Summer Camps
Summer Classes at the Nature Center provide students with an exciting hands-on, experiential opportunity to explore our natural world. A variety of programs and topics offer an interactive, engaging way to learn about wildlife, ecology and the environment with classes ranging from Preschool to 8th Grade.
2024 Summer Classes
Ages 3-5
Children must be 3, 4 or 5 by the session date in which they are enrolled and must be fully toilet trained and toilet-independent.
Scales & Tails: Spend a week meeting a scaly assortment of River Legacy’s cold-blooded creatures and learn what it takes to be a reptile.
June 3-7 | 9am-12p
June 10-14 | 9am-12pm
Winged Wonders: What would you do if YOU had wings? Learn about some of River Legacy’s wonderful winged creatures and the surprising things they can do with THEIR wings!
July 8-12 | 9am-12p
July 15-19 | 9am-12pm
Animal Sense-Abilities: How does an earthworm hear? Why do snails wave their eyes around on stalks? How does a butterfly know it has landed on a flower it likes? You know how we use our senses – now learn how animals’ senses help them survive in River Legacy Park.
June 3-7 | 9am-12p FULL
June 10-14 | 9am-12pm FULL
Hide & Seek: What do you do when something wants to EAT you? Learn how some of the animals in River Legacy Park hunt for their food – and how they escape from their predators!
July 8-12 | 9am-12pm FULL
July 15-19 | 9am-12pm FULL
Mighty Morphs: Meet some of nature’s “transformers” and learn about the mighty big changes they undergo during metamorphosis.
June 3-7 | 9am-12p FULL
June 10-14 | 9am-12pm FULL
Wet & Wild: Join in a hands-on exploration of the special features and abilities that allow certain plants and animals to survive in the watery environments of River Legacy Park.
July 8-12 | 9am-12p FULL
July 15-19 | 9am-12pm FULL
June 24-28 | 9am-3pm FULL
Dinosaurs Unearthed: Spikes and horns and frills…oh my! Through excavation, exploration and evaluation, discover the world of the ancient reptiles that once inhabited our very own Texas backyard!
1st-6th Grade
Slime Sleuths: Be a part of the investigative team working to solve a woodland slime mystery. Young sleuths will have the chance to hone their math, science and investigation skills, dabble in chemistry, and engage in a variety of art and literary experiences while examining the interesting roles of slime in nature.
June 3-7 | 9am-3pm FULL
June 10-14 | 9am-3pm FULL
June 17-21 | 9am-3pm FULL
Eggstraordinary Eggs: Eggs are everywhere – hidden under the ground, floating atop the water, nestled among the branches of trees, concealed inside our homes. Through careful observations and daily, hands-on investigations of eggs and egg-laying animals, students will learn how extremely exciting exploring eggs can be!
July 8-12 | 9am-3pm FULL
July 15-19 | 9am-3pm FULL
July 22-26 | 9am-3pm
Pondering the Pond: Let’s dive into pond fun! What allows a pond to support its inhabitants, and what adaptations do these creatures have that allow them to live in it? Investigate these questions, experience close-up encounters with River Legacy Park’s aquatic residents, and participate in real chemistry experiments.
June 3-7 | 9am-3pm FULL
June 10-14 | 9am-3pm FULL
Hands-on Herpetology: Engage in an up-close investigation of native reptiles & amphibians. Explore their natural history and the special adaptations that enable them to survive in Texas. Safely handle herps in the classroom and search for and identify them in the park.
July 8-12 | 9am-3pm FULL
July 15-19 | 9am-3pm FULL
Ornithology-Bird Biology: Our planet has roughly 10,000 species of birds on it right now! Did you know that feathers are made up of the same material as our fingernails? Let’s fly into the wonderful world of avian natural history and explore the science of ornithology, the study of birds. This class includes an optional birding trip on Friday, to the Village Creek Drying Beds next door to River Legacy Park!
June 3-6 | 9am-3pm FULL
*June 7 | 7am-8:30am FULL
June 10-13 | 9am-3pm
*June 14 | 7am-8:30am
Animal Architects: Design. Excavation. Construction… Building projects happen all the time in the woodland habitats of River Legacy Park — without human assistance! Come learn about the remarkable construction projects that help our animal neighbors survive in the wild. Explore the adaptations and incredible physical skills that make them successful architects. Be prepared to get up-close and personal learning about these very constructive critters.
July 8-12 | 9am-3pm FULL
July 15-19 | 9am-3pm
Outdoor Adventures
K-4th Grade
K-2nd Grade | June 17-21 | 9am-3pm FULL
K-2nd Grade | June 24-28 | 9am-3pm FULL
K-2nd Grade | July 22-26 | 9am-3pm FULL
3rd-4th Grade | June 17-21 | 9am-3pm FULL
Rev up your summer with some exciting outdoor fun! Experience a variety of nature-filled adventures like woodland survival and camping skills, eco-friendly projects and water fun, all in the setting of River Legacy Park’s animal-rich outdoor classroom. Class will meet and dismiss daily at River Legacy Nature Center, but the bulk of the day will take place in “the best classroom of all – nature!”
Extreme Outdoor Adventures
7th-8th Grade
June 24-27 | 9am-3pm FULL
Kick your summer fun up a notch! Spend a week exploring the fun that can be had at River Legacy and surrounding community locations through kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, learning how to survive in extreme conditions and so much more!
For questions regarding Summer Classes and enrollment please email our Registrar via email at amye@riverlegacy.org
When can I register for Summer Classes?
Registration will begin on February 12, 2024.
We offer lots of great classes for each age group so your child may attend classes at the center multiple weeks throughout the summer, but each class should be different.
Can I drop off my child at the front door of the building?
Because we take our responsibility for your child’s safety seriously, our protocol requires that an authorized adult sign each child in and out at the classroom door each day of camp.
How early can I drop off my child for camp?
Classroom doors will open at 9 am. If you arrive earlier, you and your student can enjoy the activities in the Science Center Atrium until classroom doors open.
How do you handle peanut and other food allergies?
The snacks we provide in all classes every day are commercially produced and peanut free. Packaging with ingredient lists is available for your examination upon request. All students in full day classes are asked to bring a lunch that does not include any nut products. If you would prefer to have your child bring a snack from home that you know will meet his/her health needs, our teachers can readily accommodate that change in snack routine.
Do you offer financial aid?
Limited Financial aid opportunities are available. If you are interested in applying, please fill out the Financial Aid form and email it to Sherrie Ripple, Director of Education, at sherrie@riverlegacy.org before you register.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FINANCIAL AID FORM
Tuition is due in full at registration. Refunds (less a $25 processing fee) are made only for withdrawals 30 days in advance of the first class meeting. Withdrawal and refund requests must be submitted in writing. If a class is canceled by River Legacy Foundation, a full refund will be made. Once registration is complete, a fee of $25 will be required for each change of class request. A request must be submitted in writing along with the fee.
Limited Financial aid opportunities are available. If you are interested in applying, please fill out the Financial Aid form and email it to Sherrie Ripple, Director of Education, at sherrie@riverlegacy.org before you register.
Universal Student Information: Please complete after online registration. Link to the form is available during the registration process and in confirmation email.
• Our student information and emergency release form is integrated into the online registration process.
• All classes have a hands-on science focus with engaging curriculums.
• Two qualified teachers per class.
• Students should wear closed-toe shoes and socks for all camps. (Please, no flip flops!)
• Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended and must be applied before entering the building.
• Students must be signed in and out of class each day by an authorized adult.
• Students in full day classes should bring a lunch and drink as noted. To help us safeguard the well-being of all our students, please do not send nut products.