What is Camp Tonkawa?
Camp Tonkawa is a break from the everyday noise of the world—a place to rediscover the beauty of earth and what it has to offer. Here you can learn skills passed down from ancient days that seem so removed from modern life: how to tie a snare, how to shoot an arrow, how to cook over an open fire. It is a place for children—and adults—to connect with something besides a screen and a place to remember what a starry, starry night looks like.
A Place to learn,
a place to be
While Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center primarily focuses on educational opportunities, the facilities also provide settings for all sorts of events — weddings, reunions, birthday celebrations and any special occasions. And if you don’t see what you want, give us a call or send us an email.
Why Families Choose Camp Tonkawa
Families across Texas and Southern Oklahoma continue to choose Camp Tonkawa because of our long-standing commitment to authentic outdoor education.
What makes Camp Tonkawa special:
Established in 2002 with over 20 years of experience
Located on 35 acres of natural woodland
Hands-on, nature-based curriculum
Small group learning environments
Diverse, inclusive community of campers
Experienced instructors passionate about outdoor education
Unique programs like horsemanship and survival skills
Custom designed camps for your group.
Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center
Our Memorial Day through July 4th summer camp sessions are the most popular programs of the year and often fill quickly.
Give your child a summer filled with outdoor adventure, learning, and unforgettable experiences at Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center.
A Mission Rooted in Nature and Learning
At Camp Tonkawa, our mission is simple yet powerful: to reconnect people with the earth through experiential outdoor education.
Modern children often spend most of their time indoors, surrounded by screens and structured schedules. Our programs provide a meaningful alternative — an opportunity to explore forests, creeks, wildlife habitats, and open skies while learning practical outdoor skills and developing independence.
Camp Tonkawa draws inspiration from traditional Native American nature awareness and primitive skills, teaching campers how to live respectfully with the land and understand the natural world around them.
Through our programs, campers learn:
- Fire starting and outdoor safety
- Shelter building and wilderness survival
- Plant and wildlife identification
- Archery and outdoor sports
- Knot tying and navigation
- Campfire cooking and food preparation
- Teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving
These skills are taught in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where children are encouraged to ask questions, try new things, and grow both personally and socially.
Visit Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center
Camp Tonkawa is conveniently located in Collinsville, Texas, serving families within a 50-mile radius and beyond, including:
Dallas • Denton • Frisco • McKinney • Plano • Sherman • Gainesville • Southern Oklahoma