El Ranchito began in 2005 as a collaboration between Shield Ranch, El Buen Samaritano and Westcave Preserve.  We work together in this endeavor because we believe it is important to provide urban kids with opportunities to discover the natural world – and themselves.

Following two years of research and planning, El Ranchito began in June 2007 with two one-week sessions and 36 campers entering  the 5th through the 7th grades.  For 2008, a third session was added, and El Ranchito served 76 campers entering the 4th through the 9th grades.  In 2009, a new program, the Conservation Corps was added which provided high school youth an opportunity to participate in conservation work for which they were paid a modest stipend.  El Ranchito served a total of 83 campers in 2009, entering the 4th through 12th grades.

El Ranchito has enjoyed broad community support from volunteers who have assisted with camp planning, trail building and site preparation, camp set-up and take-down, and special camp programs. Volunteer doctors have provided free well-checks and oversee the health program during camp.

El Ranchito received significant start-up funding from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and several private foundations along with numerous individual gifts and matching funds from local businesses.

We are deeply grateful to our funders and the many volunteers and supporters who have enabled us to realize our dream of a nature-immersion summer camp.