Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Attending camp can have numerous benefits for those with special needs and chronic illnesses, including increased interest in social activities, confidence, self-esteem, and sense of belonging. Camp provides a unique opportunity for our campers to finally be just like everyone else. For once, these children and adults are not the only one who is “different.” According to a study by the Yale Child Study Center, not only does camp afford children a positive respite from the daily reminders of their illnesses, it may also build children’s capacities for resilience. Developing a resilient spirit is especially important to those facing illnesses and other special needs, as they experience challenges vastly different from the normal childhood and teen challenges.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Therapeutic Recreation
Helping children and adults with special needs and chronic illnesses gain self-confidence and self-esteem by allowing them a safe place to challenge themselves through camp activities.
Where we work
Accreditations
American Camp Association - Accreditation 2006
Texas Department of Health 2006
American Camping Association (ACA) - Accreditation 2017
Awards
Community Leadership Award 2008
Mental Health Mental Retardation Organization
Chamber Business of the Month 2009
Rockport Chamber of Commerce
Thomas Jefferson Award-Tom Forney 2010
Jefferson Awards for Public Service
Certified Wildlife Habitat 2011
National Wildlife Federation
Workplace Safety First Award 2015
Markel Insurance Company
Affiliations & memberships
Children's Oncology Camping Association - COCA 2006
ACT American Challenge Course Training 2008
Association of Fundraising Professionals 2009
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Camp Aranzazu developed a unique approach called “intentional camping,” which is the purposeful design of a camping experience to nurture the physical, social, emotional, and mental development of each child. In short, every activity is designed with a specific goal in mind. We seek to do the following:
1. Challenge campers’ beliefs about themselves and their capabilities;
2. Help campers gain confidence, have fun, and explore exciting new activities; and
3. Give campers the opportunity to develop a social support network.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Each year, Camp Aranzazu partners with dozens of non-profit organizations throughout Texas to provide our unique form of recreational therapy to almost 2,000 children and adults. Approximately 52% of our campers come from the Coastal Bend, 28% from the San Antonio area, and the remaining 20% come from the Houston area.
Camp Aranzazu serves as a host facility, providing meals and lodging; customizing each camping experience to meet our partners’ goals and objectives; and facilitating all activities under the guidance of our three Certified Recreational Therapy Specialists. Our camping partners bring the campers, as well medical and other support staff as needed.
If it weren’t for Camp Aranzazu, many of the children and adults we serve would never be able to attend c however, our highly skilled and experienced staff, barrier-free campus, and on-site health center make it possible for everyone to enjoy all the traditional camping activities, plus waterfront activities like sailing, birding, and saltwater fishing.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Unlimited Horizons Capital Campaign, completed in June 2018, expanded the camp's facilities. We now have 135 beds, plus an additional 20 beds for staff, as well as a state-of-the-art health center and a dining hall that seats 350 people. In addition, we have two pools, a dedicated art center, sanctuary, Ropes Challenge Course, archery range, kayaking and fishing ponds, and an open air pavilion for activities. The most unique feature of the camp, however, is our 27 acres of waterfront and wetlands on Copano Bay that are accessible via a bridge from the main campus. This area includes a nature education center, boardwalks, bird blind, sailing dock, and fishing pier.
The camp has nine full-time staff. Each member of our program staff has a bachelor's degree: two are Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists and one is a Kinesiology major with advanced coursework in special education. In the summer, we hire 18 activity leaders from various universities, as well as six kitchen staff.
Our collaboration with The University of Texas Marine Science Institute, The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, the Texas State Aquarium, and the Coastal Conservation Association helps us to create programs that allow campers to not only spend time in nature, but to develop an appreciation of the plants and animals inhabiting the Texas Gulf Coast.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Currently, our highest priority is to serve more of the children and adults with special needs and chronic illnesses who could benefit from our services. With approximately 385,000 school-age children in Texas who have some type of disability, Texas has the second-largest number of individuals with disabilities, at approximately 12% of the general population.
While there is a significant demand for the unique form of recreational therapy we provide, the people who know us best and who value us the most – our campers and their families – are often the least able to afford camp. Thus, in order to ensure that as many children and adults as possible can attend camp, we underwrite as much as two-thirds of the actual cost of camp. We seek support from the community to underwrite this amount, which continues to grow as we seek to serve more campers.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
Who are the people you serve with your mission?
In a regular operating year, we serve approximately 1,600 children and young adults facing a variety of challenges, including epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, autism, cancer, asthma, cerebral palsy, diabetes, kidney disease, head and spinal cord injuries, developmental and neurological differences, and hearing and sight impairments, among others. Camping groups come from more than 55 counties across Texas. Forty-five percent of our campers hail from the Coastal Bend, 35% come from San Antonio, and the remaining 20% come from the Houston area.
-
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Paper surveys, Debrief meetings (virtual and in person) with partners,
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,
-
What significant change resulted from feedback?
As a result of the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, Camp Aranzazu lost close to 50% of the beautiful oaks around the property which previous provided much needed shade for campers and partner staff members during the summer months. Based on the feedback we received in the summers following the hurricane, we were able to create a plan to address the need for other shade structures. Thankfully, Camp Aranzazu received funding from generous supporters for new shade structures around our ropes course and a new "Cool Deck" surface around our older pool at Camp Aranzazu.
-
With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners,
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback,
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback,
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Camp Aranzazu
Board of directorsas of 04/07/2022
Mr. Keith Little
Retired Energy Industry Executive
Daryl Allen
Atlantic Trust Private Wealth
Tom Forney
Forney Construction
Robert Hatcher
Cockrell Interests, Inc.
Joanne Taylor
PDR Corporation
Bryan Phillips
Ytterberg Deery Knull LLP
Fields Alexander
Beck Redden
Traci Arellano
Frost Bank
John Guill
CADENCE Bank
Denise Hazen
Aspire Accessories
Keith Little
Cheniere Energy
Blake Finger
Hazel Smyth Jewelry
Casey Cullen
Cullen, Carsner, Seerden & Cullen, LLP
Hunter Hawkins
Marsh Wortham
Greg Watson
McNair Interests
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No