HOUSTON—The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, a lush 155-acre nature preserve, is one of the city’s greatest natural treasures. Located in Memorial Park, at 4501 Woodway Drive, the Arboretum is home to more than 75 varieties of native trees, 160 species of birds, 16 species of turtles, 10 species of frogs and 33 kinds of butterflies. Visitors can explore and enjoy five miles of walking trails to experience nature at its most dramatic and in exquisite detail. The Arboretum grounds are open to the public daily, except major holidays, from dawn to dusk.
The Nature Center building is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Discovery Room is open every day except Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and provides fun, hands-on activities and exhibits to explore nature up close. Admission is free, but donations to support this nonprofit organization are appreciated.
A bustling schedule of year round activities and courses are available for adults, children and families to create a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature. For more information, call 713-681-8433 or visitwww.houstonarboretum.org <http://www.HoustonArboretum.org>
Pre-registration is required for the following activities/events.
Call 713-681-8433 or visit www.houstonarboretum.org <http://www.houstonarboretum.org> for more information
Summer Nature Trekkers Camp for kids
June 6 – August 12
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (limited half day options are available)
Kids can explore everything from hawks and other birds that soar in our skies to the microscopic creatures that live in ponds in the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center’s Nature Trekkers Camps this summer. The week-long classes offer hands-on learning experiences for children ages 5 to 12 under the guidance of staff naturalists, and include both indoor and outdoor activities at the 155-acre nature sanctuary. Camp topics include: “Bird Life,” July 11-15; “MicroWorld Explorer,” July 18-22; “Reptiles & Amphibians,” July 25-29; “Angry Earth,” June 27-July 1 or August 1-5; and “Spiders,” July 5-8 or August 8-12. Children are taught by qualified staff naturalists in classes by age (5 & 6, 7 & 8, 9-12). Full day camp (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.): $250 members; $300 non-members. Morning only camp (9 a.m. – noon): $130 members; $165 non-members. For more information, call 713-681-8433 or visit www.houstonarboretum.org/summercamp.asp <http://www.houstonarboretum.org/summercamp.asp>
Now available! After camp classes provide enriching activities for children from 3 to 5 p.m. Classes include Yoga for Kids, offered weeks starting: July 5, July 18 and August 1 and Art Camp classes taught by City ArtWorks the weeks of July 11, July 25 and August 8. Cost per week is $100 for members; $125 for non-members. For more information visit www.houstonarboretum.org.
Monday, July 4 – Building will be closed; trails and grounds open regular hours.
Saturdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
9 – 10 a.m.
Wednesdays, July 6, 13, 20 & 27
5:45–6:45 p.m.
Introductory Tai Chi
The Arboretum provides a serene, natural backdrop for this graceful and meditative form of exercise. Class will be held outside in the nature sanctuary except when weather conditions are prohibitive. Cost is $15 per session or $45 per month for 1 class per week; $70 per month for 2 classes per week.
Thursdays, July 7, 14, 21 & 28
5:45–6:45 p.m.
Yoga on the way Home
Why fight the traffic? Slow down and relax in the peaceful beauty of the Arboretum during a one-hour yoga session in the Arboretum’s classroom overlooking the forest. Cost is $15 per session or $12 per session when registering for a month.
Tuesday, July 5 – Friday, July 8
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages 5-12
Nature Trekkers Summer Camp: Spiders!
Spiders can climb the tallest buildings and creep through the tiniest of cracks. Their silk is stronger than any man-made fiber. Kids will get to see tarantulas, black widow spiders and learn all the interesting facts about these arachnids. Cost is $200 for members, $240 for non-members. Cost for Morning only (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) camp option is $104 for members, $132 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
Tuesday, July 5 – Friday, July 8
3 – 5 p.m.
Yoga for Kids
Ages 5 – 12
Children enjoy some of the same benefits of yoga that adults do, such as improved body awareness, coordination, and even stress relief. Yoga instructor Nancy Sorenson has been teaching adults and children for 15 years. She will introduce simple yoga poses that relate to the natural world and incorporate stories, books and play to make this late afternoon class a welcome energy release for kids. Cost is $80 for members; $100 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
Sunday, July 10
2 – 4 p.m.
Eat It Raw: Preparing Raw, Organic, and Seasonal Meals
Join Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram of Rawfully Organic Co-Op and learn how to make delicious meals for the entire family from raw and organic foods. Kristina will share her passion for this healthy lifestyle by teaching and demonstrating how to prepare seasonal dishes from a variety of raw and locally-grown produce. As a fun exercise, students will choose ingredients from a box of organic vegetables and Kristina will craft a dish on the spot. Sampling and an informative question and answer period will finish the class. Cost is $20 for members; $30 for non-members. Proceeds benefit the Arboretum.
Monday, July 11 – Friday, July 15
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages 5-12
Nature Trekkers Summer Camp: Bird Life
Kids will become amateur ornithologists as they learn the calls and colors of some Texas birds and study eggs, nests, and lifestyles of these feathered friends. Cost is $250 for members, $300 for non-members. Cost for Morning only (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) camp option is $130 for members, $165 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
Monday, July 11 – Friday, July 15
3 – 5 p.m.
Ages 5 – 12
Summer Art Camp: Reptile-O-Rama
Children will explore the world of reptiles while making two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of art from a variety of art materials. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center in partnership with City ArtWorks is offering Summer Art Camp classes for ages 5 to 12. Cost is $100 for members; $125 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
Monday, July 18 – Friday, July 22
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages 5-12
Nature Trekkers Summer Camp: MicroWorld Explorer
Campers will roll over logs and dip nets into ponds as they study the micro-organisms found in soil, water, and even the air. Activities will include making worm compost bottles to take home and an interactive session with scientists in Illinois for the unique opportunity to view insects with a scanning electron microscope. Cost is $250 for members, $300 for non-members. Cost for Morning only (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) camp option is $130 for members, $165 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
Monday, July 18 – Friday, July 22
3 – 5 p.m.
Ages 5-12
Yoga for Kids
Children enjoy some of the same benefits of yoga that adults do, such as improved body awareness, coordination, and even stress relief. Yoga instructor Nancy Sorenson has been teaching adults and children for 15 years. She will introduce simple yoga poses that relate to the natural world and incorporate stories, books and play to make this late afternoon class a welcome energy release for kids. Cost is $100 for members; $125 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
Monday, July 25 – Friday, July 29
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages 5-12
Nature Trekkers Summer Camp: Reptiles & Amphibians
Kids will learn all about snakes, turtles, frogs, and lizards – from what they eat and where they live to how to safely observe reptiles and amphibians in the environment. Cost is $250 for members, $300 for non-members. Cost for Morning only (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) camp option is $130 for members, $165 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
Monday, July 25 – Friday, July 29
3 – 5 p.m.
Ages 5 to 12
Summer Art Camp: Nature’s Architecture
Children will look at everything from bird’s nests to spider webs and flowers to study radial balance, symmetry and other designs in nature. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center in partnership with City ArtWorks is offering Summer Art Camp classes for ages 5 to 12. Cost is $100 for members; $125 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
Coming in August …
Monday, August 1 – Friday, August 5
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages 5-12
Nature Trekkers Summer Camp: Angry Earth
Hurricanes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and tornadoes and other forces of nature will be highlighted in this week of camp. Kids will make models of the Earth’s layers, learn about weather and make volcanoes.
Cost is $250 for members, $300 for non-members. Cost for Morning only (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) camp option is $130 for members, $165 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
Monday, August 1 – Friday, August 5
3 – 5 p.m.
Ages 5 – 12
Yoga for Kids
Children enjoy some of the same benefits of yoga that adults do, such as improved body awareness, coordination, and even stress relief. Yoga instructor Nancy Sorenson has been teaching adults and children for 15 years. She will introduce simple yoga poses that relate to the natural world. Nancy will incorporate stories, books and play to make this late afternoon class a welcome energy release for kids. Cost is $100 for members; $125 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
Monday, August 8 – Friday, August 12
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages 5-12
Nature Trekkers Summer Camp: Spiders!
Spiders can climb the tallest buildings and creep through the tiniest of cracks. Their silk is stronger than any man-made fiber. Kids will get to see tarantulas, black widow spiders and learn all the interesting facts about these arachnids. Cost is $250 for members, $300 for non-members. Cost for Morning only (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) camp option is $130 for members, $165 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
Monday, August 8 – Friday, August 12
3 – 5 p.m.
Ages 5 to 12
Summer Art Camp: Animalia
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center in partnership with City ArtWorks is offering Summer Art Camp classes for ages 5 to 12. All types of animals, large and small, will be the inspiration for a week of crazy creations! Cost is $100 for members; $125 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
