By Claudia Perez Rivas | Kingsville Independent News
For the Kingsville Noon Lions Club, service often comes down to a simple idea: if one child is helped, the effort is worth it.
That belief is guiding the local service organization as members work to identify Kingsville-area children who may qualify to attend Texas Lions Camp, a residential summer camp near Kerrville that serves children with certain medical conditions at no cost to families.
According to club leaders, Kingsville has not sponsored a camper in several years, not because the need is absent, but because many families may be unaware the opportunity exists. The Lions hope increased local awareness will help connect at least one eligible child with the program this summer.
A local club with global reach
The Kingsville Noon Lions Club meets weekly at noon at El Dorado Restaurant, located at the corner of 14th Street and Santa Gertrudis Avenue. The club is part of Lions Clubs International, a global service organization with approximately 1.4 million members across more than 49,000 clubs in over 200 countries.
Locally, the Kingsville Noon Lions includes about 40 members from a range of professions who work together to provide assistance to individuals and families in need.
About Texas Lions Camp
Texas Lions Camp offers residential summer sessions designed to help children build confidence, independence and social skills while participating in activities that may be difficult to access elsewhere.
Camp activities include horseback riding, swimming, archery, fishing, arts and crafts, music, drama, paddle boating, ropes courses and team-based recreation. Camp officials say the program encourages campers to explore new interests, develop friendships and discover abilities they may not have previously recognized.
Rather than grouping campers strictly by diagnosis, the camp organizes activities primarily by age and gender, allowing children to learn alongside peers with different abilities while navigating challenges together.
Who may qualify
The Kingsville Noon Lions are currently seeking potential campers for the 2026 summer season, including:
- Children with physical disabilities, ages 7–16
- Children with Down syndrome, ages 12–16
- Children with Type 1 diabetes, ages 8–15
Texas Lions Camp also hosts Camp Discovery, a session for children who have or have had cancer, as well as TLC-4-Families, a half-week program that allows children with special medical conditions to attend camp alongside parents, siblings and guardians.
Summer sessions begin in late May and run through July, with multiple session dates depending on diagnosis and program type.
Why timing matters
Each child who attends Texas Lions Camp must be sponsored by a local Lions Club. Lions Club members assist families with the application process and serve as a point of contact throughout registration.
Applications open in January, and camp sessions fill quickly as Lions Clubs across Texas identify potential campers. Local Lions say starting the process early improves the likelihood of securing a spot for an eligible child.
No cost to families
Although the estimated cost of a week at camp is approximately $2,000 per child, families do not pay to attend. Camp fees are fully covered by the Lions of Texas and private donors, and no family has ever received a bill for their child’s participation.
How to learn more
Families interested in learning more about Texas Lions Camp or the sponsorship process may contact any Kingsville Noon Lions member. Designated points of contact include:
- Cecilia Luna, Lions Club president: (830) 719-0143
- Jessie Battle: (361) 455-7599
- David Christopher: (361) 522-7550
Additional information is available through Texas Lions Camp, located at 4000 Highway 27 in Kerrville. Families may visit the camp’s website, call (830) 896-8500, or email tlc@lionscamp.com.
For the Kingsville Noon Lions Club, the goal remains simple: helping even one child gain confidence, independence and connection makes the effort worthwhile.