Enriched Family Austin Summer Camp Special Feature (2019): Science, STEM/STEAM, and Coding Camps

 
Photo credit: Pexels

Photo credit: Pexels

Parents, it is that crazy time of year when we figure out the summer plan. Camps are registering students and starting to fill up. In an effort to make your life easier, Enriched Family is doing our annual series of posts highlighting different types of summer camps in the Austin area. The first post was on arts camps, including visual art, creative writing, dance, drama/theater, film, music, and arts combinations for all ages. Today's post focuses on Science, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)/STEAM (STEM + art), and coding camps! The next post in the series will feature sports summer camps. Watch the Enriched Family blog!

If you would like your camp to be considered for inclusion in Enriched Family’s camp features, please email camp information in a similar format as below to hello[at]enrichedfamily.com. Thanks!

Please note, the following is provided for informational purposes only; the information is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge, but there may be omissions, errors or mistakes, and no guarantees are made.

Austin Nature & Science Center (ANSC) Summer Camps

Details: Make the most of the summer break with engaging activities and outdoor explorations. Sign up for ANSC's week-long summer camp sessions. Participants may register for up to 3 camp sessions. For full day camps, extended care is also available for an additional fee of $40 week for residents/$45 non-residents, allowing parents to drop off beginning at 7:15am and pick up at 6pm at the latest. See ANSC’s website for week-by-week camp themes and details. Please note, many of ANSC’s camp sessions have already filled up, but you can always add your child to the waitlist.

Camp details by age:

  • ANSC Tadpole Camps (Ages 4 & 5) - M-F, half day sessions (8am-12pm or 1-5pm) are offered from 6/10/19-7/26/19. Cost: $162 Austin residents/$188 non-residents. Camp themes include Awesome Animals; Mad Scientists; Prehistory Mystery; and Wonderful Water. AM sessions currently on a waitlist, but PM sessions are available.

  • ANSC Discovery Camps (Ages 5 & 6) - M-F, full day sessions (8am-5pm) are offered from 6/10/19-8/9/19. Cost: $232 Austin residents/$268 non-residents. Camp themes include In the Dark; Up, Down, All Around; Water Wiggles; and Wild and Wooly. Waitlist.

  • ANSC Nature Camps (Ages 7 & 8) - M-F, full day sessions (8am-5pm) are offered from 6/10/19-8/16/19. Cost: $232 Austin residents/$268 non-residents. Camp themes include Blast from the Past; Nature Trackers; H2Oh!; and Wild About Wildlife. Waitlist.

  • ANSC Adventure Camps (Ages 9 & 10) - M-F, full day sessions (8am-5pm) are offered from 6/10/19-8/16/19. Cost: $262-$306 Austin residents/$298-$342 non-residents. Camp themes include Austin A Thru Z; Dream Team; The Great Outdoors; and Water Wise. Waitlist.

  • ANSC Explorer Camps (Ages 11 & 12) - M-F, full day sessions (8am-5pm) are offered from 6/10/19-8/9/19. Cost: $262-$306 Austin residents/$298-$342 non-residents. Camp themes include Animal Enthusiasts; Nature Photography; Outdoor Action; and Water Science. Waitlist.

  • ANSC Specialty Camps (Ages 13 & 14) - M-F, full day sessions (8am-5pm) are offered from 6/11/19-8/9/19. Cost: $238-$282 Austin residents/$272-$316 non-residents. Camp themes include Advanced Caving; Bike-tastic; Outdoor Jobs; and Youth Climbing. Open spots.

  • ANSC Counselor in Training (Ages 15-17) - M-F, full day, two-week long sessions (8am-5pm) are offered from 6/10/19-8/16/19. Cost: $198 Austin residents/$222 non-residents. Some spots available.

Location: Central, 301 Nature Center Drive (parking at 2389 Stratford Dr., 78746)

 

Camp Balcones - Camp Fire's Summer Camp at Emma Long Park

Details: Explore, learn, and grow at Camp Balcones - Camp Fire's Summer Camp at Emma Long Park! Austin’s premier urban nature and science day camp sparks curiosity and inspires learning in kids ages 6 – 12 years old (young campers must have completed Kindergarten) while preventing summer learning loss. Each week features a nature or science theme in addition to swimming, hiking, games, archery, creative expression, and other fun-filled activities. 

  • Camp Balcones Elementary Summer Camp has four unique weekly STEM-based themes which incorporate hands-on, project-based activities. Your child will explore nature, identify plants and animals, and have fun with unstructured play in a safe environment with new friends and camp instructors. Camp Balcones runs for 8 weeks during the summer, beginning on June 3rd, 2019 (M-F, 8am to 5pm, with extended day available until 6pm for an extra fee). The 2019 Weekly STEM themes are: Lone Star Week—Natural History of Texas; Astronomy; Camping 101; and Water Week. Cost: $350 (plus an annual membership fee of $25).

  • Camp Balcones Middle School Summer Camp. This year introduces a new session to Camp Balcones! For two weeks they will be running a camp exclusively for 7th and 8th graders, ages 12-14 (must have completed 6th grade). This camp will have longer excursions and more challenging activities, as well as opportunities to lead the younger campers through guided reflections. Camp Balcones-Middle School runs for 2 weeks during the summer, beginning on June 24, 2019 and again on July 8, 2019. Camp Balcones is closed for the week of July 4th. Camp Balcones is available Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm (with extended day available until 6pm for an extra fee). The 2019 weekly camp themes are: Survival Skills and Art in Nature. Cost: $350 (plus an annual membership fee of $25).​

Location: NW Austin, Emma Long Park (1600 City Park Rd., 78730); Buses depart from Bowie High School, Maplewood Elementary School, and the Northwest Recreation Center. See website for bus pickup and drop off times.

Camp Einstein Summer Camps

Details: At Camp Einstein, the mission has and will always be simple... To provide a fascinating experience that sparks curiosity in the sciences and engineering fields! Camps will be offered on a variety of topics, such as Green Engineering; CSI Forensics; Little Doctors; STEMfinity and Beyond; Little Vets; Universe Explorers; Explosive Science; Survival Science; Lego masterminds; Culinary Chemistry; and Wizard Science. 

Location: Camps will be held at various locations, including St. Andrew's Episcopal School (SW and Central), Dripping Springs ISD (SW), Lake Travis ISD (SW), Round Rock ISD (NW), and Lakeway Activity Center (SW).

Available dates: Weeklong, half day (AM, 9-12 or PM, 1-4) camps will run from June 3 - August 2 (check website for camp dates for specific grade levels). 

Camper ages: Camps are offered for different ages at each camp location, but the overall grade range is Pre-K to 5th. 

Hours: Monday through Friday; most camps are half day programs, offering a morning or afternoon session (e.g. 9am-noon or 1-4pm), but some programs run from 9am-3pm or 9am-4pm. Some locations offer extended day care, as well as a supervised lunch option for children registered in both morning and afternoon sessions. Check the specific location website for details. 

Cost: Price varies per location (some locations list half day programs at $250).

 

Camp Invention - Fast Forward, National Inventors Hall of Fame

Details: Camp Invention® is a nationally acclaimed summer program where STEM concepts come to life. Led by local teachers, this program has tapped into kids' natural curiosity since 1990, giving them the opportunity to become innovators through teamwork and immersive, hands-on creative problem-solving.

Details by location:

  • 6/3/2019 - 6/7/2019 (9am-3:30pm), Central Austin, Casis Elementary School (2710 Exposition Blvd., 78703) - Camp Invention: Supercharged, children entering K through 6 grades. Cost: $280

  • 6/3/2019 - 6/6/2019 (4 days; 8am-4pm), North Austin, Kathy Caraway Elementary School (11104 Oak View Drive, 78759) - Camp Invention: Supercharged, children entering K through 6. Cost: $245

  • 7/15/2019 - 7/19/2019 (9am-3:30pm), Buda, Barton Middle School - Camp Invention: Supercharged (4950 Jack C Hays Trail, Buda, 78610), children entering K through 6. Cost: $230

  • Pflugerville, Highland Park Elementary School (428 Kingston Lacy, Pflugerville, 78660), entering K through 6. Cost: $255

    • 6/17/2019 - 6/21/2019 (8:30am-3pm) - Camp Invention: Launch

    • 6/10/2019 - 6/14/2019 (8:30am-3pm) - Camp Invention: Supercharged

  • 5/28/19-5/31/19 (4 days; 8am-4pm) Round Rock, Cactus Ranch Elementary (2901 Golden Oaks, Round Rock, 78681) - Camp Invention: Supercharged, children entering K through 6. Cost: $245

  • 6/17/19-6/20/19 (4 days; 8am-4pm) Round Rock, Union Hill Elementary School (1511 Gulf Way, Round Rock, 78665) - Camp Invention: Supercharged, children entering K through 6. Cost: $245

  • 7/15/19-7/18/19 (4 days; 8am-4pm) Hutto, Hutto Middle School (1005 Exchange Boulevard, Hutto, 78634) - Camp Invention: Supercharged, children entering K through 6. Cost: $230

  • Cedar Park, Ronald Reagan Elementary School (1700 East Park Street, Cedar Park, 78613), children entering K through 6. Cost: $255

    • 7/15/2019 - 7/19/2019 (9am-3:30pm) - Camp Invention: Launch

    • 6/17/19-6/21/19 (9am-3:30pm) - Camp Invention: Supercharged

The Coder School Austin

Details: While mostly an after-school custom-learning coding shop, the Coder School Austin also offers summer camps! Camps are held at coding facilities and leverage goodies from the year-round programs to create a uniquely collaborative environment where the kids work together, code together, and have a rockin’ fun summer together! Camps are staffed with a ratio of about 6:1, with regular year-round Code Coaches® who have lots of experience teaching kids throughout the year. They also recognize that summer camp is a time for fun! So while kids will do lots of on-computer learning, they will also take plenty of breaks, get some physical motion by heading outside frequently (weather permitting), and even do some cool offline coding exercises! All camps end with a demo of campers’ creations on Friday. Receive an early-bird discount of $50 off full-week camps through May 1. Use the code CAMPSROCK at checkout! Prices listed below are after the discount.

  • Mobile Madness, 6/3/19-6/7/19 (ages 9+): $449

  • Games Are Awesome, 6/10/19-6/14/19 (ages 7-10): $449

  • Raspberry Pi Jam, 6/17/19-6/21/19 (ages 10+): $499

  • Python Startup, 6/24/19-6/28/19 (ages 10+): $449

  • Games Are Awesome, 7/1/19-7/5/19 (ages 7-10), no class July 4th: $370

  • Rise of the Machines (AI), 7/8/19-7/12/19 (ages 9+): $449

  • Web Rox (AI), 7/15/19-7/19/19 (ages 10+): $449

  • Make It Go With Robots, 7/22/19-7/26/19 (ages 5+): $449

  • Games Are Awesome, 7/29/19-8/2/19 (ages 7-10): $449

  • Mobile Madness, 8/5/19-8/9/19 (ages 9+): $449

  • Games Are Awesome, 8/12/19-8/16/19 (ages 7-10): $449

Location: Northwest Austin, 3616 Far West Blvd #109, 78731 (near Murchison Middle School)

Hours: Camps run 9am-3pm, M-F.

Coding with Kids

Details: Coding with Kids camps are a place for coders to unleash their creativity and take the next step on the Coder's Ladder. Tech-savvy instructors will guide small groups of campers as they build games, interactive stories, websites, programmable circuits, and more. Campers will receive personalized instruction and collaborate with new friends. After camp, kids will be able to share projects with family and friends and continue development through online access. Full and half day camps are available at a wide variety of locations in Austin for children 5-18 (you can combine AM and PM camps to build a full day camp of your choice. They will provide child care during the lunch time). Early Bird Special expires 5/31: Register for both morning and afternoon camps in the same week and get a 15% discount from the second camp. Additional 5% sibling discount is offered at some locations (siblings must be registered for the same week of camps). 

Available dates: June 3-August 5, 2019

Locations:

  • North: Amazon Austin (you must be a friend or family member of an Amazon employee) - full and half day camps available

  • North: Austin Magellan International School

  • North: Cedar Park - Summit Christian Academy

  • North: Round Rock

    • Fern Bluff Community Center

    • Great Oaks Elementary - only half day camps are available

    • Teravista Elementary - only half day camps are available

  • Northwest: Northwest Hills UMC

  • Northwest: Deer Park Middle School - only half day camps are available

  • Southwest: Oak Hill UMC

  • Southwest: Westlake UMC

  • Southwest: St. Gabriel’s Catholic School

  • Southwest: Lakeway - Lakeway Activity Center - only half day camps are available

  • Southwest: Circle C - Circle C Community Center

Themes: Little Coders; Robotics for Little Coders; Scratch Game Development I; Scratch Game Development II; 3D Game Development; Robolox: Code and Publish Games; Mindcraft Modding; Mindcraft Modding - Java; Python: Game Development; Python: Advanced Games and More; Web Development; Software Engineering with Micro:bit; Electrical Engineering with Arduino; Robotics Engineering with Arduino (check website for camp themes & ages at the location nearest you).

Hours: Full day camps are typically from 9am-4pm; half day camps are 9am-12pm or 1-4pm.

Cost: Half day camps start at $279 and full day camps start at $479.

E.S.T.E.A.M Academy

Details: E.S.T.E.A.M Academy’s mission is simple – to help Students discover the Hero within and to guide them along the way to become Leaders in the Tech and Arts industries, prepared to challenge, inspire and change the world. E.S.T.E.A.M offers a variety of 2019 summer camps, including:

Location: North - Round Rock, 12 Lake Dr., Round Rock, 78665

Figment Creative Labs - S.T.E.A.M. Summer Camps

Details: Join in for an awesome week of science, technology, engineering, art, and math! Each day you will create awesome art, explore maker ed projects, and have fun with new friends. Children will be put into small groups by age, but the larger group will snack and lunch together. Please dress for mess! Each Friday is Water Day! Come dressed to get wet and play outside, but please also bring a spare change of clothes for after lunch. Ages 3 (potty trained) - 12 are welcome.

Location: South Austin, 7809 Brodie Lane, Austin, 78745

Available Dates & Hours: Camps run weekly June 3-August 9 (1oam-2pm)

Cost: $300

Fun 2 Learn Code Summer Camps

Details: Fun 2 Learn Code offers coding classes and day camps for children and teens in the Austin area to learn the fundamentals of computer programming. They strive to make technology fun and engaging for children, and they strongly believe that as children are learning to code, they are also coding to learn – to solve problems, to express themselves creatively, to work in collaboration with others, and to communicate their ideas. Weeklong summer camps have half day or full day options. Full day camps are from 9am-4pm. Half day camps are from 9am-12pm and from 1-4pm. To sign up for a full day camp, select a morning camp and an afternoon camp during the same week. Morning care and afternoon care are available for an additional fee. Camp options are listed below:

  • Intro to Coding with Scratch Programming (ages 7-11), May 28-31; June 3-7; June 17-21; July 1-3; July 8-12; July 22-26; and August 5-9. The weeklong half day camps (9-12 or 1-4) are $150 if registering by March 31 & $180 if registering after March 31. See website for details.

  • Video Game Design with Kodu (ages 7-11), May 28-31; June 10-14; July 1-3; July 22-26; and August 5-9. The weeklong half day camps (9-12 or 1-4) are $150 if registering by March 31 & $180 if registering after March 31.

  • Minecraft Mods (ages 7-11), May 28-31; June 17-21; July 1-3; and July 8-12. The weeklong half day camps (9-12 or 1-4) are $180 if registering by March 31 & $210 if registering after March 31.

  • STEAM Camp (ages 7-11), May 28-31; June 3-7; June 10-14; June 24-28; July 1-3; July 8-12; and July 22-26. The weeklong half day camps (9-12 or 1-4) are $170 if registering by March 31 & $200 if registering after March 31.

  • Intermediate Scratch Programming (ages 8+), June 3-7; June 24-28; and July 15-19. The weeklong half day camps (9-12 or 1-4) are $170 if registering by March 31 & $200 if registering after March 31.

  • Python Programming (ages 8-12), June 17-21; July 15-19; and July 29-August 2. The weeklong half day camps (9-12 or 1-4) are $180 if registering by March 31 & $210 if registering after March 31.

  • Video Game Design with Unity (ages 8-12), June 10-14; July 8-12; and July 29-August 2. The weeklong half day camps (9-12 or 1-4) are $170 if registering by March 31 & $200 if registering after March 31.

  • Virtual Reality with Unity (ages 8-12), June 24-28 and July 22-26. The weeklong half day camps (9-12 or 1-4) are $220 if registering by March 31 & $250 if registering after March 31.

  • Minecraft Mods with Java (ages 10+), June 17-21 and July 29-August 2. The weeklong half day camps (9-12 or 1-4) are $200 if registering by March 31 & $230 if registering after March 31. Requirement: typing skills of 10 wpm.

  • Video Game Development with Unity (ages 10+), June 10-14 and July 29-August 2. The weeklong half day camps (9-12 or 1-4) are $200 if registering by March 31 & $230 if registering after March 31. Requirement: typing skills of 10 wpm.

  • STEAM Camp (ages 10+), June 3-7, June 24-28, and July 15-19. The weeklong half day camps (9-12 or 1-4) are $200 if registering by March 31 & $230 if registering after March 31.

  • Virtual Reality Game Development with Unity (ages 10+), June 24-28 and July 15-19. The weeklong half day camps (9-12 or 1-4) are $220 if registering by March 31 & $250 if registering after March 31. Requirement: typing skills of 10 wpm.

Location: North-Round Rock, 420 Chisholm Valley Dr., Round Rock, 78681 

Game Worlds Summer Camp

Details: Game Worlds was created as a way to use the partnership of technology and creativity in software and game development. Taking a students’ existing interest in games and game development, Game Worlds’ program creates an experience that is fun and educational. Each session is comprised of student teams, working in their own age groups, typically 3-5 students. The team works as a group to create a game around the week’s themes (Underwater Exploration, Mountain Climbing, Fantastic Voyage Into the Body, etc). Each team is led by a Camp Counselor, who is responsible for their team’s work and serves as a mentor and instructor during the course of the week. Each day has a different development theme (Programming, Art, Audio, Design, etc), and starts with a presentation from an experienced Developer. There are daily tutorials that explore the different areas of development, and lab time where the teams work on their games. On Friday, the students present their work to a panel of Game Industry professionals! It’s a friendly competition among the teams, so there are prizes and awards given out. Parents are encouraged and welcome at the presentation! It’s a great opportunity for everyone to see the students’ hard work. After the Awards Ceremony there is an optional Pizza Party (6-9pm) where students can relax and enjoy the company of their new friends! Ages 8-18.

Location: North Central Austin, Austin Community College, Highland Business Center, 5930 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin, 78752

Available dates & hours: June 3-28, July 8-August 2, and August 5-16. Weeklong sessions, M-F from 7:30am to 5:30pm.

Cost: Game Worlds summer camp sessions are $650. This includes a healthy catered lunch and a Friday night gaming and optional pizza party that lasts until 9:00pm. Register between March 2, 2017 and May 1, 2017 to save $50.00 on a single session.

*Received the Austin Chronicle Best of Austin 2015 award for the “Best Way to Turn Gamers Into Game Makers: Game Worlds.”

Girlstart STEM Summer Camps - Waitlist Only

Details: Nationally recognized STEM summer camps for girls entering 4th-8th grades in 2019-2020. All Girlstart camps include a balance of hands-on STEM activities, relevant technology, collaborative team building, and informal camp fun! Please email camps@girlstart.org or call 512-916-4775 ext. 33 to inquire about getting on the waitlist.

Camp Themes: Where the Wild Things Live; Scrub In; Get a Clue; Ready, Set, Rescue!; Girlstart Goes West; and Girlstart Film Festival

Location: North Austin, Girlstart STEM Center, 1400 W. Anderson Lane, Austin, 78757

Available dates: Weeklong STEM camps from June 10-August 2 (check website for dates for specific grade levels) 

Camper ages: Girls entering 4th-8th grades in 2019-2020 (Regular [4th-5th grades] and Junior camps [6th-8th grades] run simultaneously during the summer and are held in separate activity spaces)

Hours: Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm each day (you may drop off anytime between 8:00am and 8:30am; pick up is anytime between 4:30pm-5:00pm)

Cost: $375

iD Tech Summer Camps at St. Edward’s University

Details: iD Tech is the world leader in summer STEM education, with 400,000 alumni since 1999, and 150 prestigious campus locations including St. Edward’s University. Summer programs instill in-demand skills and embolden students to shape the future. Just 5-10 students per instructor (maximum 10) so students can enjoy personalized learning at their pace. Camper ages range from 7 to 17.

Camp themes: Learn to code, design video games and Fortnite-inspired levels, mod Minecraft, create with Roblox, engineer robots, model and print 3D characters, work with AI and machine learning, and more!

Available dates & hours: June 3-July 19. Weeklong, day, and overnight summer programs available.

Location: St. Edward’s University, 3001 South Congress, Austin, 78704

Cost: Varies by course. Click here for details.

Idea Lab Camps: Rock Your Grey Matter!

Details: Idea Lab Kids provides STEAM (STEM + Arts) camps with learning topics ranging from Cooking School; Robotics; Drones; 3D Printing; Art Studio; Coding and Programming; Movie Production; Engineering; and Science. At Idea Lab Kids Rock your Grey Matter STEAM Camps, campers learn through inquisitive, hands-on activities utilizing Science, Math, Critical thinking Skills, and a great deal of IMAGINATION!

Themes include: Girls in S.T.E.A.M.; Robotics; Engineering + Design; Science Lab; 3D Printing; Coding & Programming; Entrepreneurship & Social Change; Mental Math; Culinary Arts; Drones; Visual & Multi Media Design; and Spy Engineering.

Camps will be held at the following locations (extended day options available for an additional fee):

  • North Central Austin, Idea Lab Main Campus (8620 Burnet Rd., Suite 500, 78757)

    • Full day (9am-3pm) and half day (9am-12pm or 12:30-3:30pm) camps available May 27-August 16

    • Half day camps are $175; full day camps are $275

  • South Austin, St. Ignatius Catholic School (120 W Oltorf St, 78704)

    • Full day (9am-3pm) camps available June 17-July 12

    • Full day camps are $250

  • UT-Austin Campus Area, St. Austin Catholic School (1911 San Antonio St., 78741)

    • Full day (9am-3pm) camps available June 3-July 26

    • Full day camps are $250

Camper ages: Camps are offered for different age groups at each camp location, but the overall age range is 5-15.

Launch Code After School

Details: Launch’s classes are collaborative and creative. Their project-based curriculum allows students to take ownership of their learning as they experiment with game development, drones, design, and more. Concepts learned at Launch are immediately applicable and exciting. Topics include Coding & Programming; Robotics & Internet of Things; Mobile App Development; and Game Development. Weeklong, full day (create a full day by choosing an AM and a PM session) and half day sessions (AM: 9-12 & PM: 1-4) are available.

Locations:

  • West Lake Hills - Davenport Village (3801 North Capital of Texas Highway Bldg D, Ste #130, Austin, 78701)

    • Sessions available for ages 7-13: June 3-28 & July 8-Aug 9. Variety of topics. Weeklong, half day sessions start at $399.

  • Downtown - Headwaters School (807 Rio Grande St, Austin, 78701)

    • Sessions available for ages 7-13: June 17-21; July 8-12; July 22-26; & August 5-9. Variety of topics. Weeklong, half day sessions start at $299.

  • Round Rock - Upward Bound Montessori (101 Fannin Ave, Round Rock, 78664)

    • Sessions available for ages 7-13: June 10-14; June 24-28; & June 29-Aug 2. Variety of topics. Weeklong, half day sessions start at $299.

  • Round Rock/Pflugerville - Concordia High School (1500 Royston Ln., Round Rock, 78664)

    • Sessions available for ages 9-13: July 15-19 & July 29-Aug 2. Variety of topics. Weeklong, half day sessions start at $299.

  • Central - St. Andrews Episcopal School (1112 W 31st St, Austin, 78705)

    • Sessions available for ages 7-13: June 10-14 & June 24-28. Variety of topics. Weeklong, half day sessions start at $299.

Mad Science Summer Camps

Details: Mad Science camps are designed for exciting, fun, and hands-on science activities. Your child will become a junior scientist for the week, having the opportunity to experience a variety of science adventures. They use an inquiry-based technique that allows even the youngest camper to enjoy learning. Weekly camp themes:

  • Science Explorations

  • Moving With Science

  • Yuckology

  • Rockin Rockets

  • Wings and Things

  • Let’s Get Growing (for preschoolers)

  • Red-Hot Robots (ages 7-12)

  • Spy Academy

  • Camp Eureka!

Complete descriptions of the weeklong summer camps are available here.

Location: Camps are held at a wide variety of locations across Austin. Click here for a full list of camp locations. 

Available dates: Various dates, depending on the location of camp. See registration page for the list of camp details by location. 

Camper ages: Generally, 6-12 (there is one camp option - Camp No. 6 - for preschoolers, ages 4-6). 

Hours: Monday to Friday, half day (morning or afternoon session) and full day camps (9am-4pm) are available. Extended day options are also available for full day camps. Drop off your child as early as 8:00am for no additional charge, and arrange late pick up as late as 6:00pm. The late pick up option costs an additional $75 per week per child.

Cost: $290/week for most full day camps; half day camps are $180. *Some camp locations may have varied pricing.

*Received the Austin Family Magazine 2017 Readers' Poll Favorites Award for “Favorite Place to Learn Math and Science”

Neuron Garage (Previously Summer Spark)

Details: At Neuron Garage, your child will take a break from screens and kits and over-programming to experience the joy of open-ended challenges and have time to really explore what they can do with their own hands. Children come alive with the freedom to choose how they tackle weekly building challenges and they stay engaged with careful guidance and a supportive community. The weekly challenges have clear objectives, but no instructions or set solutions, so the possibilities — and creativity — are limitless. The simple, recycled materials require creative repurposing which requires more creativity than figuring out how to correctly use materials with specific purposes (like Legos or gears). And by building with their hands, instead of manipulating within a digital world, your children engage more of their brains, resulting in greater growth. The group stays focused on one main challenge for an entire week. When they have an entire week for one challenge, your children can really engage in a think-try-refine process that they will be able to apply in almost any situation. They are taught to recognize and manage their mental state when engaged in a challenge. They learn techniques to move through boredom, uncertainty, and frustration so that they can stay engaged longer. Through thoughtful questions, your children explore their attitudes on success and failure, and hopefully shift their mindsets to embrace failure and setbacks as learning opportunities.

Camps are open to 5-12 year olds and offered at 5 locations around Austin:

  • North - Round Rock: Upward Bound Montessori @ 101 Fannin Avenue, 78664

  • North - Cedar Park: Harmony Science Academy Cedar Park @ 12200 Anderson Mill Road, 78726

  • North Shoal Creek: Magellan International @ 7938 Great Northern Boulevard, 78757

  • Central Austin: Odyssey School @ 4407 Red River Street, 78751

  • South Central Austin: San Juan Diego High School @ 2512 South 1st Street, 78704

Building Camp Challenges by Week:

  • June 3-7: Stop the Plop

  • June 10th-14: Marble Roller Coasters

  • June 17-21: Medieval Construction

  • June 24-28: Car-dboard Mechanics

  • July 1-3 & 5: Trash-ion

  • July 8-12: Invention Convention

  • July 15-19: Mission Impossible

  • July 22-26: Structural Integrity

  • July 29-Aug 2: Cardboard Arcade

  • Aug 5-9: Space Survival

  • For complete camp descriptions, click here. Please note, each camp has the same Building Camp Challenge on the same dates with two exceptions (The June 3-7 and July 1-5 weeks are not available at Magellan International. The last week, Aug 5-9, is only available at Odyssey School and Upward Bound Montessori.).

Hours: 9am-3pm (with flexible drop off from 8-9am). Extended hours from 3-6pm available for $75/week.

Cost: $390/week

*Received the 2017 Nurture My Child/Happi Campr Best of Camp Award for “Best Overall Camp,” the Happi Campr 2018 “Best Camp” Award, and the 2018 Austin Family Readers’ Poll Favorites Award.

Snapology Austin, STEAM-focused LEGO camps

Details: Snapology Austin provides a fun and safe environment for children ages 4-14 to learn math, science, technology, engineering, art, and literacy concepts using LEGO® bricks and other building tools. They offer Scratch programming, robotics, animation, and STEM-based programs as well as Star Wars®, Disney®, and other themed favorites. Your child will learn, create, and innovate while having a blast! Summer camps will take place at locations across Austin. Half day (AM: 8:30-12:30 and PM: 1-5) and full day sessions available (8:30am-3pm).

Camp details by location:

  • South Austin, Circle C Community Center, 7817 La Crosse Blvd., 78739

    • Weeklong, half day camps offered for ages 4-9 from 5/28* (partial week)-8/16 (week of 7/1 is a partial week due to July 4th holiday). Weekly camp themes include STEAM Machines (Art + Engineering); Planes, Trains & Automobiles; Minifigure Adventures; Scientists; Star Wars; Cartoon Creations; and Superheroes & Disney Imagineering. Cost: $200-250.

    • Weeklong, half day camps offered for ages 7-12 the weeks of 6/3; 7/8; & 8/5. Weekly camp themes include Stop Motion Animation & Real World Robotics with WeDo 2.0. Cost: $250.

    • Weeklong, half day camps offered for ages 8-12 the weeks of 6/24; 7/8; & 8/5. Weekly camp themes include Robotics and Scratch Programming & MINDSTORMS Robotics. Cost: $250.

  • North Austin, Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Dr., 78731

    • Weeklong, half day camps offered for ages 4-9 from 5/28* (partial week)-8/12 (week of 7/1 is a partial week due to July 4th holiday). Weekly camp themes include Scientists; Superheroes & Disney Imagineering; Cartoon Creations; Star Wars; Minifigure Adventures; Planes, Trains & Automobiles; and STEAM Machines (Art + Engineering). Cost: $200-250.

    • Weeklong, half day camps offered for ages 7-12 the week of 7/15. Weekly camp themes include Stop Motion Animation & Real World Robotics with WeDo 2.0. Cost: $250.

  • Central Austin, West Austin Youth Association, 1314 Exposition Blvd., 78703

    • Weeklong, half day camps offered for ages 4-9 the weeks of 5/28* (partial week); 7/1* (partial week); and 8/12. Weekly camp themes include Minifigure Adventures; Star Wars; Cartoon Creations; STEAM Machines (Art + Engineering); Scientists; and Superheroes & Disney Imagineering. Cost: $150-250.

  • South Austin, Snapology Discovery Center, 1910 Fort View Rd., 78704

    • Weeklong, full day camps (8:30am-3pm) offered for ages 4-9 the weeks of 5/28* (partial week)-6/10 & 6/17-8/12. Weekly camp themes include Cartoon Creations; STEAM Machines (Art + Engineering); Planes, Trains, & Automobiles; Scientists; Superheroes & Disney Imagineering; Minifigure Adventures; and Star Wars. Cost: $195-325.

    • Weeklong, full day camps (8:30am-3pm) offered for ages 7-13 & 8-13 the weeks of 5/28* (partial week)-6/10 & 6/17-8/12. Weekly camp themes include Robotics & Scratch Programming; Stop Motion Animation; MINDSTORMS Robotics; & Real World Robotics with WeDo 2.0. Cost: $195-325.

    • Extended day offered from 3-5pm for an additional $60-100 week.

 Camp registrations before April 15 will receive a 10% discount! 

*Received the Nurture My Child 2014-2017 Best of Camp Award for "Best Computer/Robotics Camp"

Tech Lab (with Boy Scouts of America)

Details: TechLab is an innovative partnership between the Boy Scouts of America and Austin I.S.D. TechLab is a youth day camp that offers “hands-on” learning in science, technology, engineering, art and math like no other summer program in the greater Austin area. It offers curriculum and equipment that many children will NEVER see in their local elementary or middle school classrooms. Arctic Austin STEAM Camp is open to boys and girls entering the Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Grades. Camp participants do not have to be a registered Scout to attend, nor do they need any prior knowledge or experience with technology. *See website for further details and requirements.  

Location: North Austin, Anderson High School campus, 8403 Mesa Drive, 78759

Available weeks & hours: June 17-21; June 24-28; July 8-12; and July 15-19. 9am-3:30pm. Extended day offered from 8-9am and 3:30-5:30pm for an additional fee.

Cost: $325. Some scholarships may be available.

Thinkery Summer Camps

Details: Thinkery Camp programs provide a creative, safe, and challenging environment for campers to expand their problem solving potential—and have a whole lot of fun! In each weeklong camp, PreK–5th grade campers engage in playful, hands-on learning activities that develop critical thinking skills in a collaborative environment.  Camps focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM), with a variety of fun mental and physical challenges that activate campers’ creativity and stimulate their natural curiosity. Campers explore questions of “how” and “why” through immersive, interactive learning experiences designed to keep them moving, thinking and creating.

Camp details by location: 

  • East/Central Austin, Thinkery Camps at Meredith Learning Lab, 1830 Simond Ave., 78723; weeklong camps offered for PreK-5th grade from June 3-August 16, 2019. Camp themes include Make It or Break It; Level Up; Tinkering with Color and Light; Program Animate Create; Food DIY; Fantastic Human Machine; and Secret Agent Robot. Please note, the following camps are currently sold out: July 22–26, 2019, 1st–2nd | Make It or Break It & June 10–14, 2019 1st-2nd | Secret Agent Robot.

  • North/West Austin, Thinkery Camps at National Instruments, 11500 N. Mopac Expy., 78759; weeklong camps offered for 1st-2nd and 3rd-5th grades from June 3-June 28 & July 8-August 16, 2019. Camp themes include Program Animate Create; Secret Agent Robot; and Level Up. Please note, the following camps are currently sold out: June 3–7, 2019, 1st-2nd | Program Animate Create & July 8–12, 2019, 1st–2nd | Secret Agent Robot.

  • North Austin, Thinkery Camps at Harmony School of Science, 11800 Stonehollow Dr., 78758; weeklong camps offered for PreK-5th grade from June 3-21, 2019. Camp themes include Fantastic Human Machine; Level Up; Tinkering with Color and Light; Make It or Break It; and Secret Agent Robot.

  • South East Austin, Thinkery Camps at Harmony School of Innovation, 2124 E St Elmo Rd., 78744; weeklong camps offered for PreK-5th grade from July 8-26, 2019. Camp themes include Level Up; Tinkering with Color and Light; Program Animate Create; Make It or Break It; Secret Agent Robot; and Food DIY.

Hours: M-F, 9am-4pm (extended day available from 8–9am and 4–5:30pm for an additional fee of $60 per week. Thinkery Extended Care is available at Thinkery, Harmony School of Science, and Harmony School of Innovation.  Extended Care is not offered for camps hosted at National Instruments).

Cost: For each weeklong camp, the Pre-K–K cost is $350 member/$385 general public; 1st–2nd and 3rd–5th grade STEAM camps are $330 member/$365 general public; and 1st–2nd and 3rd–5th grade Tech camps are $340 member/$375 general public.

*Received the Austin Family Magazine 2017 Readers' Poll Favorites Award for “Robotics” camp.

Tinker Teachers

Details: Bilingual, maker STEAM camp! After being exposed to a variety of books (in Spanish and English), campers will develop their own adaptations and connections via a discipline of their choice whether it be a stop motion project, a screenplay, characters built out of Legos, or programming a song. Together they will become makers and a maker only needs a space big enough for their desire to question, collaborate, and create. Camp activities will include at least two read-a-louds (Spanish & English); wellness activities; social emotional learning lessons (SEL); tinker-take apart & free creating time; outside playtime; and choice time (reading, games, arts & crafts).​ Students will be encouraged to use both academic and conversational Spanish. However, Spanish experience is not required. Projects may include: stop motion movie making; recycled construction; coding; creating characters out of Legos; programming a song; sewing; perler beads; comic strips; and more! Ages: 5-12 (entering K-5th grade).

Location: North Austin, co.lab Community Makers Studio, 8711 Burnet Rd., Suite G80, 78757

Dates and themes:

  • Making in Nature (June 10-14) - Sold out

  • Making in Latin America (June 17-21) - Spots available!

  • Making Inspired by Yuyi Morales & Duncan Tonatiuh (June 24-28) - Sold out

Hours: 8am-3pm; with extended day option from 3-5pm available for $75 additional/per week

Cost: $300/week (use the code SIBLING for 10% off at checkout when registering more than one child)

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If you would like help sorting through the camp maze, please check out services and pricing information here (under research projects). Enriched Family excels at doing tailored research to help parents find the best camps for their unique children (I can handle camp registration as well)!

Enriched Family provides custom family-focused research and organizational services. If you need help finding the right camps, children's enrichment activities, childcare options, or schools, or need some support with family, personal, or business organization, please reach out! I offer a free, 20-minute initial phone consultation to all new clients to discuss matching your needs and priorities with my services. Click the "Let's Get Started!" button below.

Best to you and yours!

Esha/Enriched Family