[Episcopal Diocese of West Texas] Camp Capers, the 80-acre Diocese of West Texas camping and retreat center located in Waring, Texas, doubled in size this week with the purchase of an additional 108 acres. “This is truly a historic and significant moment in the life of the Diocese of West Texas,” said the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, bishop of the diocese.

In the picture, provided by Dereck Syfert with Ray Land Company of Texas, Camp Capers is outlined in blue, and the new 108 acres are outlined in red. The new property includes more than 2,000 linear feet of water frontage on the Guadalupe River.

Camp Capers has offered summer camps for children and teenagers and year-round conferences for many other groups since 1947. “These additional acres will provide the diocesan family, present and those to come, incredible opportunities to expand ministries and retreat offerings in many ways, both known and unknown,” said Lillibridge.

This summer phase one of a three-phase facility improvement project was completed at Camp Capers, which brought the camp a brand-new, state-of-the-art meeting hall and two new two-story lodging facilities. In addition, some of the buildings on the property underwent major improvements, including the welcome center and alumni room and the health care center. Combined with the recent land purchase, the diocese is poised for a solid and dynamic future at Camp Capers.

The new and renovated buildings at Camp Capers will be dedicated on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 20, at 3:30 p.m. Those who attend will have the opportunity to view the new acreage.

“The purchase of the additional acreage at Camp Capers strengthens one of the finest camping ministries in the church,” said Lillibridge. Conversations will soon begin to discuss ideas for the use of this new land, but for now, the diocese celebrates this watershed moment in its camping ministry.

To learn more about Camp Capers in the Diocese of West Texas, visit www.dwtx.org/capers. The diocese also has a retreat and conference center on Mustang Island near Corpus Christi, Texas, and a summer adventure program in James Park, Colorado.

— Laura Shaver is the communications officer for the Diocese of West Texas.