ll observe the signs of the changing seasons and visit a local farm to learn about some of the cycles in nature. 

Salamanders (Ages 7-8) – Habitats and Hideaways

Austin provides a home to so many different animals – including multiple endangered species! Join us as we observe creatures in their natural habitats and hideaways here at ANSC as well as a local nature preserve.  

Pathfinders (Ages 9-10) – Outdoor Adventurers

Autumn is for outdoor adventures and we’re ready to spend our week hiking, biking, and paddling our way through Austin! Campers must be able to ride a bike 3 miles unassisted. 

 

Winter Break Camp

2025-2026 Winter Break Camp Registration opens Wednesday, October 1, 2025

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.
 Please see General Information about City of Austin Camps before registering.

Winter Camp Class Dates: 

• December 22-23, 2025

• December 29, 2025 - January 2, 2026 (no camp January 1)

• January 5, 2026

 

December 22 -23, 7:30am – 6:00pm

Fees: $90/City of Austin residents, $120/nonresidents

Register here.

Ages and Themes: 

Frogs (Ages 5-6) – Outdoor Explorers

We’ve got trees to climb, trails to hike, fossils to find, parks to explore… the great outdoors is calling and we have so much to go discover! 

 

Salamanders (Ages 7-8) –  Nature in the City

We live in the midst of some incredible nature right here in our big, bustling city. This week we’re slowing down to appreciate the plants, wildlife, fossils, and more that exist all around us. 

 

Pathfinders (Ages 9-10) – Urban Green Spaces

Austin is home to so many parks and urban green spaces! We’ll spend our days exploring Waterloo Greenway and Butler Park right here in the heart of the city.  

 

 

December 29 - January 2*, 7:30am – 6:00pm

Fees: $180/City of Austin residents, $240/nonresidents

Register here.

Ages and Themes: 

Frogs (Ages 5-6) – Blast from the Past

How long does it take for a cave stalactite to form? What kinds of creatures can we find fossil remains of today right here in Austin? How did people long ago use the stars to navigate? This week we’re bringing the past into our present. 

*No camp on January 1st

 

Salamanders (Ages 7-8) – Geology Rocks

Are you a fan of rocks, minerals, and fossils? So are we! From incredible cave formations to fossilized remains of the past found right here in Austin creek beds, we’re ready to dive into the wonderful worlds of geology and paleontology. 

*No camp on January 1st

 

Pathfinders (Ages 9-10) – Up, Down, All Around

Climb to new heights above ground and explore life deep underground in a local cave. Hike and bike your way around Austin and beyond! Campers must be able to ride a bike for 3 miles unassisted.  

*No camp on January 1st

 

January 5, 2026 , 7:30am – 6:00pm

Fees: $45/City of Austin residents, $60/nonresidents

Register here.

“A Day with ANSC” (all 3 age groups)

Spend a day with us at ANSC! Meet some of our resident animals up close and personal, take a hike in our nature preserve, dig for fossils in the Dino Pit, and travel through space in the planetarium. 

 

Spring Break Camp

2026 Spring Break Camp Registration opens Monday, January 5, 2026 at 10:00am.

Pack a lunch, a water bottle, and two healthy snacks (AM and PM). 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.

Spring Break Camp Dates: March 16 - 20, 2026

7:30am – 6:00pm

Fees: $225/City of Austin residents, $300/nonresidents

Register here.

Ages and Themes: 

Frogs (Ages 5-6): Bugs and Blooms 

What kind of habitat do different insects prefer? What kind of flower smells like a grape popsicle? We’re celebrating the wonderful worlds of plants and arthropods as we welcome the start of Spring.

Salamanders (Ages 7-8): Nature Detectives 

Are all rocks solid inside? What are some signs of creatures that lived here millions of years ago? How can we tell what an owl had for dinner last night? Nature is full of clues about the life all around us and we’re playing detective this week!

Pathfinders (Ages 9-10): Trail Trekking

Lace up your hiking shoes because we’re hitting the trails this week! Each day we’ll visit a different state park or nature preserve to hike among trees, hills, falls, and more.

Cancellation and Refunds

Program attendance is the responsibility of the participant. Failure to attend a class does not entitle a participant to a transfer, makeup, prorate or refund. Substitutions, including family members, are not permitted. Registrations cancelled at least 7 days prior to the first day of class may be issued a refund, minus a $40 non-refundable deposit per class and a $35.00 processing fee per transaction. No refunds are issued for registrations that are cancelled without 7 days advanced written notice of the first day of camp. Refunds will be applied to outstanding balances before funds are released. Refunds are issued to the charging credit card, or by check from the City of Austin (please allow 4-6 weeks for processing). You may request to have the refund applied to your account as a household credit. All checks sent to ANSC must be processed. There is a $25 cash fee on all returned checks. Should you need to cancel your camp, please email anscprograms@austintexas.gov with the name and age of the camper and the date(s) you need to cancel.

Deposits

All deposits are non-refundable. A $40 deposit per session will secure a place until three weeks (21 days) prior to the first day of camp. If you fail to pay the remaining balance, you will lose your deposit and forfeit your child's place in that session to another child on the waiting list. You are encouraged to make full payment at registration to avoid missing deadlines and losing your childs place in camp. Full payment is the responsibility of the participant.

 

Summer Camp

2026 Summer Camp Details Coming Soon!  

Pack a lunch, a reusable water bottle, two healthy and substantial snacks (AM and PM), sunscreen, and clothing and shoes that can get wet and dirty.  Camp activities are subject to change in the case of inclement weather.

General Information about City of Austin Camps

Check back soon for upcoming events!

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 20, 2025

November 17, 2025

December 8, 2025

January 12, 2026

February 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

April 13, 2026

Saturday Programs

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

November 15 – Planetarium

Travel through outer space in our very own onsite planetarium. Learn about planets, moons, constellations, and more.

December 13 – Meet the Animals

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

 

2026 Dates Coming Soon

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.