Erwin Center Sponsor

Camp

Established in the summer of 2003, Camp Coca-Cola Hill Country is more than a summer camp. It is a year-round program of leadership training and community service with a summer camp experience as the focal point. Camp Coca-Cola has a two-fold approach to youth development- camping and community service.

Located at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Parrie Haynes Youth Ranch near Killeen, Camp Coca-Cola Hill Country began as a partnership between Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) and the Camp Coca-Cola Foundation. Together the partnership has built log cabins, bunk beds and other facilities with volunteers from Coca-Cola bottling locations in Austin, Temple, Waco, Dallas and TPW personnel.

Campers are selected on a variety of criteria. School or community leaders must first nominate potential campers. Nominees then apply and participate in a rigorous selection process. During this process, great care is taken to ensure the program has a wide representation of campers in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, faiths and culture. Nominees are young adults who have demonstrated leadership potential, a desire to succeed, a record of positive behavior, an interest in learning and inability to afford such a program.

The Camp Coca-Cola program follows the guidelines for positive youth development by providing a safe environment, caring adults and positive role models, a focused curriculum, requirements for community involvement and challenging activities to build self-esteem and leadership.

The philosophy of Camp Coca-Cola is that a one-time event cannot provide the opportunity of growth and success young people need. Therefore, Camp Coca-Cola offers programming for five consecutive years. This includes summer camp and partnerships with existing community-based organizations to provide year-long opportunities for young people to stay in touch with their group, interact with caring adults, serve the community and develop leadership skills.

The specific program and activities at each age level are different and unique, yet they build on previous experiences and help the young person to grow and succeed.

The camp offers traditional outdoor recreation such as hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, water sports and remote camping. In community programs, participants are required to actively engage in volunteerism and leaderships and may choose from a number of activities selected by the Camp Coca-Cola Community Youth Council. Embedded in both camp and community programs is the focus on school curriculum, skill building and asset building.

This summer Camp Coca-Cola Hill Country staff will come from Texas, Oklahoma and California. Some staff members travel from as far as Colombia and South Africa to share in the Camp Coca-Cola experience.

For more information about Camp Coca-Cola, please go to www.campcocacola.org.