Photos & News

Camps and partner staff walk and use wheelchairs to get across the foot bridge over FM 1781. Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography A camper using and wheelchair and support staff member from Camp MDA smile with camp activity leader after catching and reeling in a fish. Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography Campers from Camp TLC enjoy sailing along Copano Bay.
Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography Camp Aranzazu's Waterfront on Copano Bay
Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography Camper from Camp Aspire smiles before taking off in sailboat with activity leader. Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography Bridge over FM1781 at Sunset
Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography Four campers from Camp MDA smile and show off binoculars in the middle of birdwatching. Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography Nature Education Building near bayfront
Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography Camper from Camp MDA starting his day off fishing at the bayfront and smiling at the camera. Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography

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    April 26, 2021

    A Bridge to Opportunity

    Written by: Bianca Hernandez, Development Associate

    A couple weeks ago, a few friends of Camp Aranzazu’s board chair, Keith Little, spotted the foot bridge over FM 1781 and had some questions. What was the goal for building the bridge? Why was building the bridge so important to Camp Aranzazu and its mission? As someone who has also been enamored by the Camp Aranzazu property since starting at Camp, I completely understand the curiosity and have wondered how the bridge came to be. Well, if you’ve ever had any of the same questions or are just wondering what the foot bridge has done for Camp Aranzazu, just keep reading!

    In June 2018, campers from Driscoll Children’s Hospital’s Renal Department, camp staff, members of the board of directors, and friends from the Rockport community gathered to celebrate the completion of construction related to Camp Aranzazu’s expansion that began in September 2015 and that is valued at more than $11 million. You can watch Kiii’s coverage of our ribbon cutting ceremony here!

    The purpose of the expansion was to increase the number of beds to 135 so that Camp Aranzazu can serve more children and adults with special needs and chronic illnesses, and to create access to the camp’s unique waterfront area. The Interim Director for The University of Texas Marine Science Institute, G. Joan Holt, Ph.D., described the importance for further development of Camp Aranzazu’s waterfront property and the expected impact on our community in a letter to Camp founder, Tom Forney. Dr. Holt wrote, the inclusion of our nature education building “would create a new dimension to the programming offered by the camp, provide the area with a one of a kind eco-experience and generate long term interest in and appreciation for the coastal resources.”

    The 600-foot bridge over FM 1781, generously donated by Williams Brothers Construction Co., provides access to the camp’s 27 acres on Copano Bay. Camp Aranzazu’s coastal property provides great opportunity for recreation and environmental education with our four environmental zones: uplands, fresh water wetlands, salt water wetlands, and the coastline. The area includes a fishing pier, nature education building, board walks, bird blind, and floating dock to launch our sail boats.

    By expanding access to our waterfront property, campers now can enjoy sailing, fishing in Copano Bay, birdwatching, and walking along the shoreline — opportunities others may take for granted but that our campers with special needs do not often have a chance to enjoy. As the only camp serving campers with special needs and chronic illnesses along the Texas Coast, we have the unique privilege of making waterfront activities accessible for all campers, no matter their ability.

    Like our fearless Camp Director, Amelia, said, “kids [are] able to walk, roll, skip, and jump over there and experience Camp Aranzazu, Copano Bay and Rockport in a whole new way!”

    The foot bridge has proven to be a fantastic resource and continues to allow Camp Aranzazu to provide exceptional programming which now includes an adaptive sailing program that runs from late spring to early fall with an experienced, full-time sailing instructor. As we continue to develop and nurture our waterfront property, we look forward to learning and making new memories with campers along Copano Bay — thanks to a very special foot bridge!

     

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    In Other News

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    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

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    Women: It Begins with Us - Houston

    Yorktown Baptist Church - Corpus Christi

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    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.

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    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

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    Bill Hightower

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    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

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    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

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    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