End of Summer Letter from Rob Watson, Director Camps & Conferences

2023 is a hard summer to say goodbye to. All three camps enjoyed wonderful, full, successful seasons where God’s overflowing love was abundant, and joy and fun were all around.

One of the highlights of the summer was worshipping in the new Chapel of the Holy Family during Mustang Island Family Camp. Sitting in the chapel shade, feeling the ocean’s cool breeze on your skin, listening to the bell ring as children and families made their way down the boardwalk to pray and give thanks, smelling the sea, singing camp songs and hymns while staring at the water – all helped make the experience truly Divine and wonderful. Families sang praises about the chapel and new lodges all summer long.

At Camp Capers, we struggled with the heat and little rain, but the summer campers and staff never noticed. Instead, they continuously felt surrounded by the warmth of love from the community they helped create. Everyone was too busy swinging on the Screamer, singing in the St. Francis Chapel, sleeping under the stars, laughing, playing, swimming, and drawing closer to God.

In Colorado, the campers and staff hiked almost every day, sometimes through the rain and cold, trekking their way across the gorgeous valleys and mountains of the Rockies, always knowing that a nice, warm fire was waiting for them at the end of the trail. The close-knit Duncan Park groups relished lodge “hangs” at the end of their adventures. Sitting around the fire playing games, singing, and praising God was the perfect way to relax after a wild whitewater rafting trip, summiting a peak to a glacier lake, or scaling a 30-foot rock cliff.

One of the most important ingredients to a safe, meaningful, fun summer is a good, solid summer staff. In 2023, Mustang Island Family Camp, Duncan Park, and Camp Capers all benefited from hard working, devoted staff teams who absolutely loved their jobs. Their beautiful, inspired attitudes helped enable over 2,000 campers to have experiences they will remember their whole lives.

And I cannot say enough about the clergy and volunteers teams they brought with them to camp. One of the reasons our diocese’s camping program is so strong is our devoted clergy leaders who are passionate about helping campers of all ages draw closer to God. The clergy’s energy, commitment, and love help bring such joy and wonder into our camp participants’ lives.

Summer 2023 maybe over, but it won’t be forgotten - ever. And, of course, the end of Summer 2023 just means that Summer 2024 will be here before we know it. I can’t wait!

Kind regards,

Rob Watson
Director of Camps & Conferences

Connect with DWTX Camps!

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• Follow @CampCapers, @MustangIsland_CC, and @DuncanParkCo on Instagram and Facebook.
• Sign up for Mid-Winter Camps at Camp Capers and Holiday on the Island at Mustang Island Conference Center today.
• Apply for a job at Camp Capers, Duncan park, or Mustang Island Conference Center.
• Mark your calendar to sign up for Summer Camp 2024 sessions starting November 1, 2023!