Nightengale Archaeological Center

summer Camp in the hill Country

Kingsland, TX

Just west of Austin, Nightengale Archaeological Center resides on Lake LBJ where your child can explore the water and learn about the park’s historical artifacts.

Day camps are $250 per week. Full payment is required at the time of registration. Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards are accepted.

What you'll Get

Starting June 8, children ages 5-12 can attend up to five weeks of day camp.

Camps are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with each week’s camp activities revolving around a different outdoor theme.

1 Week

of outdoor fun and education

1 Camp T-Shirt

custom designed for Hill Country campers

Camp Sessions

Survivalist Secrets

June 8-12 (week 1)

Master essential skills for surviving in the wild! Campers will discover how to build roaring fires, construct sturdy survival shelters, weave cordage from natural materials and more.

Test your inner engineer. Build your own survival shelter out of natural resources.
Fire 101. Using flint and steel, learn to start and maintain a fire.
Herbivores and carnivores. Observe and recognize different animal pelts, prints and tracks.
Reel ‘em in. Travel to Lake LBJ to learn fishing techniques and casting methods.
Field trip! Travel to Enchanted Rock for a day of hiking and adventure.

Blast from the Past

June 15-19 (week 2)

Go back in time and experience a blast from the past. Campers will learn about the Texas Hill Country and the native people who lived there thousands of years ago. Explore how they hunted, built homes and interacted with their surroundings.

Throw like a pro. Use primitive hunting instruments, such as an atlatl, like the Native Americans who used to live in the area.
Bullseye! Shoot a bow and arrow and practice on targets.
Get digging. Unlock your inner archaeologist and sort through simulation dig boxes.
Time for arts and craft. Make cordage out of native grasses.
Field trip! Travel to Longhorn Caverns to view stalagmites, stalactites and discover the importance of underground rock formations.

Mad Science

June 22-26 (week 3)

Unleash your creativity through wild experiments, crazy contraptions and mind-bending science projects. Campers will dive into hands-on adventures, spark curiosity and invent bold new ideas.

Blast off! Build your own rocket and watch it soar.
Look out below. Try and win the competition by dropping an egg from high above and protecting it from breaking.
Are you a mad scientist? Conduct a variety of science experiments that will have them saying ‘woah!’
Lava lamp – yes, you read correctly. Create your own and take it home!
Field trip! Travel to Johnson City Science Mill where they’ll explore the endless ways science affects our daily lives.

Wonderful World of Wildlife

July 6-10 (week 4)

Calling all animal lovers! Campers will learn about two classes of animals that are native to the Texas Hill Country. Through exciting activities and explorations, discover the unique traits and habitats of these fascinating creatures.

Discover different animals that are native to the Hill Country Area.
Friend or foe? Learn to identify animals by their pelts and prints.
Time for arts and crafts. Design your own bird house that you’ll be able to take home.
Back in time. Learn how Native Americans used to interact with a variety of animals and the lasting impact it has on us today.
Field trip! Travel to Exotic Zoo in Johnson City, Texas, for a petting zoo, exotic hayride tours and the chance to feed a giraffe.

Aquatic Adventures

July 13-17 (week 5)

Let’s make a splash! Campers will dive into a week of wet and wild fun with water sports, outdoor challenges and creating unforgettable memories by the water's edge.

Paddles up. Explore the waters of Lake LBJ by kayak.
Rivers 101. Discover how river systems work, as well as change paths through time.
Hook, line and sinker. Catch a variety of fish that live in Lake LBJ.
Watch out! Get competitive with other campers in a good old-fashioned water balloon fight.
Field trip! Travel to Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center in Round Mountain, Texas, and get a front-row seat to the beauty of the Texas Hill Country.

Emergency Procedures

Safety First

We want to ensure your child not only has a fun experience but also is in good hands. If you have any safety questions or concerns, please reach out to Texas Health and Human Services here.

Floodplain Notice

A portion of Nightengale Archaeological Center Day Camp’s property is located in the flood plain of Lake LBJ. While portions of the property are adjacent to the river, none of the camp buildings or structures are located within the designated floodway.

Emergency Action Plan

You can view our complete plan here.

Policies

No refunds will be given for cancellations after May 15. For cancellations made on or before May 15, your tuition will be refunded minus a $35 processing fee for each camp session canceled. Cancellations should be made by emailing [email protected]. Include the camper’s name and session(s) you wish to cancel. A confirmation email will be sent to you after the refund is processed.

After registration is complete, campers may transfer to a different session by paying a $10 transfer fee. Email [email protected] to request a transfer. Include the camper’s name and session(s) to which you want to transfer. We will do our best to accommodate transfers. You will receive an email notifying you of the status of your request.