CAMP DISCOVERY
Where Kids Just Get to Be Kids
JULY 12 - 18, 2026 | Texas Lions Camp, Kerrville
Countdown to Camp!
More Than a Summer Camp—A Community That Understands
For one incredible week each July, children with cancer experience something rare: they’re surrounded by people who truly get it.
At Camp Discovery, your child will swim, fish, climb, create, and laugh without being defined by their diagnosis. They’ll meet counselors who walked this same path (more than half of our volunteers are former campers), make friends who understand without explanation, and discover that “different” can feel like belonging.
Since 1984, we’ve created these transformative weeks, now at Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville, a fully accessible facility with 24/7 medical support. Every activity is designed so every child can participate, because at Discovery Camps, no one sits on the sidelines.
Camp is provided at no cost to families.
Who Can Attend?
Camp Discovery welcomes children ages 7-16 from across Central and South Texas who are currently in treatment or have completed treatment for pediatric cancer.
Referring Hospitals
We partner with families referred through:
– Methodist Children’s Hospital, San Antonio
– San Antonio Military Medical Center
– University Health’s CHRISTUS Children’s Hospital, San Antonio
– Dell Children’s Hospital, Austin
Not seeing your hospital? Contact us—we’re always expanding our reach to serve more families.
What about Siblings?
Siblings are invited to join us at Camp Ohana, our family weekend retreats, where the whole family can experience the magic of camp together.
Ready to Give Your Child a Week They’ll Never Forget?
Questions?
We’re here to help. Contact Executive Director Jennifer Cavazos at jennifer@discoverycamps.org or 210-365-3554.
Camp Discovery was featured on KSAT 12 in 2015 and had been operating for 32 years at the time. United States marshals visited the camp and officially swore in the kids as deputy junior U.S. marshals that day. The excited campers even had the opportunity to explore real riot gear and meet Pauly, a K-9 officer, adding an unforgettable element to their camp adventure.
View the full article here: www.ksat.com/news/2015/07/23/camp-discovery-hosts-children-battling-cancer-for-32nd-year-2/
FAQ
You will receive an acceptance packet with all the information you will need prior to sending your child to camp. You will also receive a call from one of your child’s counselors so that you may ask them any questions you might need answered.
You may contact Camp Director Jennifer Cavazos at jennifer@discoverycamps.org or 210-365-3554.
An information packet with all that your child needs to bring to camp will be sent with the acceptance letter.
Camp Discovery is abundantly staffed with physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners, many of whom your child already knows.
You will provide the medical team with all necessary medications at the time of registration. The medications will be stored and handled by the medical team in the Band-Aid-Box (infirmary) while camp is in session.
Unfortunately parents are not allowed to visit during camp. While we are extremely grateful to you for sharing your child with us for the week, experience tells us that allowing campers to not have contact with family members during camp is very valuable.
Your child will have absolutely no need for money during camp.
You may contact us to check on your child. However we will not allow you to speak with your child unless it is an emergency, as we do not want to promote home sickness.
Campers are not allowed to have cell phones or any other communicative devices at camp. If it is discovered that your child does have a cell phone in their possession, it will be confiscated and placed in a safe place until camp is over.
Camp Discovery is set up so that every child will have the opportunity to participate in all activities. If there are any physical limitations then the activity will be modified for your child.
Your child will not be forced to participate in any scheduled activity. We will highly encourage your child to try something new, but we will never force participation.
Camp Discovery is currently experiencing a 94% return volunteer rate. Many have volunteered at camp for years, and approximately 50% of them are former campers. Each volunteer participates in mandatory on-line training, and all volunteers participate in a training at camp prior to your child’s arrival. All volunteers also have a background check done on a yearly basis.
Sponsors
