City of College Station

WILD WALKS IN THE PARK • REGISTRATION: DEC. 5-FEB. 20
Walk in the wild as we stroll through Lick Creek Park’s gardens and hiking trails, read stories, and enjoy unstructured playtime in nature. It is the perfect way to connect with other families as you revel in the outdoors. The program is designed for preschoolers and caretakers, but siblings are welcome. Dress for the outdoors and wear closed-toed shoes. 

Ages 3-6 • $30/child & caretaker, $10/additional sibling • Tue. • Feb. 21-April 11 • 9:30-10:30 a.m.

OUTDOOR EXPERIMENTS • REGISTRATION: DEC. 5-FEB. 20
Discover nature in an enriching hands-on environment. We’ll explore a new topic each week through experiments and exploration at the Lick Creek Amphitheater. The program is designed for children 7-12 and caretakers, but siblings are welcome. Dress for the outdoors and wear closed-toed shoes.

Ages 7-12 • $30/child & caretaker, $10/additional sibling • Tue. • Feb. 21-April 11 • 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

TEXAS HUNTER SAFETY CERTIFICATION COURSE • REGISTRATION: DEC. 5-FRIDAY BEFORE CLASS DAY  
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. • Jan. 28 • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ages 9+ • $20 • Sat. • April 1 • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.  

SHENG ZHEN MEDITATION IN MOTION • REGISTRATION: DEC. 2-FIRST CLASS DAY
Sheng Zhen Meditation in Motion is a meditative art that includes relaxing and flowing movements and meditation in stillness. The class is for those who want to experience deep relaxation that allows for effortless movement with balance, agility, and flexibility. The instructor introduces you to meditative forms that train the body to relax, discipline the mind to stay focused and calm the emotions for peace. The class is designed for people of all ages and health and is taught by Mai Lisette Templin.

Ages 16+ • $96 • Wed. • Jan. 18-March 8 • 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Ages 16+ • $96 • Wed. • March 22-May 3 • 9:30-10:30 a.m. 

TEXAS HUNTER SAFETY CERTIFICATION COURSE • REGISTRATION: DEC. 5-FRIDAY BEFORE CLASS DAY  
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. • Jan. 28 • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ages 9+ • $20 • Sat. • April 1 • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.  

SPRING WILDFLOWERS OF THE BRAZOS VALLEY LECTURE ∙ REGISTRATION ENDS APRIL 12
Take a beautiful look into the wonderful world of wildflowers with expert and Master Naturalist Dwight Bohlmeyer. The one-hour lecture focuses on identifying spring wildflowers in the Brazos Valley. The class is an excellent introduction to the Wildflower Walk on April 15. Admission is free, but registration is required by April 12. Spots are limited.
 
Ages 18+ ∙ Free ∙ Wed. ∙ April 12 ∙  6:30-7:30 p.m.
 
WILDFLOWER WALK AT LICK CREEK PARK ∙ REGISTRATION ENDS APRIL 15
Join Master Naturalist Dwight Bohlmeyer and Native Plant Society volunteers for a wildflower identification hike. The group meets at the Nature Center and hikes through the Lick Creek Park trails. Be sure to dress for the outdoors and wear closed-toed shoes. Admission is free, but registration is required by April 15. Two times are available, and spots are limited.
 
Ages 18+ ∙ Free ∙ Sat. ∙ April 15 ∙ 9 & 10 a.m.

SENIORS NIGHT OUT: DANCING & GAMES
Join us for an evening of dancing and games dressed in Butterfly Ball-themed attire – green, flowers, and monarchs. Dance to country music and oldies from the 60s to the 80s, or play a game of cards, board games, or dominoes. Light refreshments will be served, and registration is not required. Click here to view other programs, activities, and events for ages 55 and older.

Ages 55+ • Free • Fri. • March 17 • 6-9 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 native and migrating species in the Brazos Valley. 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. • Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 4, & April 1 • 8:30 a.m. start

MONARCH MARCH 
Celebrate the life of the monarch butterfly! Festivities include a walk through Lick Creek Park’s Monarch Waystation, educational booths, tips on creating a home waystation or butterfly garden, and much more.

All Ages • Free • Sat. • March 25 • 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

LICK CREEK PARK IN THE DARK • REGISTRATION: DEC. 5-WEDNESDAY BEFORE CAMP
You don’t have to travel far to create fun memories with your friends and family. The Gary Halter Nature Center invites you to camp out on the night of Friday, March 31, or Friday, April 14. You can choose your adventure or join us for favorites such as a hot dog dinner, storytelling, S’mores, and a night hike. We will even help you learn camping basics.

The family-friendly event begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 7 a.m. on Saturday. Campers must bring a tent, supplies, snacks, and drinks. Electricity isn’t provided, so pack flashlights and tent lanterns and bring a sleeping bag, insect repellant, and folding chairs.

Limited spots are available, and registration ends the Wednesday before camp. The cost is $8 per person. Children must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older), and pets aren’t allowed.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 
6 p.m. • Check-in & Camp Site Set-up 
7 p.m. • Hot Dog Dinner & Storytelling 
8 p.m. • Learn Camping Basics 
8:30 p.m. • Night Hike 
9 p.m. • S’mores 
10 p.m. • Quiet Hours Begin 
7 a.m. • Break Camp

All Ages • $8 • Fri.-Sat. • March 31-April 1 • 6 p.m.-7 a.m.
All Ages • $8 • Fri.-Sat. • April 14-15 • 6 p.m.-7 a.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.