Thursday, September 19, 2024
From Sept. 27-29, Camp Fire Camp El Tesoro will host its 90-year celebration event at its facility located at 7710 Fall Creek Highway in Granbury.
The campfire crackled as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow on the faces of the children gathered around. For Elise Mayfield McConnell, Camp El Tesoro was not just a place to spend her summers; it was a cradle of childhood memories and life lessons she carried well into adulthood.
“When I first attended Camp El Tesoro, it was 1962, and I was out of second grade,” McConnell reminisced. “But the first time I actually visited the camp was when my older sister was in second grade.
“My mother was the co-leader of her Blue Bird group, and we went out on a day trip. I was 5 then, and I remember being captivated by the outdoors, the campfire and the camaraderie.”
This initial visit sparked her desire to experience the camp for herself. “I think my expectation was I wanted to do what she did,” McConnell said. “It was kind of fun to be outdoors and do something different and be away from home.”
As Camp El Tesoro prepares to celebrate its 90th anniversary next month, McConnell reflects on her years there, recalling the friendships made, the skills learned and the confidence gained.
McConnell’s first experience as a camper was filled with mixed emotions and memorable moments. “I remember going with my best friend from school and my cousin,” she said. “We were in a cabin with six girls, and the counselor wanted us to be in three groups of two. My cousin didn’t get to be my partner, and she was mad the whole time. It’s funny; the little things you remember like that, you know. My cousin and I are still friends, and she still brings it up.”
While her cousin decided not to return to camp, McConnell’s love for Camp El Tesoro only grew. “I returned every year and eventually became a counselor in training (CIT) and then a counselor,” she said. “When I was a CIT in the summers of 1970 and 1971, they encouraged us to work at other camps to gain perspective. I worked at Blue Mountain Ranch in Colorado, which had just gone coed. It was a great experience, but I always came back to El Tesoro.”
McConnell’s journey at Camp El Tesoro wasn’t just about the activities; it was about the life lessons she learned and the confidence she gained. “One of the standout moments for me was during a horseback overnight trip,” she recalled. “A big rainstorm came, and they decided we needed to come in. They asked me to be the last person in the back like I was the counselor. It made me feel like a responsible person and gave me confidence.”
Her role as a waterfront director at Camp El Tesoro also left a lasting impact. “I liked the waterfront activities,” McConnell said. “I went through Red Cross swimming lessons, and eventually, I was teaching beginner classes. I remember one time when a girl sank because she was so tense. I had to pull her up, and it made me feel bad because I told her she would pop up. But it also taught me the importance of being patient and understanding.”
Over the years, Camp El Tesoro has changed, but its spirit remains the same. “The camp has physically changed because now they have air conditioning,” McConnell noted. “But I think the spirit of the camp has stayed the same. It’s about being kind people, building relationships and giving back to the community.”
McConnell earned a degree in psychology from the University of Texas and then volunteered for Volunteers in Service to Americain Billings, Montana.
After receiving a master’s degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs, McConnell moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the General Accounting Office, now called the Government Accountability Office.
She relocated to Fort Worth and raised her three sons in Texas. Later, she worked for Camp Fire again for two years before resuming her government career. Eventually, she became the director of fair housing and later the director of the Housing and Urban Development office in New Mexico. McConnell remarried during this period and retired in 2015.
As Camp El Tesoro celebrates its 90th anniversary, McConnell is proud to be part of the celebration. “I’m the committee chair for the birthday party we’re doing,” she said. “It’s been wonderful reconnecting with old friends and sharing our stories. My sons are coming to the celebration, and it’s nice to see the camp’s legacy continue with the next generation.”
Camp Fire First Texas operates Camp El Tesoro, where children and youth engage in outdoor education and experiential learning. Activities like hiking, campfire songs and zip lining are all designed to inspire and foster personal growth, friendships and fun.
“We honor the dignity and worth of every individual,” the Camp Fire’s Statement of Inclusion says, “welcoming and supporting people of all abilities, backgrounds and identities and striving to create safe, inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and foster positive relationships.”
While Camp Fire and Camp El Tesoro are not religiously affiliated, they honor their traditions with some religiously inspired practices, such as saying grace before meals and attending a reflection service at the outdoor chapel to discuss personal growth and leadership.
MISSION STATEMENT
Camp Fire’s mission is to create a safe and inclusive environment where children and youth can build lasting relationships, develop a sense of belonging, and positively contribute to their communities.
Its core values focus on embracing diversity and welcoming all individuals — Inclusion. It uses data to enhance and inspire programming — data-informed practice, valuing the learning process and believing in the potential for improvement — growth mindset. El Tesoro also partners with communities for greater success through community collaboration. The camp emphasizes experiential learning in all programs — hands-on learning and recognizing the importance of social-emotional, physical, creative and academic development — the whole child approach.
Camp Fire programs focus on the critical periods of early childhood and early adolescence, utilizing the outdoor environment to enhance education and connection. Its commitment to continuous improvement through the Camp Fire Program Quality Assessment ensures a strong community impact.
For McConnell, Camp El Tesoro is more than just a summer camp; it’s a hidden treasure that has touched the lives of countless campers. “I just hope it continues to exist for future generations,” she said. “Camp El Tesoro has given me and so many others the confidence to be ourselves and the courage to face challenges.”
She sums up her Camp Fire El Tesoro experience, “Camp El Tesoro provided the opportunity for me, as a child, to feel independent, develop life-long friends, hone new skills in a supportive and encouraging environment while learning to experience and love nature and the outdoors. It continues to nurture my spirit as my sons and their children continue to explore all that El Tesoro has to offer.”
As the campfire burns brightly, Camp El Tesoro continues to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who pass through its gates.
For information about attending the anniversary function, contact campfirefw.org.
