Outdoor and nature camps for kids in San Antonio

San Antonio is hot in summer, but the right outdoor camp programs work around it: early-morning start times, creek and pool time built in, and shaded venues. Government Canyon State Natural Area, the Cibolo Center for Conservation, and the San Antonio Botanical Garden all run summer programs that get kids outside in a structured, supervised way.

For a more immersive outdoor experience, the Boerne and New Braunfels areas have ranch and creek-based programs (see those neighborhood pages). For in-city options, Mission Trails parks, the San Antonio Zoo's summer camps, and several Parks & Recreation department programs offer good outdoor exposure at lower cost. Sunscreen and water bottles are non-negotiable for every program in this category.