Camp El Ranchito

A Natural Place for Kids

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Who We Are

Established in 2007, Camp El Ranchito’s mission is to connect children with the natural world by providing an extraordinarily fun and inspiring nature-immersion experience. We believe that everyone benefits from access to nature. 

El Ranchito strives to create an inclusive community where campers can be their authentic selves and belong. Our camp brings together youth from diverse backgrounds and identities, fostering growth, acceptance, and strength that resonates beyond camp into everyday life. We welcome all participants, provided we can safely meet the camper’s needs within the scope of our nature immersion program and healthcare team. 

All camps are held at the Campsite at Shield Ranch, which is located just 22 miles west of Austin. Campers and staff live in screened shelters among the trees and trails near Rocky Creek. The facility operates 100% off-grid relying on rainwater collection and solar power; and serves as a learning laboratory for conservation. Shield Ranch is 6,400 acres of ecologically diverse wildlands, sustainably managed for the benefit of people and nature. 

Outdoor Girl Camp
Spring Break 2025

Outdoor Spring Break Camp is an overnight camp for girls in 5th-9th grade who want to have fun and learn outdoors exploring nature. The week is about giving young women the opportunity to learn about nature, themselves, and their community through an immersive experience. Activities include hiking, games, ecology activities, orienteering, nature-based art, campfires, a conservation career mentor match, and a small conservation project.

  • Session 1: 5th-9th graders
    March 16-18 (3 days, 2 nights)
  • Session 2: 5th-9th graders
    March 20-22 (3 days, 2 nights)

Nature Discovery Camp
Summer 2025

Nature Discovery Camp (NDC) is an overnight camp for 4th-9th graders. Activities include hiking, swimming in natural swimming holes and creeks, field trips to Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center and Milton Reimer’s Ranch Park, games and team-building challenges, singing and storytelling around the campfire, stargazing with visiting astronomers, nature-themed art projects, and a variety of high adventure activities to help our campers grow. 

  • NDC Session 1: 6th-7th graders
    June 15-20 (6 days, 5 nights)
  • NDC Session 2: 8th-9th graders
    June 22-27 (6 days, 5 nights)
  • NDC Session 3: 6th-8th graders
    July 6-11 (6 days, 5 nights)
  • NDC Session 4: 4th-5th graders
    July 13-17 (5 days, 4 nights)

Conservation Corps
Summer 2025

Conservation Corps (CC) works on a project to learn conservation practices and about different future career opportunities, all while developing a work ethic, building teamwork, and experiencing outdoor adventures. The strong bond formed between members helps build long-lasting friendships. Our 13-day campers receive a $400 stipend for their work. Activities include climbing, canoeing, a camping trip to a state park, and other adventures. 

  • CC Session 1: 10th-12th graders
    June 15-27 (13 days, 12 nights)
  • CC Session 2: 9th-12th graders
    July 6-18 (13 days, 12 nights)

Scholarship Eligibility and Rates

Now Accepting 2025 Spring and Summer Applications

El Ranchito was created to serve children and youth from families who may not otherwise have access to a residential nature immersion camp. Ninety percent of our camper families attend on full, bridge, or partial scholarships by qualifying for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program at school or for other financial needs. Campers are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarship and returning campers have priority admittance to camp.

Families that are part of Dell Children’s Health Plan’s CHIP or STAR Medicaid programs during the time of camp receive free tuition with costs covered by Dell Children’s Hospital.

We ask families that qualify for a full scholarship to pay a tuition fee starting at $35 for Outdoor Girl Spring Break Camp, and $50 to attend Nature Discovery Camp or Conservation Corps during the Summer. Camp tuition includes lodging, meals, transportation, supervision, programs, t-shirt, pack, and water bottle, along with all other camp supplies and activities. 

We recognize that many families who register for camp are living under a variety of financial circumstances and constraints, and/or returning camper families may have finances that fluctuate from year to year. To better serve our camper families we offer a tiered pricing structure to meet the needs of our diverse community. For more information on our tiered pricing, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. 

A small percentage of campers who are not eligible for scholarship tuition rates also benefit from increased access to a nature immersion camp and being in a diverse camp community. Families who are not eligible for scholarships qualify for our competitive and sustaining tuition rates. Non-scholarship families will be asked to pay a tuition fee starting at $300 for Outdoor Girl, $800 for Nature Discovery Camp, and $1,200 for Conservation Corps. For more information on non-scholarship tuition rates, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

Tuition is nonrefundable and nontransferable unless the application is denied, or the cancellation of your registration is no later than two weeks before your camp session. No fee will be returned after a camper has been admitted to camp. El Ranchito reserves the right to dismiss any camper, without a refund, whose conduct is not in the best interest of the safety and wellbeing of other campers.

Waitlist

We do offer a waitlist for all our programs. If space becomes available in a camp session, waitlisted applicants will be admitted into camp on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to scholarship and returning campers. 

Families will have up to two weeks prior to the first day of their camp session to complete the application and return all necessary paperwork to ensure they keep their spot. If someone pulls out of their registration or does not complete their registration by the due date, we will reach out to the next person on the waitlist. To ensure we can accommodate your family, we kindly request that waitlisted campers complete their application and provide the necessary paperwork to attend camp.

 

We are Proud to Partner with:

Thank you to our Supporters:

El Ranchito provides access to children and youth from families who may not otherwise have a residential nature immersion camp experience. Camper families pay a modest registration fee. Thank you to our supporters who help make camp scholarships available!

Contact

Employment information: employment@elranchito.org
Camp registration information: registration@elranchito.org
512.710.8313‬