About
Discovery Camps offers a week of activities where campers swim, fish, climb, and create. The program includes structured time for these activities during one incredible week each July.
• Ages: 7–16 years old
• Schedule: One incredible week each July; next session JULY 12 - 18, 2026
• Price: Camp is provided at no cost to families.
Discovery Camps’ stated mission is empowering children and families facing pediatric cancer through transformative camp experiences that cultivate happiness, resilience, and family strength. Camp Discovery welcomes children ages 7–16 from across Central and South Texas who are currently in treatment or have completed treatment for pediatric cancer. The program also offers family programs that allow the entire family to enjoy a weekend of camp activities and time with other families who have shared a similar cancer journey. Every activity is designed so every child can participate, and campers are not allowed to have cell phones or other communicative devices; if a phone is found, it is kept in a safe place until camp is over, and parents are not allowed to visit during camp.
Camp Discovery is abundantly staffed with physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Each volunteer completes mandatory online training and additional training at camp before campers arrive, and all volunteers have a yearly background check. Discovery Camps reports that more than half of its volunteers are former campers, and it is currently experiencing a 94% return volunteer rate.
Since 1984, the organization has held these camp sessions, with the first Camp Discovery in June 1984 and a name change to Discovery Camps in May 2022. Camp Discovery was featured on KSAT 12 in 2015, at which time it had been operating for 32 years. United States marshals have visited the camp, officially swearing in campers as deputy junior U.S. marshals, giving them the chance to explore real riot gear and meet Pauly, a K-9 officer. The organization lists its purpose as creating happiness in the lives of children and families battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, and its core values as Compassion, Inclusion, Resilience, and Happiness.
An information packet listing what each child needs to bring is sent with the acceptance letter. Families provide all necessary medications to the medical team at registration, and medications are stored and handled by the medical team in the Band-Aid-Box (infirmary) while camp is in session. Campers have no need for money during camp. Discovery Camps partners with families referred through Methodist Children’s Hospital San Antonio, San Antonio Military Medical Center, University Health’s CHRISTUS Children’s Hospital San Antonio, and Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin.
Testimonials from former campers and volunteers describe long-term involvement with the program. Matthew Sinclair notes his experience as a camper and now as a counselor, Tommy “Tbone” Bounds describes his first visit and ongoing support through Teed Off at Cancer, and Jessica Hoyt Koerlin shares her perspective as a former camper and current volunteer. The organization’s mailing address is Discovery Camps, Inc. P.O Box 692153 San Antonio, TX 78269.
Last updated July 21, 2026.
• Ages: 7–16 years old
• Schedule: One incredible week each July; next session JULY 12 - 18, 2026
• Price: Camp is provided at no cost to families.
Discovery Camps’ stated mission is empowering children and families facing pediatric cancer through transformative camp experiences that cultivate happiness, resilience, and family strength. Camp Discovery welcomes children ages 7–16 from across Central and South Texas who are currently in treatment or have completed treatment for pediatric cancer. The program also offers family programs that allow the entire family to enjoy a weekend of camp activities and time with other families who have shared a similar cancer journey. Every activity is designed so every child can participate, and campers are not allowed to have cell phones or other communicative devices; if a phone is found, it is kept in a safe place until camp is over, and parents are not allowed to visit during camp.
Camp Discovery is abundantly staffed with physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Each volunteer completes mandatory online training and additional training at camp before campers arrive, and all volunteers have a yearly background check. Discovery Camps reports that more than half of its volunteers are former campers, and it is currently experiencing a 94% return volunteer rate.
Since 1984, the organization has held these camp sessions, with the first Camp Discovery in June 1984 and a name change to Discovery Camps in May 2022. Camp Discovery was featured on KSAT 12 in 2015, at which time it had been operating for 32 years. United States marshals have visited the camp, officially swearing in campers as deputy junior U.S. marshals, giving them the chance to explore real riot gear and meet Pauly, a K-9 officer. The organization lists its purpose as creating happiness in the lives of children and families battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, and its core values as Compassion, Inclusion, Resilience, and Happiness.
An information packet listing what each child needs to bring is sent with the acceptance letter. Families provide all necessary medications to the medical team at registration, and medications are stored and handled by the medical team in the Band-Aid-Box (infirmary) while camp is in session. Campers have no need for money during camp. Discovery Camps partners with families referred through Methodist Children’s Hospital San Antonio, San Antonio Military Medical Center, University Health’s CHRISTUS Children’s Hospital San Antonio, and Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin.
Testimonials from former campers and volunteers describe long-term involvement with the program. Matthew Sinclair notes his experience as a camper and now as a counselor, Tommy “Tbone” Bounds describes his first visit and ongoing support through Teed Off at Cancer, and Jessica Hoyt Koerlin shares her perspective as a former camper and current volunteer. The organization’s mailing address is Discovery Camps, Inc. P.O Box 692153 San Antonio, TX 78269.
Last updated July 21, 2026.
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