FAQ: YOUTH & TEEN CAMPS
What are the age requirements for campers?
The age requirement for Camp Wildflower sessions is 8 – 11 years of age. Sessions 1 of our eSTEM careers camp is for teens age 12 – 14. Session 2 of our eSTEM careers camp is for teens age 15 – 17.
Participants must turn the appropriate age on or before the start date of their camp session.
What is your refund policy?
By early May, the Center will be hiring and training staff to keep your camper safe and edutained. You may cancel a registration on or before May 6, 2024 for a full refund minus a $75 processing fee. Cancellations made on or after May 7, 2024 will not receive a refund. All cancellations must be submitted via email to the camp registrar at [email protected].
Those registering on or after May 7, 2024 for a camp session will not be eligible for a refund.
When does camp registration close?
Registration for each camp session will close one week prior to the start date of that session at 11:59 p.m. Registration for an individual session will close if it has reached capacity.
Is there a waitlist?
Yes. Our registration portal on Ideal Logic will state when a session is full. Those interested in registering if space becomes available can add themselves to the waitlist on Ideal Logic. We will email a registration link to you if a spot becomes available.
Should I monitor your website for cancellations?
No need for that. If a session is currently full, add yourself to the waitlist on Ideal Logic. We will notify you if a spot becomes available and will send the registration link. When a cancellation occurs, that doesn’t automatically open a slot to the public; rather, we refer to the waitlist.
What if I am experiencing a problem with the registration website?
If you are experiencing a problem with registering for a camp session on Ideal Logic, email us at [email protected] or call 512.232.0277.
Is there a discount for members?
There is a discount for Wildflower Center members at the Family Membership level or higher. The discount for Camp Wildflower (ages 8-11) is $50 per session. The discount for eSTEM Careers Camp (ages 12-17) is $25 per session.
If you do not currently have a Wildflower Center membership at a Family Membership level or higher, you can join now to receive the camp discount. Visit our Membership Levels page to learn about the other perks of having a Wildflower Center membership and to join.
Those interested to upgrading their membership to the Family Membership level in order to receive the camp discount can call 512.232.0220 to complete a membership upgrade.
The discount for active University of Texas at Austin students and employees cannot be combined with the Wildflower Center membership discount.
How do I apply my member discount to my program purchase?
During registration on Ideal Logic, you will be asked if you have a Wildflower Center membership at the Family Membership or higher. If you select yes, you will be asked to provide your member number, which will be used to verify your membership status. This will apply the discount to your shopping cart.
Do I get a camp discount as a University of Texas at Austin student or employee?
Yes. As an active UT student or employee, you can receive $50 off each Camp Wildflower session and/or $25 off each eSTEM Careers Camp session. While registering for a camp session on Ideal Logic, you will be asked about your affiliation with UT and for your UT EID, which will be used to verify your student/employee status. This will apply the discount to your shopping cart on Ideal Logic.
The UT student and employee discount cannot be combined with the Wildflower Center Family Membership discount.
Are scholarships available?
Please reach out to [email protected] to inquire about available scholarships.
How long is the day?
The programs are held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where do I drop off and pick up my participant every day?
Drop-off and pick-up for campers is located in the Courtyard. Check out the map of our property to see where the Courtyard is located. A reminder about the drop-off area and other important information will be sent to registered participants prior to the start of each session.
Drop-off: begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 9 a.m.
Pick-up: begins at 3 p.m. and ends promptly at 3:30 p.m. Please be prepared to show photo identification and sign out the participant at check-out. Youth/teens will only be released to an adult designated on their documentation.
Parents/guardians/caretakers are not permitted to enter indoor classrooms during drop-off and pick-up per UT’s Youth Protection Program policy.
Can my participant travel to camp alone and check themselves in and out?
Participants of our eSTEM Careers Camp (ages 12-17) can be designated as an unaccompanied minor on Ideal Logic during registration. Parents/guardians can give consent for their participant to walk, bike, and/or drive themselves to camp and sign themselves in and out. Campers are not permitted to provide rides to other campers. We encourage parents to check campers in on the first day of camp regardless if they can check out on their own.
Participants of Camp Wildflower (ages 8-11) are not allowed to be unaccompanied minors and must be checked in and out by a designated adult each day.
What if my participant needs to arrive late, be picked up early, or miss a day?
Advanced communication with camp staff is best. Communication should be sent in advance using the Remind 101 App, call/text at 737.268.1737, or by emailing [email protected]. It is essential in your message to indicate your participant’s name and if they will miss the full or a partial day.
For unexpected late check-in or early check-out, go to the admission kiosk and ask them to radio the camp staff. It may take up to 20 minutes or more for camp staff to receive the participant or bring for pick-up.
NO REFUNDS will be issued for missed days.
What do participants need every day?
Participants should bring the following each day:
- A packed lunch that does not require refrigeration
- Two snacks (Please consider packing peanut-free items as a safety consideration for participants who may have allergies.)
- A refillable water bottle (filled with water before arrival). Soda is not permitted.
- A water bottle carrier (optional)
- Sunscreen (applied before arrival)
- Bug spray (applied before arrival)
- A backpack
- Hat (optional and highly recommended)
- An extra change of clothes (optional and highly recommended)
The Wildflower Center is not responsible for any camper’s personal items that may be lost, stolen or damaged. We encourage you to label your youth’s belongings with their full name in permanent marker or labels.
Please refrain from bringing unnecessary items such as expensive cameras, video games, and toys.
Can participants bring their cell phone?
Participants are completely responsible for cell phones that are brought to camp. For Camp Wildflower participants (ages 8-11), cell phones will be stored in the classrooms unless for emergency/medical purposes or for an activity that a cellular device has an appropriate use.
Participants in our eSTEM Careers Camp (ages 12-17) are expected to use cell phones responsibly and their devices should not create a distraction or reason for issue.
What should participants wear?
Participants need to dress appropriately for the weather in comfortable clothes. We strongly recommend closed-toe shoes for safety and comfort. A hat, backpack and an extra set of clothes are highly recommended. No wheeled shoes are permitted. Please apply sunscreen and insect repellent before arrival.
What will my participant be doing every day?
Camp Wildflower (ages 8-11). Activities will be thematic and related to environmental conservation or other topics related to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Activities include hiking, journaling, drawing, crafting, plant identification and experiments, games, general nature studies, and inquiry-based education. Camp activities happen primarily outdoors and may require mild physical activities such as walking in average Texas summer temperatures. Each 4-day session will cover similar material.
eSTEM Careers Camp (ages 12-17). Participants will spend time engaging with the Wildflower Center’s professional staff to learn about conservation topics such as native plants and prescribed burns. They will participate in hands-on activities related to horticulture, arboriculture, and learning about our current research projects. Other activities can include hiking, journaling, experiments, and games. Camp activities happen primarily outdoors and may require mild physical activity such as walking in average Texas summer temperatures.
Who are the camp counselors?
All camp staff are considered Designated Individuals, meaning they have met standards according to UT’s Youth Protection Program including background checks and child protection training.
Accessibility
Please reach out to camp administration by emailing [email protected] by calling 512.232.0277 to discuss ADA accommodations for your participant at least one month prior to the start date of their session. Our camp programs welcome all youth and teens, however there are physical limitations to exploring the Wildflower Center.
