Summer Camp

Daily Schedule: 

• 9 AM – 9:30 AM – Drop off  
• 9:30 AM – 11 AM – Morning Activities, Movement, Gallery Exploration 
• 11 AM – 12 PM – Lunch Time 
• 12 PM – 2:30 PM – Afternoon Activities, Movement, Gallery Exploration  
• 2:30 PM – 3 PM – Community Closing and Pick up time 

Classes are limited to 20 campers and supported by a 1:10 staff-to-camper ratio, allowing educators to provide guidance, support, and meaningful engagement throughout the day. 

In addition to these playful activities, campers will explore Thinkery galleries throughout the day! There will also be intentional time for indoor and outdoor free play and friendship-making!   

What skills will my camper gain at Thinkery Camp?   
The skills nurtured in Thinkery Camp are the durable skills children need to thrive today and in the future such as compassion, collaboration, communication, creative problem-solving, critical thinking, tool fluency, leadership, self-expression, creativity, and resiliency. 

Drop-off:
Beginning at 9:00 AM, campers may be dropped off at the east entrance of the MLL building (opposite the main entrance). Camp staff will greet campers and escort them up the stairs directly to their classroom.  

Pick-up:
Between 2:40 PM and 3:00 PM, campers may be picked up at the east entrance of the MLL building. Camp staff will confirm the authorized adult at the entrance, then escort campers from their classrooms for pick up. 

Do you offer aftercare options?  
Yes! Aftercare will be offered this year for camps at our Thinkery – Meredith Learning Lab location. Aftercare has limited weekly capacity and requires an additional $80 per week per camper.  Aftercare will operate until 5 PM when camps are closed. 

Two snacks (AM/PM snack time), lunch, and a water bottle. (Please note Thinkery is a nut-free space). 

Campers will move between indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the day. Please ensure campers wear closed-toe shoes for active play and bring an extra layer for indoor use if needed. 

Can I transfer my Thinkery Camp session to a different week? 
If you are registered for camp and need to change weeks, a $50 administrative fee will apply once the change is approved. This request must be made at least 2 weeks prior to the camp date. 

If you are interested in booking an additional camp week, please call (512) 469-6201 or register online.  

Can I transfer my Thinkery Camp to a different camper? 
No. The camp you sign up for is uniquely yours. Camps are not transferable to other campers. 

What happens if the Thinkery Camp I want is full? 
You will know a Thinkery Camp session is at capacity when there is no option to select a paid reservation on the website. You will have the option to select to be notified when camp spots become available.  

Once camps are filled, a weekly email will be sent to those who select to be notified of any camp openings.

Registration from that email notification will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot guarantee that spots will remain open.   

Do you offer scholarships or discounts for camp?  
While scholarships are not available for the 2026 Spring Break or Summer Camps, we encourage families to stay connected through our Flying Pig newsletter for future updates. 
Thinkery Members receive a 10% discount on Summer Camp registration. 

Are there any camps available for 4th and 5th-graders this year? 
This year, our camps are focused on younger age groups, so we’re only able to accommodate children in K-1 and 2-3. Unfortunately, we are not offering spots for 4th and 5th graders. 

The Rising K–1 group is for campers entering kindergarten or first grade in the upcoming school year and is best suited for children ages 5–6, while the Rising 2nd–3rd grade group is for campers entering second or third grade and is best suited for children ages 7–8.

How does the camp experience differ by grade level?  
The beauty of Thinkery Camp is that the experience is adjustable and scalable by age range. The themes and framework may be the same, but younger campers may spend more of their time tinkering with how things work or developing the skills to use certain tools. Whereas older campers, might dive straight in and spend more focus time making or building a project.   

Camp fees include a $80 non-refundable fee. Refunds (minus the $80 non-refundable fee) are given for cancellations made at least two weeks prior to your camp start date. 

No refunds will be given for cancellations made less than two weeks in advance of the start date of your camp. If your child is unable to attend, the cost of your camp and/or Aftercare will be converted into a tax-deductible donation to the museum.  

If you are registered for camp and need to change weeks, there will be a $50 administrative fee once the change is approved. This request must be made at least two weeks prior to the date of the camp. 

If the camp you are registered for is canceled due to low enrollment or health and safety-mandated closure, you will be refunded your full tuition payment. 

If your child is unable to attend, the cost of your camp and/or Aftercare will be converted into a tax-deductible donation to the museum

At Thinkery Summer Camp, we strive to create a welcoming, safe, and engaging environment for all campers. Campers should be ready and able to actively participate in a group setting. To help our educators best support your child, we ask families to share relevant information about their camper’s needs, preferences, and strategies that work well for them.  

Accommodations We May Be Able to Offer  

• General guidance, redirection, and consistent adult support within group settings  
• Visual supports, schedules, and clear expectations  
• Movement breaks, quiet breaks, or access to calmer spaces when available within group  
• Flexible participation in activities (observing, modifying materials, shorter engagement)  
• Support with transitions and routines  
• Collaboration with families when information is shared in advance  

Support We Are Not Able to Provide  

• One-on-one or dedicated staff support  
• Specialized behavioral intervention or therapeutic services  
• Continuous supervision beyond standard staff-to-camper ratios  
• Individualized programming outside the group-based camp structure  
• Medical care beyond basic first aid or medication administration per policy  

If you have further questions about support and accommodations, please reach out to our camp team: Dena De La Paz, Director of Professional Development: ddelapaz@thinkeryaustin.org, and Ryan Murray, Senior STEAM Educator: rmurray@thinkeryaustin.org.
 

If your child is sick, please keep them at home. 
Any camper showing signs of illness will be sent home. To save yourself an extra trip, it’s best to keep sick campers at home. 

Lunch and Snacks: Are peanuts or tree nuts allowed?  
Thinkery is a nut-free space. Peanuts and tree nuts are not allowed within the camp classrooms.

Work with your camper ahead of time to practice good hygiene. 
Help your camper get familiar with important concepts like: 

• Frequent washing of hands with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds each time. 
• Avoid touching your eyes and face as much as possible.
• Maintain physical distance from other campers as much as possible. 
• Cover your mouth and nose if you have to sneeze or cough. If you’re not wearing a mask, remember to cough and sneeze into your elbow (the “vampire sneeze”) or into a tissue, not into your hand. 

Read all of the caregiver information in your pre-camp packet, which will be sent out two weeks before the start date of your camp. 

Observe all written instructions and directions for curbside drop-off and pickup. 

What safety procedures are in place during mealtimes? 
Don’t forget to pack two snacks per day, as we have morning and afternoon snack time as well! Staff will supervise meal and snack times to ensure that campers only ever eat the food they brought with them from home.