Camp Aranzazu

Camp Aranzazu (pronounced Ah ran' zah zoo) cultivates belonging for campers of all ages and abilities by creating accessible, empowering, and intentional camp experiences.

Since opening our doors in 2006, Camp Aranzazu has served more than 27,500 campers and their support staff. Camping groups come from more than 55 counties in Texas to enjoy our 105-acre, barrier-free facility on Copano Bay, near Rockport, Texas. Regardless of any physical or developmental limitations, everyone can fully participate in and enjoy all the typical camping activities at Camp Aranzazu, such as fishing, swimming, sailing, archery, arts and crafts, and more.

Aranzazu is a Basque term that means “a spiritual place requiring a difficult path to reach.” At Camp Aranzazu, our campers are able to leave behind the stresses of their physical, medical, and emotional challenges, and spend time outdoors, socializing and interacting with others who face similar challenges.

From 1959 to 1996, part of the current property served as the Bishop Elliott Conference Center, an Episcopal Church retreat facility. Houstonians and camp founders Tom and Holly Forney purchased the first 20 acres in 1997. After spending several years enjoying the property, they decided to share the historically and ecologically rich land with others.

Camp Aranzazu is located on 105 acres on Copano Bay near Rockport, Texas. On the inland side of camp, we have four guest cabins with a total of 135 beds, a dining hall that accommodates 350 people, an art center, two swimming pools, an archery range, Ropes Challenge Course, sanctuary, and two freshwater ponds. Our 28 acres on Copano Bay are accessible via a 600-foot bridge and feature a fishing pier, floating dock, nature education building, bird blind, boardwalks and firepit. We have a lot to explore!