Activities Encourage a Growth Mindset 

Camp El Tesoro offers age appropriate activities that develop social and emotional confidence in campers while they have fun in the outdoors and make new friends.

Camp El Tesoro offers age appropriate activities that develop social and emotional confidence in campers while they have fun in the outdoors and make new friends.

Campers entering grades 1-5 who are in their 1st or 2nd year of attending El Tesoro will participate in a ‘Taste of Camp’ on Monday-Wednesday, trying out nine* morning activities before selecting their three favorites to try again on Thursday and Friday.

Campers entering 6th grade and above or who have already completed two summers at El Tesoro, will select their three activities for the week when they arrive at camp on Sunday afternoon. We encourage campers to select their own activities to help develop the sense of independence they will experience while at camp.

Campers increase their skills by advancing through progression levels within each activity.

Morning Activities **

archery

Archery*

arts and crafts

Arts & Crafts*

canoes

Canoeing/Kayaking*

challenge course high

Challenge Course High Ropes

challenge course low

Challenge Course Low Ropes*

Dance

Dance

Drama

Drama

Fishing

Fishing

Horseback

Horseback*

Outdoor Cooking

Outdoor Cooking

Hiking Outdoor Living Skills

Outdoor Living Skills/Hiking

sports

Sports & Games*

Swimming

Swimming & Water Games*

girl in woodshop

Woodshop

Yoga

Yoga

Afternoon Cabin Activities

(selected by the campers and their counselors Monday-Thursday)

Archery

Archery*

Archery Tag

Archery Tag

Nine Square

9-Square in the Air

Challenge High

Challenge Course High Ropes

Challenge Low

Challenge Course Low Ropes*

Yard Games

Yard Games

Cabin Dance Party

Cabin Dance Parties

Board Card Game

Board/Card Games

Disc Golf

Disc Golf

Sports Court

Sports Court

GaGa Ball

GaGa Ball

Arts and Crafts

Arts & Crafts*

kids hiking

Hiking

Creek Walking

Creek Walking/Net Fishing

Friendship Rock

Friendship Rock Island

Paint Horse

Painted Horse

Table Games

Table Games

free Swim

Free Swim

Camp Store

Camp Store

Evening Cabin Activities

(selected by the campers and their counselors Monday-Thursday)

Smores

S’mores

Sing a longs

Sing-a-longs

Unit Activity

Unit Activities

All Camp

All-Camp Challenges

Cookout

Cookout

Outdoor Movie

Movie Night

barn dance

Barn Dance

slab time

Slab Time

night hike

Night Hikes

Stargazing

Stargazing

  • Color Wars
  • Torchbearer

Torchbearer Program for 13-day Campers

All 9th and 10th grade campers attending 13-day sessions have the opportunity to participate as a Torchbearer – a program designed to prepare a camper in becoming a future leader at camp. During the first week, the Torchbearer participates in their selected activity twice per day to learn from counselors how to prepare and deliver that chosen activity. During the second week at camp, they earn the opportunity to assist in leading the activity. This program has been enhanced to offer advanced skill level instruction in archery, canoeing & kayaking, challenge course, horseback, and other selected activities such as arts and crafts and drama. Campers will learn more about the program and may sign up for their Torchbearer choice on arrival at camp.

** activities subject to change, may have limited available spaces or age requirements to participate

Typical Daily Schedule

6:30am — Staff Rise
7:00am — Campers Rise
8:00am — Breakfast followed by Flag Ceremony
9:00am — Activity One
10:15am — Activity Two
11:30am — Activity Three
12:45pm — Lunch
1:40pm — Rest Time
3:00pm — Activity Four – Free Swim or Cabin Activity, Snack at Camp Store
4:30pm — Activity Five – Free Swim or Cabin Activity, Snack at Camp Store
6:00pm — Dinner followed by Flag Ceremony
7:15pm — All Camp or Unit Activity
8:00pm — Lower Camp Showers
8:00pm — Upper Camp Evening Activity
8:30pm — Middle Camp Showers
9:00pm — Lights Out Lower Camp
9:00pm — Upper Camp Showers
9:30pm — Lights Out Middle Camp
10:00pm — Lights Out Upper Camp

Watch Our Virtual Tour Video

Want to see camp in person? Join us for a FREE Camp Preview in March, April or May.

Camp Food – Yum!

Campers at El Tesoro get their fill of delicious, kid-friendly food at the dining hall where our professional food service staff serves nutritious, well-balanced meals three times a day. For breakfast we offer a hot meal line as well as a variety of cereal, yogurt and fruit. Lunch and dinner include a hot meal and a salad bar served in a canoe!

Even picky eaters leave camp meals full and happy. We plan each menu with our campers in mind featuring items kids love – tacos, hot dogs, chicken strips and more. Our extensive served salad bar (with more than 20 items) offers healthy choices including broccoli, carrots, hummus, fresh fruit and multiple dressing options.

On Wednesday nights campers participate in Dessert Cookout – with the counselors help they will prepare a dessert and cook it over a campfire.

Prior to your child’s arrival, let us know if your child has food allergies or special dietary needs so we can plan for their stay at camp. El Tesoro is a nut-free facility.

In addition, campers can visit the camp store on Monday-Thursday afternoons to purchase a mid-day snack.

swimming

Camp Units

Lower Camp

Grades 1 – 5

Middle Camp

Grades 6 – 8

Upper Camp

Grades 9 – 10

Camp Details

Campers at El Tesoro Overnight Camp stay in air-conditioned modern, enclosed cabins set in three units in camp. Campers are grouped in cabins by grade level and gender. Be sure to request a cabin buddy if your camper is coming with a friend. All cabins are ADA compliant.

Cabins
Each clean, comfortable cabin has the capacity sleep ten campers and two counselors in twin-size beds.

Bathrooms
All of our cabins have indoor bathrooms with two private toilet stalls, three sinks and three private showers.

Trunks
Trunks are an ideal way to pack for camp and fit easily at the foot of each bed.

Packing 101
Read our blog about making packing for El Tesoro a breeze and check out the official packing list.