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Group of campers from Camp TLC and activity leaders smiling in the shade as they wait to tackle the ropes challenge course.
Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography Three Camp Aranzazu activity leaders transporting supplies in golf cart.
Photo by: Beyond Memory Photography Freshly tie-dyed t-shirts hang to dry on clothes line between two trees at Camp Aranzazu

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    July 21, 2021

    Why Camp Aranzazu?

    Written by: Activity Leaders — Misty Elledge, Angel Alcala, and Libby Frost

    As you might know, an Activity Leader’s job is to enrich the lives of campers with special needs through unique camping, environmental studies, retreat experiences and other programs. But how is it that these young people come to find Camp Aranzazu and choose to spend an entire HOT summer working with special populations? Well, Angel, Misty, and Libby share why they chose Camp Aranzazu over all other potential summer opportunities.

    Misty Elledge, 4th Year Activity Leader

    “I came to Camp Aranzazu having little experience with special populations. I wasn’t sure how I would feel after my first summer, but I fell in love with Camp Aranzazu’s mission. I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a career and learned that I enjoyed teaching environmental education to kids in a camp setting. Due to COVID and the cancellation of in-person camping in 2020, I was actually given the chance to create a day camp for the Texas Sealife Center. It was a huge fundraising success helping raise almost $10,000 for the center. I would not have been able to create such a successful camp without my two years of experience from Camp Aranzazu.

    I could have stayed in Corpus Christi and continued with the day camp or expanded on it this year, but I have grown attached to the relationships with campers at Camp Aranzazu who I haven’t been able to see in two years. WOW! I was so excited to have the opportunity to see them again at camp! I am so, so happy to be able to teach returning campers more of what I’ve learned over the past two years and to help connect new campers to nature and the beauty we see at camp!

    Angel Alcala, 3rd Year Activity Leader

    “Coming back to Camp Aranzazu was important to me because of all the magic I have experienced at camp. In the fall, I will be starting my doctorate of Occupational Therapy so I thought what better way to spend my last free summer than to give back and have fun at the place where my passion for caring for children with disabilities and chronic illnesses began. The relationships I have built with Camp Aranzazu’s campers also fueled my decision to come back. After being home for over a year, I am so excited and thrilled to be back at camp. After all, we are Better Together!

    Libby Frost, first-time Activity Leader

    “I chose Camp Aranzazu because I heard great things about the camp from previous activity leaders. They all said that I would leave a changed person and I can’t wait! I am completing my internship with Georgia College this summer and will be officially graduated after this summer. When I was making a decision for an internship, I could’ve chosen a less physically demanding and intensive internship out of the Texas heat; however, Camp Aranzazu’s mission to enrich the lives of children and adults with special needs and chronic illnesses by providing unique camping, environmental education, and retreat experiences, sounded like a great fit. I have never lived outside of Georgia, so I really wanted to challenge myself this summer and dig deep to find clarity and peace while I figure out my next steps post-graduation. I am very eager for our first set of campers to get here next week, and show them all that we have learned!” Since sharing her thoughts, Libby jumped straight into our first two camps and is already helping campers figure out the best technique for fishing in our fishing pond! We can’t wait to see what Libby has to say at the end of the summer!

     

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    Jennifer & Fields Alexander

    Elizabeth & Daryl Allen

    Kim & John Bonner

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    James Brolan

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    Ned Crady

    Don Fernbach

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    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

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    Jolie & Meade Flavin

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    Gloria Hicks

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    Robert Kelley

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    Chris and David Nesloney

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    Britni and William Key

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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

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

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    Keystone School - San Antonio

    Mission Road Ministries - San Antonio

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    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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    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.

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    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! 

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

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

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    Driscoll Children's Hospital

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    Shannon B. Broughton
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    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. 

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    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