Diocese of West Texas

A vital part of the life of the Diocese of West Texas, Camp Capers has been described as "the Cathedral of West Texas" because it serves as a pivotal gathering place for Episcopalians from south, west, and central Texas. Located on 188 acres near Waring, Texas, Camp Capers is a year-round camp and retreat center. Each year Camp Capers hosts children ages 8-18, college students and young adults, as well as adults for a variety of programs inspired by its primary mission: to bring children of all ages to Jesus Christ so that they may reach out into the world in His name and to renew the faith of adults through retreats and conferences.

Twenty years ago, the Diocese of West Texas saw a clear need to provide a venue for interdenominational dialogue, reflection, and contemplation that would be open to churches and non-profit service organizations. In 2003, this vision became a reality with the construction of Mustang Island Conference Center as a place to promote healing, relaxation, and revitalization for people of all ages in a safe and comfortable environment. Today, the dream of radical hospitality modeled after Jesus Christ's ministry is thriving. The Center (located on 22 acres of beachfront property on a Texas barrier island) is available for religious, non-profit, and education retreats and is a place to counsel youth, develop leaders, and promote healthy lifestyles, a place where families, churches, and individuals can come together for healing and growth. The buildings' architecture respects and reveres the natural beauty of Mustang Island, while providing modern conveniences that guests expect. Each summer Mustang Island Conference Center facilitates 12 sessions of Family Camp, a weekend retreat that creates time for family, fun, food, and faith.

The Episcopal Schools Commission has oversight of the 27 schools in the Diocese of West Texas.  Our schools remain a source of pride for our communities and are consistently producing committed and caring individuals who are becoming leaders in our various communities. The mission of the Commission is to "Work with the schools of the diocese as they provide a formative experience that is scholastically sound and grounded in the Christian faith of the One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church."  It is the Commission's responsibility to set guidelines for the establishment, recognition and certification of all schools and to monitor compliance with Diocesan Canon 15.

Our schools are comprised of 9 Pre-Schools, 11 Pre-School/Elementary, 6 Pre-School/Elementary/Middle School, 1 Middle/High School.

From May to early October, the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas hosts summer camp sessions and retreats at Duncan Park, nestled in the Rocky Mountains 20 miles west of Boulder, Colorado. This growing facility accommodates up to 30 people in the Main Lodge with bunk housing, kitchen, and the central gathering space, four summer cabins, the original caretaker's cottage, and platform tents. Duncan Park is completely "off-the-grid" generating its own electricity through solar panels, drawing drinking water from a well, and from the neighboring St. Vrain River for indoor plumbing and cooking purposes. Retreat guests at Duncan Park have access to hiking trails through the surrounding national forests, several state and national parks, adventure activities like whitewater rafting and rock climbing led by local guides, and nearby cities for day-trip exploration.

Summer camp sessions include opportunities for youth (8th grade and up), college students, adults, and families, with a week reserved for veterans involved in the Wounded Warrior Project and their families. Activities can include adventure day-trips, extended backpacking hikes, shorter day hikes, leadership initiatives, group games, and more.