Come On Out to Camp

Your camper’s safety is the utmost importance to our staff. All Camp Staff have CPR & First Aid training. Additionally, Ranch Camp employs a healthcare professional (RN, LPN, LVN or EMT) who will be able to take care of any minor wounds and injuries. For emergencies or a sickness that requires for your camper to leave camp early, we will contact you immediately. Should we need to take a camper to the ER, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Taylor, TX will be our primary hospital.

Currently, Ranch Camp has various sessions for ages 13-17 and separate sessions for adults, 18 years of age and older. For a list of camp options for campers under the age of 13, please check out these resources:

• Texas Autism Society
• Navigate Life Texas

We aim to have ratios of 1 counselor to 5 adult campers and 1 counselor to 4 teen campers, but never go higher than 1:10 and 1:8 respectively.

Once your camper’s application is accepted, we will send you a packing list in your confirmation email.

At Down Home Ranch, we hire only those that are passionate and excited about working with individuals with a variety of cognitive and physical disabilities. All camp staff have been interviewed, passed a background check and are certified in CPR. Along with this, all counselors are required to attend training which addresses various aspects specific to Down Home Ranch Camp.

Texas summers are full of sunshine. The average highs get into the 90s and the lows into the 70s. Adequate amounts of shade, water and breaks will be allowed to ensure the safety of your camper.

If rain impacts any outdoor programming, we have alternate indoor activities to accommodate rainy days.

Should the Ranch experience severe weather while camp is in session, rest assured that we have an emergency response plan that outlines our protocols for multiple weather related scenarios. Your camper's safety is of the upmost importance to Ranch Camp.

Camp registration covers all activities, evening programs, lodging, meals, Ranch Camp t-shirt and equipment usage.

You will not have day-to-day viewing of your camper's activities, however, a slideshow of the week's activities will be played on the final day of camp and will feature pictures from each day of camp. All photos will be available to download, share and enjoy for years to come!

Everyone loves getting mail. If you would like to send your camper an email, we will pass those along to your camper before the next meal time. Please send your email to camp@downhomeranch.org and in the subject line please make sure your camper’s name is there (For example: Hello Mary Sue).

It's not unusual for campers, especially those away for the first time, to feel a bit homesick at first. Most get over it quickly and go on to have a wonderful time. We provide structure and keep campers busy from the moment they arrive, which helps to shift their focus away from home to new friends and having fun. In the rare instance that a camper is truly struggling, we will contact you.

Because we’re serving so many, it’s not always possible for us to meet special dietary needs. However, sometimes we can make an exception. If your child has any kind of food allergy or dietary need, please contact us before registering to see if we can meet your child’s needs.

Our COVID policies follow the CDC and local health department guidelines. We have extra disinfecting protocols in place and the health and well-being of our staff and Campers is priority. We strongly encourage staff and Campers to be fully vaccinated prior to coming to Camp. Please note that these protocols are evolving as guidelines and recommendations change. We'd be happy to discuss specific concerns or questions with you.

We'll send you the official packing list once you're on Team Camp, but you need weather appropriate clothes for camp activities, a foot-locker is recommended, twin bedding for your bunk, closed-toe shoes, hygiene products, games and bunk décor (optional).

Seriously, let the fun begin! We offer diverse activities including arts & crafts, sports & games, nature activities, geocaching, barnyard with horses and chickens, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, outdoor cooking, drama, swimming and lots of fun evening activities such as talent show, camp dance and campfire with s'mores.

Better than you probably think it is! We offer a main menu for each meal with some a la carte items available. Highlight meals during the week are cookout, where cabin teams cook dinner over a fire, and a night of celebration, where staff and Campers are served a sit-down themed dinner. We also offer camp canteen every afternoon where Campers and staff can get snacks and treats.

Yes, we have laundry facilities on site and promise we won't make you wear dirty clothes all summer.

No, but you do have to have a heart for serving others. We'll teach you the rest! Honestly, the Campers aren't that different from you. They just might need some extra support to make their camp experience a success.

The majority of our staff live in air-conditioned cabins with the Campers. Cabins have bathrooms with showers, bunk beds and large porches with rocking chairs.

Camp sessions run from Noon on Sunday to Noon on Friday. Staff have a 48 hour break between sessions. Staff will also receive one evening and one rest period off a week.

We can accommodate mostly medically necessary diets. Review page #7 of the Ranch Camp Application, under the heading Eating/Diet for more information.

We aren’t able to ensure a sterile environment from wheat products for those with Celiac disease.

The goal of Down Home Ranch Camp is to provide a safe and encouraging environment where relationships are built, memories are made and growth is fostered through new experiences and recreational opportunities.

Ranch Camp is a place where memories are made and relationships are built. Campers have an opportunity to gain independence, expand social skills, build self-confidence, learn new interests, connect with others and do things they’ve never experienced before. Camp provides respite for families who wouldn’t otherwise get it and therefore strengthens families.

Ranch Camp's application extensively covers all aspects of camper health and behavior history. We use historical information provided by caregivers to make an informed decision on acceptance or referral to other camps. Our goal is always to keep campers happy, healthy and safe during camp. Camp staff are certified in CPR/First Aid, AED, Basic Lifesaving and trained in verbal and physical de-escalation techniques through Satori Alternatives to Managing Aggression (SAMA). These techniques allow us to address behavior issues or health concerns that may happen during camp. We also employ a Camp Medical professional who carries a EMT, LPN, LVN or RN designation and is onsite during all camp hours.

If misrepresentation is made as to a camper's health or behavior, or if the camper becomes ill enough or engages in behavior seemed serious enough to warrant dismissal, they may be dismissed from Ranch Camp. If a camper is dismissed due to health or behavior considerations, it is the guardian or emergency contact's sole responsibility to pick up this camper on the day they are notified. No refund will be issued for dismissal under health or behavioral reasons.

While we hope to provide your Camper a full 5-night experience at camp, we understand that vacations and other obligations might cut camp short. If your Camper/family voluntarily chooses to leave camp early, there will be no refund or pro-rating of camp fees.

Application fees are non-refundable. Camp payments may be refunded if a written request is received at least 30 days before the start of the particular session. If the Ranch cancels camp, you will receive a 100% refund.

Campers will visit the Camp Canteen (gift shop) throughout their camp session to purchase snacks, drinks, apparel and other items. Campers will need to pre-load a Canteen deposit on their Camp Brain account before camp starts. The average family loads $5-10/day of camp. Canteen dollars can be spent at any camp session within the calendar year they were purchased. At the end of the calendar year, all unspent canteen funds will be donated to the DHR Campership fund.

Camp payment may be refunded if a written request is received at least 30 days before the start of the particular session. If the Ranch cancels camp, you will receive a 100% refund.

Your Camper's check-in time will be emailed to you the week before camp starts. Check in will be staggered by team and will be a specific window between 2-5pm. Check your email for your Camper's specific time. Camp Closing Ceremony starts at 9am on Friday. Campers are expected to be picked up by 10am Friday.

Yes! Down Home Ranch is willing to contract and accept payment from 3rd party payers (responsible entities).

We have contracted with many Local Intellectual Development Disability Authorities (LIDDAs) and private residential providers.

If the responsible entity would like to pay once camp is completed, a Authorization Letter or Letter of Guarantee must be submitted with the camper's application.

For questions about contracting, please email us at camp@downhomeranch.org.

As of 2019 many Texas IDD waivers will only allow for respite funds to be used at camps that are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA).

Ranch Camp IS an accredited ACA camp.

Our camp staff positions all receive a weekly salary in addition to their room and board covered. Salaries vary by position, but are all priced competitively in the camp market. Counselor salaries starts at $300/week with bonuses for returning staff. Internship positions may have a stipend available in addition to room and board. Ranch Hand positions have meals provided while at camp. Of course, regardless of where you're serving at camp, the smiles, laughs and memories are plentiful and you can't put a price on that!