Mama Camp visits the Zilker Botanical Gardens

What this Camp Director has learned is that even if your sweet campers say: "Mama, can we just stay home and play with our toys?"...and you see them playing together...gently and quietly...while you drink your coffee...in peace...this in NO way means that you should give in. We tried this last week and an hour later mayhem ensued.

8:00am: Breakfast, chores, clean up, snacks and we are out the door by 10am.

Location: Zilker Botanical Garden 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin TX

Our Mission: Locate "the map*" and find the dinosaur tracks leading to the Ornithomimus Dinosaur.

Other Mission: Keep the toddler aka "Little Camper" out of the flower beds and the Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden ponds.




With lots of coercing the Camp Director convinced the Pre-Ker aka "Big Camper" than we should go through the butterfly garden path, around to the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, across the Rose Garden, and up the Japanese Garden back to the Garden Center. The butterfly garden has wider paths that are easier to traverse and keep track of two short campers. They can run along the paths and still be visible.

First stop was the old settlement buildings to view a rural one room school and the blacksmith's shop. Just as the campers entered the butterfly garden an ensuing aroma caught the Camp Director's attention. The Little Camper had pooped in his pants! (again)

Decision: change him on the Teacher's Corner bench or walk to the Garden Center with roomy restrooms and changing table. We opted for the Garden Center but it turns out we didn't need the changing table since the Little Camper, after viewing the elephant logo, insisted that "No...that's for elephants...not for babies!"










Clean pants, a water break and we were back on track for the trek to find the Dinosaur. Through the butterfly garden we stopped to talk to the butterflies.




Step 1: Find "Hartman Prehistoric Garden"

Step 2: Find Dinosaur Tracks

Step 3: Catch the Dinosaur

Step 4: Document the Event!

As we were leaving the park we noticed ANOTHER dinosaur to investigate...next time.

Activity Fee: $0 (although they do take donations

Testimonials:
Camp Director: "Go early to beat the heat. The butterfly garden is an easy trail and can accommodate strollers. The Japanese garden has narrow paths, a bridge and lots of stairs to climb...fun for older kids but can be harder for the little ones."

The Big Camper/Pre-Ker: "The map with the pictures was easy to follow and I found a short cut!"

The Little Camper/Toddler: "Hi butterflies!...sniff...sniff...roses!...FISH-MAMA-BIG-FISH!"

*Note: the free map in the Garden Center has landmark icons unlike the online map.