Camp here is different - and we know you and your child will love it. Here, kids learn that their differences do not define them. They also learn that Christ is more than a Sunday School lesson; He is active and real and able. Come play with a purpose!

Our Mission

As boys and girls grow, the challenges they face can be very difficult. Add the extra pressures faced by kids with learning differences, and life can soon feel overwhelming.

Charis Hills offers kids with special learning needs an opportunity to come to a place of acceptance. We help them see, sometimes for the first time, that God created them exactly the way they are, and that He has a plan and purpose for their life. Many campers find support and encouragement here they have never before experienced. They learn that success is something they too can achieve with hard work.

The Charis Hills community is as inclusive as it is transformative. Here they meet others—both peers and counselors—who share similar experiences and are finding success. And while our program is designed for children with learning differences, their siblings and friends are also welcome. All campers have the opportunity to learn and participate in new activities in an environment that is physically and socially safe.

At Charis Hills, we embrace our mission to teach children about Christ. We believe that if a child can understand who Christ is, that understanding can change his or her life. We also believe that many daily problems can be overcome through an understanding of the Bible, and that understanding can guide a successful life.

• We will present God as loving and just, and Christ as the Son of God.

• We will model Christian values and character.

• We will celebrate and share our faith with others but in a relaxed, no-pressure manner.

• We will emphasize a Christian message that is Biblical, positive and affirming, yet non-denominational.

Parents who do not want their children exposed to Biblical teachings or Christ should not send their children to Charis Hills. Children who are not from Christian homes may still attend, and they will not be treated differently than other children. We are committed to treating all children in a fair and balanced manner.

Founders Rand and Colleen Southard saw a need for the camp that became Charis Hills. Their vision was to create an opportunity for children with special learning needs to have a place of their own to hear the word of God in ways they could understand and live. Together they have worked tirelessly to realize their vision and make a difference in children’s lives. 

As a child, president Rand Southard attended a camp for children with physical disabilities. That experience defined his life’s work. For the last 40 years, Rand has worked at and led camps for children with a variety of differences, from muscular dystrophy, blindness, deafness, and diabetes to emotional disturbances and learning differences. He has brought his experience teaching special education in public schools and at the Texas School for the Deaf, as well as his service as an executive director for foster care and residential treatment centers, to his leadership at Charis Hills. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from UT-Austin and a master’s degree in education administration from Texas State University. He has been married to Colleen for 40 years and has two daughters and five grandchildren. 

Having spent the last 32 years working with Rand in camping, Colleen loves getting to know the campers and their families. She finds joy in making things together with them in Arts & Crafts and singing around the campfire. Colleen grew up in Cow Town (Fort Worth), where she received her bachelor’s degree in education from Texas Christian University. She is also a speech and language pathologist and also holds a master’s degree in deaf education from Texas Woman’s University.
 

It takes a special person to be a counselor for our campers—your kids. That’s why we don’t just hire anyone to work at Charis Hills. Counselors have to be energetic, enthusiastic, patient and fun. They have to love an active outdoor schedule, working with different age groups, and collaborating with other counselors. They must take pride in helping children grow and develop personally, spiritually, and physically.

Our counselors each contribute their own special talents to camp—swimming, gardening, archery, music, or dancing, for instance—and use that talent to help your camper succeed. With a desire to teach kids and the energy and attention to detail to make a busy camp schedule work, our counselors are some of the most dedicated and creative people on the planet. Their collective goal is to help your camper have a successful camp experience.

Who are our counselors?

The majority of our counselors are college-age students. Many are studying in the teaching, recreation, or psychology fields and have a desire to gain experience working with children with special needs. A few counselors are certified teachers who are seeking additional knowledge or experience to advance their careers.