Introducing our 2024 Summer Activity Leaders!

Camp Aranzazu
Camp Aranzazu
Published in
8 min readJun 19, 2024

Are you a camper wondering who you’re going to see at Camp Aranzazu? Are you a parent wondering who is leading activities at Camp Aranzazu and charged with ensuring all activities remain safe and accessible? Are you a camp friend curious about the people who put our mission into action and help us create a space where everyone can feel loved and accepted?

Our summer activity leaders have the fun and impactful job of cultivating belonging for campers of all ages and abilities by creating accessible, empowering, and intentional camp experiences in Rockport, TX. We’re excited for you to meet this year’s summer activity leaders!

From left to right: Sederia, Caitlin, Bella

Give a big Camp Aranzazu welcome to Sederia! Joining us as a first-time activity leader, Sederia is ready to bring tons of happiness and energy to Camp Aranzazu this summer. She’s eager to learn new activities and can’t wait to share her knowledge with all our campers. Nervous about making your way through the Challenge Course? Don’t worry — Sederia will be right there, cheering you on and guiding you every step of the way!

Welcome to Camp, Caitlin! Coming from Cheyenne, Wyoming, Caitlin is back for her second summer with our team as an activity leader. After experiencing the magic and beauty of Camp Aranzazu last year, Caitlin is eager to dive back in for another unforgettable summer. She can’t wait to see campers having a blast and competing in sports and games. Get ready for another amazing summer with Caitlin!

Welcome back, Bella! Returning to her home-away-from-home, Bella is thrilled to be back as an activity leader at Camp Aranzazu for another summer. Excited to reunite with returning campers and welcome new faces to her beloved camp, Bella is all about spreading smiles and making everyone feel included from the moment they arrive at camp. Keep an eye out for her infectious positivity!

From left to right: Jen, Andrea, Madi

Welcome to our team, Jen! As a first-year activity leader, Jen is eager to witness the magic of Camp Aranzazu firsthand and showcase the inclusive and welcoming environment we’ve built. With a passion for the great outdoors, Jen can’t wait to share her love of nature with campers, especially as they tackle the challenge course.

Welcome to Camp Aranzazu, Andrea! As a first-time activity leader, they are thrilled to bring our mission to life and help create a safe, inclusive space for campers of all ages and abilities. Fluent in Spanish, Andrea is ready to assist any Spanish-speaking campers. With a passion for arts and crafts, they’re excited to see campers’ creativity shine through their own unique works of art. Let’s give Andrea a warm welcome!

Give a warm Camp Aranzazu welcome to Madi, one of our first-year activity leaders! Madi can’t wait to cheer on campers as they sail the bay and hit those archery bullseyes. With dreams of becoming a pediatrician, Camp Aranzazu is the perfect place for Madi to gain hands-on experience with young campers, shadow physicians, and have a blast all summer long!

From left to right: Gill, Arnold, Grace

Get ready to meet Gill, one of our first-year activity leaders! Gill can’t wait for campers to experience the magic of Camp Aranzazu and have fun trying new and exciting camping activities. A true Rockport native, Gillian is thrilled to share her love for fishing with our campers. She can’t wait to see the joy on their faces as they reel in their catches and accomplish their fishing goals.

Welcome back, Arnold, for your 4th incredible year at Camp Aranzazu! It’s the magic of everything — from the delicious food to the awesome friendships and unforgettable memories — that keeps Arnold coming back. This summer, he’s eager to share his passion for the outdoors and animals, especially birding, with all the campers.

Say hi to Grace, one of our first-year activity leaders who’s traveled all the way from Michigan! Grace loves staying active and making memories, which makes Camp Aranzazu the perfect summer spot. She’s thrilled to share her new sailing skills and explore Copano Bay with all the campers! If you need something to talk about with Grace on the water, she loves tulips, beaches, cider mills, and sledding!

From left: Yemi, Kate, Esteban

Give a big Camp Aranzazu welcome to Yemi, one of our first-year activity leaders from Oakland, California! Yemi’s thrilled to spend the summer with our campers and watch them try all the cool activities camp has to offer. Get ready for some major fun and games, especially when it comes to archery — Yemi’s got the bullseye in sight!

Welcome to Camp Aranzazu, Kate! It’s her first time as an activity leader, but she’s heard stories about the Aranzazu magic for years. Now she’s thrilled to create that magic herself and it’s her turn to be part of the fun! Kate’s all about building a strong camp community and witnessing the positive impact camp has on our campers. You’ll find her cheering on everyone as they soar through the air on the Screamer!

Say hello to Esteban, back for his second summer as an activity leader! Esteban can’t wait to make more awesome memories and soak up everything camp has to offer. While it’s hard to pick a favorite activity, he’s got a soft spot for the tower and zip line. Cheering on campers as they climb the tower and then watching them take that leap of faith is pure magic!

From left to right: Megan, Denali, Kathryn

Welcome to Camp Aranzazu, Megan! This first-year activity leader has always been drawn to the camping life and loves how intentional and inclusive Camp Aranzazu is with its activities. Megan can’t wait to meet all the campers and share the joy of camp and recreation. She’s especially pumped to lead the challenge course, where campers build confidence and trust in themselves. Seeing their faces light up after conquering those obstacles is what it’s all about!

Welcome back, Denali, for her second summer of camp magic! Denali’s passionate about Camp Aranzazu’s mission and serving special populations. This year, she’s most excited about leading HOST (Hands On Skill Time) activities, where campers and staff can explore new skills and interests. It’s all about fun, freedom, and stepping outside those comfort zones!

Give a big Camp Aranzazu welcome back to Kathryn! She’s no stranger to our shores, having been part of past fishing tournaments. Kathryn has always loved everything about Camp Aranzazu — our facilities, the people, the atmosphere, and especially the founding idea of providing equal opportunities for campers of all ages and abilities. Kathryn’s thrilled to be officially joining the team this summer as a first-year activity leader!

From left: Kat, Sofia, and Ellie

Welcome back, Kat, for her second summer at Camp Aranzazu! Kat can’t wait to see familiar faces and welcome new campers to the fun. She’s especially excited to lead challenge course activities — those were the ones that helped her conquer her fear of heights, and she can’t wait to see campers do the same!

Welcome to Camp Aranzazu, Sofia! This first-year activity leader hails from Illinois and attends Augustana College. Sofia’s thrilled to be part of the Camp Aranzazu team and can’t wait to watch campers catching waves while sailing on the bay. While she’s life guarding at the bayfront, she’ll be sure to point out any dolphins that she sees swimming around the sailboats!

Welcome to the Camp Aranzazu team, Ellie! Some of our Easy Breathers campers might recognize Ellie, but now she’s traded in her tie-dyed camper tee for a staff shirt. As a 5-time returning camper herself, Ellie is thrilled to be back exploring Camp Aranzazu as a first-year activity leader. Get ready to set sail with Ellie and share her love for all things adventure!

From left to right: DQ, Natalina

Welcome back, DQ! This second-year activity leader and Huston-Tillotson kinesiology student is all about bringing the energy to Camp Aranzazu. With a knack for coaching, babysitting, and mentoring, DQ is a pro at creating unforgettable memories and always excited to try new activities. Just don’t be surprised if you find him drenched in ice water — it seems to happen a lot!

Welcome to Camp Aranzazu, Natalina! This first-time activity leader has journeyed all the way from Wisconsin to share her love of the bayfront with our campers. Natalina can’t wait to meet everyone and show them all the amazing things they can do at camp!

Everyone has their own unique reasons for joining the Camp Aranzazu family, and together, this amazing group of activity leaders is ready to create magical moments and lifelong memories for our campers. We wish them all the best for an incredible summer filled with laughter, growth, and adventure. We can’t wait to see the amazing things this team accomplishes! If you’re curious about upcoming opportunities to become an activity leader in the future, check on our website for more details.

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Camp Aranzazu
Camp Aranzazu

Regardless of any physical or developmental limitations, everyone can fully participate in and enjoy all the typical camping activities at Camp Aranzazu.