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pioneer program

If you are a Pastor, DCE, Youth Leader, or Teacher, you can bring a group of campers (minimum group of 5) to a 5-night camp session. Campers will be in cabins with other overnight campers and will participate in the regular camp schedule throughout the week. Daily, the Pioneer Leader (group leader from your church) will be given a specific time to meet up with your youth each day to use that time as you see fit. This is a great way to have your youth group bond as a whole and see the ways God is changing their lives throughout the week.

HOW TO REGISTER:

Pioneer reservations are done as a group by the group leader. Individual summer camp registrations are not accepted for the Pioneer program. Pioneer leader will hold the spots for their group through reservation form available below.

Fill out the Pioneer Reservation Form starting Nov. 4, 2025 to reserve spaces for your group! All registrations must be complete by May 1, 2026. After submitting reservation form and deposit, the group leader will receive detailed instructions for completing their group’s registration. Camp Lone Star will bill the church for the final payment (due 2 weeks before check-in).

pioneer reservation form

pioneer reservations are now open for summer 2026!

Are you looking for a way to give your 7-18 year-old youth the classic summer camp experience, while still having time set aside for your church to gather together? Join us at Camp Lone Star as a Pioneer Group!

Benefits of attending as a Pioneer Group:
  • Camp handles the programming so you can cultivate relationships with your youth and other Texas church workers.
  • Pioneer campers receive a discount on their registration fees.
  • Pioneer groups receive priority early registration, a week before individual campers can register.
  • All reserved spaces are exclusively for your church – giving you time to get the word out about your week at camp!
  • Having a Pioneer Leader onsite helps alleviate stress and worry from parents.
How it works:

Your youth will stay in cabins with other individual campers and participate in the regular camp schedule throughout the week – with one exception. Each day, the Pioneer Leader (group leader from your church) will have a dedicated hour to meet with your youth and use that time as you see fit. You could debrief their day, have a Bible study together, throw a party, or simply have a snack together.

This is a great way to have your youth group bond as a community and see the ways God is transforming their lives throughout the week.

Registration Process:
  • Reserve Spaces and Sign your contract: Fill out the form below to select the week your church wants to attend and decide how many spaces you need for each program and gender. You will then be sent a contract confirming the week selected and spaces reserved.
  • Submit Deposit: Submit a $175 deposit per camper space to reserve your spots.
  • Receive & Share Registration Code: Once you have signed your contract you’ll get a unique code for your church. Share this code with your youth for their registration.
  • Youth Register & Submit Forms: Youth will register using the code, and all pre-camp forms will be collected through the registration software.
  • Consolidate Payments: All camper registration fees will go to your church’s account, so your church can make one bulk payment instead of individual ones.
  • Add Spaces: Run out of spaces? Let us know how many more you need and we will reserve them for you.
  • Remaining Spaces: All spaces are held until May 1. Afterwards, any unused spaces will be released to the general public.
  • Finalize & Pay Balance: Once your numbers are confirmed, send us a final check for the balance. You’re all set for camp!

Ready to sign your church up as Pioneer group? Click the button below to reserve your spaces!
Have more questions about the Pioneer Program? Contact our Registrar at registration@camplonestar.org or call 979-968-1657 ext:2

pioneer reservation form

Below you will find all of the information you need as a Pioneer group leader! Please read through it all carefully, and if you have any questions, please contact us.


LEADER REGISTRATION COST:
Each pioneer group is required to have at least one Pioneer Leader. The maximum leader to camper ratio is 1 leader : 10 campers. The cost per Pioneer Leader is $50. This includes adult lodging, linens, 14 meals and background check cost.

EXPECTATIONS OF THE PIONEER GROUP LEADER:
The Pioneer Leader serves as the liaison for their group as they prepare for their time at Camp Lone Star. Pioneer Leader will need to advertise and promote their selected week at Camp Lone Star, reserve the campers spots using the Pioneer Reservation Form, and guide camper families in the registration process after receiving a code to be used during registration. 

During the camp session, you are required to meet with your Pioneer group for a designated hour at least twice throughout the week (Monday through Thursday). During this time, the camp staff will not be involved with your youth. You may decide to lead a Bible study, take a hike, play a game or use this time as you deem appropriate to connect with your group.

We encourage you to take this week as an opportunity it engage with your students during their daily activities; however, you are also welcome to use this week for personal growth and renewal.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PIONEER GROUP LEADERS:
You and other Pioneer Group Leaders will stay in separate quarters with private bathrooms and linen service. Please bring your own towels for swimming and lakefront activities. Campers are not to be in the facility used by Pioneer Leaders. (Private rooms are not guaranteed.)

CAMPER EXPERIENCE:
The youth you bring to Pioneer Camp are integrated into regular cabin groups and supervised by college-aged counselors. The groups consist of no more than ten campers of the same gender and similar ages. Generally, no more than three or four individuals from the same congregation are likely to be placed in the same cabin. Each group generally participates in typical camp activities, such as swimming, Bible study, canoeing, archery, challenge course, and campfire devotions.

The week concludes on Friday with the Closing Program at 10:45 am. Campers depart after the program.

Available sessions for Pioneer Program (Summer 2026): Weeks 1-4 & 6-8

  • Week 1 (May 31-June5): Alpha & Omega 
  • Week 2 *6-NIGHT*(June 7-13): Alpha Max & Omega Max
  • Week 3 (June 14-19): Alpha, Omega, & Alliance* Currently Unavailable
  • Week 4 (June 21-26): Alpha & Omega  Currently Unavailable 
  • Week 6 (July 5-10): Alpha & Omega
  • Week 7 (July 12-17): Alpha, Omega, Night Owl* & Teen Night Owl*  Currently Unavailable
  • Week 8 (July 19-24): Alpha, Omega & Alliance*

Discounted Cost for Pioneer Campers: 

  • Alpha (ages 7-12): $809
  • Alpha Max (ages 7-12): $949
  • Night Owl* (ages 10-12): $809
  • Omega (ages 13-18): $879
  • Omega Max (ages 13-18): $1019
  • Alliance* (ages 13-18): $879
  • Teen Night Owl* (ages 13-18): $879

Each Pioneer Group must bring at least one Pioneer Leader, with a maximum ratio of 1 leader per 10 campers. The cost is $50 per required leader (includes lodging, linens, meals, and background check); additional leaders beyond this ratio are $150 each.

*Alliance, Night Owl, and Teen Night Owl are specialty programs—please make sure campers are informed of the adventure they will embark on in these programs!

Program Descriptions:
Alpha (ages 7-12) & Night Owl (ages 10-12):  Click Here for Descriptions
Alliance (ages 13-18), Omega (ages 13-18) & Teen Night Owl (ages 13-18): Click Here for Descriptions

Pioneer leader resources:

Below you will find multiple useful resources to help you prepare and organize your pioneer group for an AMAZING week of camp!

pioneer leader guide
pioneer program policies
parent resource page