Austin Parks and Recreation Summer Camps

Austin Parks and Recreation Summer Camps offer weekly and three-week summer camp sessions across multiple program types, including therapeutic, culture and art, nature, community recreation, and free camps. Specialty camps are limited to a maximum of three weeks of registration per participant, per site, and are available at Austin Nature and Science Center, Camacho Activity Center, Dougherty Arts Center, the Mexican American Cultural Center (at the Asian American Resource Center), and Carver Museum. Youth and Teen Summer Camps are available at various Community Recreation Centers, with sites offering Teen Camps marked with a (+) in the registration listings.

• Ages: 5–15 years old
• Schedule: Summer camp dates run June 8–August 12, with weekly camp sessions and separate three-week sessions; there is no camp on June 19 and July 3 due to City of Austin holidays.
• Price: $140 per week for residents and $220 per week for non-residents with a $20 deposit; Austin Nature and Science Center and Camacho Activity Center weekly sessions are $225 for residents and $300 for non-residents with a $40 deposit; three-week sessions at Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center and George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center are $420 for residents and $660 for non-residents with a $60 deposit; a non-refundable deposit per participant per session reserves a spot, and any remaining balance is due by 5:00 p.m. 21 days before the session starts or the spot and deposit are forfeited.

Summer camp dates run from June 8 through August 12, with no camp on June 19 and July 3 due to City of Austin holidays. Weekly camp sessions are offered in ten sessions, and three-week camp sessions are offered at Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center and George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, each with specific session date ranges. Early registration runs from Saturday, January 31 at 10 a.m. through Friday, February 6 at 6 p.m., and additional registration dates are set for Therapeutic Recreation (McBeth), Austin Nature & Science Center and Camacho Center, Cultural & Art Centers, and Community Recreation Centers, with separate times for residents and non-residents. Registration can be completed online, in person, or over the phone, and a virtual waiting room feature is used during the registration process.

Therapeutic summer programs are supported by a team of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) and Inclusion Aids. The mission for therapeutic summer programs is to embrace the diversity that defines Austin and to work so that all individuals are accepted, included, and welcomed to participate, play, and recreate together. Community recreation summer programs at Recreation Centers follow a youth development philosophy that focuses on intentional programming and quality experiences that address social, emotional, ethical, physical, and cognitive competencies.

Austin Parks and Recreation offers early registration for Austin residents who qualify for financial aid. Households that want to qualify for early registration based on income must first be enrolled in the Austin Parks and Recreation financial aid program.

Last updated July 17, 2026.