Spring Break 2026 - Quest for the Golden Spade

Spring Break 2026 – Quest for the Golden Spade

Quest for the Golden Spade

A Journey Through the Changes in Nature

This Spring Break, your child becomes an explorer! Quest for the Golden Spade is a weeklong, science-based camp that blends immersive storytelling, hands-on STEM investigations, puzzle solving, and outdoor nature adventures into an unforgettable learning experience.

Rather than rotating through disconnected activities, campers follow a single storyline all week, working together on a nature quest that builds curiosity, confidence, and real scientific understanding.

Camp Details

Dates: March 16–20 Ages: 6–10 years old Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Pre-care and post-care options available Location: Texas Discovery Gardens, Fair Park, Dallas, TX

Storyline & Learning Focus

In this immersive, hands-on camp, campers become Explorers on a mission to restore balance to the Kingdom of Sol. Guided by trained educators, children explore how nonliving (abiotic) factors, such as sun, wind, water, and soil, affect living things and ecosystems.

The story centers around the Golden Spade, an ancient tool that represents balance between soil, water, plants, and animals. When the spade goes missing, campers must travel through four themed realms:

· Terran (Soil)

· Aquaris (Water)

· Florian (Plants)

· Fauna (Animals)

As they explore each realm, campers investigate environmental systems, complete STEM challenges, uncover clues, and recover the knowledge needed to restore balance.

What Campers Will Do

Throughout the week, campers will:

· Participate in daily hands-on STEM investigations focused on real problem-solving and discovery

· Explore how plants and animals depend on abiotic factors to survive and thrive

· Practice critical thinking, teamwork, and collaboration through guided quests

· Engage in outdoor exploration and nature-based learning

· Build a deeper understanding of seasonal changes and ecosystem balance

While the camp is story-driven, all activities are rooted in age-appropriate science concepts, inquiry-based learning, and environmental stewardship.

Camp Features

· Immersive storyline that runs all week

· Daily STEM investigations

· Take-home materials every camper keeps

· Badges and collectibles tied to learning goals and progress

· Knowledgeable leaders with science and nature education expertise

· Daily recap videos emailed to families each day

Cost

· $200 – Non-Members

· $170 – Members

Registration is required to attend this camp.

Pre-Care & Post-Care

We understand busy schedules!

· Pre-Care: 8:00–9:00 a.m.

· Post-Care: 3:00–5:30 p.m.

· Cost: $50 each (pre-care and post-care)

Lunch & Snacks

Lunch and snacks are not provided. Please send your child with a packed lunch and snack each day.

Important Note

Camps require a minimum of 5 registered students to take place. If fewer than 5 students are registered, the camp may be canceled. In the event of cancellation, families will be notified and offered the choice of a refund or credit toward another program.

Perfect for curious explorers who love nature, science, and adventure!

Camper's Name(Required)
Camper's Nickname/Preferred Name
Camper's Date of Birth(Required)
Does the Camper have any Special Needs?(Required)
Does the Camper currently take medication?(Required)
TDG staff can store medication but cannot administer medication unless it is an emergency.
Does the Camper have any known allergies?(Required)
Does the Camper have any dietary restrictions not included in known allergies?(Required)

About Parent/Guardian

Primary Contact Name(Required)
Secondary Contact Name(Required)
Are you a current TDG Member?(Required)
Include name, phone number, and relation to camper for each person allowed to pick up.
My Camper is completely toilet trained.(Required)
Toilet trained means requiring no assistance in the restroom and being fully able to manage their clothing on their own. If your child is still wearing pull-up style diapers, they are not completely toilet trained.
By attending TDG camps, I give my permission for my child to be photographed at TDG and give my permission for those photographs to be used in TDG's marketing and online content.(Required)
Cancelation/refund policy: Camp fee is due time of registration. No registrations will be accepted later than the Friday prior to the start of camp week. You are not fully enrolled in camp until the fee is paid. Camps are contingent upon a minimum of 5 children per session. Texas Discovery Gardens reserves the right to cancel a camp at any time up until one week prior to the start of the camp. All camp sales are final. No refunds will be issued for any reason after camp has begun, unless camp is cancelled by TDG. Cancellations two weeks or more before start date will receive a refund less 20% processing fee. No fees will be refunded if registration is cancelled less than two weeks before the start date. TDG vouchers for other programs or events may be issued on a case by case basis. TDG reserves the right to cancel or change any program for reasons we deem appropriate. In the event that we cancel your program, a full refund will be issued and individuals will be contacted directly. *(Required)
Liability/Emergency: While my child is participating in Texas Discovery Garden Camps, I agree to assume full responsibility for such participation and release Texas Discovery Gardens from liability for any and all personal injuries and/or property damage or loss which I, or my child, may sustain thereby. In the event of an emergency, I give my permission for the staff and/or volunteers of Texas Discovery Gardens to obtain emergency medical treatment for my child. I understand that, if necessary, my child will be transported by ambulance to the nearest emergency medical facility. I agree that any cost incurred for any transportation and/or treatment will be my responsibility. I give my permission to TDG staff to provide my child minor first aid treatment should the need arise until I can be notified and/or other higher level medical care is available. *(Required)
Proof of membership will be verified upon arrival to the first day of camp.
Pre- and Post-Care Add-ons
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Total

Description

Quest for the Golden Spade

A Journey Through the Changes in Nature

This Spring Break, your child becomes an explorer! Quest for the Golden Spade is a weeklong, science-based camp that blends immersive storytelling, hands-on STEM investigations, puzzle solving, and outdoor nature adventures into an unforgettable learning experience.

Rather than rotating through disconnected activities, campers follow a single storyline all week, working together on a nature quest that builds curiosity, confidence, and real scientific understanding.

Camp Details

Dates: March 16–20 Ages: 6–10 years old Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Pre-care and post-care options available Location: Texas Discovery Gardens, Fair Park, Dallas, TX

Storyline & Learning Focus

In this immersive, hands-on camp, campers become Explorers on a mission to restore balance to the Kingdom of Sol. Guided by trained educators, children explore how nonliving (abiotic) factors, such as sun, wind, water, and soil, affect living things and ecosystems.

The story centers around the Golden Spade, an ancient tool that represents balance between soil, water, plants, and animals. When the spade goes missing, campers must travel through four themed realms:

· Terran (Soil)

· Aquaris (Water)

· Florian (Plants)

· Fauna (Animals)

As they explore each realm, campers investigate environmental systems, complete STEM challenges, uncover clues, and recover the knowledge needed to restore balance.

What Campers Will Do

Throughout the week, campers will:

· Participate in daily hands-on STEM investigations focused on real problem-solving and discovery

· Explore how plants and animals depend on abiotic factors to survive and thrive

· Practice critical thinking, teamwork, and collaboration through guided quests

· Engage in outdoor exploration and nature-based learning

· Build a deeper understanding of seasonal changes and ecosystem balance

While the camp is story-driven, all activities are rooted in age-appropriate science concepts, inquiry-based learning, and environmental stewardship.

Camp Features

· Immersive storyline that runs all week

· Daily STEM investigations

· Take-home materials every camper keeps

· Badges and collectibles tied to learning goals and progress

· Knowledgeable leaders with science and nature education expertise

· Daily recap videos emailed to families each day

Cost

· $200 – Non-Members

· $170 – Members

Registration is required to attend this camp.

Pre-Care & Post-Care

We understand busy schedules!

· Pre-Care: 8:00–9:00 a.m.

· Post-Care: 3:00–5:30 p.m.

· Cost: $50 each (pre-care and post-care)

Lunch & Snacks

Lunch and snacks are not provided. Please send your child with a packed lunch and snack each day.

Important Note

Camps require a minimum of 5 registered students to take place. If fewer than 5 students are registered, the camp may be canceled. In the event of cancellation, families will be notified and offered the choice of a refund or credit toward another program.

Perfect for curious explorers who love nature, science, and adventure!