The name says it all.
Located in the heart of the city, Texas Discovery Gardens spans seven-and-a-half acres of organic gardens, as well as a tropical butterfly house and reptile “resort,” all designed to encourage exploration. Complete with its own train and the historic World’s Fair Centennial House, this Fair Park treasure is open to the public all year long — but in the summer it truly shines.
“Making science exciting, accessible, and meaningful has always been at the heart of my work,” said Sollee Selby, director of education at Texas Discovery Gardens. “Our camps are developed in-house by our education team and are built around the unique spaces, animals, and natural resources here on campus. Many of them also include missions, puzzles, and even secret notes delivered through the mail, in order to draw kids into the adventure.”
Read on for this insider’s insights into the unique, age-specific programs that will be offered at Texas Discovery Gardens for summer 2026.
For Little Campers
Habitat Safari Summer Camp (ages 5-6), June 8–12
Animal Adventures Summer Camp (ages 5-6), July 6–10
“For our youngest campers, we build experiences that are playful and age-appropriate,” Selby said. “They may go on scavenger hunts, meet animal ambassadors, and play games inspired by habitats and behaviors.”
In June, the Habitat Safari camp will focus on building early learners’ science skills through exploring woodland, wetland, desert, and garden habitats. In July, the Animal Adventures camp will encourage creativity and curiosity by observing specific animal behaviors in the field.
For Young Explorers
Bug Squad Adventures Summer Camp (ages 7-9), June 15–19
Nature Navigators Summer Camp (ages 10-12), July 13–17
When it comes to developing programs for older campers, Selby said, “We encourage thinking about real conservation issues, such as how human choices affect animals, plants, and ecosystems.”
She noted that teamwork skills are also key in this age group. These camps cultivate them through group STEAM challenges and collaborative problem-solving.
First up, Bug Squad Adventures puts insects in the spotlight. Campers will, as the name suggests, participate in live insect encounters and outdoor “bug hunts.” A second camp in this category, Habitat Guardians, hones in on the specifics of environmental conservation via hands-on activities.
For Teen Leaders
Discovery Crew Summer Program (ages 13-17), June 1–5
“Our teen program is designed for older kids who are ready to take a more active role in environmental stewardship,” Selby said. “It goes beyond a traditional camp experience by emphasizing leadership and communication skills so that teens feel more confident in their ability to contribute ideas, work with others, and take initiative.”
Each day in this program will begin with a morning session during which teens will role-play as representatives of a fictional city in a “choose your own adventure” conservation storyline. In the afternoon, teens may stay for an optional volunteer session to earn documented service hours.
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