It's never too early to start thinking about summer camps. Especially when registration for some summer camps are already open or closing soon or when they're free.
Free camps? Yes, there is such a thing as free camps. We've done quite some research to find camps in and around Austin (up to a 4 hr radius) that are not a financial burden to families, especially families that already have enough to worry about.
Please pay special attention to the age and other eligibility requirements. If your child does not qualify for any of the camps listed below, please share with those who do and/or consider volunteering or donating to any of the camps.
**Please note: Some of the camps are to be announced (TBA). We will update this list as soon as more information is available.**
Summer Playgrounds by Austin Parks & Recreation
Summer Playgrounds is a free drop-in program for children to participate in fun, supervised, outdoor activities during the summer months. Summer Playgrounds staff provide quality recreational experiences that promote creativity, teamwork and healthy lifestyles. Activities include organized sports, arts and crafts, games, team building and nutrition lessons.
- 2025 Camp Session Dates: June 9 - August 1, 2025, Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 5:00 pm
- Ages: 5 – 12
- Locations: Dick Nichols District Park, Dottie Jordan Neighborhood Park, James A. Garrison District Park, Gillis Neighborhood Park, Govalle Neighborhood Park, Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
- Contact: 512-974-3922 or SummerPlaygroundsProgram@austintexas.gov
Website: No advanced registration required, but registration is required at the park site the first day of attendance.
Family Clean Creek Camp by the City of Austin Watershed Protection Program
Join your kids outdoors for 1-3 days of adventure and stewardship at Clean Creek Camp. We'll explore and beautify in and around Austin's creeks and caves. Groups with adult leaders are welcome!
Texas Premier Football Camp
Come join UT football greats Sloan Thomas, BJ Johnson and Roy Williams as Horns Giving Back partners with Neighborhood Longhorn Program for the 13th Annual Texas Premier Football Camp in Austin, TX at the Charles Alan Wright Fields at the Berry M. Whitaker Sports Complex, June 16th, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and June 17th, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. All skill levels are welcome as this is a non-contact, position specific camp. Grades 1st through 8th are only allowed. ENROLLMENT IS FREE for Neighborhood Longhorns Program participants and their affiliates! Registration will include access to the two-day camp, meals, snacks, t-shirt, backpack awards ceremony presentation and lastly a chance to learn from some of the greatest Longhorns to play on the 40acres gridiron.
APD Youth Summer Camp
Youth Summer Camp is partnership with Kealing Middle School. Middle School aged children enjoy four weeks of free summer camp. Participants experience activities, such as bowling, swimming, volleyball and dodge ball and immerse themselves in the study of subjects such as art, history, social justice, the environment, leadership, decision making, and time and money management.
Austin YMBL Summer Sunshine Camps
Four sessions of camp are offered free of charge at both Zilker Park and Lake Travis throughout the summer. Each camp session runs for five days, with campers staying overnight in cabins. Transportation to and from camp is provided. Campers check in for camp and are picked up at the end of camp at the Zilker Park location. Camp activities include swimming, hiking, orienteering, canoeing, team building and challenge course activities as well as arts and crafts. Additionally, nutritious snacks and meals are prepared and served each day by the camps’ kitchen staff. Note that campers must qualify for the Texas public school free and reduced lunch program to be eligible to attend camp.
- 2025 Camp Session Dates:
Session 1: Sunday afternoon, June 8th - Tuesday morning, June 17th
Session 1 (7-day option for 8-9 year olds): Sunday afternoon, June 8th - Saturday morning, June 14th
Session 2: Sunday afternoon, June 22nd - Tuesday morning, July 1st
Session 2 (7-day option for 8-9 year olds): Sunday afternoon, June 22nd - Saturday morning, June 28th
Session 3: Sunday afternoon, July 6th - Tuesday morning, July 15th
Session 3 (7-day option for 8-9 year olds): Sunday afternoon, July 6th - Saturday morning, July 12th
Session 4: Sunday afternoon, July 20th - Tuesday morning, July 29th
Session 4 (7-day option for 8-9 year olds): Sunday afternoon, July 20th - Saturday morning, July 26th
*All-Gender Cabin option available at Lake Travis for campers ages 12-15 - Ages: 8-15. Campers
must qualify for the Texas public school free and reduced lunch program
to be eligible to attend summer camp.
- Locations: Ages 8-11 will be at Zilker Park, and ages 12-15 will be out at Lake Travis
- Contact: 512-472-8107 or info@sunshinecamps.org
- Website: http://www.sunshinecamps.org
- Get involved: Volunteers and donations always appreciated.
Make every moment of summer camp unforgettable! Arm your little campers with the "My Friends and I" friendship book, a magical ticket to bonding and memory-making. As they pass the book among their new friends, each page becomes a cherished snapshot of laughter, friendship, and unforgettable moments, that they'll revisit over and over, reliving the joy of summer camp. Learn more about this great friendship book and get your copy at Life Is Better With Friends or on Amazon.
Academy for Women - University of Texas at Austin Department of Computer Science
The Academies for Women are free, one-week, virtual programs for high school women - for rising sophomores, juniors and seniors. The academies are designed to dispel myths about computer science and intrigue young women with the potential of computing and the excitement of problem solving. The academies includes team-building activities, educational sessions, and recreation. You must be a Texas resident to apply.
Academy for All - University of Texas at Austin Department of Computer Science
The Academies for All are free, one-week, virtual programs for high school underrepresented populations (African-American, Latino and Native American students). They are designed to dispel myths about computer science, intrigue students with the potential of computing and the excitement of problem solving. The academies includes team-building activities, educational sessions, and recreation. You must be a Texas resident to apply.
The academy is open to students going into 11th and 12th grades in Fall 2025.
In our unique one-week program, students will explore computer science through engaging hands-on sessions, diving into coding, project management, teamwork dynamics, and tech careers. Whether you opt for the Standard Edition with Arduino microcontrollers or the Machine Learning Edition with Python, you'll unlock new skills and perspectives as a member of a dynamic, inclusive community.
TACC Stem Programs
TACC is engaging K-12 students in meaningful, educational experiences that impact their lives, empowering them to be full participants in STEM innovation. We create relationships with students and their families far beyond one-time interactions.
The academy is open to students going into 10th and 11th grades in Fall 2025.
Camps include Code@TACC Cybersecurity, CODE@TACC ROBOTICS CAMP, CODE@TACC CONNECTED CAMP, and CODE@TACC ALUMNI.
Camp Brave Heart
Camp Brave Heart is a free bereavement camp for children and teens ages 6 – 17 who are grieving the death of someone close to them. It is a traditional, fun, high-energy camp combined with grief education, peer bonding, and emotional support led by grief support professionals and trained volunteers. Camp Erin Central Texas is a program of Hospice Austin and part of The Moyer Foundation’s national Camp Erin program.
Swimming, hiking, campfires, archery, sing-a-longs, crafts and a low-level ropes course are just a few of the activities that campers enjoy. Over the course of three days and two nights packed with recreational and therapeutic activities, campers hear each other’s stories, explore their grief in a safe and understanding environment, and learn ways to help them cope with their loss.
Texas Lions Camp for Children With Special Medical Conditions
TLC offers five sessions for families who have a child with special medical conditions. Different from many traditional approaches that may group children according to their diagnosis, TLC's program mainstreams children according to their age and gender and not according to their disabilities. This approach allows children not only to experience what it is like to overcome their own obstacles but also the challenges presented to other children who have a different diagnosis.
- 2025 Camp Session Dates:
Family Focus: June 1 – 3, 2025, June 4 – 6, 2025, Family Stay-n-Play, Ages 7-16, qualifying physical disability
Physical Disabilities: June 8 –13, 2025, June 15 – 20, 2025, Residential Youth Camp, Ages 7-16, qualifying physical disability
Camp David/Down Syndrome: June 22 – 27, 2025, Ages 12-16, Child with Down Syndrome
Type-1 Diabetes Camp: June 29 – July 4, 2025, July 6 – 11, 2025, Residential Diabetes Camp, Ages 8-15, Type-1 Diabetes
Family Camp: July 20 – 22, 2025, July 23 – 25, 2025, July 27 – 29, 2025, July 30 – August 1, 2025, Residential, Stay & Play, Families with child under roof with medical condition - Ages: Families who have a child with special medical conditions
- Location: 4100 San Antonio Hwy., Kerrville, TX 78028
- Contact: 830-896-8500 or tlc@lionscamp.com
- Website: http://www.lionscamp.com/become-a-camper.html
- Get involved: Donations always appreciated.
Camp Kesem
Camp Kesem runs over 90 weeks of fun, action-packed and 100% free-of-charge camps from coast-to-coast every summer. Serving children ages 6 to 16, our campers experience a warm and loving environment with other children who have similar life experiences. This community – as most of our campers experience – provides the foundation for confidence building, improved communication skills, enhanced life outlook and attitude.
Camp Agape
Camp Agape Bereavement Camp for Children serves children ages 7 through 12 who have experienced the loss of a loved one.
Camp Agape Texas is a unique and innovative faith-based summer camp program with all the fun of a normal summer camp including swimming, archery, and fishing, along with group-therapy activities to assist the children with their bereavement process. These activities incorporate the use of art, music, games and play therapies all with the theme of offering true HOPE for their future.
Camp Glimmer
Every summer, Camp Glimmer gives over 500 disadvantaged youth the opportunity to experience the joys of a first-class summer camp, absolutely free. We aim to create a unique experience that allows children to be themselves and learn in a safe and supportive environment. We encourage kids to know that just because they’re born into a situation doesn’t mean that they need to stay in that situation.
- 2025 Camp Session Dates: mid-June and ending the first week of August.
- Ages: 7 – 12. Participation is offered by invitation only to nonprofit organizations currently funded by A Glimmer of Hope Austin. Check with A Glimmer of Hope Austin for eligible nonprofit organizations.
- Location: Candlelight Ranch, 6408 Muleshoe Bend Trail, Marble Falls, TX 78654.
- Contact: austin@glimmer.org
- Website: http://glimmeraustin.org/camp-glimmer/
- Get involved: Volunteers and donations always appreciated.
CAMP CPals
Camp CPals is designed for families living with cerebral palsy as a way to relax and enjoy time as a family for a weekend. You will have fun, forget the stresses of daily life, and enjoy the company of other families.
- 2025 Camp Session Dates: Spring Camp May 2 – 4, 2025, Fall Retreat Camp October 31 – November 2, 2025
- Ages: Families with children 5–18 years old (Spring Camp), Families & Individuals ages 16 and up (Fall Retreat Camp)
- Location: Morgan's Wonderland Camp in San Antonio, TX
- Contact: (866) 74-CPATH or victoria@cpathtexas.com
- Website: https://cpathtexas.org/camp-cpals/
- Get involved: Volunteers and donations always appreciated.
Camp Cell-A-Bration
Camp Cell-A-Bration is a week long camp for 50+ campers ages 6-14 with Sickle Cell Disease. Many of our children with Sickle Cell Disease have suffered strokes, jaundice, pain crisis, chronic blood transfusions, surgeries, acute chest syndrome and damage to their internal organs. Although these children battle this life-threatening disease every day, we want to make sure they enjoy being KIDS!
Camp Discovery
Camp Discovery is a unique camp experience for children affected by cancer. During Camp Discovery children will experience perhaps the best week of their life by swimming, fishing, climbing, canoeing, laughing, dancing, singing, horseback riding, and simply being with other people who can relate to their situation.
- 2025 Camp Session Dates: July 13 – 19, 2025
- Ages: Camp Discovery is available to any child in Texas who is battling cancer, is between the ages of 7 – 16, and who does not have a residential camp available to him/her either in his/her geographical residence area or through his/her treatment center. Please ask your nurse, child life specialist, or physician for further details and please have them contact us if they have never heard of Camp Discovery.
- Location: 4100 San Antonio Hwy., Kerrville, TX 78028
- Contact: jennifer@discoverycamps.org
- Website: https://discoverycamps.org/
- Get involved: Volunteers and donations always appreciated.
Camp Brave Hearts
Camp Brave Hearts is an in-hospital program that brings a simulated camp experience to children in local hospitals that are unable to leave the hospital, and in some cases, unable to leave their rooms. The children get to experience arts and crafts, music, painting, campfire activities, archery, carnival games, spa sessions, photo shoots, and a host of other camp type activities.
Camp Firefly
Camp Firefly is a bereavement weekend camp experience for those families who have suffered the loss of a child to cancer. While this has all the components of a typical family camp weekend, there is also a time to remember the child who lost their battle with cancer. Amid all the fun camp activities, there is opportunity for these families to be around each other and heal as much as possible through their interactions.
Camp David
Camp David is a week of adventure and discovery, designed specifically for pediatric burn survivors aged 7 – 16. Camp David is unique among burn camps because it also includes siblings and children of burn survivors whose lives are also severely impacted by burn injury.
Camp Ailihpomeh
The mission of Camp Ailihpomeh (Hemophilia spelled backwards) is to serve the needs of boys from age seven to seventeen with bleeding disorders, providing a camping experience for a group of children who have traditionally been excluded from participating in other summer camp programs. The experience of camping with other children in a natural outdoor setting strengthens the child’s ability to cope with the daily physical and emotional challenges of a disability and/or chronic illness.
- 2025 Camp Session Dates: July 13 – 18, 2025
- Ages: 7 – 17 (Camper must be followed at one of the participating Hemophilia Treatment Program (HTP) listed here).
- Location: Camp John Marc, 3247 County Rd 1105, Meridian, TX 76665
- Contact: info@camp-ailihpomeh.org
- Website: http://www.camp-ailihpomeh.org
- Get involved: Donations always appreciated.
Camp Brainstorm
Camp Brainstorm is a dream opportunity for children with epilepsy located at Camp Aranzazu in Rockport, TX. It is a place to make friends, develop skills, and try new activities in a safe place..
Camp iHope
Camp iHope is a special summer camp experience for children with cancer and their siblings 7-16 years of age. By providing specialized medical & psychosocial care, we give kids the opportunity to take a "break from cancer," to get back to the fun of being a kid and to escape the grown-up realities they face every day.
- 2025 Camp Session Dates: June 22 – 27, 2025
- Ages: Children between the ages of 7–16 living with and beyond cancer and one sibling. Camp serves children who are treated in Texas and do not have a designated cancer camp home.
- Location: Collin County Adventure Camp, 1180 West Houston St., Anna TX 75409
- Contact: info@campihope.org or 214-708-2068
- Website: https://campihope.org/
- Get involved: Volunteers and donations always appreciated.
Camp Registration
Registration for the camps is now open. All camp information is subject to change. Before applying for any of the camps above, please review the camp websites for camp details and potential changes. And again, if your child does not qualify for any of the camps, please share with those who do and/or consider getting involved with any of the camps.
If we missed any camps, please let us know at hello@livegrowplayaustin.com.
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