Outdoor Education Retreats for Schools | YMCA Camp Cullen

The YMCA of Greater Houston believes that for youth to thrive, they need a full range of positive opportunities. Research indicates that outdoor instruction keeps youth engaged and interested, not only during outdoor learning but also upon returning to the classroom. YMCA Camp Cullen provides the chance to step away from games, phones and daily distractions to learn about the ecosystem and natural environment.

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Camp Cullen activity

Experience Outdoor Education, Adventure and Leadership at Camp Cullen

In partnership with schools, YMCA Camp Cullen provides the opportunity for students of all grade levels to experience outdoor education, adventure and leadership. YMCA Camp Cullen is accessible to all students and communities. The option is open to the public school district, private schools, Montessori, Home School groups, and more and can be customized to fit the school curriculum and needs.

YMCA Camp Cullen proudly offers a wide range of trust-building, intuitive games and thought-provoking challenges that will cover the full spectrum of your school group’s needs. Our goal is to provide an outstanding experience for all involved, no matter the participant age, skill or experience level.

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Tailoring the Camp Cullen Student Experience

Your group’s schedule of events will be specifically designed to align with your designated goals and objectives. Our staff specializes in outdoor education, adventure and leadership, which can also be incorporated into your day, if desired. We can tailor a day for your students across all grade levels or for any size faculty/staff team. Choose from one of our pre-set itineraries or we will work to create a custom experience.

Need a short session? No problem! Want to hang out at camp all day? That works for us, too! Let us build the perfect retreat for you.

“Try it for a day, love it for a lifetime!”

Your school will walk away from their Camp Cullen adventure renewed, refocused and revitalized; we guarantee it!

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Outdoor Education Rates

Overnight Trips
*School staff attend at no cost
Length of Stay Rates 
2 Days, 1 Night $80 per student, $40 per parent
3 Days, 2 Nights $128 per student, $62 per parent
4 Days, 3 Nights $169 per student, $82 per parent
5 Days, 4 Nights $210 per student, $105 per parent

Day Trips
*School staff attend at no cost
Trip Details Rates
< 8 Hour day trip with hot lunch provided by Camp Cullen $30 per student, $15 per parent
< 8 Hour day trip with lunch brought by school $20 per student, $10 per parent
> 8 Hours extended day trip with lunch and dinner $42 per student, $21 per adult
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Book Your School’s Next Adventure

If you are interested in partnering with YMCA Camp Cullen, we invite you to connect with our team using the contact form below. We would be happy to begin a conversation about your goals and vision for your students and explore how our Outdoor Education programs can support them. Our booking process is collaborative, low-pressure, and designed to help schools identify the experiences that best align with their educational objectives, budget, and desired outcomes. Whether you are just beginning to explore options or are ready to plan your visit, our team is here to help create a meaningful and impactful experience for your students.

We believe every student deserves access to hands-on outdoor learning experiences, regardless of financial circumstances. Thanks to the incredible generosity of organizations such as the AAPG Foundation (American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation), The Hamman Foundation, and many individual donors, limited financial assistance and program discounts may be available for underserved schools and students. These philanthropic partnerships help reduce barriers to participation, ensuring more young people can experience the educational, environmental, and personal growth opportunities offered through YMCA Camp Cullen’s Outdoor Education programs.

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Interested in a Camp Cullen hosted Retreat or Event?

Please take the time to reach out and let us know when your interest in having Camp Cullen host your retreat.

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