Building A Vision
West Texas Camps and Retreats was founded in 2023, as a 501(c)3 non profit charitable organization for the purpose of buying property and building a camp for children and adults of all abilities and their families.
The prospective property is located just North of Hale Center, Texas, three miles west of I-27 making it easily accessible for people traveling from Lubbock, Amarillo, and the Midland/Odessa areas.
The campus will be unlike any others in West Texas. The barrier-free design will allow campers to easily move about as they participate in daily activities. Features like extra wide sidewalks, ADA ramps, adaptive recreation equipment, and oversized restroom facilities are just a few of the amenities ensuring they will have a great experience.
Prospective Property
The prospective location is a beautiful 6,700 square foot building with 109 acres listed for $2.3 Million. The building was built as a residence with a large indoor activity room designed to host large groups. It will become the welcome center, administrative offices, and dining facilities.
The 109 acres provides plenty of space for the construction of lodges, conference rooms, a motel, swimming pool and other activities.
Our first goal is to raise the funds for startup operations and to purchase the property.
DEVELOPMENT PHASES
To make this dream achievable, we have broken down development into four categories. We are currently in the very early stages of Phase 1 as we ask the Lord to guide our steps toward prospective properties and pray over where God is leading us. The vision also has a cost, which we believe the Lord will provide as He directs and guides us. There are opportunities for donors to cover these costs and more information can be found on our Donate page or by contacting Wayne at 806-319-5512.
Phase 1: Getting Started
Budget: $2,725,000
Phase one begins with startup costs and procuring a property for the camp and retreat center. A necessary step in this phase is the development of a campus site plan. This phase also begins to cover the necessary operations costs.
- Startup Operations – $225,000
- Purchase Property $2.3 million
- Develop a campus site plan
Phase 2: Infrastructure
Budget: $2,500,000
In phase two, we really hit the ground running! We will continue daily operations and fundraising efforts as we begin on campus development. Securing architects and engineers will also be necessary to design a barrier-free campus. Building, repairing, and/or updating infrastructure will also be a key part of completing phase two.
- Continue daily operations, fundraising, and campus development
- Secure architects and engineers to design campus
- Build/Repair/Update Infrastructure, including new water well and water system, sewer system, installation of underground utilities (natural gas, electrical, network fiber, etc.), and roads.
Phase 3: Construction Begins
Budget: $5,700,000
Phase 3 is where all of the planning and work from phases one and two pays off. Construction begins on the facilities and we are planning big!
- Two Lodges
- Dining Facilities with full kitchen and restrooms
- Sensory Room
- Motel with six (6) family style bedrooms.
- Medical clinic
- Recreation and activities which will include a swimming pool, zip line, fishing pond, archery, BB Arcade, adventure course, horse riding arena and stables, petting zoo and a field perfect for games!
Infrastructure will also be a focus for phase 3 as we put in place phone and internet technologies, paved roads sidewalks, and security gates. Irrigation and sewer systems will be installed. Staff housing will include houses with 2-3 bedrooms as well as 4 one-bedroom apartments. We also plan to include six RV sites.
And do you know what the best part is? Camp begins when phase 3 ends!
Phase 4: Continue Building
Budget: $3,500,000
In this phase, we continue to plan for growth. The first three phases provide for the initial needs of campers and their families, while in this phase we expand on that. Our goal is to build three more lodges, add a motel or family cabins, build a multipurpose activity building, and provide additional recreation spaces. We’ll also expand our camp programs in this phase.