Come to Camp

The Camp

Camp Aranzazu is a “host facility,” which means that we work with dozens of partners to fulfill our mission. These healthcare organizations, schools, and other not-for-profit groups are responsible for recruiting the campers and any medical and other support staff that may be needed. They also provide the counselors who sleep in the cabins with the campers at night.

Camp Aranzazu’s experienced and knowledgeable staff is responsible for organizing and supervising all activities, providing snacks and meals (which can be tailored to meet any special dietary needs), air-conditioned cabins for all campers and staff, and access to our Health Center.

If you’re interested in bringing a group of children or adults to camp, click below to find out more and to submit an inquiry. You will find even more information in the camp brochure.

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.

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 Coast, and helping them connect with others who face similar challenges.

As we continue to monitor and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will take every precaution and will follow the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Camp Association, as well as other highly respected resources.

You will find more general information about COVID-19 camp protocols and guidance in the ACA's Field Guide for Camps. Camp Aranzazu's most up-to-date COVID-19 protocols and procedures can be found here.

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

At this time we are reevaluating our rental policies and are not taking requests until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Children and Adults with Special Needs and Chronic Illnesses
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Church, Corporate and Leadership Retreats
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School Groups & Environmental Education
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Sail Away

Dates to be announced soon!
Camp Aranzazu | Rockport, TX

Camp Aranzazu is offering a more accessible and inclusive sailing experience, Aranzazu Sail Away, for kids in the Coastal Bend. Come out for a 20 minute intro to sailing and sail alongside one of our Skippers in an Access 303 Dinghy! 

  • Cost? The pilot program is FREE. 2023 dates will be announced in the coming weeks!
  • What ages can attend? Open to all kids 1st - 12th grade. 
  • Who is eligible? Participant has the desire to sail, ability to close airway, ability to transfer from a floating dock to a floating boat. Transfers are the responsibility of the participant and their caregivers; Camp Aranzazu staff cannot assist in transfers. 

If you have a sailing background and are interested in volunteering as one of our skippers for Sail Away, please email our sailing supervisor, Ted. For any questions about the program, email our camp director, Amelia, or call (361) 727-0800.

Camp Aranza-Crew

November 3-5, 2023
Rockport, Texas

Since 2006, Camp Aranzazu has served more than 27,000 children and adults with special needs and chronic illnesses. 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
Sports and Games
Frisbee Golf
Kayaking
Canoeing
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Swimming
Ropes Challenge Course
Nature / Animals
Freshwater Fishing

Bayfront Experiences

Dolphin Tour with Captain Tommy Moore*
Environmental Education
Beachcombing
Birdwatching
Sailing
Saltwater Fishing
Seaside walks with Jay Tarkington (Texas A & M Corpus Christi)*
Seining
Stargazing
Texas State Aquarium Guest Educator Sessions*

*Contingent upon availability. Must be arranged in advance.

Creative Pursuits

Arts and Crafts
Tiles (a camp tradition!)
Tie-dye
Fine Arts
Music and Stories
Drama
Leather-Crafting
Mosaics
Pottery
Cooking/Baking
Painting
Photography
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Waterfront Nature Photography
Yoga

Evening Activities

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

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!

Aransas County ISD - Rockport/Fulton

Aransas County Youth Leadership - Rockport

Coker United Methodist Church - San Antonio

Corpus Christi Diocese

Hill Country San Antonio Management

Leadership Aransas County

Livestock Booster Club of Aransas County

Mission Road Ministries - San Antonio

Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Rockport

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

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015

Form 990s

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014

Polices

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.

Charity Navigator 4-star Logo
For another year, Charity Navigator has awarded Camp Aranazazu with a 4-star to demonstrate our commitment to transparency and trust we have with our supporters.

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!

Adventures Academy of Lifelong Learning - Austin

Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse - Houston

American Diabetes Association Family Retreat - Dallas

American Cancer Society - Corpus Christi

Aspire - Houston

Brownson Home - Victoria

Be An Angel - San Antonio

Community Options - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi Area Council for the Deaf

Corpus Christi Diocese

Corpus Christi Area Students in Special Education

Discoll Children's Hospital - Corpus Christi

Epilepsy Foundation - San Antonio/Austin

Hope for Three - Houston

Impact a Hero - Houston

Leadership Aransas County

Mission Road Ministries - San Antonio

Muscular Dystrophy Association - Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, Houston

The Parish School - Houston

Respite Care of San Antonio

Richmond State Supported Living Center

Rockport Adventure Day Camp

Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce

San Antonio Hill Country Management

Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Rockport

St. Mary's Hall - San Antonio

Texas Children's Hospital - Houston

TIRR Memorial Hermann - Houston

The Tuttle School at Briarwood - Houston

The Vine School - Victoria


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Don't miss the latest updates, news and invitations from Camp Aranzazu!

Volunteer

We welcome your help, whether it's once a week or once a year. Below is a list of volunteer opportunities that are typically available. If you are interested in volunteering, please download the volunteer application and email the completed form to Bianca Hernandez. 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!

Maintenance of Facilities and Grounds

With 105 acres, we can always use help more maintaining our beautiful camp.

Front Office Support

In the summer, we need help answering the phones, greeting guests, and keeping the office organized and running smoothly.

Camp Care Days

Join us for a day of volunteering, tours of Camp Aranzazu, and good company at one of our volunteer work days this year!

    Download Application


    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