City of College Station

MINI CAMPS
Qualified instructors are carefully selected to ensure your child has fun and learns the presented skills. Camps consist of outdoor activities, including hikes, nature play, and exploration. Downtime in air conditioning is interspersed. Campers could get wet, muddy, or dirty, so dress for the outdoors and wear closed-toed shoes. Full-day campers should bring lunch, two snacks, and a water bottle; half-day campers should bring a snack and a water bottle. Available spots are limited. 

NATURE CENTER LUNCH BREAK • REGISTRATION: APRIL 3-FIRST CLASS DAY
If the camper is registered for a morning (8 a.m.-12 p.m.) and afternoon (1-5 p.m.) camp in the same week, you can register them for a supervised lunch break from noon-1 p.m. Board games and activities are available, and campers must bring lunch.

Ages 7-12 • $10 • Mon.-Fri. • June 5-9 • 12-1 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $10 • Mon.-Fri. • June 12-16 • 12-1 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $10 • Mon.-Fri. • June 19-23 • 12-1 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $10 • Mon.-Fri. • June 26-30 • 12-1 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $10 • Mon.-Fri. • July 10-14 • 12-1 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $10 • Mon.-Fri. • July 17-21 • 12-1 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $10 • Mon.-Fri. • July 24-28 • 12-1 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $10 • Mon.-Fri. • July 31-Aug. 4 • 12-1 p.m.

SURVIVAL CAMP • REGISTRATION: APRIL 3-FIRST CLASS DAY 
Do you dare to survive the wilds of Lick Creek Park? Learn the basics of primitive camping and how to survive using nature provisions. You’ll learn to build a shelter, purify water, identify native plants and wildlife, make mud sunscreen, and more. Campers will get wet, muddy, and dirty, so dress for the outdoors and wear closed-toed shoes.

Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • June 5-9 • 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • June 26-30 • 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

A BUG’S LIFE • REGISTRATION: APRIL 3-FIRST CLASS DAY
Lick Creek is abuzz with bugs! Prepare to be up close and personal and discover the fantastic insects, arachnids, and other crawlers and flyers around Lick Creek Park. Prepare to catch bugs, create a giant spiderweb, run bug relay races, build an invertebrate hotel, and learn how they help our ecosystem.

Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • June 5-9 • 1-5 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • July 24-28 • 1-5 p.m.

EXTREME MARINE • REGISTRATION: APRIL 3-FIRST CLASS DAY 
Explore the depths of the vast ocean as we sink our hands into aquatic fun as scientists and paleologists. Discover the world’s past and present sea creatures by exploring our water environments and learning who lives there. We’ll also enjoy water games and fun art activities like drawing a life-sized whale and megalodon. Campers will get wet, so plan accordingly.

Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • June 12-16 • 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • July 31-Aug. 4 • 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

DIGGING FOR DINOSAURS • REGISTRATION: APRIL 3-FIRST CLASS DAY 
Dig for dinosaurs, clever campers! Dive into pathology and learn to identify dinosaurs, prehistoric life, and fossils. We’ll also enjoy dino-sized games such as rock-paper-scissors, egg excavations, and avian-reptilian raptor camouflage.    

Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • June 12-16 • 1-5 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • July 31-Aug. 4 • 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

AMAZING ANIMALS • REGISTRATION: APRIL 3-FIRST CLASS DAY
We are calling all young naturalists wanting to save wildlife! Explore Lick Creek Park as we track native wildlife, go birding, play migration games, and learn about nature’s wonders. Be prepared to get up close and personal with some fantastic animals.

Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • June 19-23 • 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • July 24-28 • 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

SILLY SCIENCE • REGISTRATION: APRIL 3-FIRST CLASS DAY 
Get silly with science! Discover the quirky things nature and science offer as we dive into intriguing experiments. We’ll make clouds in a bottle, erupt volcanoes, shoot rockers, and engineer and design simple devices to challenge the sharpest minds.

Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • June 19-23 • 1-5 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • July 10-14 • 1-5 p.m.

WINGED WONDERS • REGISTRATION: APRIL 3-FIRST CLASS DAY
Look high in the sky – we’re exploring our flying Texas wildlife. We’ll use our eyes and ears to discover the birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and bats that call Lick Creek Park home. We’ll also build a giant bird nest, make a duck call, play pollinator games, and more. The sky is the limit!

Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • June 26-30 • 1-5 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • July 17-21 • 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

MYTHS & FANTASY • REGISTRATION: APRIL 3-FIRST CLASS DAY 
Adventure is calling! We’re heading to the Lick Creek Park trails for adventures, activities, and games. Learn about Texas myths and cryptid creatures as you build a fairy house, explore the trails, and enjoy kid-friendly fantasy role-playing games.

Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • July 10-14 • 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Ages 7-12 • $100 • Mon.-Fri. • July 17-21 • 1-5 p.m.

PROGRAMS

TEXAS HUNTER SAFETY CERTIFICATION COURSE • REGISTRATION ENDS AUG. 18
Participants nine years and older must complete the course to hunt in Texas legally. A parent must accompany anyone under 13. On class day, participants must pay $5 in cash to Texas Parks and Wildlife to cover the certificate cost.
  
Ages 9+ • $20 • Sat. • Aug. 19 • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

SUMMER WILDFLOWERS OF THE BRAZOS VALLEY LECTURE • REGISTRATION: APRIL 3-JUNE 7
Take a beautiful look at the wonderful world of wildflowers with expert and Master Naturalist Dwight Bohlmeyer. The one-hour lecture focuses on identifying the Brazos Valley's summer wildflowers. The class is an excellent introduction to the Wildflower Walk on June 10. Admission is free, but registration is required by June 7. Spots are limited.

Ages 18+ • Free • Wed. • June 7 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. 
 
WILDFLOWER WALK AT LICK CREEK PARK • REGISTRATION: APRIL 3-JUNE 10
Join Master Naturalist Dwight Bohlmeyer and Native Plant Society volunteers for a wildflower identification hike. The group meets at the Nature Center and hikes the beautiful Lick Creek Park trails. Dress for the outdoors and wear closed-toed shoes. Participation is free, but registration is required by June 10. Spots are limited.
 
Ages 18+ • Free • Sat. • June 10 • 8:30 a.m. start

TEXAS HUNTER SAFETY CERTIFICATION COURSE • REGISTRATION ENDS AUG. 18
Participants nine years and older must complete the course to hunt in Texas legally. A parent must accompany anyone under 13. On class day, participants must pay $5 in cash to Texas Parks and Wildlife to cover the certificate cost.
  
Ages 9+ • $20 • Sat. • Aug. 19 • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

BIRDING 101
Sharpen your birding skills as you learn to identify birds by sight and sound, use field guides and binoculars, and explore the Brazos Valley’s native and migrating species. The class meets at the nature center and hikes through Lick Creek Park’s trails. Check out free binoculars and field guides at the nature center. A driver’s license is required for checkout and will be held until items are returned.

All Ages • Free • Sat. • June 3 • 8:30 a.m. start

FOREST THERAPY AT LICK CREEK PARK • REGISTRATION: APRIL 3-CLASS DAY
Experience the healing potential of trees and forests and boost your physical health and mental wellness through science-backed ecotherapy practice. You’ll be guided through forest-based sensory activities designed to heighten self-awareness and a sense of connectedness with the natural world. Engage the body’s senses through tasting and touching plants. Texas A&M Forest Service and the Center for Health and Nature bring the program to you. Participation is free, but registration is required by class day.

All Ages • Free • Sun. • June 4, July 16, & Aug. 6 • 8-9:30 a.m.  

HOLISTIC HEALTH DAYS
Recharge and improve your physical and mental health at Lick Creek Park, the gorgeous crown jewel of College Station’s park system. Engage with holistic health booths that relate to the health of our body, mind, and spirit, enjoy a relaxing nature walk, and partake in 45-minute yoga, Dharma, and Sheng Zhen meditation demonstrations. The City of College Station and the Holistic Health Community bring the program to you.

All Ages • Free • Sun. • June 4, July 2, & Aug. 6 • 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Create a unique birthday experience for your young explorers to celebrate their special day. B’EARTHday Packages can be purchased in addition to your Gary Halter Nature Center rental (meeting room, outdoor classroom or amphitheater). Packages include an hour-long activity and hike led by members of the Nature Center staff. Choose a party based on the child’s interests and age group. B’EARTHday Packages must be booked at least two weeks in advance. For more information, call 979.764.6216 or email [email protected].

BUGGIN’ OUT
Get ready to discover the insects that call Lick Creek Park home. Our hike will include a scavenger hunt as we explore the habitats and food sources of local bugs. Activities include crafts and exhibits showcasing our many-legged friends.

Ages 3-8 • $75 + facility rental • March 1-Nov. 22

DIGGIN’ FOR DINOS
Calling all explorers! We need your expertise as we discover what makes dinosaurs so great. Activities include digging for dinosaurs, creating our very own fossils, and observing dinosaur characteristics. Kids will enjoy a fun lesson in an exciting and enriching hands-on environment. 

Ages 4-8 • $75 + facility rental • All Seasons 

GROW AS WE GO
Sharpen your horticulture skills as we take a look at the plants growing around us. We’ll discover what plants need to survive and the importance of our interactions with the environment. Activities include crafts, a hike, and planting your own seeds.

Ages 7-12 • $75 + facility rental • All Seasons 

PRICING
All fees are for parties of 10 children. Each additional child is $10, with a 15-child maximum. The birthday child and their siblings under 3 years of age are free and do not count toward your party.

RENTERS' RESPONSIBILITIES 
Renters are required to supervise the party and ensure that educational items in the room are used properly and put away. A minimum of two adult chaperones are required at all times, including on the hike. Renters are responsible for adhering to the rental policies regarding set-up and clean-up.

As you look forward to the school year, you may still be longing for more fun in the sun. That’s a good reason to incorporate Gary Halter Nature Center field trips into your lesson plans as a way to enhance your student’s learning experience.

The free, instructor-led field trips offer kindergarteners through sixth graders an engaging outdoor learning adventure that builds on classroom topics. Environmental education themes include wildlife biology, water cycle, plants, ecosystem, and organism identification.

The maximum number of students we can accommodate varies based on the field trip. In general, we can take groups of up to 60 people. Depending on the program, field trips last 2-3 hours with an option for students to bring lunch and eat on-site. Each journey starts with a safety overview before dividing into three groups of about 20 students.

GRADES
Kindergarten-6th Grade

SEMESTER SCHEDULES
Fall: September-November
Spring: February-May

HOURS OF AVAILABILITY
Monday-Tuesday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Wednesday-Friday: Noon-5 p.m. 

BROCHURE
>> Link (PDF)

Trips must be booked in advance, and dates and times are subject to availability. To schedule a field trip, contact us at 979.764.3725 or complete the online request form.

We look forward to hitting the trails with you!

FACILITY RENTALS
Fees are per hour with a $210 deposit, 2-hour minimum

MEETING ROOM
Non-Resident - $126
Resident - $105

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
Non-Resident - $45
Resident - $37

AMPHITHEATER
Non-Resident - $45
Resident - $37

FACILITY PHOTOS
Click here to view album.

RENTALS DETAILS
Rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis and will not be held without proper documentation and fees. Reservations can be made by calling 979.764.6216 or by visiting the Gary Halter Nature Center, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

DEPOSITS
A security deposit is required for rentals. Portions or all of the deposit will be forfeited if damage, extra maintenance, or extraordinary cleanup occurs as a result of rental. Deposits will be refunded on the following conditions: (1) terms of your rental have been met, (2) facilities are left in good condition, or (3) cancellation procedures have been followed.

CANCELLATION & REFUNDS
Cancellation refunds more than 10 days: If the rental is cancelled, in writing, at least ten (10) days in advance of the originally scheduled date, a full refund of fees and deposits, including security deposit, will be returned to customer.
 
Cancellation refunds less than 10 days: If the rental is cancelled, in writing, less than ten (10) days but more than 48 hours in advance of the originally scheduled date, deposits, including security deposits, will be forfeited by the customer in favor of the City.
 
Cancellation refunds less than 48 hours: If the rental is cancelled, in writing, less than 48 hours in advance of the originally scheduled date, all fees and deposits, including security deposits, will be forfeited by the customer in favor of the City.
 
Cancellation due to inclement weather: At the sole discretion of the City, if the event cannot be held or rescheduled due to inclement weather, fees and deposits, including security deposit shall be refunded to customer.
 
Deposit refund post event: If the facility is left to standard and required keys (if applicable) are returned within 24 hours, the customer's deposit will be refunded. 

All refunds are processed within 30 days of request by check. No cash refunds will be issued.

FACILITY RENTAL REQUEST FORM
Click here to request a rental. Submittal of this request form does not guarantee availability for the facility and date(s) requested.

FREE EQUIPMENT RENTALS
Check out binoculars, field guides and Junior Naturalist Adventure packs at the Nature Center during hours of operation. A driver’s license is required for checkout and will be held at the nature center until items are returned.