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The Diocese of West Texas Camps + Conferences program has a long tradition of excellence, consistently recognized as one of the best camps in the country, receiving accolades and leadership awards from the American Camp Association and the Episcopal Camps and Conferences Centers Association.
This year, Camp Capers, is excited to announce that it has been selected as a grantee in the American Camp Association’s Character at Camp Grant Program, a competitive national initiative supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. The program is designed to strengthen character development in camp settings and highlight camps as impactful environments for youth growth.
Through the Character at Camp initiative, the American Camp Association partners with camps across the country to intentionally support the development of key character strengths in children and young people. As a grantee, Camp Capers will further enhance its commitment to creating meaningful experiences that promote belonging, leadership, and personal growth for campers and staff.
Camp Capers’ $200,000 award will help strengthen and make continuous improvements to the Staff in Training (SIT) leadership development program, as well as fund improvements for activities including the expansion of the Ropes Course and the Bonfire Circle area. Scan QR code to read the announcement.
With summer camps sessions approaching, the diocese and camp staff are cognizant of the safety concerns that have been heightened following the Hill Country Flood in 2026. Safety is the number one priority at all diocesan camps.
Speaking specifically to the safety surrounding flooding in the Hill Country, The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, D.D., Bishop of West Texas, shared, “From the time before Camp Capers even opened its doors in 1947, the well-being of campers was and continues to be of the highest importance. The foresight of the Steves family, who generously donated the land on which Camp Capers sits, along with Bishop Jones, and those in planning the layout of the camp continues to be a blessing. In designing Camp Capers, cabins, and camp facilities were purposely built far above the river to ensure the safety of campers should a flood occur. In the 75 years of operation, no water has ever breached the cabins, lodges or dining and activity buildings.”
In addition to being licensed by the state health departments each year, diocesan youth camps, Camp Capers and Duncan Park, are accredited by the American Camp Association, undergoing a rigorous evaluation to help ensure camp programs are safe, nurturing, and welcoming experiences for campers and retreat participants. Disaster response plans have been developed for all diocesan camps, and all camp staff are trained on all disaster response procedures. Parents and campers are invited to tour camp facilities and to visit with camp directors and staff to have any questions addressed.
“Camp Capers has been a place of spiritual transformation and growth for many decades. We are privileged and honored to serve our campers and look forward to seeing our youth, families, and retreat participants at all three of our camp facilities – Camp Capers in the Hill Country, Mustang Island Conference Center in Port Aransas, and Duncan Park in Colorado”, said Camps + Conferences Director, Rob Watson.
Registration is still open for camp sessions. Visit dwtx.org/camps to plan your camping experience!
Click here to watch the video on our Camps + Conferences program
If you have any questions, please reach out to Rob Watson at Rob.Watson@dwtx.org
Click here to read the for Camp Grant Announcement
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