Come to Camp

The Camp

We operate under a partner model that enriches the experience for every camper. Our partner organizations bring the campers, counselors, and medical staff, while our team takes care of the rest. From delicious meals which can be tailored to meet special dietary needs and to air-conditioned cabins and Health Center that give campers a respite during the hot summer months and a wide range of adaptive activities that our staff facilitate, we ensure every aspect of the camp experience is designed to meet the needs of our campers.

What sets us apart is our team’s ability to tailor each session to our partners' specific goals. Our dedicated activity leaders and full-time program team members are here to make it happen. By entrusting our partners with the expertise and skills needed to care for our campers, our team can focus on creating unforgettable moments and helping campers achieve their objectives in a fun and inclusive environment.

At Camp Aranzazu, it's not just about having a great time; it's about empowering our campers, building community, and creating joy.

To learn more, click on the section below that best describes the type of group you are interested in bringing to Camp Aranzazu.

Mission-Focused Camps
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Community Camping Partners
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How To Attend?

If you are the parent, relative or friend of a child or adult whom you are interested in having attend camp, please review our partner list to find an appropriate camp and then contact the partner directly. You also can organize your own camp, which is how many of our current camps started. You can learn more about the process of organizing your own camp in a blog article written by our program manager, Carleigh Mitchell.

Please reach out to Amelia Smith (amelia@camparanzazu.org) if you need assistance. We look forward to getting to know your camper(s), providing them with an amazing camping experience on the Texas Gulf Coast, and helping them build their own community of friends and supporters.

I'm Interested In Attending

Safety at Camp

Safety is paramount in everything we do at Camp Aranzazu, from our intentionally designed facilities to our personalized programs. Since 2006, we've proudly held accreditation from the American Camp Association, a testament to our unwavering dedication to the well-being of our campers giving peace of mind to our partners, families, and staff alike.

Camp Aranzazu is committed to preserving a healthy, positive, and safe place for our campers, and strictly adheres to child protection policies set forth by the American Camp Association.

Concerns may be reported to our Abuse Prevention Liaison:

Paige White
Camp Aranzazu
5420 Loop 1781, Rockport, TX 78382
361-727-0800
paige@camparanzazu.org

For inquiries regarding our safety protocols, don't hesitate to reach out to our Camp Director, Amelia Smith. At Camp Aranzazu, we're not just a camp – we're a community dedicated to the well-being and happiness of every individual who comes through our gates.

Camp Aranza-Crew

November 8-10, 2024
Camp Aranzazu | Rockport, Texas

Camp Aranza-Crew provides an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a weekend of fun! You can find a printable flyer to share with friends and other interested families here.

Come enjoy all the traditional camping activities such as fishing, swimming, archery, arts and crafts, and much more!

  • $150 for adults; $100 per children ages 4 – 17
  • Includes meals, activities and lodging
  • Limited spots available
  • Questions? Please email Carleigh Mitchell, program manager, at carleigh@camparanzazu.org.

If you are interested in signing up for our upcoming family camp, fill out the Inquiry Form and email the completed form to Carleigh at carleigh@camparanzazu.org.

What Campers Say

Listen to what our campers think of their time at Camp Aranzazu.

click to watch video

Some of Our Activities

Inland Adventures

Archery
Canoeing
Challenge Course
Freshwater Fishing
Kayaking
Messy Games
Nature / Animals
Sports and Games
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Swimming
Water Games

Bayfront Experiences

Beachcombing
Birdwatching
Dolphin Tour with Captain Tommy Moore*
Environmental Education
Sailing
Saltwater Fishing
Stargazing

*Contingent upon availability. Must be arranged in advance.

Creative Pursuits

Arts and Crafts
Cooking/Baking
Drama
Leather-Crafting
Mosaics
Music and Stories
Painting
Photography
Pottery
Stretching & Mindfulness
Tie-dye
Tiles (a camp tradition!)

Evening Activities

Campfire - songs, stories, & s’mores
Capture the Flag
Dance Party
Ice Cream Social
Karaoke
Kickball
Marshmallow Paint Wars
Movies
Night Swim
Talent show

Camper from Camp MDA enjoying time kayaking in the Kayak Pond. Camper from Camp MDA enjoying time kayaking in the Kayak Pond.

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Partners Area Login

Thank you for choosing Camp Aranzazu!

Rockport Adventure Day Camp

St. Mary's Hall - San Antonio

The Bag Ladies - Rockport

Women in the Wild - Rockport

Thank you for choosing Camp Aranzazu!

Community partners are nonprofit organizations that choose to host programs at Camp Aranzazu.

ACE Afterschool Program for Aransas County Independent School District

Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce

Cristo Rey Jesuit - Houston

DFW Dance Hub - Dallas/Fort Worth

Fulton Learning Center Birding Team – Rockport

Girl Scouts of Victoria

Keystone School – San Antonio

Onxy Engineering – Corpus Christi

Portland Chamber of Commerce

Regents School of Austin

Rockport Adventure Day Camp

Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Rockport

Sparkling City Chorus – Corpus Christi

St. Paul’s UMC Houston

The Student Conservation Association - Various

St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center & Chapel - Kingsville

Texas Ornithological Society - Various

Texas Parks and Wildlife - Various

Women: It Begins with Us - Houston

Yorktown Baptist Church - Corpus Christi

Financials

Camp Aranzazu is extremely grateful for all the support given to our organization and is committed to cultivating trust with our campers, partners, sponsors, donors, board, and volunteers.

Audited Financial Statements

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015

Form 990s

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015

Policies

We are committed to fulfilling our mission and maintaining the trust of our friends, donors, partners, campers, and families.

Camp Aranzazu is proud to have a four star rating from Charity Navigator, which evaluates the financial health, accountability & transparency of non-profit organizations. Four stars is their highest rating.

Privacy Whistleblower

Host Committee

Dee Dee & Steve Robinson, Chairs 

Jennifer & Fields Alexander

Elizabeth & Daryl Allen

Kim & John Bonner

Dee & Jeff Boswell

James Brolan

Stephanie & Ernie D. Cockrell

Ned Crady

Don Fernbach

Tom Fish

Katherine & Bobby Hatcher

Bill Hightower

Leigh & Jack Kins

Tracie & Terrell Palmer

Katherine & Brian Parsley

Al Pratka

Tim Reilly

Steve Rothbauer

Ward Sheffield

Culver Stedman

Patia Strickland

Reagan Swinbank

Prissy & John Watson

Julie Williams

Host Committee

Shannon and Jon Turner, Co-Chair

Blake and Perry Finger, Co-Chair

Heather & Harry Affleck

Betsy & Wally Baker 

Sage & Rowe Blount

Mills & Tres Buchek

Sarah & Will Caruth

Mary & Hunter Conger

Liz & Chris Dewar

Caroleene & Bobby Dobson

Jolie & Meade Flavin

Tifini Furst & Paul Golibart

Katherine & Matt Gainey

Shannon Gunn & Chris Hosner

Allegra & Hunter Hawkins

Trish & Clint Hennessey

Gretchen & David Herrmann

Brendan Herrmann

Sally & Roger Hill III

Camille & Clark Mandigo

Nicole & Rob McClane

Muffin Moorman 

Kristan & Tom Northington

Courtney & Chip Percy

Katherine & John Smelko

Chaney & Tripp Stuart 

Jeanne & Kelvin Tatum

Ashley & Rad Weaver

Jodi & Michael Wood

Christen & George Wommack

Zazu Host Committee

Traci McLester Arellano

Darrell Atkins

Frank Bay

Robin and Jeff Floyd

Cindy and Larry Forney

Holly and Tom Forney

Melissa and Charles Hall

Gloria Hicks

Chip Jenkins

Robert Kelley

Scott Meares

Chris and David Nesloney

Bob Shockney

Britni and William Key

Bob Shockney

Ashley Rhodes Smith

Camp Aranzazu Reservation Inquiry

Type of Group:

Months/Dates Preferred:
 
Length of stay:
 
Activities You Are Interested In:

Thank you for choosing Camp Aranzazu!

Camping partners are nonprofit organizations serving special populations. Camp Aranzazu underwrites up to two-thirds of the cost of camp for these partners.

36th Judicial District Juvenile Probation Dept. - Sinton

American Cancer Society - Corpus Christi

American Diabetes Association - Dallas

Autism Community Network - San Antonio

Aspire Accessories - Houston

Brownson Home - Victoria

Be An Angel - San Antonio

Camp Shield - Houston

Driscoll Children's Hospital - Corpus Christi

Driscoll Health Plan - Corpus Christi and Laredo

Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South TX - San Antonio/Austin

Hope for Three - Houston

Keystone School - San Antonio

Mission Road Ministries - San Antonio

Muscular Dystrophy Association - Dallas

Periwinkle Foundation - Houston

Respite Care of San Antonio

Richmond State Supported Living Center

Texas Children's Hospital - Houston

The Tuttle School at Briarwood - Houston

The Vine School - Victoria

The Vine School Bridge Program - Victoria

The Vine School Foundations Program - Victoria

Victoria Independent School District Special Education


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Volunteer

Below are a list of volunteer opportunities at Camp Aranzazu. We will continue to update and add additional volunteer opportunities as they become available. Thank you for your interest!


Special Events Support

Camp Aranzazu holds several fundraising events throughout the year in Houston, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Rockport. Volunteers are always needed to help make each event successful!

In Fall 2023, our special events include:

  • Bells & Shells in San Antonio - November 15-16, 2023
  • Holiday Bells & Shells in Houston - December 5, 2023

If you are interested volunteering at one of our special events, please email our development and communications project manager, Bianca, for more information on upcoming events.

Maintenance of Facilities and Grounds

Whether you are an individual looking to assist with landscaping or a company looking to make a big impact on our facilities, we can always use help more maintaining our beautiful 105-acre camp.

If you are interested in this type of on-location volunteer opportunity supporting our 3-person facilities team, please email our facilities director, Mandy, for more information.


Partner Camp Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for ways to work directly with the children and adults with special needs and chronic illnesses that we serve? Check out our camping partners who are looking for volunteers for the coming camping season! 

Camp Aspire

Aspire Accessories

Contact

Denise Hazen
(713) 461-7200
hazendenise@yahoo.com
https://aspireaccessories.com/

Camp ROCK'N

Driscoll Children's Hospital

Contact

Yesenia Neil
Yesenia.Neil@dchstx.org
http://www.driscollchildrens.org/

Camp TLC & Camp Little Golden Warriors

Driscoll Children's Hospital

Contact

Shannon B. Broughton
Shannon.Broughton@dchstx.org
http://www.driscollchildrens.org/

Activity Leader Summer 2019 Job Opportunity​​

Every year, Camp Aranzazu hires roughly 20 college aged individuals with varying skill sets to work as Activity Leaders from mid-May to mid-August. Activity Leaders have the fun and impactful job of enriching the lives of our campers with special needs through unique camping, environmental studies and retreat experiences.

Activity Leaders facilitate a variety of activities including, but not limited to arts and crafts, archery, high and low challenge courses, sports and games, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, fishing, sailing, swimming, nature sessions and more!

Benefits of this paid position include room and board and the potential to satisfy fieldwork and internship requirements in various fields of study. The buttons below include the additional documentation you will need to apply for the Activity Leader position. Email your completed application, resume and two unique and completed reference forms to our Camp Director, Amelia Haslam, and prepare for the summer camp experience of a lifetime!

If you have any questions, contact our Camp Director, Amelia Haslam, at ahaslam@camparanzazu.org.

Job Description Application Reference Form


Part-Time Receptionist

Are you looking for a part-time job opportunity that allows you to be surrounded by nature in a supportive work environment? Camp Aranzazu currently has an opening for a part-time receptionist position on our staff. This opportunity will allow you to support our mission of enriching the lives of children and adults with special needs and chronic illnesses. To learn more about the position, click the job description below. 

The Receptionist is responsible for overseeing functions related to the front office. The Receptionist also assists with special projects and provides some administrative support for all staff. If you are interested in the position and have any questions, please contact Lillian Anfosso, our Finance and Administative Director at lanfosso@camparanzazu.org. 

Job Description


Sailing Supervisor

Imagine a position that allows you to work with campers each day and have a beautiful view of Copano Bay along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Camp Aranzazu seeks someone with strong sailing experience to supervise our summer sailing program from mid-May through August 2019. The Sailing Supervisor will ensure that Camp Aranzazu provides a safe environment for children with special medical, physical, emotional, social or financial needs to experience sailing. Camp sessions include day camp sessions, as well as residential sessions that last from one to six nights. If you have any questions, contact our Camp Director, Amelia Haslam, at ahaslam@camparanzazu.org.

Make sure to check out the job description below. To apply, email your resume to Amelia Haslam. 


Job Description


Summer Art Instructor

Do you have a passion for providing fine arts education and working with a committed staff of people dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with special needs and chronic illnesses?

Camp Aranzazu seeks someone with art teaching experience to supervise our summer fine arts program from mid-May through mid-August 2019. The Art Instructor will ensure that Camp Aranzazu provides an intentional, expressive, and safe environment for children with special medical, physical, emotional, and/or social needs to create and experience fine arts. Camp session include day camp sessions, as well as residential sessions that last from one to six nights. If you have any questions, contact our Camp Director, Amelia Haslam, at ahaslam@camparanzazu.org.

Make sure to check out the job description below. To apply, email your resume to Amelia Haslam. 

Job Description