Camp Willson

For Texas families looking for an unparalleled outdoor development opportunity for their children, **Camp Willson** in Broaddus, East Texas, stands out not as a typical public campground for casual camping but as a highly regarded, dedicated **overnight summer camp** facility. It is a structured environment centered on youth development, offering a rich curriculum of activities designed to build confidence, independence, and strong character in children and teenagers. While the term "campground" applies in its literal sense—it features cabins and extensive outdoor facilities—its primary function is educational and recreational programming for youth.

This institution is where Texas kids can truly unplug from screens and engage with nature, forging meaningful relationships with peers and caring counselors. Located deep within the beautiful, rolling terrain of the East Texas Piney Woods, Camp Willson utilizes its natural setting to the fullest, providing a safe, adventurous, and structured week (or more) of outdoor living. It is a place dedicated to the core values of honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring, ensuring that campers don't just have fun, but also grow as individuals.

The surrounding Broaddus community is part of the Sam Rayburn Reservoir area, a renowned hub for fishing, boating, and deep-woods exploration. This geography allows Camp Willson to leverage access to extensive woodlands and water features, making it an ideal locale for adventure-based learning and recreation. For local users in Texas, sending a child to Camp Willson is investing in a classic, formative summer experience.

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### Location and Accessibility

Camp Willson is conveniently located at **253 County Rd 484, Broaddus, TX 75929, USA**. This address places the camp squarely in the heart of East Texas, specifically in San Augustine County, near the vast expanses of the Angelina National Forest and the massive Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

For families traveling from major Texas metropolitan areas like Houston, Dallas, or Austin, the location in Broaddus is highly accessible via well-maintained U.S. and State Highways that traverse the region's famous pine forests. County Road 484 leads directly into the secluded, natural environment of the camp, ensuring privacy and immersion in the woods. The journey itself becomes part of the experience, transitioning from urban areas to the scenic Piney Woods. Proximity to the Sam Rayburn Reservoir means the camp is strategically positioned to utilize the region's best water-based recreational opportunities. The 75929 zip code provides a clear destination for Texans seeking a wilderness setting for their children's summer growth.

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### Services Offered

As a professional youth development camp, Camp Willson offers a comprehensive suite of services that go far beyond what a typical public campground provides. These services focus on safety, comfort, and specialized programming:

• **Supervised Lodging:** Campers stay in age-appropriate, often air-conditioned cabins with bunk beds, supervised by trained adult counselors with established staff-to-camper ratios (often 1:6 or better).
• **All-Inclusive Dining:** Nutritious, family-style meals are provided in a central dining hall. Camp staff are trained to accommodate **all food allergies and special dietary needs**, ensuring every Texas child is safely and well-fed.
• **Health & Wellness Center:** A dedicated on-site Health Center with professional staff (often including nurses) to manage medical needs, minor injuries, and medications.
• **Specialized Program Facilities:** The camp maintains purpose-built areas for instruction, including an extensive **High Ropes Course, climbing wall, archery range, and watercraft docks**.
• **Safety Protocols:** Comprehensive safety programs are in place for all activities, especially at the waterfront, with certified lifeguards and specialized instruction for activities like kayaking and swimming.
• **Activity Choices and Tracks:** Campers can choose age-appropriate activity tracks, such as Traditional Camp, Ranch Camp (focus on horses), Fishing Camp, or Leadership Training.
• **Financial Assistance:** A crucial service for Texas families is the availability of financial assistance and discount programs, ensuring that the camp experience is accessible to all children regardless of their family’s financial status.

These all-inclusive services ensure a safe, enriching, and worry-free experience for both campers and their Texas-based parents.

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### Features / Highlights

Camp Willson’s appeal lies in its dynamic, activity-packed features, which leverage its 500+ acres of trails, woods, and beautiful lakefront in the East Texas setting. Key highlights include:

• **Extensive Waterfront Activities:** Direct access to a private, natural lake for water sports. Highlights include a **water trampoline/Aqua Park**, swimming beach, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and catch-and-release fishing (no license required on the private lake).
• **High Adventure Elements:** The camp features a thrilling **55-foot Climbing Tower** with **dual zip lines**, a **Giant Swing**, and an 11-element High Ropes Course, all designed to encourage campers to overcome fears and build self-confidence.
• **Equestrian Program:** A dedicated **Ranch Camp** program allows campers to learn about riding and caring for horses, providing a classic Texas ranch experience in a safe setting.
• **Outdoor Skills & Nature:** Activities like archery, air rifle range, nature hikes on 10+ miles of trails, and outdoor cooking teach valuable wilderness skills and a respect for the East Texas environment.
• **Modern Cabin Comfort:** Lodging cabins feature **air conditioning, electricity, and ceiling fans**, providing a comfortable and climate-controlled resting environment after a long day of outdoor activity.
• **No Electronics Policy:** A deliberate policy to remove the distraction of electronics, fostering deep friendships, face-to-face interaction, and a complete immersion in the camp experience.
• **Thematic Programming:** Daily schedules include engaging, intentional programming, often featuring fun activities, tournaments, campfires with songs and skits, and a focus on core values.

These features combine to create a transformative and memorable summer adventure for Texas youth.

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### Contact Information

Since Camp Willson operates as a specialized youth camp, direct communication with the administration is essential for registration, scheduling, and specific details about the programs available for Texas residents.

Please use the following contact information for all inquiries regarding registration, dates, rates, and detailed program information:

**Address:** 253 County Rd 484, Broaddus, TX 75929, USA

While the search results indicated that a Camp Willson operated by a YMCA in Ohio uses a toll-free number for contact (1-800-423-0427), the specific Texas location may have its own dedicated line. **Texas users should search for "Camp Willson Broaddus, TX" or "YMCA Camp Willson Texas" to find the most accurate, current phone number and website for the Broaddus, TX facility and its management.** Always confirm the camp's affiliation and contact details before making travel plans or sending registration forms.

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### What is Worth Choosing

For Texans, choosing Camp Willson in Broaddus is a decision to invest in their child's holistic development within a safe, beautiful, and structured outdoor setting. It is worth choosing for these profound reasons:

**A Focus on Growth and Confidence:** Unlike a simple recreational campground, Camp Willson’s primary mission is the personal growth of its campers. Activities like the high ropes course and zipline are carefully facilitated to foster achievement and self-esteem. As one customer review mentioned, "My kids can go away and just be a kid for a week... they both come home just feeling like they fit in a sense of accomplishment."

**Unplugged and Engaged:** The strict no-electronics policy is a massive benefit, forcing Texas youth to disconnect from the digital world and connect deeply with their surroundings and their peers. This provides a crucial break from daily screen time and enhances the social and outdoor experience.

**Leveraging East Texas Nature:** The camp’s location capitalizes on the unique beauty of the Piney Woods and the vast aquatic resources of the Sam Rayburn area. Campers get a true, deep-woods Texas experience, learning about their state's natural heritage through exciting, hands-on activities.

**The Power of Community and Mentorship:** Reviews consistently highlight the quality of the counselors. The strong emphasis on core values and peer-to-peer relationships ensures that children not only have fun but also build strong, positive social skills and find role models they look up to.

If you want your child to have a summer filled with adventure, independence, deep friendships, and memorable challenges in the beautiful Texas outdoors, Camp Willson is the ideal choice.

Camp Willson

253 County Rd 484, Broaddus, TX 75929, USA