CTO is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian youth hunting and fishing club that has full-time clubs is six communities across Texas and Louisiana.
Since originating the Christian youth hunting and fishing summer camps concept with a single session six years ago, CTO founder and Chief Outfitter Mike Arnold has seen the program grow to draw campers from across America, and inspire a number of imitators as well.
At CTO summer camps, boys ages 10-16 enjoy a full week of hunting and fishing on top-notch game ranches. Each camper has the opportunity to harvest a big game animal while learning all kinds of hunting and fishing tools and tactics.
“What really sets us apart is that our emphasis is on maximizing fun, hands-on experiences for the campers. I believe the best way for a kid to learn is by doing, with the help of experienced and caring mentors. We avoid classroom lectures and workbook curriculums. Kids who come to CTO camps learn more than they ever imagined, all while having the most fun they’ve ever had in their lives,” said Arnold.
CTO’s local clubs are anchored by full-time staff members called Outfitters. CTO Outfitters work year-round with volunteers and landowners to introduce kids to the hunting and fishing heritage. It is this base of permanent staff that has allowed CTO to expand the program this year to keep up with demand.
“We keep our camp sessions very small on purpose,” said Arnold. “At a maximum, we’ll have 14 campers at any one time. This keeps our adult-to-camper ratio low, and our quality as high as possible. The thing is, there are only so many sessions you can fit in a summer. Last year we maxed out the number of campers that a ranch and staff team can handle. Thankfully, we have incredible permanent staff leaders in locations across Texas, so assembling a second camp team and ranch was a natural next step for us.”
Arnold said the group’s Central Texas Outfitters will run one set of sessions at the Spanish Dagger Ranch near Uvalde, while the East Texas team runs the other sessions at the Stillwater Refuge near the Davy Crockett National Forest. “Both of these ranches are simply fantastic,” he said.
“Each of our camp directors not only has extensive year-round experience working with kids in the outdoors, and top-of-the-line training, but also has worked multiple years now at our CTO Summer Camps. These guys are the very best in the business, and that makes all the difference in the world,” said Arnold.
Arnold expects the new sessions to fill up quickly, and encourages anyone interested in signing up for their camps to contact the CTO Central Office as soon as possible. He said April and May are traditionally their peak sign-up months.
Tuition for all CTO camp sessions is $950, and includes all meals, lodging, gear and harvesting of a big game animal. The group offers need-based scholarships and fundraising opportunities, so that they’ve “never had to turn a kid away from camp just because he thought he couldn’t afford it.” Arnold said.
For more information log on to the Team CTO website or call 866-KID HUNT.
