El Tesoro brochure 2017

One site,

endless opportunities

El Tesoro “The Treasure” El Tesoro, Spanish for “ The Treasure”, is a 223-acre outdoor facility bordered by two natural water sources, Fall Creek and the Brazos River, in Granbury, Texas.

Blessed with expansive views of the rippling river and wideopen space of the blackland prairie, the natural terrain and native landscape provide visitors an escape from the city.

This picturesque haven of natural beauty has been home to Native American tribes, early Spanish explorers, turn of the 19th century pioneers and outdoor enthusiasts.

So, this is where they keep the stars.”

– 6-year-old camper

Our modern cabins nestle among the trees and offer the ultimate in privacy and comfort.

The property has a full-service dining hall, a riding arena and trails suited for walking, exploring and hiking.

Our Philosophy At Camp Fire we believe each person has a unique gift and ‘spark.’ Our connection to nature is primal, valuable and should be available to ALL regardless of income, age

or previous experiences. As a non-profit organization, we develop programs that create access to meaningful outdoor experiences for everyone.

What you can see:

150 23

species of birds

species of native trees

1.6 miles

of waterfront for aquatic studies & water sports

47 species of reptiles 45 species of mammals 17 species of amphibians More than 300 species of wildflowers

275 seats for meals

21 cabins featuring granite countertops and slate showers

3 open air meeting pavilions

254 beds

12,000 square foot riding arena

3 indoor lodges

223 acres

The outdoors is good

Denton

for all.

El Tesoro Visitors:

67% youth

Plano

33% adults Weatherford

Dallas

Fort Worth

Arlington

Aledo

El Tesoro is located just 45 minutes southwest of Fort Worth.

Mansfield

7710 Fall Creek Highway Granbury, TX 76049

Granbury

Camp El Tesoro

Waxahachie Cleburne

Camps

A sharp smell of fresh cut grass, distant laughter and “ker-splash!” at the pool. Ripping open a letter that sings of home, softly talking while playing cards or painstakingly making sure each thread of a friendship bracelet is “just right” - these small moments are the glue that bind at camp.

Since 1934, the camps at El Tesoro have inspired campers in all moments, quiet and loud - to DO and BE! Hiking through wooded terrain to Mt. Loma, singing songs with friends around the campfire and zip lining on the challenge course are more than just fun activities; they are moments for campers to learn and thrive. Camp offers exciting times, but the moments in-between solidify friendships and personal growth.

Overnight Camp

Grief Camp

Camp El Tesoro accepts boys and girls entering grades 1-10. Youth entering grades 11 and 12 are eligible to apply to the Counselor-in-Training Program. Campers are grouped in cabins by grade level and gender. This program is run during the summer and offers sessions that range from 4-days and 6-days up to two and four weeks.

Campers explore a variety of activities from archery and swimming to horseback riding, hiking, crafts and nature studies.

A unique camp, El Tesoro de la Vida focuses on grief recovery for boys and girls age 6 – 17 years old who have experienced the death of a loved one. The week-long, overnight program is 90% traditional summer camp combined with 10% therapeutic activities to help children through the natural grieving process.

Inclusion Program El Tesoro welcomes five campers each overnight session with mild intellectual or developmental disabilities. Our Inclusion Program enriches the camp experience for all campers. Dedicated staff support each child individually with adjusted programs and schedules to fit specific needs.

Equestrian Camp A specialty overnight camp allows campers to spend a week intensely focused on equestrian studies, learning everything from anatomy and grooming to riding styles while still enjoying camp activities like archery and hiking.

At the end of the week, campers demonstrate their skills in an Equestrian Showcase for their families.

Day Camps From spring break to summer, El Tesoro’s Nature Day Camp sparks a child’s love of the outdoors and packs a punch of excitement. We combine classic camp fun like archery and canoeing, with nature studies, hands-on activities and projects to gain an appreciation of the world around them.

Family Camps You are never too old to go to camp! Family Camping Weekends at El Tesoro are opportunities for families to spend one to three days exploring, learning and making memories at camp.

TXOEC

It’s not just time outside. This isn’t camp and this isn’t a field trip. It’s outdoor school. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.

Exploration Approach

Growth & Learning

The Texas Outdoor Education Center (TxOEC) was founded on the belief that nature and the outdoors provide positive life enhancing experiences for youth and adults alike. The idea that children need a direct connection with the natural world is at the foundation of the Camp Fire mission, core values and council programs. We believe in the power of nature to awaken a child’s curiosity, ingenuity and sense of stewardship.

Time at TxOEC creates an opportunity for youth (and adults!) to “discover their world.” The curriculum and programming provides environmental literacy, an understanding of how earth and human systems interact and how our decisions today and in the future will impact those systems.

Areas of Exploration Camp Fire Texas Outdoor Education Center emphasizes and integrates the natural outdoor resources of El Tesoro for experiences designed around three areas of exploration: Areas of Exploration

Sample Curriculum Units

Environment and Nature

Fossils, Orienteering, Trees, Population Studies, Water Quality, Wildflowers, Erosion, Habitats, Weather, Birds, Adaptations

Creativity and Contribution

Team Initiatives, Nature Journaling, Visual Arts, Technology Applications, Creative Writing, Crafts, Fine Arts, Engineering and Design

Challenge and Adventure

Archery, Team Games, Fishing, Hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Outdoor Living Skills, Challenge Course – High & Low Elements, Leadership Building

Teachers and parents alike will welcome our exploration approach that teaches our youth how to think critically about complex issues through important hands-on scientific exploration skills. These lessons are also customizable by grade, unit, subject and aligned with TEKS.

Rentals

Breathe some fresh air into your next corporate retreat, team building event or off-site planning meeting– literally.

El Tesoro provides the perfect balance of offering a nature escape and retreat facility for a single family or an organization of hundreds.

Far from a corporate retreat “Critical thinking and problem center, our natural environment solving skills are enhanced has large meeting areas, breakby sustained exposure to the out locations, as well as central natural environment.*” gathering points nestled throughout the property. The surroundings make it ideal for teams to focus and have thoughtful reflection occur.

No matter what age group or price range you have, El Tesoro can accommodate your retreat. We are passionate about providing the ideal location for our guests while offering the convenience of on-site catering, meeting equipment and dedicated staff to set up and coordinate all aspects of your event.

Accommodations Cabin accommodations meet a variety of expectations from the more modern cabins featuring wide porches, granite countertops and slate lined restrooms, to the rustic open-air cabins with screens. Some even include small kitchens and all have fire circles nearby. Each cabin sleeps 12 guests in single beds.

Catering The beautifully styled WoHeLo Lodge seats up to 275 guests. With a full-service kitchen and one of the most unique salad bars you’ve seen (it’s a canoe!), guests can enjoy our on-site catering that provides a variety of home-style menu items.

Groups are also welcome to cook over a campfire or in the Horizon and Discovery Lodge kitchens.

*Atchley, R.A., Strayer, D.L., Atchley, P., (2012). Creativity in the wild: Improving creative reasoning through immersion in natural settings. PLoS ONE, 7(12), 1-5.

Don’t forget to add some fun into your stay!

Activities can be arranged for your group to enjoy, including: • Canoeing • Archery • Team Building Games • Nature Hikes • Hayrides • Fishing • Creek-walking • Basketball • Big-Screen Movies • Challenge Course • Nine-Square in the Air • GaGa Ball • Archery Tag • And More We offer rentals for overnight lodging and day activity use seven days-a-week from August through mid-May.

Challenge Course

Take team building to a new level with the Camp Fire Challenge Course. Whether you select high or low elements (or a mix of both), challenge courses help people see each other in a different light and allow them to connect in a different setting.

What is YOUR goal?

One of the most powerful outcomes of team building is to get results. Through a series of course elements that are fun and motivational, teams build skills like communication, planning, problem-solving and conflict resolution.

When properly moderated, it can also foster genuine connections, deeper discussions and processing.

Who Uses Challenge Courses?

A challenge course experience is for any type of group and all ages* can benefit including: • School Groups (staff and students) • Churches • Colleges • Sports Teams • Community Youth Organizations • Civic Groups • Corporate Teams Camp Fire Challenge Course programs are offered in 3 to 6 hour increments and the challenge course team provides many additional options to tailor the experience for your group. *Challenge course participants must be 8 years or older; weight restrictions apply.

High Elements • 10’ Team Wall • Catwalk • Climbing Wall

• Multivine • Nitro Crossing • 300’ Zipline

Low Elements • All Aboard • Group Skis • Mohawk Traverse • Mountain Tops • Spider Web • Swinging Log

• Triangle Tension Traverse • Trust Fall • T.P. Shuffle • Whale Watch • Wild Woozy

Camp Fire First Texas 817.831.2111 CampFireFW.org

Our Promise

Young people want to shape the world. Camp Fire provides the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice, and discover who they are. In Camp Fire, it begins now. Light the fire within.

Watch our virtual tour at YouTube.com/CampFireFW Ready to book your event? Contact us at 817.831.2111 or CampET@CampFireFW.org