Camp Capers is an Episcopal camp located in the Texas Hill Country in the Diocese of West Texas. An atmosphere of caring and acceptance pervades the camp programs of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. Children, youth and adults work, play and grow together as they develop a community of trust, openness and sharing. Participants are challenged to grow spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially. Opportunities abound for making new friends, meeting people from across the state, learning new skills, taking responsibility for oneself, others and God's world, and having lots of fun! The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas seeks to provide opportunities for people of all ages to encounter transforming relationships with Jesus Christ. Every participant and staff member is nurtured and cared for as a valued member of the Body of Christ.
Johnson Jeffers, Director
Sarah Carlson, Program Director
Lisa Wray, Office Manager
Ryan Ryland, Food Services Director
Phone: (830) 995-3966
Fax: (830) 995-2393
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9; Waring, Tx. 78074
Physical Address: 418 FM 1621; Waring, Tx. 78013
These fully air-conditioned, two-story lodges are a comfortable and convenient place for groups or individuals to stay. Each bedroom has two queen-size beds and a private bath; guest linens are provided. A deck and porch wraps around both stories of each facility, providing a scenic overlook of Camp Capers.
River Bluff has eight rooms and Meadow Cross has twelve rooms.
Located on a bluff of the Guadalupe River, the River Cottage can accommodate up to six people in two bedrooms with two queen-sized beds and two private bathrooms. There is a shared living room area with a small refrigerator and microwave.
The Retreat House (Sol Y Sombra) is located near the center of camp, across from the pool, and offers a private bedroom with two queen-sized beds and a shared living and kitchen/dining area. Both the River Cottage and the Retreat House have beautiful decks with views of camp and the hill country. For information about reserving the Retreat House for a personal and private retreat, contact Leigh Saunders.
Housing Camp Capers' Summer Camp during the warmer months, the 17 air-conditioned and heated cabins have bunk beds, each sleeping up to 12 people. Cabins have private bathrooms with sinks and showers. The Cabins are divided into two groups, one with 8 cabins, and the other with 9, separated by a large field for easy division by gender or age groups. Guests in the cabins bring their own linens and towels.
The Health Care Center sports four bedrooms, each equipped with two single beds and a private bathroom. Linens and towels are provided for guests. The center is located next to the Dining Hall, and is a great option for retreat guests with limited mobility, due to its close proximity to the main meeting locations.
Elder Welcome Center houses our administration offices and Camp Store. With a breezy front porch complete with patio rocking chairs and a sunset view, the building also has a comfortable breakout meeting space that can accommodate a group of 25.
The Lillibridge Dining Hall is a place where family and new friends come together to share a meal, talk, sing, and get to know each other. Built and dedicated in 2017, 275 people can comfortably gather in the main dining hall, with the capacity for an additional 60 seats in the adjoining Small Dining Room, with optional wall for privacy. Delicious, nutritious home-made meals are served buffet style, and a breakfast or salad bar is also available at every meal. For menu information, contact the Office Manager at camp.capers@dwtx.org.
Steves Hall features a full kitchen for guest use, laundry facilities, indoor fireplace, a small conference room, and a large, open meeting area. Steves Hall is located in between the Meadow Bluff and River Cross Lodges.
The Folts Activities Building, built and dedicated in 2016, is a wonderful space to host numerous activities, including keynotes, presentations, dances, and indoor worship. The building can hold up to 225 people, with large doors that open up to catch the breeze. A sound system, projector, and permanent screen are also available.
The Arts & Crafts Building, built in 2004, is a beautiful, air-conditioned native stone structure and can easily accommodate 100 people around tables and chairs. It sits next to the Activities Building and has two covered porches on both sides.
The Barn is a restored 1900's split-level barn offers two open meeting areas. The bottom level holds 80 people, and the loft will hold up to 25. Give your events, dances, or meetings that unique Hill Country feel.
The St. Francis Chapel stands in its original location, with movable wooden benches, open sides, a stone altar, and camp views comparable to the beauty of stained glass. Overhead fans and electric lights facilitate services at any time of day, from dawn to dusk to evening Compline. The chapel can accommodate 160 people.
The Camp Capers Amphitheater in Memory of Will Stocker seats 250 and faces the Guadalupe River.
River/Bonfire: The eastern border of Camp Capers is cut by the meandering Guadalupe River. Steps down to the water are met by two floating docks, and groups have access to kayaks and tubes to travel the river. The Meditation Trail takes walkers along the banks of the river and through pristine native grass and forest areas. The outdoor picnic and bonfire area is a place where friends can gather and eat under the canopy of pecan and ball cypress trees. At night, you can watch the fire or count the millions of stars in the sky. We will be happy to supply everything your group needs to have a bonfire or picnic during your stay.
Pool/Centrum: Nestled under cottonwoods and oaks is the swimming pool surrounded by a grassy lawn and seating areas. The entrance to the pool opens up onto the Centrum, a large covered pavilion with sports court used for basketball or other activities.
Ropes/Challenge Course: Camp Capers offers a high and low Ropes and Challenge Course that includes eight low elements, a climbing wall, zip line, and giant swing. Challenge and ropes course activities offer a profound experience for participants and help develop trust, concentration, commitment, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment.
Hiking and Kayaking: In 2014, a generous donation allowed Camp Capers to add 108 acres of beautiful, undeveloped Texas Hill Country to our historic campus - the Brinsmade Sanctuary. Trails are marked for a morning run or afternoon stroll. River access from the Sanctuary also allows interested groups to kayak a leisurely section of the Guadalupe River, ending at Camp Capers' primary riverfront area. For more information about outdoor and environmental opportunities on the Sanctuary, contact Camp Capers.
Summer Camp at Camp Capers offers children and youth ages 8-18 the opportunity to experience the unconditional love and friendship of a Christian community while attending a one-week session. Through God’s grace, Camp Capers is committed to offering fun, life-changing experiences to children and youth in a safe, Christ-centered community.
Activities include kayaking, team-building challenges, a high ropes course, crafts, Bible-based teachings, devotional times, and more.
Leadership at Summer Camp is provided by paid and volunteer staff who go through a rigorous selection process, including background checks, reference checks, and face-to-face interviews. All staff must also participate in thorough training before working at camp. Deans, Chaplains, and Teachers, who are clergy and lay leaders from the Diocese of West Texas, help guide each session.
At Camp Capers, we seek to provide opportunities for young people to encounter transforming relationships with Jesus Christ. Every camper and staff member is nurtured and cared for as a valued member of the Body of Christ.
The 2023 Summer Camp rate is $555 per camper; scholarships are available. Use the event boxes below to learn more and register for camp.
Primary Camp sessions are for rising 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.
Intermediate Camp sessions are for rising 6th and 7th graders.
Junior High Camp sessions are for rising 8th and 9th graders.
Senior High Camp sessions are for rising 10th through graduated 12th graders.
Johnson Jeffers, Director
Lisa Wray, Office Manager
Ryan Ryland, Food Services Manager
Sarah Carlson, Outreach & Leadership Development Coordinator
Phone: (830) 995-3966
Fax: (830) 995-2393
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9; Waring, Tx. 78074
Physical Address: 418 FM 1621; Waring, Tx. 78013
Camp Capers lends itself to spiritual retreats, conferences, seminars, reunions, and much more. Welcome to this special place, where the power of nature's bounty nourishes, restores, and rejuvenates.
Camp Capers is located on 188 acres in the Texas Hill Country, bordered by the Guadalupe River. The camp sits about halfway between Kerrville and Boerne, four miles east of I-10, near Waring. Camp Capers has numerous buildings and meeting areas around the campus, providing a variety of options that can meet the needs of any group.
Camp Capers would love to host your conference or retreat. For rates and availability, please contact our Office Manager, Lisa Wray at 830-995-3966 or camp.capers@dwtx.org. Programmatic planning assistance is also available, at request, for any event.
In order to confirm your registration, the site will require a deposit payment. This deposit will count towards the family portion of your camper's registration fee. If you need assistance with this amount, please contact the Camp Capers' office, at camp.capers@dwtx.org. Registration is not confirmed until the deposit has been received. Even if all registration forms are complete, your camper's name will not show up on the session roster until you speak with an administrator or pay the deposit.
Decide together whether you or the church will submit completed form to the camp office. If you do not attend an Episcopal church or would like to request a different scholarship arrangement, contact the camp office directly.
Please complete one form for each camper. Scholarship applications for other diocesan camping programs should be sent to their respective camp offices.
Questions about scholarship amounts, session remaining balance, or registration status? Contact Lisa Wray at camp.capers@dwtx.org, call Camp Capers at (830) 995-3966, or contact Rob Watson at rob.watson@dwtx.org.
Located within the Welcome Center, the Camp Capers Store offers a wide variety of items to represent your camp community.
Click here to visit the online store to purchase a gift for your camper, care package item to be delivered during a session, or a treat for yourself!
Searching for a meaningful, fun, and adventure-filled summer job? Look no further than the summer camp programs at Camp Capers, Mustang Island Conference Center, and Duncan Park. Each camp has a variety of seasonal positions caring for children and youth campers, serving at family camp, leading wilderness adventure trips, and helping the year-round camp staff make this the best summer yet!
For questions about Camp Capers job descriptions or application status, the job applicant may contact Johnson Jeffers, Camp Capers Director, at johnson.jeffers@dwtx.org.
Be prepared to complete the online form in one sitting, or save your progress as you go along. Each application has several pages: the Online Application, DWTX Camp Staff Expectations, and three Reference Invitation pages. Before you begin the application, choose three references who are not related to you and have their phone numbers and email addresses ready to enter as part of the application process.
Please keep your availability in mind. Counselors are assigned sessions on a first come, first serve basis. Session Counselor applicants under 18 years old must use their family's account to apply for the volunteer Session Counseling position. Volunteer hours for time served at camp can be granted upon request; contact camp.capers@dwtx.org for Camp Capers Session Counselor training will take place pre-Summer Camp! Stay tuned for an email announcing early training dates, or contact Alida for more information. Volunteer Staff for Mid-Winter Camp or Summer Camp sessions will also use this application form.
Each camp session is staffed by at least one healthcare provider who administers prescribed medications, takes care of scrapes and bruises, and determines whether a camper needs to see a doctor or must go home to prevent the spread of a contagious illness. There will be a place in Camp Nurse specific application (linked above) to indicate the session(s) when you are available, as well as a place to explain your calendar preferences in more detail.
All applicants are considered for positions with the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and by extension Camp Capers without regard to race, religion, color, gender, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Camp Capers, Mustang Island Family Camp, and Duncan Park are wonderful and life changing places to learn, deepen faith, and experience God's love. We never want financial need to prevent a camper or family from participating in our programming. Each year, one-third of all campers rely on partial or full scholarship assistance to attend. The Camps & Conferences Department believes that no child should miss out on a camp experience because of financial limitations, and our staff are continually humbled and grateful for the faithful support of this diocese and our camp community.
The Camp Scholarship Fund is raised through various donors and fundraising efforts. It allows families needing financial assistance an opportunity to experience the Diocese of West Texas camping programs, and is designed to pay approximately 1/3 of the tuition for its recipient. The expectation is that the camper's home church will pay another third, and the family will pay the remaining balance. Exceptions based on hardship will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We encourage all parents to talk with the priest at their church about attending a camp program and explore ways that their congregation might help.
Click here to donate to the Camp Scholarship Fund.
If a camper cancels more than 1 month prior to the scheduled session start date, a refund of the amount paid, minus the $50 deposit, will be given. If a camper cancels less than two weeks prior to the scheduled session start date, no refund will be given. If a camper cancels due to a medical condition or family emergency, a refund of the full amount paid will be given.
Camp Capers, licensed by the Texas Department of Health, is highly committed to excellence and safety. Each camper's health and safety is an extremely important part of camp, and we strive to provide safe, healthy living facilities for your child and provide the best possible leadership and supervision. At each session, there is a health care provider, who is in residence at all times, to care for ill or injured campers, and to dispense all prescription and over-the-counter medications. For the health and safety of every camper, a current health information form must be completed online. Our health care providers review all forms and will see all campers at check-in.
ACA Accreditation serves as an assurance to families that our camp cares enough to submit to a transparent, thorough review of our entire operation. Our goal is to provide parents with as much information about our camp, to reassure your camp choice. Our voluntary participation in the professional development and accreditation process of the American Camp Association demonstrates our commitment to providing you and your child with the best possible camp experience.
The ACA accreditation standards focus on health, safety, and risk management. They are widely used as operational benchmarks for the camp industry by local, state, federal government entities, and insurance companies. ACA collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to ensure that current practices at our camp reflect the highest and most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation.
Responsible care of beds, doors, windows, trees, etc. is expected of all campers. Articles willfully destroyed will be charged to campers or their parents.
Sensitive information such as credit card or checking account information submitted via the website is automatically encrypted. Camp Capers personnel are not able to retrieve this information. This information is not shared with any other party. We do everything in our power to protect off-line user information in our offices. Only authorized employees trained to handle information properly are permitted access to personal information. These employees are subject to Diocese of West Texas guidelines in the handling of personal information.
For purposes of camp management, we may disclose general information within the camp community such as the name, phone number, email address, and address of campers. This allows our camp community to remain in contact with one another, continuing the relationships built at camp.
We may be required to disclose information during the investigation of fraud or illegal activity. For example, we may disclose personal information in response to a subpoena, warrant, court order, or other legal process.
All registrations for Camp Capers' Summer Camp, Mid-Winter Camp, and other camp programs take place online, through Ultracamp, our registration website. Click here to access your account; if you have lost your registration username or password, click here to retrieve or reset it.
The first time you register your child for a session at Camp Capers, you will need to create an account and list yourself as the Primary Contact. Camp Capers staff will use this information to contact you with pertinent session information or in case of emergency. Contact Lisa Wray, Camp Capers Office Manager, for Ultracamp or registration assistance.
Read Summer Camp Handbook "Summer Camp Handbook."
Review the "Summer Camp Pack List."
Follow Camp Capers on social media, @campcapers on Facebook and Instagram.
Each session cabin assignments are made by Program Staff to best meet the needs of the campers and to assist in making new friends. Capers staff take great care in creating a balance of children similar in age, but with a variety of hometowns and camp experience to encourage optimal cabin bonding. This is done no later than 48 hours in advance, so changes cannot be granted at the time of registration.
Camp Capers understands first time campers may feel anxious about their time away from home. Requests for one cabin mate will be granted to first time campers only, and must be submitted through this form no later than the Wednesday prior to your child's camp session. *Both parties must fill out the form for the request to be considered.
Receiving mail is important to every camper, especially children or youth away from home for the first time. Parents, family, and friends have three (optional) ways to send your camper a little love, whether they're new or returning campers.
[May 18, 2023] Camper care packages are limited to2 per session, per camper. All care packages must abide by Camp Capers rules and guidelines. These care packages will be dropped off at a designated location during the drive-thru check-in process on opening day of camp. Items purchased online at the Camp Capers Store do not count towards the maximum of 2 care packages per session week.
Click here for full instructions for sending camper mail, care packages, and one-way emails.
Groups of camper photos will be uploaded at least twice during each camp session, and any remaining pictures will be added the week after a session.
If you need assistance, contact the Camp Capers Office at camp.capers@dwtx.org.
Click here to access previous online photo albums for Summer Camp 2012-2018. Email camp.capers@dwtx.org for password.
[May 18, 2023] Drive-thru check-In begins at 3:30pm on Opening Day of your camper’s session. Please enter camp through the Main Gate. Parents/guardians are welcome to help unload and set up their camper(s) in the cabin. You will find the assigned check-in time for your camper’s cabin in an email in the week prior to the camp session you are attending. Please try to be on time for your check-in time. Staff will greet you near the gate and direct you to each check-in station along the camp road.
This year, if you are a Senior High camper who is planning on driving yourself to camp, you may only provide a ride to camp for those ndividuals within your household. Please do not carpool with your friends to camp this year.
We understand parental concerns of accidents at camp. In the case of any emergency, either physical or otherwise, parents will be notified promptly. Due to the busy, fun-filled activities that are planned for the week, we cannot allow personal phone calls, either incoming or outgoing, or parent visits during the camp session. For some campers, personal phone calls or visits can provoke homesickness and envy in others. Besides the interruption to the schedule, unscheduled phone calls or visits take away their sense of independence and may effect the camper's morale.
Please do not send cell phones with your child to Camp Capers as they are strictly prohibited. If your child brings a cell phone, we will store the phone in our office and return it upon departure on the final day. If a serious concern at home arises, please contact the Office Manager to discuss the situation. Camp Capers' telephone number is 830-995-3966.
[May 18, 2023] Parents/guardians and friends are welcome to attend the closing service in the St. Francis Chapel the amphitheater. The Closing Worship Service will begin at 10:00 AM and the check-out process will begin at 11:00 AM. Our checkout process will be similar to the drive-thru check-in process and will take place at the cabins. Please enter camp through the main gate and proceed to your camper’s respective cabin for pick-up.
A parent, guardian, or other individual listed on the camper’s authorized pick-up list will be required to sign-out each camper to be picked up. If you are coming to the closing worship service, the gates will open at 9:30 AM. Please park at the cabin quad your camper is assigned to for the camp session.
Lost and Found Items: Camp Capers will hold lost and found items for 30 days after the final summer session; then all unclaimed items will be donated to a local shelter. Camp Capers is not responsible for items left behind.
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