🏕️ Camps Offering Financial Assistance
These camps provide scholarships or sliding-scale tuition based on financial need:
Austin Parks & Recreation Camps
Offers financial aid for youth programs.
Application details available on their Financial Aid page.Austin Texas+3Austin Texas+3shalomaustin.org+3
Greater Austin YMCA Summer Day Camps
Provides financial assistance based on a sliding fee scale.
More information at YMCA Affordability.Greater Austin YMCA
Thinkery Summer Camps
Offers scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis.
Details and application at Thinkery Camp Scholarships.
Girlstart Summer Camps
Provides full scholarships for families in need.
Application information at Girlstart Scholarships.Girlstart
Creative Action Camps
Offers financial aid for summer camps.
Application details at Creative Action Financial Aid.Creative Action
Latinitas Summer Camps
Provides financial-based assistance on a first-come, first-served basis.
More information at Latinitas Summer Camps.
Shalom Austin JCC Camps
Awards financial assistance made possible by community contributions.
Details at Shalom Austin Camps.shalomaustin.org
🎉 Free Camps
These camps are free of charge, often targeting specific communities or needs:
Austin Sunshine Camps
Provides free overnight summer camps for children meeting income eligibility guidelines or in foster care.
More information at Austin Sunshine Camps.Do512 Family+1sunshinecamps.org+1
Summer Playgrounds Program
A free drop-in program for children ages 5–12, offered by Austin Parks & Recreation.
Details at Summer Playgrounds Program.Austin Texas
Camp Glimmer
Free camp sessions for children aged 7–12, offered by invitation through nonprofit organizations funded by A Glimmer of Hope Austin.
Information at Camp Glimmer.Live Grow Play Austin
Camp CPals
Free weekend camps for families living with cerebral palsy.
Details at Camp CPals.Live Grow Play Austin
Camp Discovery
Free camp for children affected by cancer.
More information at Camp Discovery.Live Grow Play Austin
Camp David
Free camp for pediatric burn survivors aged 7–16.
Details at Camp David.Live Grow Play Austin
Kode With Klossy
Offers free coding camps for girls and non-binary teens aged 13–18.
Information at Kode With Klossy.Wikipedia
Austin Bat Cave
Provides free creative writing programs for students.
Details at Austin Bat Cave.Wikipedia
UT McCombs BBA Summer Programs
Free summer programs for high school students, covering educational, food, and boarding costs.
More information at UT McCombs BBA Summer Programs.McCombs School of Business
💰 Camps Without Financial Assistance
These camps do not explicitly mention financial aid offerings:
Elite University Summer Camps
Offers various programs including nature, STEM, visual and culinary arts, and sports camps.
Details at Elite University Summer Camps.Greater Austin Moms
Camp Cell-A-Bration
A camp for children with Sickle Cell Disease, with a $60 non-refundable application fee.
Information at Camp Cell-A-Bration.Live Grow Play Austin
Camp Brave Hearts
Available to children unable to leave their rooms at specific hospitals; no mention of financial aid.
Details at Camp Brave Hearts.Live Grow Play Austin
Camp Firefly
For families who have suffered the loss of a child to cancer; no mention of financial aid.
More information at Camp Firefly.
1. Austin Parks & Recreation Camps
Ages: 5–15
Activities: Nature exploration, arts, sports, and cultural programs
Locations: Multiple sites across Austin
Registration: Opens February 2025
Details: Offers inclusive and diverse camps with financial aid options
2. Austin Sunshine Camps
Ages: 8–15
Locations: Zilker Park (ages 8–11), Lake Travis (ages 12–15)
Duration: 7 to 10-day overnight sessions
Cost: Free for qualifying families
Activities: Swimming, hiking, canoeing, and team-building
3. YMCA of Austin Summer Day Camps
Ages: 4–12
Schedule: May 27 – August 8, 2025
Activities: Weekly themes, field trips, swimming, and creative projects
Cost: $285–$345/week; discounts for members and early registration
🧠 STEM & Academic Camps
4. Thinkery Summer Camps
Ages: Entering K–5th grade
Dates: June 2 – August 15
Location: Thinkery – Meredith Learning Lab
Cost: $425/week (General), $385/week (Members)
Focus: Hands-on STEAM activities
5. Alpha School – ART-ificial Intelligence Camp
Ages: 5–13
Dates: Multiple sessions in June and July
Location: 1201 Spyglass Drive, Austin
Cost: $599/week
Activities: AI projects, virtual reality, and art integration
6. Game Worlds
Ages: 8–18
Dates: May 26 – August 8
Location: 7950 Anderson Square, Austin
Cost: $725/week
Focus: Video game design and development
🎨 Arts, Theater & Music Camps
7. ZACH Theatre Camps
Ages: 3.5–15
Dates: June 2 – August 15
Location: 1510 Toomey Road, Austin
Cost: $395/week; scholarships available
Activities: Acting, singing, dancing, and stagecraft
8. Fantastic Magic Camp
Ages: 5–12
Dates: June 2 – August 15
Locations: 7500 Woodrow Ave & 13609 N I-35, Austin
Cost: $425/week; discounts and scholarships available
Focus: Magic, juggling, puppetry, and performance arts
9. Austin Film Festival Summer Camp
Ages: 9–18
Dates: June 2 – July 27
Location: First Baptist Church of Austin, 901 Trinity St.
Cost: $275–$495/session; discounts available
Activities: Filmmaking, screenwriting, and storytelling
🏃 Sports & Specialty Camps
10. Crux Climbing Center – Crux Crushers Camp
Ages: 6–12
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Location: 6015 Dillard Circle, Austin
Cost: $325–$375/week
Focus: Rock climbing and physical fitness
11. Brandy Perryman Shooting Camp
Ages: 7–16
Dates: June 2 – August 7
Location: West Austin Youth Association, 1314 Exposition Blvd.
Cost: $299/session
Focus: Basketball skills and drills
12. Chaparral Ice Camps
Ages: 6–14
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Location: 2525 W. Anderson Lane, Austin
Cost: $450/week; prorated options available
Activities: Ice skating and related sports
