Welcome to Camp Tonkawa
Camp Tonkawa has received our 501c3 Non profit stats. Any donations are greatly appreciated and we can give a tax deductible receipt upon request. We are a Nature Awareness Learning Center for Children and Adults that was founded by the Holtzman Family. The camp gives a great "hands on" experience in the great outdoors. It is located on a 35 acre tract of land about an hour drive north of Dallas Texas.
We offer a great range of classes and camps for all ages. Check out our Calendar for our upcoming schedule of classes and camps. We also can create camps and classes for groups as needed.
Our mission is to reconnect mankind with nature with our "hands on" teaching of ancient Native American skills of nature awareness and primitive wilderness survival.
The Camp Tonkawa property is a certified wildlife refuge. Our woods of oak and junipers have plenty of trails, a small creek, fishing pond, swimming pond, pasture, organic garden, barn and a long house.
Our staff is professionally trained in Leadership, Youth Development & Play, and Mental Health & Behavior. Training is through ExpertOnlineTraining.com.
Camp Tonkawa News
May 2010
A regional Group Donation came May 10, 2010 from the Tractor Supply Stores of Sherman, Durant (Oklahoma), Bonham and McKinney, each donated two 10 foot round pen panels. A great big thank you goes out to each of them for making this a great addition to our Horsemanship training activities. Randy Scism drove the circuit to pick up the panels, and assembled what we have so far. We need 4 more panels, and the door to complete the pen. Horsemanship Day Camp May 8, 2010 was attended by Girl Scout Troop 675, from Flowermound. They all earned their Horse Fan and Horse Rider Junior Badges and the one brother earned his Horsemanship Boy Scout Merit Badge. This troop had attended Basic 8 Camping Skills last year.
Our bee hive is up and running. on April 12, 2010 we received our nuc, the starter package of bees. On May 12, 2010 Heidi Kocher guided us through opening and checked out the activity for the first time. As they get established, we will be adding this into another aspect of our outdoor education.
April 2010
A special Horse Weekend was set up for Girl Scout Troop 377 from Plano. A two nighter, April 30-May 2, 2010. They did the Horsemanship Day Camp on Saturday and then Sunday took a trail ride. They also opted to do their own camp cooking. Events can be tailor made to fit your groups needs, just call and we can brainstorm to plan a customized camp that meets all your needs.
Wildlife Camp May 1-2, 2010, with Girl Scout Troop 819 from Allen, Tx was successful at fishing out of our back pond. They also learned about Birds, Tracks and all about the Texas Wildlife symbols.
Arbor Day Tree planting is always a big event at Camp Tonkawa with Chipco (Ms Tree hugger / April Holtzman) in charge. This year we received tree donations from Home Depot (Gainesville), Lowebs (Sherman) and D & L farm and ranch (Argyle). They not only gave us trees but generous donations of flowering shrubs and perennials that will both attract hummingbird and butterflies. Alco (Pilot Point) and Dennards (Whitesboro) gave flowers and Pilot Point Feed Store gave bags of compost. Come out and see the beautiful Earth Connection Gardens we have growing.
Native American Indian Camp April 24-25, 2010 was a huge success. Girl Scout Troops 8923 from Little Elm, 2717 from Carrollton, and 8776 from Dallas all filled the Tipis. Archery, Canoeing, Cornhusk Doll craft, Storytelling, and Pow Wow, were all apart of this fun filled weekend.
Camp Together was a two night event April 16-18,2010 for Girl Scout Troop 667 from Mckinney. Camp cooking, compass course, and general camp out skills were learned. Bonus was the baby chicks had been hatched out by the Mohr family, were delivered back to the camp in time for the girls to play with them.
This troop had attended a Horsemanship day camp earlier this year and came with gifts of grooming brushes and hoof picks! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! They will be returning over the summer for a family picnic event.
Randy Scism and April Holtzman participated in DFW Airports Earth Day event April 15, 2010 and the next day the Earth First Challenge for over 120 elementary age children. Promoting the camp while teaching the joy and wonders of nature.
Backing Packing Camp on April 10-11, 2010 was attended by Girl Scout Troop 1322 from Grand Prairie. Two dads were here with the group learning the Basics or backpacking along with taking two hikes with our gear. The troop is interested in us planning a trip with them, maybe the Ozark Trail in Arkansas.
March 2010
Caddo Lake Canoe / Survival Trip was a huge success March 26-28, 2010. The 4H group from Austin, lead by the Thompson family was in charge of the paddle aspect. Camp Tonkawa taught the Primitive Survival workshop. They built one heck of a debris shelter with the Spanish moss and the pine bark, the materials found in East Texas. There were 22 people total, (15 adults and 7 children), all were excited about doing it again next year! To see more pictures from this fun trip, click here and you will be redirected to another website.