For many Austin families, summer brings with it a difficult time for those in need of meals and engaging, healthy activities for their kids. Regardless of income, all children deserve a summer that’s full of fun moments, connections with peers and mentors, and enriching programs to foster both the mind and body. Below you’ll find some helpful information regarding FREE camp activities and meal programs for local families.

Camps

— Austin Parks and Recreation Department. You can register for Austin Parks and Recreation’s camp sessions online, in person, or over the phone. These programs include Therapeutic camps, Culture & Art, Nature, Community Recreation, and FREE camps. The FREE camp is called Boredom Busters and is a drop-in program designed to keep kids aged 5 – 12 engaged and entertained. You’ll need to pre-register here, and slots are limited on a first-come, first-served basis.

— Austin Humane Society’s beloved Summer Kids Series runs through June and July and is geared towards kids under 14. You can register for their FREE and low-cost classes like kitten yoga ($5), Painting Pandas (FREE), and Teddy Bear Surgery (FREE) here.

— Creative Action Online Learning Hub is not a camp per se, but you can find projects to help your children stay creative with how-to videos, virtual student interviews, arts and crafts tutorials, sing-a-longs, and movement lessons, all for FREE from this nonprofit organization.

— Austin Sunshine Camps has provided free fun-filled overnight summer camp programs for the children of the greater Austin area since 1928. All summer camp programs are provided free of charge for all campers who meet the free or reduced school meals income eligibility guidelines or campers who are in foster care.  All camp sessions are 10 days, and nine nights long, and you can check for eligibility and availability here. *Please note – applications are closed for 2024, but stay tuned on applying for summer 2025 here. 

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Meal Programs

— Central Texas Food Bank – The Central Texas Food Bank has Kid’s Cafes that provide food options for kids of low-income families who might not otherwise have access to nutritious meals during summer break.  Check out the many locations of the Kid’s Cafes here.

— Austin ISD – Thanks to the Federally funded Texas Dept. of Agriculture meal programs, AISD provides breakfast and lunch to any child in the community under the age of 19.  Beginning June 1, families can find meal sites anywhere in Texas using the following tools:

• Dial 2-1-1 to talk to a live operator
• Visit www.summerfood.org for an interactive map to locate your closest site
• Text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304.

Other local schools that have food programs over the summer: 

• Round Rock ISD
• Pflugerville ISD
• Leander ISD

For more locations and participating surrounding school districts, please visit summerfood.org for help locating a site near you

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Back to School Supplies

— IMPACT Texas will host its Backpack to School Bash in Pflugerville on Saturday, August 10.  Please note that registration is required by June 21, 2024 here.

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