Austin, TX – School is out for summer, but the fun and learning don’t stop at the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The THC invites young learners and families to bring the past to life with a unique blend of education and adventure at its summer camp events at many of the state historic sites in June and July. The sites will become living classrooms, as each curated program provides hands-on learning for its visitors. - Bush Family Home State Historic Site (Midland) (9 a.m.–12 p.m., June 16–19)
- Young learners aged 6–11 are invited to join Bush Family Home for a week about all things cowboy. President George W. Bush’s favorite genre was Westerns. Campers will hear stories about how to care for horses, make soap like cowboys, and meet live horses.
- Casa Navarro State Historic Site (San Antonio) (10 a.m.–12 p.m., June 20, July 11, and July 25)
- Aspiring culinary artists aged 8 and up are invited to Casa Navarro’s Camp Bexar Cocina. Families are invited to experience San Antonio’s culinary past through a hands-on cooking series. Each class explores historic local recipes and food traditions while participants prepare and enjoy the dishes together.
- Fort Martin Scott State Historic Site (Fredericksburg) (9:30 a.m.–1 p.m., June 13 and July 18)
- Children aged 7–13 are invited to experience the “Wild West” and Texas frontier life during the Texas Frontier Trail Adventure. With scenarios inspired by “The Oregon Trail,” the immersive, hands-on experience allows participants to step into the role of early Texas settlers, working in teams to navigate frontier challenges, including crossing rivers, managing and trading goods, and overcoming unexpected obstacles.
- Fulton Mansion State Historic Site (Rockport) (10 a.m.–1 p.m., June 13)
- With summer in full swing, it’s time to play. Fulton Mansion is inviting all participants to a Victorian Day of Play to experience summer fun the Victorian way. From outdoor lawn games to indoor parlor games, there will be something for the whole family. All participants under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight Ranch State Historic Site (Goodnight) (9 a.m.–12 p.m., June 21–23)
- Camp Cattalo Family Summer Camp invites children and adults alike to dive into the vibrant history of the Texas Panhandle. Campers will discover the stories of nomadic Native Americans, bronco-busting cowboys, and resilient pioneer women. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Magoffin Home State Historic Site (El Paso) (12–1 p.m., June 20 and July 18)
- Curated for the aspiring culinary artists, Magoffin Home is inviting youth aged 6–11 to learn about being a chef at the Magoffin Home Kids Historic Cooking Classes. Using kid-friendly versions of historic recipes, participants will learn how families cooked in the past while measuring, mixing, tasting, and creating together.
- Mission Dolores State Historic Site (San Augustine) (9 a.m.–1 p.m., June 24)
- Children aged 8–12 are invited to discover the exciting field of archeology during Archeology Camp at Mission Dolores State Historic Site. Participants will learn about field work, artifacts, and historic preservation while participating in a mock dig.
- National Museum of the Pacific War (Fredericksburg) (8 a.m.–3 p.m., June 22–26 and July 20–24)
- Children aged 8–14 are invited to explore World War II through a series of hands-on activities, interactive challenges, and real artifacts during the Nimitz Summer Camp at the National Museum of the Pacific War. Campers will undergo “boot camp,” learn about wartime communications, the home front, propaganda, spycraft, and more.
- Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site (Paris) (2–3 p.m., June 4, 11, 18, 25 and July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30)
- Every Thursday in June, children aged 5–13 are invited to spark their curiosity, creativity, and outdoor exploration through gardening, nature walks, and simple Victorian-era practices during Little Sprouts at Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site.
- Every Thursday in July, children aged 5–13 are invited to get Red, White, and Crafty as they explore art, tradition, and community through creative projects inspired by history, seasonal celebrations, and classic American pastimes.
- Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site (Bonham) (9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., June 25–26)
- Children aged 10–12 are invited to learn basic architecture and design at Summer Day the Rayburn Way: Design a House. Activities include drawing a scale model floor plan of a home from preselected rooms and creating a 3-D version of their design. Space is limited to five children per session, and registration is required.
- San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site (San Felipe) (9 a.m.–12:30 p.m., June 26–27; 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m., July 25; 12–4:30 p.m., July 26)
- Participants over age 13 are invited to learn the story of one of the overlooked towns during the Texas Revolution at Journeyman Experience at San Felipe de Austin. Learn about the town’s history from its founding to revolutionary ideas, the burning of the town during the Runaway Scrape, and finally, archeology and the town’s present-day story
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