Austin Parks and Recreation provides accessible, diverse, and inclusive summer camps, and now offers early registration for community participants who qualify for financial aid. There are camps for youth (ages 5 to 12) and for teens (ages 12 to 15) at select locations. Therapeutic summer programs embrace the diversity that defines Austin and works to ensure that all individuals are accepted, included, and welcomed to participate, play, and recreate together with a team of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) and Inclusion Aids. Visual and performing arts, culture and history summer camp programs preserve and protect the past, celebrate Austin’s diversity, build community, and develop awareness and appreciation for the arts. Nature-based summer camp programs provide hands-on educational and recreational activities that increase appreciation for the natural environment and awareness of the conservation ethic. Community recreation summer programs at Recreation Centers have a youth development philosophy which focuses on providing youth opportunities to enhance their interests, skills and abilities through intentional programming and quality experiences that help develop social, emotional, ethical, physical and cognitive competencies.