Calendar
Nature Camp is a week-long overnight camp for 8-14 year olds. Our goal is simple: get kids outside and active for the summer! At Blackwood, we understand the importance of giving kids the chance to play and develop a relationship with the outdoors. 
Do you have any fond memories of your childhood in nature with friends? We find that those memories are often some of the best, and we want to pass on that opportunity to the next generation.
Adventure comes to life at Blackwood during the summer. Capture the flag through 33 acres of forest? Ultimate frisbee on the prairie? Soccer, tag, Ringalevio!? Not to mention sleeping under the stars at night; with campfires, s’mores, and stories on the back porch of the straw bale house.
Throughout their week of adventure, campers learn sportsmanship, camaraderie, and nature survival skills. Every camper belongs to a tribe and a clan; their tribe becomes their team, and their clan becomes their family. With the support of highly trained counselors, campers get to explore the wilderness and discover what secrets and wisdom the forest has to tell.
2018 Nature Camp Sessions
Session 1 | June 17th – 22nd: Elementary School Session (Ages 8-11)
Session 2 | June 24th – 29th: Mixed School Session (Ages 8-14)
Session 3 | July 1st – 6th: Middle School Session (Ages 12-14)
Session 4 | July 15th – 20th: Mixed School Session (Ages 8-14)
Session 5 | July 22nd – 27th: Mixed School Session (Ages 8-14)
Session 6 | July 29th – August 3rd: Mixed School Session (Ages 8-14)
High School Camp | August 5th – 9th: (Must have completed 9th grade)
Apply one or more campers!
For more information, visit blackwoodland.org.
Want to be a Camp Counselor or Counselor-in-Training? Apply here!
Interested in sponsoring a camper?  Click here to learn about our Underwriting Program.
The Center’s Summer Salons are a series of casual breakfast conversations, bringing big-picture thinkers and regional experts together with broader audiences, for an extended deep-dive discussion of issues that matter most to our future, with a focus on the next steps for creating a sustainable and competitive Houston region.
Following Houston’s Future Breakfast Series:
August 8 – Follow the Construction: Development in the Post-Harvey World
September 12 – Follow the Big Ideas: Smart Cities
All About Central City Co-Op
In September 2001, Jennifer Georgantas and Pat Greer dreamed of a community of people joining together each week around healthy, earth-friendly food. This dream became a reality 15 years ago with the founding of Central City Co-Op, Houston’s very first organic co-op.
Organic Produce, Organic Community
Our mission is to support sustainable, chemical free farming practices through offering both 1) sustainably raised local and 2) certified USDA organic national produce and farm goods to our community at the fairest prices possible.
Everything we carry on our shelves and stock in our shares is either locally, sustainably grown by farmers we know or is nationally-certified USDA organic. Both are great options for you and for our planet!
Central City Co-Op also provides a space for individuals to come together as a community. We support every member of our community in their journey to learn more about where their food comes from, how it’s produced, and how the local economy is impacted by food choices.
A bit more…
Visit us in every Wednesday inside Kindred Church at 2515 Waugh Drive. Take a tour with a volunteer to see us first hand!
Shop with us in our open market on Wednesday, or pre-order a share on our online store (by 6 pm Sundays for Wednesday pickup).
Non-members can pre-order their first share in person on Wednesday with the members-only 10% discount (one time only). After that, individuals must become a member to receive the discount.
Learn even more about Central City Co-Op in our FAQs.
Visitation of Deer Park Prairie is by appointment only. Since the prairie will be attended on scheduled workdays, they will be ideal days to visit. Please email Lan.shen@txgcmn.org for appointment on either workdays or any other days.
Please do not park directly in front of our neighbors’ houses – park across the street.
As always on the prairie, wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. For seed collecting, bring clippers if you have them. Also recommended are long-sleeved shirt, hat, water, insect repellent, sunscreen.
Email Lan.shen@txgcmn.orgÂ
Re-imagine your campus as a laboratory for applied sustainability education! Explore how EcoRise curriculum, resources, and grant funds can be used to increase student engagement and cultivate eco-literacy and student innovation on your campus. This hands-on training will provide a deep dive into our curriculum and Eco-Audit Grant resources, and will allow you to explore and experience the resources that are most relevant to you.
Lunch will be provided by Green Mountain energy.
EcoRise teacher trainings are open to new and experienced EcoRise teachers across the country. If you are not already an EcoRise teacher, please enroll at ecorise.org/enroll.
Looking for a place to get your children outdoors? ABNC’s EcoClasses will allow your child to explore, discover and observe (STEM). Join them for some great nature experiences! Check out their website at abnc.org for details or call 713-274-2668 to reserve your spot.
EcoTots are for children 18-36 months with an adult every Friday.
EcoKids are for children ages 3-6 every Wednesday and Friday.
EcoSchoolers are for homeschool children ages 7-10 every Wednesday and Friday.  EcoAdventurers are for children ages 11-14 every Wednesday.
Please bring a Snack, Refillable Water Bottle, mask, closed toe shoes and dress for the weather.
What: Sneak-a-Peek classes for preschoolers ages 3 to 5 (with adult) meet for a little over an hour each week. You can pick the days and times that best fit your summer schedule. Class topics this summer include a mixture of animal themes and hands-on, experiment based classes designed to ignite your preschooler’s natural curiosity!
When: Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:45 am, or Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:45 am, or Wednesdays from 2 to 3:15 pm (you pick just one day per week)
Cost/Class: Members $15 or Nonmembers $20
Advance registration strongly encouraged. Each class period is limited to just 10 students.
Lunch Bunch: Skins and Skulls
Explore skins and skulls of Texas mammals to learn about adaptations and predator-prey relationships. Participants should bring a lunch and dress for the weather. Lunch Bunch is a free program offered at Mercer’s West Side Arboretum in the Post Oak Pavilion that is recommended for participants ages 12 and older.
To register or to receive additional information, call Mercer Botanic Gardens at 713-274-4160.
This introductory painting program will review the important skills of water coloring and give visitors a chance to create their own painting. All art supplies ready and available for use. Everyone is invited for this easy lesson, but pets must be on leash.They will meet at the day use beach, near the end of the boardwalk overlooking the beach, for spectacular views and a quick art lesson. In case of inclement weather, please check with park headquarters
**Groups larger than 15 people, please contact Ranger Lisa for a private event.
What to bring:
• Creativity or curiosity
• Binoculars (optional)
• Water
• Comfortable shoes
• Must have a park permit on vehicle windshield before joining program.
Environment Protectors Initiating Change (E.P.I.C)
E.P.I.C. is a free service learning club for high school teens that is aimed at learning about, and solving coastal environmental problems through hands-on projects.
If you would like to:
- Make a difference
- Help your community
- Make new friends
- Gain volunteer hours
- Have fun
Join them for a meeting at the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center on Wednesdays 4 pm – 5 pm!