Summer Camp 2009
Catch the Spirit!

"I really learned a lot here at CFA and I've shared memories
with people that I will never forget.  This is truly an experience
that I will keep with me forever" '09 Camper Quote

YMCA Mission Statement:
To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Our Summer Camp Goal:
To provide campers a summer camp experience rich in tradition centered on our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith allowing campers to gain independence, a higher self worth and life long, positive memories.

Catch the Spirit of Camp!
Welcome or welcome back to YMCA Camp Flaming Arrow! We’re proud to offer you and your family a camp experience enhanced by our mission and values! Although we do offer exciting activities, it is our values that we are most proud to teach. The words Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and Faith are more than just letters in a brochure. To us, they are what we live by and teach to our staff and campers each day.

For instance, Pow Wow, another word for our chapel time, is led by an assigned cabin (teaching responsibility) and a lesson is taught about the value of the day (e.g. Caring on Monday). Our staff wear their value t-shirts to remind all of camp what the emphasis is for that day. Even discipline is structured around the values, for instance, a time-out for being uncaring and disrespectful to a fellow camper. Activities are taught with the premise of respecting the safety rules and always having faith in yourself and others. Each evening is concluded with an in-cabin devotional, Embers, which closes the day by reflecting on the daily value, daily activities and fellowship with cabinmates and counselors.

These values transcend the camp session and supplement the values taught at home. We hope that you and your family will join us for an adventure that begins at camp and continues for many years to come!

The YMCA Ragger program is also offered for those youth and staff who wish to be a part of a more spiritual and self growth program.

The Experience
It is true, a summer camp experience at YMCA Camp Flaming Arrow is fun, exciting and adventurous! However, it is also true that summer camp is much, much more. We believe that camp is a magical place that you can feel too.  A summer camp experience is one of the most formative experiences in a young person's life. At camp, values are acquired, relationships built and new skills learned. From the moment campers arrive they are welcomed, appreciated and cherished. All camp activities are designed to build self-esteem, promote cooperation, and model healthy relationships. Campers leave camp with new friends, increased self-confidence and memories that last a lifetime!

"I came to camp with strangers and left with a family." '08 Camper

Camp Life
Each camper is assigned a cabin group with up to 11 other campers of the same gender and similar age. Cabin groups form close bonds as they participate in activities and share cabin responsibilities. Each cabin has two or three counselors, depending on the age of the campers, who live in the cabin with the campers and facilitate a fun, inclusive and safe atmosphere. Campers also choose, prior to arriving at camp, their CFA Club (see below for more information).

Campers ages 8-11, or Pioneers, are scheduled with their cabin to rotate through all of CFA's activities to allow them to experience a wide variety of new things! Our 12-15 year old campers, Ranchers, choose their own activities individually through a morning sign up process. This allows campers to emphasize their favorites or try a wide variety of activities.

Who?

Ages 8 to 15 years old for traditional camp, 6-8 year olds for starter camp, 16 for the LIT program and 17 for the CIT program.  Campers must be of age by June 1st of the camp year.

"This was the best thing I have ever done! I could not believe what I could do on my own." 7 yr old Camper.

YMCA Camp Flaming Arrow Activities
Climbing walls, fishing, hiking, nature studies, archery, canoeing, arts and crafts, pottery, horseback riding, rope swing, river slide, field sports, river swims, swimming pool, overnight campouts, high ropes course, low ropes course, basketball, sand volleyball, campfires, songs and skits.

Clubs (all campers 8-15)
Each morning Monday-Friday, all campers will attend their CFA Club (chosen prior to arrival). Clubs are designed to provide a combination of fun and deeper learning about the activity chosen. Some Club choices are: Saddle Club (horses-see below), Carabineer Club (challenge course), Crafts Club, River Rats Club (aquatics), Varsity Club(all sports), O.W.L.S. (outdoor wellness and living skills) and Bulls Eye Club (target sports). Club fill as registration progresses and we get closer to summer camp, click here for club availability

Session Themes
Each session is given it's own unique theme to add diversity and individuality to that theme.  The theme primarily effects opening days and our weekly dances.  Campers are encouraged to dress the part for each dance.  Read more about Session Themes. 

Equestrian Program
Horses are always a favorite at CFA and it is the goal of our equestrian program to provide each camper with the opportunity to ride a horse.  Campers can head to the barn with their activity group or cabin for a trail ride through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Texas Hill Country.  They can also choose to participate in the CFA Saddle Club, should they have the desire to seek out more extensive interaction with their new equine friends.

CFA Saddle Club
For those CFA campers with a passion for horses, our CFA Saddle Club is the place to be!  Each Saddle Club member will spend part of their morning with our CHA Certified Equestrian Director, qualified wrangler staff, and their very own horse, which will be assigned to them for the entire session.  Aside from the traditional camp trail ride, in-depth horsemanship safety, horse care, anatomy and confirmation, horse handling, and proper riding and rein positions are just a few of the topics that will be covered during your camper’s time at the barn.  Mounted games such as musical stalls, the apple & spoon race, and red light, green light will positively reinforce these subjects in a fun and safe manner.  Each Saddle Club member will receive a certificate of completion and membership and an official membership booklet, which also serves to track your camper’s horsemanship progress each summer they return to camp.  On closing day, parents, family, and friends are invited to watch the Saddle Club Horse Show, where participants will demonstrate their new-found horsemanship skills. The additional cost for Saddle Club is $85 for 1 week. Session fill VERY quickly, so sign up with your registration!

Read more about the CFA Saddle Club and Equestrian Programs or Check out all of our CFA Clubs! 

Summer Camp Dates, Rates and Openings
Register now!

Leader-in-Training Sessions for 16 year old campers, 2 weeks. LIT's will live in the Red huts located towards the west of Strong Hall. While it is preferred that LITs are return campers, exceptions will be made upon reference checks and recommendations.

Counselor-in-Training Sessions for 17 year old campers, 4 weeks. Must have been an LIT to apply.  Call to apply and for dates.

For a registration form or for scholarship information,
please call 1-800-765-9622.

CFA Summer Staff
All camp staff members are carefully selected for maturity, leadership skills, education and experience working with children. Personal interviews, references, background checks and drug test are required for all camp staff members.  Additionally, all staff must be CPR and First Aid Certified.  Our lifeguards go through the YMCA Lifeguarding course and our high ropes/challenge course directors attend a week long certification.

We are dedicated to providing every child the opportunity to benefit from the camp experience. Please contact the Allison Hinton in the camp office for details about our scholarship program and an application for financial assistance. Every camper’s safety, both physical and emotional, is our number one concern. We create a welcoming, noncompetitive, inclusive environment. Campers are supervised by two or three staff members trained to handle camper issues as well as emergency situations.

A health care provider is on site at all times to administer medications and provide minor first aid. We also have arrangements with local EMS, doctors and hospitals to meet any need which may arise.

Accreditation and Licensing

YMCA Camp Flaming Arrow is extremely proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association. The American Camp Association has been in existence for more than 90 years and "works to preserve, promote, and improve the camp experience". To receive Accreditation, camps must meet up to 300 standards for health, safety and program quality. YMCA Camp Flaming Arrow is also inspected and licensed by the Texas Department of Health.

If you have any questions about any of our summer camp programs, please contact us via email or by calling 1-800-765-9622. 

Check it out

• Register Online Now!
• Parent Handbook
• Care Packages, Labels, Camp Supplies

• Activities and Programs

• Session Themes
• CFA Saddle Club
• CIT Program
• LIT Program
• CFA Summer Camp Employment
• Preparing for Camp
• Cancellation Policy
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Family Camp
• Why Summer Camp is NOT Tax Deductible

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