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Camper and Amelia make peace sign with fingers and smile at camera during t-shirt tie-dying Activity leaders lead campfire songs with camping group Two activity leaders smile at camera under the pavilion
Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography Activity leader gets camper fastened into harness to climb the rockwall
Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography Activity leaders and programming team stand in one line and smile at each other for another silly photo
Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography 2019 Activity Leaders and Programming Team laugh for silly group photo in yellow camp shirts
Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography

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    April 12, 2021

    A letter to yourself; A Camp Aranzazu Staff Tradition

    Written by: Amelia Haslam Smith, Camp Director

    Each May (excluding this past one, darn it!) Camp Aranzazu gets to welcome our team of Activity Leaders made up of some truly incredible young people to camp, and we get to teach them as much as we can about our camp history, activity facilitation, emergency procedures, types of camper populations we serve, and the culture of Camp Aranzazu in a three week training session. And then, it’s go time – campers arrive and we don’t slow down until the summer season closes in early August.

    While the summer weeks always fly by, there is something really big going on in our staff. They are changing, learning, and growing with every minute they move forward. It’s something that happens so fast, and so subtly, we wanted to draw some attention to what was happening and how COOL it is.

    We started this tradition in 2014 and plan to keep it for a long time. At the end of staff training, and before campers arrive, we close our training session with a ceremony to recognize how much our staff has accomplished and to get them in the mindset for what comes next, which is ultimately the best part, our campers! At this ceremony, we give each staff member a blank card and they are prompted to write a letter to themselves to read at the end of summer. This could be a letter of encouragement, a promise they want to keep, or advice they hope to share with the version of themselves that will read this at the end of the season. We ask them to seal the letter and we hold onto them until our closing ceremony on the last day of camp.

    I love this tradition. There is something incredibly special about revisiting a moment in time from your own point of view. It’s powerful to see how much our staff grow in a summer, and how they take an experience like camp and allow it to mold their perspectives and light fires of advocacy in them. I am always so impressed with the excitement and grace I see in them taking on a whole new season and letting it do its work. They encourage me to be better, to stay malleable, and to soak it all up. Having these letters as little immortal pieces of your own mindset before a big change is something I cherish each year (we write them too!) and have found myself rereading them often and still learning from all the different versions of me. Amongst many other things, I love this about camp - that there is intentionality and investment in all of our people - not just the campers.

    So I encourage you, if you find yourself curious about a letter to the future you - to write one! Whether it’s at the start of a whole new adventure, season of life, year, or hour. Take a second, think about what you would want to say to yourself in the future and then seal it up and revisit it when the time is right – and relish in how thoughtful and intentional you were with yourself!

     

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    In Other News

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    Three Camp Aranzazu activity leaders transporting supplies in golf cart.
Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography

    Monday, March 15, 2021

    Every year, our programming team seeks 20 college aged individuals with varying skill sets to work as Activity Leaders from mid-May to mid-August. If you’re wondering whether or not you might be a good fit for the position or wanting to learn more about the role, just keep reading!

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    Brownson Home - Victoria

    Be An Angel - San Antonio

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    Mission Road Ministries - San Antonio

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    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

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    hazendenise@yahoo.com
    https://aspireaccessories.com/

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    http://www.driscollchildrens.org/

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    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