Our guide to 2025 Austin-area summer camps and teen programs that cultivate connections to the outdoors, promote environmental values, and/or teach kids about active and alternative transportation.
While by no means an exhaustive list, we hope that this guide, crowdsourced by Parents’ Climate Community members, can be a helpful starting point.
Know of a great opportunity, particularly for middle school and high school students, not listed here? Drop us a line, and we’ll add it to the roundup.
Active & Alternative Transit
ATX Kids’ Club
Ages: 4-13
What: Theme-based weekly camps that teach kids how to explore what Austin has to offer by public transit. Topics include sports, history, art, service, and more.
Cost: $475 with an early bird discount of $450 by Jan. 31st. Note that there are also sliding-scale options.
Good to know: they also offer a teen leadership program for ages 13-17. Applications open Feb. 1st.
https://www.atxkidsclub.org/summer-camp.html
Austin Youth Fitness Bike Camps
Ages: 4-11
What: Half-day Beginner Biking or Cycle the City camps that teach kids how to build bike confidence and explore Austin by bike.
Good to know: Can be combined with a morning fitness camp if needing a full day of coverage.
Cost: Half-day is $260 with teacher/military discounts and scholarships available.
https://www.austinyouthfitness.com/summercamps
Sustainable Food Systems
PEAS
Ages: 4-12
What: Hands-on gardening and nature-based learning to get children excited about growing and eating healthy food
Cost: Pricing info not yet available when we checked
https://www.peascommunity.org/camps.html
Urban Roots
Ages: 14+
What: Young adults grow food for the community and gain leadership skills in this program.
Good to know: Applications are no longer open but you can join the mailing list to be alerted to future opportunities.
Youth Opportunities
Conservation & Wildlife
Austin Youth River Watch
Ages: 9th – 12th grade
What: This 6-week program for high schoolers focuses on watershed and riparian health. Students study climate change mitigation, water quality testing, and aquatic ecology along the Colorado River.
Good to know: Students receive a stipend of $540. Applications not yet open for Summer 2025.
Conservation Core at Camp Ranchito
Ages: 9th-12th grade
What: At this 13-day overnight camp, campers learn about conservation practices and environmental career opportunities.
Cost: Priority admission for scholarship students, who also receive a $400 stipend, with some non-scholarship slots at $1200
Nature Connections – General
Austin Science & Nature Camps
Ages: 5-12, plus a junior counselor program for teens
What: A day camp featuring nature-based, thematic weekly explorations.
Cost: $225 for COA residents. $300 for nonresidents, with priority admission to financial aid candidates.
When: Mark your calendar!
Feb. 1 at 10 am Early Registration opens for summer campers receiving financial aid
Feb. 22 at noon: General registration opens
https://www.austintexas.gov/page/austin-nature-science-center-camps-community-programs
Camp El Ranchito
Ages: 4th-9th grade
What: An inclusive outdoor adventure camp that brings together youth from diverse backgrounds.
Good to know: Weekly overnight camps at Shield Ranch, 22 miles west of Austin.
Cost: Scholarship campers receive priority access. There are some non-scholarship slots available at a cost of $800
Earth Native Wilderness
Ages: 4-16
What: Focus on outdoor play to create deep, long-lasting connections to the outdoors. Locations in Southeast Austin, Georgetown, and Bastrop.
Good to know: options for day or overnight camp adventures. Teen summer internships available.
Cost: $360-445 for day camps, $795 for overnight camps
https://www.earthnativeschool.com/summer-camps
Families in Nature Teaching Internship
Age: 16+
What: a program intern who will assist with administration of educational programs and work closely with FiN staff
Good to know: compensation is commensurate with experience, but it is a paid position with competitive pay
Inner North Outer Experiences
Ages: ages 18 mo to 7 years; whole family (not a drop-off camp)
What: nature-based learning and activities for family health and connection
Good to know: select Saturdays in May & June at Lakewood Park in Leander; registration link to come!
LCRA Summer Camps
Ages: 5-15
What: Outdoor adventure & wilderness skills day camps at McKinney Roughs Nature Park or Nightengale Archeological Center on Lake LBJ
Good to know: option to sponsor a child to attend camp
Cost: $250-280
https://lcraparks.com/summer-camps
Los Amiguitos
Ages: 3-8, “helpers” 9-14
What: A nature exploration and Spanish immersion camp emphasizing community and empowerment, with different weekly themes.
Good to know: All instruction will be in Spanish, but no prior Spanish background is needed to attend.
Cost: $385