The Pines Catholic Camp
The Pines Catholic Camp, 300 White Pine Rd, Big Sandy, TX 75755
About
The Pines Catholic Camp includes activities such as Mass, visits to the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel, and the Sacraments, along with a zipline, trails, and hands-on activities in nature. Campers can take part in Environmental Education as well as training in lifeguarding, first aid, ropes course, and riflery sports. The camp runs 10 week-long sessions.
• Ages: 7–18 years old
• Schedule: 10 week-long sessions
The Pines Catholic Camp was established in November of 1988 by Bonni Castellaw and Judy Brophy, and its first summer in 1989 hosted 446 campers from 37 parishes in four dioceses. The organization states that it is 37 years old. Its mission is to empower every camper and staff member to encounter God and to live his or her faith with joy and confidence through a distinctly Catholic camp ministry built on faith formation and fellowship set within the beauty of God’s creation.
Staff receive training and support from the American Red Cross for lifeguard and first aid training, Adventure Experiences for ropes course training, Freedom Defense Training for riflery sports training, Dr. Bradley Robertson for health center policies and consultations, and Virtus – Protecting God’s Children for safe environment training. Priests serve as chaplains to offer the Sacraments and fellowship, and staff are described as enthusiastic and passionate about sharing the joy of the faith with campers. The Pines offers camp options for kids, teens, and families, including Family Camp, a Mother + Daughter Retreat, and a Father + Son Retreat in the fall and spring, as well as the Alive Again winter weekend program for 8th–12th graders during the Advent season.
The Pines also offers Confirmation Retreats, Leadership Retreats, and Awakening Retreats that are designed and catered to groups, along with an experiential Environmental Education model for upper elementary students. A Missionary Program is available to help future ministry leaders grow in leading and facilitating retreats, giving talks, and relational ministry. The Pines serves several thousand campers a year through various programs over the entire year, provides retreat ministry and hospitality to guests who rent its facilities, and makes its facilities available for rental to groups such as churches, schools, scouts, and YMCA groups. The organization is affiliated with and supported by the American Camp Association, the Christian Camp & Conference Association, and the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM).
Last updated July 22, 2026.
• Ages: 7–18 years old
• Schedule: 10 week-long sessions
The Pines Catholic Camp was established in November of 1988 by Bonni Castellaw and Judy Brophy, and its first summer in 1989 hosted 446 campers from 37 parishes in four dioceses. The organization states that it is 37 years old. Its mission is to empower every camper and staff member to encounter God and to live his or her faith with joy and confidence through a distinctly Catholic camp ministry built on faith formation and fellowship set within the beauty of God’s creation.
Staff receive training and support from the American Red Cross for lifeguard and first aid training, Adventure Experiences for ropes course training, Freedom Defense Training for riflery sports training, Dr. Bradley Robertson for health center policies and consultations, and Virtus – Protecting God’s Children for safe environment training. Priests serve as chaplains to offer the Sacraments and fellowship, and staff are described as enthusiastic and passionate about sharing the joy of the faith with campers. The Pines offers camp options for kids, teens, and families, including Family Camp, a Mother + Daughter Retreat, and a Father + Son Retreat in the fall and spring, as well as the Alive Again winter weekend program for 8th–12th graders during the Advent season.
The Pines also offers Confirmation Retreats, Leadership Retreats, and Awakening Retreats that are designed and catered to groups, along with an experiential Environmental Education model for upper elementary students. A Missionary Program is available to help future ministry leaders grow in leading and facilitating retreats, giving talks, and relational ministry. The Pines serves several thousand campers a year through various programs over the entire year, provides retreat ministry and hospitality to guests who rent its facilities, and makes its facilities available for rental to groups such as churches, schools, scouts, and YMCA groups. The organization is affiliated with and supported by the American Camp Association, the Christian Camp & Conference Association, and the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM).
Last updated July 22, 2026.
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