
Camp Aranzazu is a unique place built just for you.
"Z" Marks the Spot
We’re a camp built for belonging, but we believe that’s just the beginning — what we’re doing here should be done everywhere. Spaces that are inclusive of everyone shouldn’t be novel, but normal. We’re proving it’s possible, one camper at a time. Our mission, vision and values aren’t just an operational framework — they’re going to help us build the future we want. Together.

Our Mission
Camp Aranzazu cultivates belonging for campers of all ages and abilities by creating accessible, empowering, and intentional camp experiences in a coastal environment.

Our Vision
A World


Built For
Belonging

Our Values
Today with Boldness
We value resilience and meeting each new day with courage, advocating for our independence and celebrating our ability to choose and grow.
Experiences with Impact
We look for the moments we can infuse with lasting wonder, creating unforgettable experiences that empower and inspire as we play with significance.
Connection with Intention
We value purposeful relationships with each other, the community and nature.
Our Story
From 1959 to 1996, the grounds of Camp Aranzazu were part of the Bishop Elliott Conference Center, an Episcopal Church retreat facility. Camp founders Tom and Holly Forney purchased the first 20 acres of coastal land in 1997 to enjoy with their family. A few years later, they felt called to share the enjoyment of the property with others, founding Camp Aranzazu, a fully accredited camp and 501(c)(3), in 2006.
Aranzazu (ah-RAN-zah-zoo) is a Basque term meaning “a spiritual place requiring a difficult path to reach.” At Camp Aranzazu, our paths are barrier-free so that everyone can access all activities, but we know that our campers are navigating their own difficult paths. Here, we invite campers to leave behind the stresses of their physical, medical, or emotional challenges to spend time in nature and with each other forging their own paths.
Learn more about Camp Aranzazu’s path to the present.
Fields Alexander
Partner
Beck Redden, L.L.P.
Houston, TX
Mary Margaret Ara, M.D.
Entrepreneur and Managing Partner of Sahara Investments
Corpus Christi, TX
Traci McLester Arellano, Chair
Executive Director | Government Banking
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Houston, TX
Sara A. Baldwin, Ph.D., RN, APHN-BC
Emeritus Professor, Retired
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Rockport, TX
Matt Brewington
Vice President of Operations
Southwest Medical Associates
Rockport, TX
Ruth Brown
Owner - Office Manager
Relive Health
Corpus Christi, TX
Emily Campbell
Territory Business Manager
Mead Johnson Nutrition
Corpus Christi, TX
Casey T. Cullen
Attorney
Cullen Holm Law Firm
Victoria, TX
John C. Elkins, Secretary
Vice President, Estate Administration
Houston Trust Company
Houston, TX
Misty Farr
VP Human Resources
Jetta Operating Company
Fort Worth, TX
Kathie Forney
Founder & Coach
Forney Search
Houston, TX
Tom Forney, Founder
CEO
Forney Construction Co.
Houston, TX
John Guill
Vice President
Origin Bank
Houston, TX
Hunter Hawkins
President
Hibbs-Hallmark & Company San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
Denise Hazen
Founder/Creative Director
Aspire Accessories
Houston, TX
Anne Mahaffey
Teacher, Retired
Corpus Christi, TX
Taylor Maanao
Challenge Course Trainer
Whitney Solcher
Partner, Senior Advisor & Chief Investment Officer
Ulrich Investment Consultants
San Antonio, TX
George Strickhausen, IV
Developer
Van Horn, TX
Joanne Taylor
PDR Corp. President, Retired
Rockport, TX
Greg Watson
Family Office Executive | Private Equity Investor
Houston, TX
From 2023 to 2026, we’re operating under this strategic plan defined by our Board of Directors. This plan is focused on building a solid institutional and fiscal foundation to support future growth, and it takes us through a very special milestone: 2026 will mark 20 years of serving our campers.
Katie Mattingly Brass
Community Volunteer
Houston, TX
Blake Finger
Hazel Smyth Jewelry
San Antonio, TX
Tom Flaherty
Business and Financial Consultant
Houston, TX
Robin Floyd
Community Leader
Houston, TX
John Guill
Vice President
Origin Bank
Houston, TX
Shannon Gunn
Consultant
San Antonio, TX
Bobby Hatcher
Equitime Capital LLC
Houston, TX
Gloria Hicks
Ed Hicks Imports
Corpus Christi, TX
Chip Jenkins
CEO, First State Bank
Louise, TX
T. Mark Kelly
Vinson & Elkins
Houston, TX
Jack Kins
Senterra
Houston, TX
Keith Little
Semi-retired Energy Industry Executive
Houston, TX
Rob McClane
Luther King Capital Management
San Antonio, TX
Alison Leland McKinney
University of Houston
Houston, TX
Marks Moore
Marks Moore Photography
San Antonio, TX
Jeff Panknin
Executive Pastor at Rock City Church Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX
Bryan Phillips
Partner
Ytterberg Deery Knull LLP
Houston, TX
Ashley Rhodes Smith
Chief Marketing Officer at Rally Credit Union
Corpus Christi, TX
Linda Strickland
Retired CEO
Houston, TX
Joanne Taylor
PDR Corp. President, Retired
Rockport, TX
Rona Train
Swiff-Train Company
Houston, TX
John Watson
Attorney, JMI Inc.
Houston, TX
Camp Staff
Accreditations





























