DEERFOOT YOUTH CAMP - Southwest ISD

Deerfoot Youth Camp:
A Place for Opportunities
Deerfoot Youth Camp began in 1978. It
was a dream of Thomas Reed’s to see
that every boy return to school each fall
ready to share their camp adventures
with their classmates. Thomas Reed saw
the design of the sports camp as being
three weeks in duration where at-risk
boys receive a head start to higher
education starting at age ten through
their high school years. The camp
teaches important life lessons while
helping to prepare young men to enter
and succeed at the university level. This
is all done at no cost to the parents. The
boys experience group and individual
sports and field trips that include
visits to the Texas A&M University
campus. This is done while instilling
in each participant the expectation of
discipline, respect, trust, teamwork,
and accountability. The motto at camp
is, “Play hard, have fun, and respect
yourself and others.” Dr. Michael
Thornton is a professor at A&M and
serves as the camp’s Executive Director.
Dr. Thornton builds on the vision of
Thomas Reed each day at camp by
sharing those expectations rather than
espousing rules. Dr. Thornton says, “Our
mantra is positive reinforcement.”
Dr. Mike Thornton
Texas A&M University
Learning, Leading and Linking ~
That’s Community Education!
Parents and the DeerFoot
Experience
Parents are a vital component of
the Deerfoot Youth Camp program
experience. No student is accepted into
the program unless their parent agrees
to support their camper throughout the
years. Dr. Mike Thornton, Executive
Director of the Reed Youth Charities
Foundation and General Manager of
the Deerfoot Youth Camp, works closely
with parents and camp counselors
to ensure that all campers have the
most positive experience possible. Dr.
Thornton is also a proud graduate of
Texas A&M University.
Whether a student is a new camper, a
returning camper, or a camper ready
for the Homecoming session, parents
are involved every step of the way.
Students and parents begin the journey
of transitioning from the Southwest
ISD family to the Aggie family from
the moment they accept their child’s
recommendation into the program.
The bonds that are formed will last a
lifetime.
Victoria Gaeta, Assistant Director of
Community Education, oversees the
Deerfoot Youth Camp program for
Southwest ISD and works closely with
counselors, parents, and the Deerfoot
camp staff to ensure a quality experience
for all involved.
DEERFOOT
YOUTH
CAMP
A Partnership Between
Southwest ISD,
The Reed Youth Charities and
Texas A&M University
11914 Dragon Lane
San Antonio, TX 78252

Mission Statement
The goal of Community Education is to
combine resources and extend learning
opportunities to all ages, forging bonds
between family, school and community,
while enriching the quality of life through
fostering lifelong learning.
“From the twinkle to the wrinkle”
Community Education Staff:
Director:
Dr. Brenda Patrick
bpatrick@swisd.net
(210)622-4345 ext. 3811
Assistant Director:
Ms. Victoria Gaeta
vgaeta@swisd.net
(210)622-4345 ext, 3816
GED Registrar &
Community Education Clerk:
Ms. Irene Rodriguez
irodriguez@swisd.net
(210)622-4345 ext.3808
Deerfoot Youth Camp
What: The DFYC program provides
instruction in sportsmanship and
leadership development. The program
is funded by the Reed Youth Charities
Foundation, and serves boys starting at
age ten who have been recommended
by their elementary school counselors.
Every recommended student must
meet the qualifying criteria: MUST
be male, meet at-risk indicators, have
good grades, exhibit good citizenship,
have parental permission and support.
After completion of all the “camping
experience” requirements, graduation
requirements, and upon acceptance into
the university, the participant will receive
a 4 year academic scholarship into Texas
A&M University. The scholarship is based
upon individual needs and offers a once
in a lifetime opportunity for students in
Southwest ISD.
When: Participants recommended to
this program are REQUIRED to attend
every summer from age ten to their
senior year in high school.
Sessions: Session I (June) and Session
II (July) focuses on elementary/
middle school level participants and
Homecoming Session (August) focuses on
high school level participants.
Where: The camp is held in the piney
woods of Magnolia, Texas.